Library News

Spokane County Library District users have been able to check out electronic books for the last year. But now the district has added access to more than 15,000 free titles that don’t have to be checked out with a library card or given back.  The district is partnering with Project Gutenberg, a volunteer effort to digitize older books with expired copyrights. The titles available range from census reports to classic novels by Mark Twain. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 3.3.11) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/mar/03/countys-ebook-goes-high-volume/

As part of its plan to prevent another economic meltdown, the federal government is cracking down on library trustees. Spokane County Library District trustees recently joined library boards around the state in asking the Securities and Exchange Commission to excuse them from a requirement to register as financial advisers. Library trustees aren’t financial advisers, said Mike Wirt, library district director. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 3.6.11) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/mar/06/library-trustees-seek-exemption-from-sec/

The Camas Public Library is currently seeking public input as it develops an update to its five-year strategic plan.  Constituents will be asked to determine the library’s future. Public outreach will include a series of focus groups, surveys and blogs. For more information on the focus groups, surveys or other ways to contribute to the strategic plan update, call the library at 834-4692. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 3.8.11)

The Anacortes Public Library invites you to celebrate its centennial in March. The library is a tribute the value Anacortes residents have placed on literacy and culture over the last century and it has evolved into a popular community center.  The celebration continues throughout the month with programs sponsored by the library and organizations helping us celebrate. (Photo) (Anacortes American, 3.9.11) http://www.goanacortes.com/blog/blog_post/anacortes_library_celebrates_100_years

Dayton City Council members heard a library use and activity update from Janet Lyon of the Columbia County Rural Library District. Lyon stated the number of visitors to the library has expanded by approximately 13% from 2009 to 2010 and use of the Delany Building showed an increase of about 75% during 2010. (Dayton Chronicle, 3.9.11)

The Jefferson County Library in Port Hadlock is launching a newly designed website that aims for easier access to its collections and calendar of events. The website redesign offers a number of new features, including blogs, which display technology enhancements and new services. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 3.9.11) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=28833&SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&S=1

The library wants you to “babysit a book” this month to help with the installation of a long-awaited upgrade to its integrated online system. Sno-Isle Libraries urges patrons of all its branches to check out more than one book or item and keep them between March 21 and April 2 or longer to help prevent a backlog of items piling up. Also during that period, all holds will be frozen, and online catalogs won’t be updated. (South Whidbey Record [Langley], 3.9.11) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/swr/news/117743943.html

Elections

Plans that could lead to Enumclaw’s public library being taken over by the independent King County Library System appear to be back on track.  A stumbling block arrived last week, when KCLS said it wanted ownership of the valuable building if it takes over operation of the library. That will be decided by Enumclaw citizens during an April 26 annexation vote.  (Enumclaw Courier-Herald, 3.9.11) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ech/news/117583543.html

The Stevens County Rural Library District (SCRLD) recently re-housed the Northport Library into a new facility that provides greater space, access and comfort to patrons. The new location was purchased by the district after the City of Northport annexed into the library district this fall. The SCRLD Board also considers the new Northport building a real estate investment and not a one-time expense. (Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 3.9.11)

Buildings

Double nerd points go to the Seattle Public Library for erecting a downtown pleasure dome dedicated to the pursuit of reading, as well as upgrading the neighborhood libraries to pass ecological muster.  (Seattle Magazine, 2.2011)

A crowd of an estimated 150 people traveled in unusually cold winter weather to join in the grand opening of the newly completed North Fork Community Library, a part of the Whatcom County Library System, in Kendall on Sunday, February 27.  The new 3,120 square foot library will be more than twice as large as the current building in Maple Falls, which closed February 19. (Photos) (Foothills Gazette [Maple Falls], 3.4.11)

Friends of the Cashmere Library, a part of North Central Regional Library District, asked the city for some help in sprucing up the 3,500 square foot library in January, presenting a list of concerns that included dirty carpets, peeling paint, rusted bathroom faucets, a leaky roof and some damaged gutters and soffits. Last month, the city agreed to spend up to $25,000 on the project, the biggest portion of which is for a new membrane roof. (Photo) (Cashmere Valley Record, 3.9.11) http://www.cashmerevalleyrecord.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=4211&SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&S=1

Nearly 20 years after the Ferndale Public Library, a part of the Whatcom County Library System, opened its doors on Main Street, volunteers and patrons new and old gathered to say their “good-byes” to the aging facility last month.  On March 5, the library doors on Main Street closed with finality … and the new library opened March 16. (Photo) (Ferndale Record, 3.9.11)

The Stevens County Rural Library District Board of Trustees will hold a Public Hearing on a budget extension of $129,060 from an Inter-Local Staffing Agreement with the City of Chewelah in the amount of $25,813 and $103,247 from the general fund to purchase a Library facility in the City of Northport.  (Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 3.9.11)

Vancouver’s new downtown Community Library attracted volumes of business folks, citizens and politicians to a party to celebrate the project’s completion. Nearly 1,000 people showed up for food, drink and tours of the $38 million concrete and glass structure at “Eat, Drink, Read — No Business After Hours,” sponsored by the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. The event allowed Fort Vancouver Regional Library District staff to show off their new building. (Columbian Online [Vancouver], 3.23.11)  http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/mar/23/vancouvers-brand-new-downtown-community-library-at/

Letters & Editorials

Friends of the Upper Skagit Library thank the following people and organizations for their help during our book and bake sale on January 22: Val Stafford and the Concrete Chamber of Commerce, Sara Pritchard at the Concrete Senior Center, the many volunteers who helped with the book sale and supplied baked goods, and last but not least, all the people who came by on that Saturday. A very special THANKS also goes to John Boggs. (Concrete Herald, 3.2011)

I invite everyone to participate actively in the Port Townsend library community: Look at the plans and share your library story on the library website, bring your questions to the capital project information desk in the library and attend a public forum this spring. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 3.9.11)

City Manager David Timmons reminds me of an alcoholic who has run up an enormous bar tab. I could cite others’ tabs, but let’s take the library project as an example. Not ones to worry about the tab, library director Theresa Percy and Timmons have launched a whopping $9.8 million capital campaign to pay for a restoration, a tear-down, and three stories’ worth of un-pretty new construction.  (The Leader [Port Townsend], 3.9.11)

People

Nothing makes Children’s and Young Adult Librarian Josephine Yaba Carmarillo happier than realizing that her patrons are enjoying the library’s programs. After graduating with a bachelor’s in art history, Camarillo began contemplating her future profession.  Struck with how much she loved reading and books, she was encouraged by a friend to pursue a masters in library science. (Photo) (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 3.8.11)

Programs & Displays

The Port Townsend Public Library 2011 Community Reads begins to relive the life of Canadian artist Emily Carr with the first of its month long series of events beginning this week. This year’s title is The Forest Lover, a fictionalized biography of Carr written by best-selling author Susan Vreeland.  (The Leader [Port Townsend], 3.2.11) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=28783&SectionID=101&SubSectionID=471&S=1

This year’s Seussapalooza drew 250 attendees, by far the largest turnout in the event’s history, said Roslyn Librarian Erin Krake.  Seussapalooza has raised more than $25,000 over the years and the hope is that this year’s event will have raised $7,000 or more by the time the final tally is done, she said.  All money goes towards Library programs and building renovations. (Photo) (Daily Record [Kittitas], 3.7.11)

The Camas Public Library is hosting a poetry contest for students in grades kindergarten through 12 as a part of National Poetry Month in April.  Poems may be of any length and any style, and submission must be received by Tuesday, April 12 at 9 p.m.  One winner will be chosen from each grade level, and will be published in the Post-Record newspaper and displayed at the library. Winners will receive a certificate and a $10 gift card to Borders.  Winners will be announced by 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 13. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 3.8.11)

Original artworks called “altered books” are now on display at the Westport Timberland Library.  Local artists and crafters chose an old book to which they added their own artwork and/or photographs as participants in a contest sponsored by the South Beach Arts Commission. Saturday, March 19^th, is the start of a silent auction for some of the altered books.  The auction will end March 31. (Photos) (South Beach Bulletin [Westport], 3.10.11)

Star Wars characters large and small, were having a blast Wednesday at the Sci-Fi-Fantasy Family Night in the library of Pacific Middle School.  An estimated 200 elementary- and middle-school children were there with their parents, in an event designed to promote reading and collect some donations for worthy causes. It also was a plug for school librarians who feel their jobs are threatened. (Columbian [Vancouver], 3.23.11) http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/mar/23/sci-fi-vibes-in-the-library/

[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] ]