Library News

The Battle Ground Community Library, a part of Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, turns two years old this month, and according to Librarian Jackie Spurlock, there’s nothing terrible about it. From circulation figures to programs for adults and children, patronage of the two-year-old building are “amazingly successful,” said Spurlock.  (Reflector [Battle Ground], 5.18.11)

At a special meeting of the Ocosta School Board on May 5^th, directors examined the district’s revenue projections and current and expected cuts from the state.  The board decided to try and maintain a cash balance of between $780,000 and $806,000.  To maintain that balance, the board will eliminate one elementary school teaching position … reduce the music program to a half-time position … and also reduce the librarian position to half-time.  (South Beach Bulletin [Westport], 5.19.11)

Port Angeles Friends of the Library and Soroptimist International of Port Angeles-Jet Set joined efforts to support the Port Angeles School District’s mentor text program.  Together, the two service groups funded a $3,500 purchase of mentor texts for fourth through sixth graders, with Friends of the Library chipping in $2,500 and Soroptimist Jet Set, $1,000. (Photo) (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 5.24.11)

Over 28,000 Japanese books and comics for all generations could possibly be gone from the community if not enough support is received in the next several weeks. The Tomoshibi Library, a private Japanese library in Bellevue, managed by local Japanese volunteers for 20 years will close this month.  Group leader Yoko Sueyoshi said the group needs to raise $30,000 for the facility and future management.  (North American Post [Seattle], 5.25.11) http://napost.com/japanese-library-in-eastside-faces-closure-p1633-73.htm

The Seattle City Directory Collection is not available on The Seattle Public Library’s website, featuring directories from 1867 to 1928.  The collection contains directories with historical information about Seattle and the surrounding area, including addresses and occupations of residents, business listings, advertisements and information about schools, churches and social organizations. (South Seattle Beacon City Living, 5.25.11)

The Puyallup Public Library is opening up its history room archive to the public on a monthly basis. Volunteers will be available as guides to the photograph collection, past city directories, school yearbooks and other historical documents of significance. Materials date back to the 1900s. The archive will be open to the public through the end of 2012. (The Herald [Puyallup], 5.25.11) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/06/01/1687670/puyallup-library-opens-up-historical.html#storylink=misearch

Sunnyside Lions Sara Hart and Miss Hollywood Saundra Combs presented Pioneer Elementary School Librarian Stephani Hutchinson with two checks earlier this month amounting to $843.55.  The funds will be used to purchase more than 100 books and accompanying Accelerated Reading tests for the school library. (Photo) (Daily News [Sunnyside], 5.25.11)

“Etched in Stone”, a recent publication of Sno-Isle Genealogical Society, received the Mahlstrom Award and is now in its 3^rd printing. It is a history of the memorial monument located in front of the Edmonds Historical Museum, and of the young men whose names are etched in stone. Copies of the book are available for $10 donation at the Sno-Isle Genealogical Research Library. (The Edmonds Beacon [Mukilteo], 5.26.11) http://www.edmondsbeacon.com/news/article.exm/2011-05-26_award_winning_publication_now_in_its_3rd_printing

The McCleary Timberland Library, a part of Timberland Regional Library System, has received the gift of two Elton Bennett prints. The daughter of the late renowned Grays Harbor artists, Barbara Bennett Parsons, donated the two limited-edition silk screens, “Ferns” and “The Black Hills” to the library. (Photo) (The Vidette [Montesano], 5.26.11)

The Bellingham Public Library’s Whatcom Community College Connection will be closed from Saturday, June 18, to Monday, July 4, during the college’s quarterly break.  Patrons can still return materials at WCC’s outside book drops. All holds that become available during the closure will be sent for pickup to the Bellingham Public Library. (Bellingham Herald, 5.31.11) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/05/31/2034064/librarys-whatcom-community-college.html#storylink=misearch

Just beyond the main checkout counter, in a soundproof room covered in gray egg carton foam, the future of the Tacoma Public Library is spilling out in graphics, text, video and sound.  A new array of high-powered computers and state-of-the-art software, collectively known as StoryLab is the Tacoma Public Library’s new digital media center for teens. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 6.22.11) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/06/21/1715401/at-tacoma-public-library-a-new.html

Just in time for summer, when kids just can’t wait for hours of recreational reading — yeah, right — serious people of letters are engaged in a literary spat.  The subject of the spat is subject matter: what topics are and are not appropriate for young readers.  The Wall Street Journal’s Speakeasy website on media, entertainment and the arts published a compelling blog June 9 by Sherman Alexie. (The Herald Online [Everett], 6.22.11) http://heraldnet.com/article/20110622/NEWS01/706229886

Elections

When the library levy failed to pass last fall, the Kitsap Regional Library had to make some tough decisions to get its budget back on track. To help paint an accurate picture of what the community wants, KRL is asking for input via an online survey or a written survey available at the Bainbridge branch.  (Bainbridge Island Review, 5.27.11) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/bir/news/122692904.html

Buildings

Sharp-eyed motorists and pedestrians traveling along North 26^th Street may have noticed a series of relief carvings projecting out of the brick wall outside of the Wheelock Library, a part of the Tacoma Public Library. These five brickword panels are the work of Richard Beyer, who is best known for his 1978 “People Waiting for the Interurban,” the well loved sculpture that is a hallmark of Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood. (Photos) (Tacoma Weekly, 5.20.11) http://www.tacomaweekly.com/citylife/art/know_your_public_art_wheelock_library_carved_brick_panels/

Sno-Isle Libraries has taken initial steps to secure a permanent location for the Camano Island Library.  The organization has requested statements of qualifications for consulting services for phase one of a feasibility study for the library.  The purpose of the study is to examine the amount of usable space at available locations and the possibility of expansion. (Stanwood Camano News, 5.24.11)

The foundation has been poured and the walls will soon be going up for the new Quincy Public Library, a part of North Central Regional Library, building. “It’s hard to believe this day has finally arrived,” said Quincy Mayor Jim Hemberry, during the ground-breaking ceremony for the library on March 21. The Quincy Library project will add three times more space than the current library and one-third more books. (Photo) (The Mukilteo Beacon, 5.26.11)

Letters & Editorials

The article in the Friday paper that stated Mead School District is “putting librarians’ teaching credentials back to work” was inflammatory and inaccurate. A certified teacher-librarian is a trained classroom teacher with a specialized endorsement in learning resources. We teach classes every day.  In addition, teacher-librarians must be curriculum exports. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 5.22.11) http://www.spokesman.com/letters/2011/may/20/teacher-librarians-teach/

On Saturday, May 7, we held a bazaar to promote a permanent library on Camano Island.  Despite rainy, cold weather, our bazaar was a success!  So on behalf of all of us; please accept our heartfelt thanks to all of you for your support in our on-going efforts. (Stanwood Camano News, 5.24.11)

Christine Hughey, our community librarian, and the entire staff at both Stevenson and North Bonneville assisted me as I requested materials, asked for computer help, or needed an ear as I worked on my dissertation. We are fortunate to have such capable, well-trained employees and volunteers available to guide our searches. Enjoy your public libraries by visiting often. (The Skamania County Pioneer [Stevenson], 5.25.11)

We would like to thank the Columbia Basin Herald for publishing the very nice article informing the public about our May book sale.  We would also like to thank all those who purchased books and also those who donated books for the sale.  Proceeds are used to purchase items for the library and the Summer Reading program. (Columbia Basin Herald [Moses Lake], 5.26.11) http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/opinion/letters/article_8eda316e-87bf-11e0-b772-001cc4c002e0.html

The Kirkland Library would like to thank all of the local businesses who contributed toward making this year’s Aos Volunteer Appreciation gathering held on May 19 a success.  (Kirkland Reporter, 5.27.11) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/kir/opinion/letters/122620169.html

Thank you for contacting us with your concerns about cutbacks in the librarian positions. We don’t like doing this either, but there are not enough funds to provide all the services we want for our students. If you have specific ideas on where funds can be found to reinstate the librarians, we would love to hear them. (The Kitsap Sun [Bremerton], 5.29.11) http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/may/27/letter-to-the-editor-we-dont-like-library-cuts/

The Hoquiam Carnegie Library Building will be celebrating its 100^th anniversary on Saturday, August 27, and the public is invited.  Without the continued support of individuals and groups within the community, this building might have fallen victim to urban renewal or conversion to other uses. There will be tours, displays, music and other activities for all ages throughout the day. (Daily World [Aberdeen], 5.31.11)

People

At Stanwood Library’s last stuffed animal sleepover, a special guest was invited.  Jack Gunter snapped pictures of all the animals left there by kids, before the librarians arranged them about the building. It was research, really, for the commissioned art piece Gunter is painting to be hung in the library. “I’m touched by this commission,” Gunter said. (Photo) (Stanwood Camano News, 5.24.11)

When Bruce Adams started his library career, the card catalog was really cards in a catalog, 30 wooden file boxes packed with 2,000 cards, one for each book at his storefront library in Schenectady, N.Y. If you couldn’t get the answer there, “you called a bigger library,” says Adams, director of collections management for the King County Library System. That was four decades ago, though it might as well have been four lifetimes.  (Seattle Times, 6.13.11) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2015284931_litlife13.html

Programs and Displays

You are invited to celebrate a summer fun month at the Bleyhl Community Library as we travel the world through activities, games, reading and fun.  The 2011 Summer Reading Program is open to all, with activities on Wednesdays.  Readers can pick up their passports and bags beginning June 1 at the library. (Grandview Herald, 5.25.11)

Preschool and elementary school children will celebrate “One World, Many Stories” and teens will explore the theme “You Are Here” at Skagit Libraries’ 2011 Summer Reading Program.  The six Skagit Libraries’ members, including the Anacortes Public Library, have planned many free programs to encourage children to come to their library and check out books to read during the summer. (Anacortes American, 5.25.11)

The Pend Oreille County Library District is doing its part this summer to prevent what is known as “summer slide” – the drop of reading skills that some children fall into between summer and the start of the new school year. The library will have free summer reading programs in all of its branches this summer. For more information on specific programs, contact your local library. (Newport Miner, 5.25.11)

Patrons of the Elma Timberland Library do a lot more than just read.  Earlier in May, the library’s manager, David Seckman, announced the winners of the third annual Haiku contest.  First place went to 10-year old Ariana Armstrong of Elma, second to Elma resident Angela Renecker and third place to Kelsea Day, 13, also of Elma. (The Vidette [Montesano], 5.26.11)

In Growing a Garden City, Jeremy N. Smith tells the first-person stories of personal and civic transformation from a range of individuals. The author will appear at the Lopez Library on June 5, to discuss his new book.  (Island’s Weekly Newspaper [Lopez Island], 5.31.11) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/sanjuans/isw/entertainment/122973778.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] ]