Library News

As of June 1, the Richland Public Library has increased its overdue fines and fees.  Materials checked out for three weeks will carry an overdue fine of .25 cents per day and materials that are allowed to be checked out for one week will have an overdue fine of .50 cents per day.  The library will charge $4 per request for material borrowed from another library. (Tri-City Area Journal of Business [Kennewick], 6.2011) http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/2011/06/shoptalk-24/

Whitman County Library can assist nonprofit organization, educational institutions, and government agencies seeking grants by providing them with a new online subscription called Grant Station. Access to this subscription is available in the Colfax library and provides groups with the opportunity to identify potential funding sources for their programs or projects as well as resources to mentor them through the grant seeking process. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 6.9.11)

The Port Townsend Public Library has launched an e-newsletter to keep the community informed of its upcoming events. With the library’s 100^th anniversary approaching, many programs and events are being launched, from children’s summer reading to an expansion of the library. The newsletter brings library news directly to readers’ email inboxes. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 6.15.11)

The Edmonds Library is now open one hour earlier, at 9 a.m. in the morning Monday through Saturday. The Edmonds Library hours are posted on the Sno-Isle Libraries website. This change brings two added hours of public service to the Edmonds Library. (The Edmonds Beacon [Mukilteo], 6.16.11) http://www.edmondsbeacon.com/news/article.exm/2011-06-16_new_hours_at_edmonds_library_

Olympic View Elementary School third-graders held a book-signing ceremony Tuesday for their published books “Clouds – Imagination in the sky.” Make no mistake – this is a real, bona-fide, hard-cover book.  It is on the shelf at the school library.  It is listed in search records for the library system, and its creation is a story in itself. (Photo) (Whidbey Crosswind [Coupeville], 6.17.11) http://whidbeycrosswind.com/blog/elementary-authors-hold-book-signing/1454/

Students in Richland school classes won’t read an award-winning book by a Northwest author in the foreseeable future.  The Richland School Board voted 3-2 this week to prohibit use of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie in classrooms of any grade level. None of the board members had read Absolutely True, they conceded. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 6.19.11) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/06/19/1535743/northwest-novel-removed-from-richland.html#storylink=misearch

Anita McCoy lives in Maple Valley, yet she and her husband continue to donate money to Roy City Library.  Roy City Council approved McCoy’s $100 donation Monday, June 13.  The combined donations are $600.  The funds will be used to upgrade the library’s technology equipment, such as a new computer and inventory program. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 6.24.11)

The Vancouver Community Library, scheduled to open July 17, will soon host the first coffee shop to operate within a Fort Vancouver Regional Library District branch.  The library district announced Tuesday that it has selected Thatcher’s Coffee to run its Atrium Coffee Corner. It will open July 18, one day after the downtown library opens its doors. (Columbian [Vancouver], 6.29.11) http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/jun/29/thatchers-run-coffee-shop-downtown-library/

The Lacey Timberland Library will re-open to the public a week sooner than expected, though some services won’t be available during the final week of the remodel. Library members could still access book pickups and place holds during construction but those services won’t be available after 5 p.m. Saturday until the library opens its doors 10 a.m. July 18, according to a news release. (The Olympian [Olympia], 7.7.11) http://www.theolympian.com/2011/07/07/1716313/lacey-timberland-library-set-to.html

Elections

The primary ballot in Jefferson County is set, with something for voters both in Port Townsend and in the rural areas of the county.  The Jefferson County Rural Library District is asking voters to approve $8.4 million in general obligation bonds to expand the main library in Port Hadlock. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 6.15.11) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=29438&SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&S=1

The King County Library System (KCLS) is considering consolidating the White Center and Boulevard Park libraries in a location yet to be decided.  Although the White Center Library is already within the new boundaries of Burien, uncertainty over the future annexation of the rest of White Center plays into the consolidation issue. The area around the Boulevard Park Library was annexed into Burien in April 2010.  (Photo) (Highline News/Des Moines News/Sea Tac News [Burien], 6.24.11) http://www.highlinetimes.com/2011/06/20/news/fate-burien-libraries-argued

Buildings

Vancouver Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, will permanently close its Mill Plain Blvd location at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 4, and hold a grand opening of the new library on Sunday, July 17.  The closure will allow FVRL staff and professional movers to transfer the collection and staff work stations to the new building in preparation for opening the district’s largest facility to the public. (Senior Messenger [Vancouver], 6.2011)

Yelm City Council took additional steps Tuesday night to seal the deal on the Yelm Library, a part of the Timberland Regional Library System, purchase. Council made a motion formalizing its intent to purchase the current library space for $1 million.  Under that deal, TRL would contribute up to $37,000 toward ongoing maintenance and operation expenses for a period of no less than 20 years. (Photo) (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 6.17.11)

Letters and Editorials

On behalf of the Kiwanis Club I would like to say last night’s “Reading is Family Fun” program was a big success. I was impressed by the large number of children, and equally impressive was the number of mothers and fathers in attendance. There is a follow up to this reading program planned for mid-September. Hopefully Kiwanis can help again the next year with a reading program for our youth. (The Wahkiakum County Eagle [Cathlamet], 5.12.11) http://www.waheagle.com/letters/article.exm/2011-05-12_reading_program_was_a_great__success#.ThODizcvFUk.email

In response to a letter saying service is excellent and $9 million is a justifiable tax burden just to add 4,000 square feet to the Jefferson County Rural Library in Port Hadlock, please consider: 75 percent of Quilcene residents in the core area say that the library services are insufficient. 25 percent were unable to get up the stairs into the bookmobile. The $9 million is a blank check, and the modification design will expand until the money is used up. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 6.15.11)

Julie Jaman has every right to her opinions about the Port Townsend Library … but the fact is that Julie Jaman does not live in Port Townsend.  She does not pay taxes in Port Townsend.  She clearly doesn’t like the design plans for our library, and she is entitled to her feelings.  She does not, however, have standing in this discussion, and she is not entitled to make up her own facts.  (The Leader [Port Townsend], 6.15.11)

Julie Jaman has attended numerous public meetings about the library waving the same black flag; she is no convert or consternation.  If there are design implications, they relate to computer configuration, not bricks, walls and capital investment. Offering that and a comparison with a $4 million structure is an insidious attempt to push a big lie. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 6.15.11)

As legislators representing the White Center and Boulevard Park neighborhoods, we write to urge you not to consolidate the libraries into a single branch.  Upgrades to these facilities were promised in the 2004 KCLS bond measure. The prospect of eliminating one library branch in the North Highline area would be a tremendous disappointment to the community and to all of us. (Highline Times/Des Moines News/Sea Tac News [Burien], 6.17.11) http://www.highlinetimes.com/2011/06/15/letters-editor/lawmakers-support-white-center-boulevar

On Sunday, June 5, the Stanwood Library held an open house to celebrate opening the library on Sundays from 1-5pm.  Thanks to all who made the celebration a wonderful success.  It is your generosity and encouragement that makes it possible for Stanwood Library to fulfill its mission to be a community doorway to reading, resources, and lifelong learning. (Stanwood Camano News, 6.21.11)

We second an award that was given to the Lynden Library staff recently by the Washington Association of School Administrators in recognition of contributions to education. The library was nominated by Elizabeth Hamming of the Lynden School District for its support role in creating a welcoming social and learning atmosphere, especially directly after school. (Lynden Tribune, 6.22.11)

People

Over the past three years, Rose Rendler has been a one-woman bookmobile to residents at Cathlamet Columbia View Care Center.  Rendler greets residents and gets an update on health concerns.  She knows who’s still able to read and who prefers Danielle Steele.  She greets all residents by name. Town librarian Connie Christopher said she’s very pleased that Rendler saw a need and filled it. (Photos) (The Wahkiakum County Eagle [Cathlamet], 6.9.11) http://www.waheagle.com/news/article.exm/2011-06-09_rose_rendler__one_woman_bookmobile_for_care_center

As Yelm’s Citizen of the Year, Margaret Clapp is recognized as being a driving force in the community and one who supports in any manner she can. A most recent example of Clapp’s commitment to the city was when she offered to drop the cost of the Yelm library by $200,000; A personal contribution by Clapp.  She was also instrumental 10 years ago in getting the library a new facility.  (Photo) (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 6.24.11)

Programs and Displays

Journey Stories, a Smithsonian Museum on Main Street exhibit, is coming to St. John this fall.  Exhibits and programs of local interest will be part of this six-week event. The St. John Historical Society and the St. John branch of the Whitman County Library are looking for picture postcards, both old and new, for a travel display. The grand opening will be October 22. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 6.9.11)

This week, the Kitsap Regional Library along with partners Kitsap Regional Library Foundation, Reach Out and Read and the Early Learning Public Library Partnership (part of the Foundation for Early Learning), launched a new program to encourage literacy.  Libraries Are Doctor-Recommended is a pilot project designed to bring families who may not have used the library as a resource into the local libraries.  (Independent [Port Orchard], 6.10.11)

How long the annual Manchester Salmon Bake has been happening is up for debate.  Regardless of how long the Salmon Bake has taken place, the event is a tradition for the folks of Manchester, as well as a fundraiser for the Kitsap Regional Library branch.  Typically, the Salmon Bake raises between $7,000 and $8,000, which makes up 30 percent of the Friends of the Manchester Library’s operating budget. (Photo) (Bremerton Patriot, 6.10.11) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/nkh/entertainment/123487944.html

The Pend Oreille County libraries have WSU Master Gardeners on hand to answer gardening questions and solve plant problems. You can bring your problems, plants or insect specimens to the Calispel Valley Library in Cusick Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m., July 19 and August 9; the Ione Library on Tuesday from 1-3 p.m., July 26 and August 9; and the Newport Library every Thursday during the summer from 6-8 p.m. (Newport Miner, 6.15.11)

The Yale Valley Library District and Fort Vancouver Regional Library District welcome author, Molly Gloss to discuss her new book, Wild Life, and answer audience questions during the Yale Valley Arts Festival Family Day.  The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 23.  The event will take place in the library at Yale Elementary School from 10-11:30 a.m. (Reflector [Battle Ground], 6.15.11)

Personal struggles set during historical times are the hallmarks of two books that will be read by Moxee author Terry L. Winetsky during an author event at the Sunnyside Library, a part of Yakima Valley Libraries, on Sunday, July 24, from 2 to 3 p.m. Winetsky will read excerpts and lead discussions based on his books Grey Pine and Maria Juana’s Gift. (Daily News [Sunnyside], 6.24.11) http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/Story.aspx/21509/valley-author-to-appear-at-sunnyside-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] ]