Washington State Library News
The Odessa Public Library and Odessa Historisches Museum recently completed work on a digital collection celebrating the history of Odessa and neighboring communities of southwest Lincoln County. The collection was made possible by a Washington Rural Heritage grant from the Washington State Library, funded by the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) through the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The Odessa Heritage Collection can now be viewed at the web site www.washingtonruralheritage.org/odessa. (Odessa Record, [Odessa] 9.8.11)

Library News
Another $2,700 will be given as seed money to Kitsap Regional Library for the launch of a reading program for Bremerton third-graders. Through the program, all third-graders will be able to visit the library for a special field trip during the school day for a tour and a free book. (Photo) (The Kitsap Sun, [Bremerton] 8.31.11)

Devices to measure the amount of electricity that various household appliances use will be available at Clallam County public libraries next week. The toolkits can be checked out for one week and will include the device, instructions and other energy consumption information. (Peninsula Daily News, [Port Angeles] 9.2.11) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110902/news/309029994

Staff of the Timberland Regional Library, one of the newest members of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees local 3758, attended the Lewis-Thurston-Mason Central Labor Council barbecue picnic in observance of Labor Day. The Timberland Library employees celebrated officially becoming union members on August 15, after a long struggle with management.
(Photos) (The Chronicle, [Centralia] 9.6.11)

The new library facility on the Grandview campus of Yakima Valley Community College will open its doors to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m., Monday, September 12. The new $4 million facility is under the joint ownership and operation of the City of Grandview and the college. (Photo) (Grandview Herald, [Grandview] 9.7.11)

On March 20, 1935, Washington governor Clarence Martin signed into law House Bill 259. The new law explicitly declared the creation of free public libraries as an essential part of the state’s provision for public education, defines the ways in which such libraries may be established, and creates a state board to certify librarians. (HistoryLink.org, 9.8.11) http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=9920

This year’s Washington State Book Award winners, announced by the Washington Center for the Book, include seven outstanding books published by authors either born in Washington, or residing here for at least three years. The winners and finalists will be honored at a celebration sponsored by Hugo House and the Seattle Public Library Foundation from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 12. (Photos) (Seattle Times, 9.15.11) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2016209134_bookawards15.html

Buildings
When workers tore up carpet in the Colville Public Library, they found sections of the floor that were 60 to 80 years old and was structurally insufficient. The Colville City Council approved to authorize up to $15,000 out of the current expense fund to repair the 4,998 square feet of sub-flooring. Because of the additional repair work, the library was closed until Tuesday, Sept. 6. (Photo) (Statesman-Examiner, [Colville] 8.31.11)

It was a rare sight on Saturday, August 27 to see the Port Townsend Library Foundation present Mayor Michelle Sandoval a facsimile check of $140,000. The privately raised $140,000 fully funds the first step of the Port Townsend Library’s proposed $9.8 million rebuild – the interior renovation of the historic Charles Pink House. (Photo) (The Leader, [Port Townsend] 8.31.11) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=29918&SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&S=1

Construction on the second phase of Library Place Apartments is running well ahead of schedule. The exterior of Library Place will … complement its neighbor and namesake, the Everett Public Library. The American Library Association’s online news magazine, I Love Libraries, in July recognized Library Place’s creative marketing efforts and support for the Everett Public Library. (Photo) (Snohomish County Business Journal, [Everett] 9.11) http://www.snohomishcountybusinessjournal.com/article/20110831/SCBJ11/308229999

With completion of the Silverdale YMCA, early plans are in the works for a new branch of the Kitsap Regional Library and a new performing arts center on the Central Kitsap Community Campus. (The Kitsap Sun, [Bremerton] 9.8.11)

Letters & Editorials
Headline “Money woes slow PT library project” [Leader, Aug. 24] is not news. Consultant David Moen presented this information in 2010 after a survey and evaluation sowed people were not supportive of the project because of economic instability. Why was his analysis ignored? (The Leader, [Port Townsend] 8.31.11) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=29919&SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&S=1

It is daunting to attempt to express the enormity of gratitude to all who participated in the Friends of the Ferndale Library Quilt Display and Raffle Fundraiser. Through generous donations and raffle ticket purchases, $2,000 was raised to benefit The New Ferndale Library Project. (Ferndale Record, 9.7.11)

People
Alma Ludewig is so fond of teaching children that the bilingual grandmother has created three volunteer programs for kids at Blaine Public Library. A Blaine resident for three years and a preschool teacher at Semiahmoo Kids Kamp, Ludewig is in the third year of her monthly “Art with Alma” program at the library. (Photos) (Bellingham Herald, 9.5.11) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/09/05/2167140/blaine-grandmother-puts-her-all.html#storylink=misearch

Programs & Displays
People will learn valuable information about social media and referral marketing during free small business presentations at Lakewood Pierce County Library between Wednesday, September 7 and Thursday, October 27. (South Puget Sound News [DuPont], 8.29.11) http://www.southpugetsoundnews.com/events/free-small-business-presentati%E2%80%8Bons-at-pierce-county-library-system/

The Sequim Library is launching a new monthly book discussion group in September for children ages 8 through 11 and their parents or guardians. The goal of the group is to encourage lifelong reading. Books have been carefully selected by librarians to be age-appropriate, of high literary value and to encourage a love of books and reading. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 9.2.11)

That faint glow on Lake Washington’s eastern shore isn’t a backyard barbecue gone bad – it’s the organizers of the 2011 Northwest Bookfest working late to put the finishing touches on their event, set for the weekend of Oct. 1 and 2. (Photos) (Seattle Times, 9.12.11) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2016161780_litlife12.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] ]