Library News

The East Side Library was on the list of Spokane Public Library branches threatened to close last year, partly because it has one of the lower usage rates in the city.  One reason for the low attendance could be the 2,296 blocked library cards issued from that branch. A card is blocked if there is more than a $10 fine on it.  The East Side Library is owed $27,568 in outstanding fines from library cardholders. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 2.3.11) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/feb/03/patron-fines-hinder-library/

In the past two months, four University Place organizations have raised $95,000 to benefit four major community projects: a proposed playground, the new library, the city’s volunteer center, and parks and recreation scholarships. The Pierce County Library Foundation received $25,000 to furnish the children’s area of the new University Place Pierce County Library, which is scheduled to open February 12. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 2.6.11) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/02/06/1532815/online-effort-nets-funds-from.html

The Timberland Regional Library is offering a new music-download service offering free access to a half million songs that can be permanently downloaded with no restrictions.  Anyone with a Timberland Regional Library card can download up to three songs per week through the library’s new Freegal Music collection. The songs are PC and Mac compatible. (The Chronicle [Centralia], 2.8.11)

It began 101 years ago with pioneer women exchanging books and magazines.  The Omak Library began through the Pioneer Club in 1910, with its first set-up in The Omak Chronicle office in an apple box. A huge turning point for the library came in 1960 when voters approved the five-county North Central Washington Regional Library district. (Photos) (The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, 2.9.11)

Denny Ashby Library patrons can now download audiobooks and eBooks from the library’s website. Library cardholders can check out and download digital media anytime, anywhere. Users may browse for titles, check out with a valid library card, and download to PC, Mac and many mobile devices. To get started, users will need to install free software. (East Washingtonian [Pomeroy], 2.9.11)

Kent’s downtown area will take a definite literary turn later this month, as a result of a project between the King County Library System and the Kent Downtown Partnership.  Called “Take Time to Read,” this literacy program will involve hanging large; full-color book covers as artwork on downtown buildings. It’s anticipated that the book jackets will start being posted by February 22. (Kent Reporter, 2.11.11)

The Fort Vancouver Library Foundation got some help from the Vancouver Barnes & Noble in securing more books for the library system. The bookstore held a holiday book drive, November 1 to January 1.  Customers at the book store purchased 834 books and donated them to the Juvenile Detention Center book collection, teen reading groups and the Reading Encouragement Advances Development program. (Photo) (Columbian [Vancouver], 2.16.11) http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/feb/16/library-foundation-receives-book-donation/

Take an unforgettable journey to a defining moment in history.  Living Voices comes to classrooms through Whitman County March 8-10, thanks to a grant written by the Library District and the Colfax School District. This opportunity is provided by a 2010-2011 Supporting Student Success grant, awarded by the Office of the Secretary of State, Washington State Library Division, funded through Library Services and Technology Act through the Institute of Museums and Library Services. (Whitman County Rural Library District Website, 3.2011) http://www.whitco.lib.wa.us/news/Living_Voices.asp

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 February 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 [Spokane], 2.4.11) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/feb/03/property-tax-hike-proposed-city-libraries/

A proposal to ask voters for a library tax appears unlikely to make the ballot after Mayor Mary Verner and her staff urged council members last week to consider a broader property tax that could also boost the police and fire budgets. On Monday, the City Council will decide if it will place a library property tax on the April ballot. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 2.13.11) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/feb/13/verner-urges-council-to-reject-library-only-tax/

Buildings

The Friends of the Timberland Library group in Oakville is looking for the perfect location for a new library of its dreams – a library large enough to serve the community for years to come. The Timberland Regional Library System offers its materials to the community from a small space at the Oakville City Hall.  At the moment it is the smallest library in the entire system.  The Friends group is hoping to expand with a space of 3,000 square feet or more.  (Daily World [Aberdeen], 2.9.11)

It took several months and several drafts, but the city of Grandview and Yakima Valley Community College finally have a working agreement for their joint library project.  The sticking point was that Councilman Mike Bren wanted language in the agreement that recognized Grandview’s contribution of $75,000 to the project from a state loan it will have to pay back. (Daily News [Sunnyside], 2.9.11) http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/Story.aspx/20401/grandview-yvcc-ink-library-deal

There was heavy lifting Monday at the new Vancouver Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library System, now fast racing toward completion.  Word crews used a crane with a 105-foot boom to hoist trees, shrubs, plants, rock, bark dust and about 80 yards of soil to the fifth-floor outdoor terrace of the downtown facility. (Photo) (Columbian {print edition only} [Vancouver], 2.15.11)

Construction has started on the Tioga Library, shown in the background, on the University of Washington Tacoma campus. A pedestrian bridge over an old railroad corridor will connect the new 55,000-square-foot building to the UW Tacoma’s current library, which is housed in leased space in the Tioga Building. The new building will allow the library to expand.  It also will have classrooms on the first floor and offices on the second floor. (Photo) (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 2.23.11)

Letters & Editorials

Now that it’s been open for a while, I think that it’s time to acknowledge the magnificent design and construction of the new Coupeville library. Anyone in the area who hasn’t visited the new library should take the time to do so.  Congratulations to those who actively worked on the design and construction.  You did a great job! (The Whidbey Examiner [Coupeville], 2.9.11)

Cheers to the Pierce County Library System for the wonderful work that’s done toward community outreach.  The gift certificate for the millionth book checked out was a great idea.  However, it would have been much more meaningful if it had been a certificate from a local bookstore. (Peninsula Gateway [Gig Harbor], 2.9.11) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/02/09/1537819/cheers-jeers.html

In Thursday’s Voice (“Patron fines hinder library, Feb. 3), there was an article decrying the lack of patronage at the East Side Library. The reason is the 2,296 blocked library cards issued by that branch and the children who are affected by them. Since the Spokane Libraries cannot get away with complete amnesty, they are proposing partial amnesty, which would forgive half of the fines.  When do the cardholders become responsible for stealing materials bought with taxpayer money? (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 2.10.11)

People

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, 2.4.11) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/02/03/1849878/bellingham-public-library-director.html

Programs & Displays

A new friend has moved into the children’s room at the Everett Public Library’s main branch. It’s a 3-foot stuffed toy panda, and the library is holding a “Name the Panda” contest. The lucky winner will receive a signed, first-edition picture book by Keith Baker.  The contest is open to children only. (Photo) (The Herald [Everett], 2.7.11) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110207/LIVING/702079981

Violence broke out in the central Washington town of Roslyn at several area mines…and so began an extraordinary labor struggle in the history of Washington State in 1934, according to David Bullock, a professor of communications at Walla Walla University.  Bullock will tell the story during a talk at the Issaquah Library, a part of the King County Library System. (Photo) (Issaquah Press, 2.9.11) http://www.issaquahpress.com/2011/02/08/1930s-miner-labor-strike-topic-of-library-talk/

The Japanese culture in Mukilteo only lasted three decades and is largely forgotten by most, but the impact it had on the development of the small town was invaluable.  Everett historian David Dilgard will tell some of those forgotten memories as part of the Everett Public Library’s program Everett Reads!, which brings in speakers during February to talk about history, literature and more. (Photo) (Everett News Tribune [Snohomish], 2.9.11)

Monthly teen gaming sessions are just one of the ways in which the Arlington Library is incorporating technology into its entertainment, education and employment programs. The Arlington Library boasts its own Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 2.  Arlington Teen Librarian Jocelyn Redel reported that between 10 and 25 kids usually circulate through the makeshift gaming area of the library once a month. (Photo) (Arlington Times [Marysville], 2.9.11) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/north_sound/arl/news/115727679.html

[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] ]