Library News

The Quincy Lamb Weston potato-processing facility made some changes last year that not only saved millions of gallons of water, but also led to thousands of dollars being donated to the new Quincy Library.  The effort was rewarded by ConAgra, which gave the facility a $5,000 grant to be used for a community project. ConAgra worked with the Columbia Basin Foundation to present the money to the library foundation. (Quincy Valley Post Register, 7.28.11) http://www.qvpr.com/articles/water-saving-leads-library-donation

In a ceremonial kickoff to broadband Internet access, the Deming Library, a part of the Whatcom County Library System, hosted a celebration on Monday, August 1, capping a new milestone in rural broadband expansion in Washington State. The project was funded through a $140 million grant as part of the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet). (Photo) (Lynden Tribune, 8.3.11)

The North Olympic Library System is one of 33 local government agencies selected by Secretary of State Sam Reed to receive a grant to help meet responsibilities for preserving and improving access to public records.  Grants totaling $200,000 were awarded, with NOLS receiving $1,750. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 8.8.11)

Combining positive words, classic titles and famous authors into a single design earned Dillion Hadaway, 14, the winning entry into Pierce County Library System’s teen library card design contest. The Buckley resident and White River High School student’s winning design will appear on more than 10,000 library cards starting October 1, when the library system launches its fifth annual card drive.  (Photo) (Enumclaw Courier-Herald, 8.10.11) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ech/news/127335803.html

As Southwest Washington property values continue to tank, Fort Vancouver Regional Library District leaders are poised to adopt $1.25 million in spending cutbacks in the system’s 2012-13 budget.  District officials are preparing to lay off employees at library branches and the district headquarters, scale back professional services and capital improvements and permanently retire the Clark County Bookmobile. (Columbian [Vancouver], 8.12.11) http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/aug/11/library-district-braces-for-new-cutbacks/

Yelm Mayor Ron Harding has proclaimed August as “Library Awareness Month.” The proclamation cites the important role the library plays in the community and the efforts put forth by the community to support the library. The first event is a community-wide garage sale, August 27-28. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 8.12.11)

Bibliophile Nancy Pearl, author, commentator and retired public librarian, has endowed a scholarship for students at the University of Washington Information School who hope to become public librarians. Funded by Pearl and her husband Joseph Pearl, the $25,000 Pearl endowment will support a $1,000 annual scholarship. (Seattle Times, 8.15.11) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2015916036_litlife15.html

Bellingham Public Library patrons who put books or other library materials on hold may pick them up at Western Washington University or Bellingham Technical College, thanks to a new agreement.  Public library staff will deliver hold items to the two campuses weekly, and pick up returns for the Central Library. (Bellingham Herald, 8.23.11) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/08/23/2152981/bellingham-public-library-patrons.html

Elections

A new tax on Enumclaw property owners to support the public library has been recommended by the Library Advisory Board. The small, volunteer group had opposed the city’s aborted plan to push a ballot item that would have turned library operations over to the independent King County Library System. (Enumclaw Courier-Herald, 8.3.11) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ech/news/126786013.html

Castle Rock’s library levy seems down for the count. With an approval rate of 58.69 percent, the measure is still short of the 60 percent supermajority needed to pass. A reversal of six votes would have put the measure into a winning position. With few or no Aug. 16 primary election votes trickling in, however, there seems to be no chance the measure will pass. (The Daily News Online [Longview], 8.22.11) http://tdn.com/news/local/article_3d528ab2-cd24-11e0-8668-001cc4c03286.html

Buildings

The Upper Skagit Library is too big for its britches – and has been so for the past three years.  Located in the east half of the community resource building, the county library has upwards of 10,088 books and periodicals crammed into its modest 1,568 square feet.  About a year ago, the board formed a building committee to look at real estate potential in and near Concrete. With so many variables at play, the library isn’t rushing its decision. (Photo) (Concrete Herald, 8.2011)

The La Conner Regional Library wants more room and plans to air an idea to purchase land for a new, larger building. Since the property price and terms are still in the negotiating phase, and the situation is competitive, library Director Joy Neal has asked to keep the exact location they’re considering out of the newspaper until they have a commitment. (La Conner Weekly News, 8.3.11)

The Shelton Timberland Regional Library will close for new carpet installation beginning Monday, August 15.  The library is expected to reopen at 10 a.m., Tuesday, September 6. In the interim, book drops will be open for people to return library materials as usual. No other services will be available during the closure. (Shelton-Mason County Journal, 8.4.11)

Yelm Library Board is venturing forth with a series of fundraising opportunities to help cover the cost of the library building purchase. Yelm Mayor Ron Harding tasked the board with coming up with fundraising opportunities through the end of the year. The city is currently negotiating purchase of the $1.2 million space. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 8.5.11)

In just more than a year, the city of Kenmore with about 20,400 residents, has added a new City Hall, library (part of the King County Library System), fire department and relocated its post office. City Councilmember Glenn Rogers noted that he was referring to a famous saying when he spoke at last month’s grand-opening ceremony of the new 10,000 square foot library: “With a library, fire department, City Hall and post office … you’ve got a city.” (Photos) (Bothell-Kenmore Reporter, 8.5.11) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/north_king/bkn/news/126782713.html

Over 50 years ago, John King, a custodian at the Colville Public Library, a part of the Libraries of Stevens County, bequeathed his shares of Pioneer Mining Co. stock to the Colville Library Improvement Club. This year, in honor of its 100^th anniversary, the Library Improvement Club decided to spend the proceeds from the sale of this stock totaling over $60,000 to provide much needed improvements to the library’s interior. (The Independent [Chewelah], 8.11.11)

Letters & Editorials

By a simple act involving considerable time and sweat, Eric Moe has shown us all the true meaning of giving back to the community. His weeks-long volunteer project painting the worn wooden trim on the Mount Vernon Public Library was his way of responding to all the treasures of mind he has enjoyed there.  Thank you, Eric Moe, for your sterling example to us all. (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 8.7.11)

The Orcas Island Public Library has recently acquired several Vikings yearbooks for our collection.  The oldest is 1940, and they are so much fun to look through. Special thanks to the Orcas High School Yearbook staff for passing these along to the library to archive.  (The Island Sounder [Eastsound], 8.10.11) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/sanjuans/isj/opinion/127342033.html

Simply, in the near future there will be reduced hours and or services at the San Juan Island Library if the Library District Proposition No. 1 does not pass. Please vote by August 16^th for the levy lid lift. Our community needs a fully functional library to support the interests of our unique and vibrant island lifestyle. (The Journal of the San Juan Islands [Friday Harbor], 8.10.11)

What other institution welcomes us all, seven days a week, provides us freely with information, recreation, education, public spaces for meetings, programs, access to local culture, and, yes, help with job searches and computer access? Vote “Yes” for Proposition No. 1 and keep our library strong. (The Journal of the San Juan Islands [Friday Harbor], 8.10.11)

Those of us who have lived here for a few decades remember when our library was operated by the American Legion Auxiliary, and I thank them for their efforts against enormous odds.  But it does make me grateful for our present tax-supported Library District.  Let’s keep what we’ve got by voting in support of the levy lid lift. (The Journal of the San Juan Islands [Friday Harbor], 8.10.11)

It’s understandable for people to be concerned about unnecessary taxes in this economic climate. There is always the concern that governments in Washington are being inefficient and wasteful in spending our money. So what better opportunity do we have right now than to vote to maintain our excellent library her on San Juan Island. Vote “Yes” on Proposition 1 to keep our library strong. (The Journal of the San Juan Islands [Friday Harbor], 8.10.11)

I admit I struggled with the library levy lid lift, partly because it is complicated to understand and partly because anything that means more money these days is simply a difficult decision. I’ve always felt that libraries are just this side of a miracle. When economic times are tough we need our public library more than ever.  I voted yes.  Please join me. (The Journal of the San Juan Islands [Friday Harbor], 8.10.11)

Numbers never really speak for themselves, though some may say otherwise. Still, numbers do make a big difference in determining whether to support or reject the San Juan Island Library’s appeal for raising its property-tax level. Though it’s a close call, we believe the library and its board of trustees should look for ways to trim expenses and only then come back to the voters with a scaled down request. (The Journal of the San Juan Islands [Friday Harbor], 8.10.11)

People

Robert Allen, a community researcher/policy analyst for Pierce County, is a new board of trustees member for Pierce County Library System.  Allen will be part of a five-member board with policy and fiscal responsibility to provide library services and programs in the county.  (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 8.2.11) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/08/10/1777716/pierce-county-library-system-appoints.html#storylink=misearch

The public is invited to an open house to meet new City Librarian Marcellus Turner from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, September 10 at the Central Library.  Turner is the former executive director of Jefferson County Public Library in Lakewood, Colo. Tuner has more than 20 years of experience in library service and management. (Photo) (Seattle Medium, 8.10.11) http://www.seattlemedium.com/news/article/Article.asp?NewsID=110051&sID=4&Search=YES

He reads Philippa Gregory and David Baldacci, believes in the power of books — especially the hard copy — and that libraries will always be around. Now, nine days on the job, Marcellus Turner, 48, occupies the 11th-floor office of the Seattle Central Library and has the new title to go with it: city librarian. “We did a lot of background checking and one thing that came through loud and clear, the staff at all levels had a tremendous respect for him,” said Seattle Library Board President Marie McCaffrey. (Seattle Times Online, 8.24.11) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016005476_librarian25m.html

Programs & Displays

Mary Bess Johnson’s photos are on display at the Mountlake Terrace Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries.  She uses techniques from the photographic studio to convey the sense of serenity and beauty experienced while floating in the underwater wonderland.  The show runs through August 31. (Photo) (The Weekly Herald [Lynnwood], 8.3.11) http://www.weeklyherald.com/article/20110803/TWH05/708039883

StoryCorps arrived at the Mid-Columbia Libraries branch in Pasco this week, and on Thursday started recording a series of more than 100 personal interviews with Tri-Citians about their lives and connections to their towns, their families and the past. Each participant gets a CD copy of the recording, and a copy also is sent to the Library of Congress and the American Folklife Center.  (Photo) (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 8.5.11) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/08/05/1593572/storycorps-gathering-tri-city.html#storylink=misearch

An exhibition of local artist John Henry’s “Word-A-Tures” will be shown at the Longview Public Library’s Koth Gallery today through August 31.  Henry’s Word-A-Tures uses a word’s letters to not only spell, but also create a picture of that word. Henry has also written a series of children’s books using his art form.  This will be his third show at the library. (Photo) (Daily News [Longview], 8.11.11) http://tdn.com/lifestyles/article_e58b8dd2-c3b5-11e0-98db-001cc4c03286.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] ]