Washington State Library News

The Whatcom County Library System has been awarded $25,000 to continue the work begun in 2010 in community relationship building between libraries and low-income and minority residents. Under the federal Library Services and Technology Act, the funds come through a competitive process within the state of Washington. One of the cooperating partners is the Washington State Library. {Editor’s note: this is a Renew Washington LSTA grant} (Lynden Tribune, 1.19.11)

Library News

The Arlington Kiwanis Club and the Friends of the Arlington Library delivered some presents to third-grade students in the Arlington, Lakewood and Darrington school districts just before the winter holidays.  (Arlington Times [Marysville], 1.19.11) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/north_sound/arl/lifestyle/114209894.html

When Susan Larson checked out a fine gardening magazine at the Gig Harbor/Peninsula library on December 30, she had no idea it was the millionth item to be borrowed from the branch during 2010. “That is an amazing number for any public library in the nation,” said Mary Getchell, communications director for the Pierce County Library System.  (Photo) (Peninsula Gateway [Gig Harbor], 1.19.11) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/01/14/1502602/gig-harbor-library-hits-million.html

The Ellensburg Public Library is ready for this year’s tax season.  In a push to have people file their taxes electronically, this year the IRS will no longer mail out tax forms to homes.  The library has forms and booklets or the 2010 tax season to pick up. (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 1.24.11)

A neighborhood group in Spokane plans to hold a fundraiser to help children pay off overdue book fines so they can resume using their library. Jennifer Hansen of the Neighborhood Matters community development program asked the South Perry Business and Neighborhood Association to raise money to help pay off children’s fines and save the library. (Tri-City Herald Online [Kennewick], 2.3.11) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/02/03/v-print/1353435/spokane-group-raising-funds-to.html

Fort Vancouver Regional Library District officials declined Monday to establish a fine for patrons caught being a bit tardy. But the issue of overdue fines and other new charges will be discussed during a retreat session, set for April 11-12 at the Cascade Park Community Library. The fee under consideration Monday would have been imposed for items placed on hold for pickup at a customer’s convenience, then left unclaimed for at least 10 days. (Columbian Online [Vancouver], 2.8.11) http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/feb/08/library-inches-toward-user-fees/

Elections

Hoping to head off a new round of library closure talks or further cuts to branch hours, the Spokane Public Library is asking city leaders to sponsor a property tax boost on the April 26 ballot. The Spokane City Council will decide Feb. 14 if it will ask voters for an extra 15 cents for each $1,000 of taxable property value. If successful, the tax would generate an extra $2.3 million a year. (Spokesman Review Online [Spokane], 2.4.11) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/feb/04/a-boost-for-books/

Buildings

The Whatcom Community Foundation announced a $25,000 donation from Sam Boulos, owner of Keith Oil, to the new Ferndale library capital campaign.  Boulos’ donation brings the campaign for the new public library…to nearly 60 percent of its goal. (Northwest Business Monthly [Bellingham], 1.2011)

Come January 31…Swan Creek Library and its cross-town twin, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library in Central Tacoma, will officially be closed to the public. Facing a nearly $2 million budget shortfall for the coming two years, trustees grudgingly opted to shutter the two small branches – the first closures in the Tacoma Public Library System’s modern history. (Photos) (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 1.16.11) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/01/16/1504222/library-to-serve-fewer.html

Officials from Mid-Columbia Libraries say plans are on schedule to open a west Pasco branch by 2013.  The library system plans to add a satellite library near Road 68 with a drive-through for returning books and picking up books on hold. Kyle Cox, Mid-Columbia Libraries interim director, said they hope to have a contract in place by March. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 1.17.11) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/01/17/1330203/officials-say-new-pasco-branch.html

As construction continues ahead of schedule for the new Grandview-YVCC library, city and college officials are making progress in hammering out an agreement for the joint project. During a study session last night, city and YVCC officials met to iron out the final details for the joint library, which is on pace to finish construction in July, a month ahead of schedule. (Photo) (Daily News [Sunnyside], 1.26.11) http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/Story.aspx/20296/grandview-yvcc-continue-discussion-on-library-agreement

The King County Library System is seeking qualifications for the design of two Renton libraries. No construction date has been set for the 15,000-20,000 square foot Renton Library or the 15,000 square foot Renton Highlands Library. Submittals are due by February 23. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 2.3.11)

Letters & Editorials

The Whatcom County Library Foundation Board wants to thank our generous donors for helping us award grants to new and innovative teen programs, to the North Fork Community Library building project, to the Raise a Reader program and to the wonderful Whatcom READS! Program that is hosting Jim Lynch of Border Songs in countywide events in January and February of 2011. (Foothills Gazette [Maple Falls], 1.17.11)

I read with interest your article on the negotiations between the Town of Ione and the Pend Oreille County Library District. You state the names of four of the committee but refer to the fifth, Lynn Barnes, as “some library staff members.” Barnes has been working for the northern libraries since before the district was formed…and deserves recognition for her role in a difficult situation. (Newport Miner, 1.19.11)

As a supporter of relocating Kelso’s Public Library to Three Rivers Mall, we were happy to see the move completed.  For a very reasonable amount of money, the city was able to turn a liability into an asset. If there’s a downside, we can’t find it. (Daily News [Longview], 1.22.11) http://tdn.com/news/opinion/article_607cb5d8-25c4-11e0-b193-001cc4c002e0.html

Due to the terrific news article you put in the Columbia Basin Daily Herald on Wednesday, January 19, we again had a very successful used book sale the next day. Thank you for your community support of our endeavor to be able to help our Moses Lake Public Library and their programs. (Columbia Basin Herald [Moses Lake], 1.27.11) http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/article_9f2caff4-2a47-11e0-a9ac-001cc4c03286.html

People

Tove Stocks, longtime circulation supervisor for the White Salmon Valley Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, was honored on Friday, January 7 – her last day on the job – by Friends of the Library, library staff and community members with whom Tove has worked throughout her 19-year career at the library. (Photo) (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 1.13.11) http://www.whitesalmonenterprise.com/archives/Story.aspx/12108/library-honors-stocks

Rita Mueller, who has been a familiar face at Willapa Harbor Timberland Libraries for the last 16 years, is saying “Good Bye” and moving away.  But she will not be changing her employer; she has received a promotion and will be working at the Timberland Library Service Center in Olympia. Her last day at the Raymond Timberland Library will be Saturday, January 22. (Photo) (Willapa Harbor Herald [Raymond], 1.19.11)

Spokane County Library District trustees will meet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday to consider how to replace Director Michael Wirt, who plans to retire in February 2012. Trustees will confer with a recruiting consultant in the public meeting room at the Lincoln Center. Wirt said the board hopes to name his replacement by December 31. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 1.21.11) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/jan/21/in-brief-look-out-for-signs-of-tussock-moths/

Bob Bates officially took his place as Whitman County Library’s newest trustee during the January 18 board meeting in Colfax.  Bates, a longtime library advocate, was appointed to a five-year term by Whitman County Commissioners.  Meetings of the Whitman County Library Board are open to the public and community members are encouraged to attend. Meetings are at 4 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month.  (Daily News [Pullman], 1.22.11)

Pam Kiesner, director for Bellingham Public Library, said she has turned down the top library post in Boulder, Colo.  Kiesner was one of four finalists for the Boulder Public Library director job in the city of 103,000 people. In an interview, Kiesner said she was offered the job but turned it down for family and financial reasons. (Bellingham Herald Online, 2.3.11) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/02/03/1849878/bellingham-public-library-director.html

Awards

Shannon Roe and Trevor Main were awarded Whitman County Library Supporters of the Month during a ceremony at the new Malden Library. Roe and Main spent countless hours getting the new Malden Library ready for community use. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 1.20.11)

Programs & Displays

Youth of all ages are invited to let their imaginations run wild at the White Salmon Valley Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District’s, LEGO Club! The fun starts on Saturday, January 15 and continues select Saturdays at 2 p.m. through April.  Participants may bring their own LEGO bricks or use the ones provided. (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 1.13.11)

Whidbey Reads 2011 and Sno-Isle Libraries will tickle the taste buds with a series of events devoted to books, discussions and other activities about food with “A Taste of Whidbey Reads.” The featured title this year is Erica Bauermeister’s “The School of Essential Ingredients,” which will be the topic of community events in March.  (Photo) (South Whidbey Record [Langley], 1.19.11)

The bimonthly Whidbey Island Arts Council Poetry Slam, now in its 19^th year, will return to the Coupeville Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries, at 6 p.m. tonight.  All ages are welcome to share in this friendly, family fun.  Host Jim Freeman will join with poet/author/cheerleader Molly Cook to share in the festivities. (South Whidbey Record [Langley], 1.19.11)

Teen Tech Week is coming up at the White Salmon Valley Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District. This year, teens will have access to a new programming language called Scratch, which lets users create their own interactive stories, animations, games, music and art. (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 1.20.11)

County libraries want children and adults in a zone.  The Study Zone. The tutoring program offers online help to students in grades kindergarten through 12. Children can now meet virtually with their tutors, using library computers. The year-long program of in-person tutoring will continue at all King County Library System branches, including Fall City, North Bend and Snoqualmie. (Photo) (SnoValley Star [Issaquah], 1.20.11) http://snovalleystar.com/2011/01/19/library-program-gives-student-free-tutoring-help-allows-adults-to-mentor-2

When the Children’s Museum of Tacoma opens its doors on January 14, 2012, admission will be free, thanks to a significant gift from the Key Bank Foundation.  Meanwhile, an additional gift from Key Bank enables families to gain free admission for the remainder of this year by checking out Key to Play Passes from area Peirce County Libraries and Tacoma Public Libraries with a valid library card.  (Photo) (Tacoma Daily Index, 1.21.11) http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/searchd.cgi

Nearly every child of the 20-some group that assembled in the Colton library were vying for a chance to play the Nintendo Wii, a video game system provided by the Whitman County Library.  Erica Wilson, a teen services coordinator, came up with the idea to ferry the game system and a television to rural branches, an idea funded by the library’s technology budget and Friends of the Library group. (Photo) (Daily News [Pullman], 1.21.11)

The Clallam Bay branch of the North Olympic Library System has partnered with the Cape Flattery School District to offer a series of after-school enrichment programs for students and their families in the school district.  The U.S. Department of Education provided a $515,000 21^st Century Community Learning Center grant to fund the project.  Enrichment programs will be held at the Clallam Bay Library, and will focus on an education, artistic or scientific topic. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 1.21.11)

Love at the Library will offer Anacortes the full Valentine’s Day package – a change to dress up, taste wine and chocolates, hear love poetry and romantic music and generally express respect and affection for that special someone. Better yet, some of that love goes to the Anacortes Public Library, which will use proceeds for books, educational programs and enhancement projects. (Photos) (Anacortes American, 1.26.11) http://www.goanacortes.com/news/news_article/celebrate_your_love_and_the_library

After a recording setting year of unemployment state-wide in 2010, out-of-work people in Pierce County can use all the job-hunting assistance they can get – especially if it’s free.  Some of the latter will be offered in workshops the next two weeks at the Eatonville and Graham branches of the Pierce County Library System.  The first such seminar is schedule for February 9 at the Eatonville Library.  That one will be followed by another workshop February 15 at the Graham Library. (Photo) (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 1.26.11)

Teenagers can show their creative talents and compete for cash prized in Pierce County Library System’s Teen Writing and Art Contest that is underway now through March 4. The categories are poetry, short stories, drawing and photography.  The contest is open to teens that live in or attend grades 7 through 12 in Pierce County. (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 1.26.11)

[This summary of library news was created by Bobbie DeMiero and Leanna Hammond of the Washington State Library Division of the Office of the Secretary of State.  It represents a selection of newspaper clippings about Washington libraries from all Washington newspapers received in the packets on the dates shown. For more information about any of these stories, contact Carolyn Petersen at 360.570.5560 or [email protected] ]