Washington State Library News
The six libraries in Lincoln County, Davenport, Reardan, Sprague, Harrington, Odessa, Wilbur, and the Ritzville library applied for and received a Collaborative Library Resource Sharing Grant of $5,000 from the Washington State Library. Each library received $500-$750 for books, CDs and DVDs, $75 for processing supplies and $150 for transportation for required meetings. (Wilbur Register, 9.8.11)

Both the Colville and Chewelah Public Libraries are celebrating 100 years of library service in their communities this year. There will be Open House receptions at the Colville Public Library and at the Chewelah Public Library on Thursday, September 29. State Librarian Rand Simmons will be attending these receptions in honor of both the long history of library service and the modern library service currently happening all over Stevens County. (Statesman-Examiner, [Colville] 9.21.11)

Library News
View digitized images and documents from the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, named the Century 21 Exposition, on the Seattle Public Library’s website. The launch of the collection is timed to coincide with the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the Century 21 Exposition. (Capitol Hill Times/City Living, [Seattle] 9.14.11) http://citylivingseattle.com/SpecialSectionSearchResult.asp?SubsectionID=124&PageID=p20c3.html&SearchTerm=Library%20offers%20on-line%20images

Teens in sixth through 12th grades are invited to become part of the Sequim Library’s, a part of the North Olympic Library System, new Young Adult Advisory Group, which meets for the first time Tuesday, October 4. Besides discussing good books, members of the Young Adult Advisory Group will recommend services and programs they would like to see at the library. (Sequim This Week, 9.21.11)

Just a few days ago, on September 20, we told you that Amazon’s Kindle library lending program was in beta testing at the Seattle Public Library. The next day, Amazon announced that Kindle and Kindle app customers can now borrow Kindle books from more than 11,000 local libraries in the United States, including Seattle. (Photo) (Puget Sound Business Journal, [Seattle] 9.23.11)

Pierce County Library System says service for its patrons will be faster and easier now that its 18 branches have a new telephone network. The library system’s 25-year old phone equipment, which officials said was falling apart and for which parts were no longer manufactured, has been updated. (South Pierce County Dispatch, [Eatonville] 9.23.11)
http://dispatchnews.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=3984&SectionID=6&SubSectionID=6&S=1

The Nisqually Tribe will receive almost $150,000 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ (IMLS), through the Native American Library Services program. Nisqually Tribe library leadership plans to use a portion of the $149,604 to purchase a bookmobile and the library also plans to use some of the grant money to hire another person for its youth service program. (Photo) (Nisqually Valley News, [Yelm] 9.23.11)

Just before Christmas, the Everett Public Library began offering patrons free access to electronic books that can be read on portable readers. At the time, Amazon’s popular Kindle didn’t accommodate e-books offered by public libraries. That just changed. People who want to check out-ebooks from the Everett Public Library or branches of the Sno-Isle libraries in Snohomish County can now do so for free. (The Herald, [Everett] 9.26.11) http://heraldnet.com/article/20110926/NEWS01/709269930

Buildings
King County Library System (KCLS) Director Bill Ptacek will be among those attending a public meeting and open house on plans for the new Renton Downtown Library from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday. KCLS also plans to expand the Fairwood Library by approximately 5,000 square feet. There will be a public meeting from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Oct. 10 to review and offer input about the Fairwood design. (Renton Reporter, [Kent] 9.9.11)

Colville Public Library staff and volunteers experienced a mad scramble late last month when the task of replacing the sub-flooring was added to the building’s renovation project. But a new and sturdier walking surface isn’t the only new boon to the library. (Photo) (Statesman-Examiner, [Colville] 9.14.11) http://www.statesmanexaminer.com/content/library-gets-makeover

About 30 residents turned out at the La Conner Regional Library Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday to give their views on the library’s plan to purchase the old hardware store on Morris Street. After listening to everyone, the board approved a motion by Trustee Robert Hancock to proceed with negotiations for the 10,500-square-foot lot which has a 1,344 square- foot- building that would be eventually demolished. (La Conner Weekly, 9.14.11) http://laconnernews.blogspot.com/2011/09/in-sept-14-2011-issue.html

Winthrop Kiwanis continues to leave its mark in the valley by making outdoor spaces more useable to the public – most recently at the Winthrop library and at Methow Valley Elementary. The library’s back porch is now fully screened and ready for use. The project was done at no cost to the library. (Photo) (Methow Valley News, [Twisp] 9.14.11)

After nearly a month of work the Shelton Timberland Library finally has a new look. Installing new flooring for the entire library cost approximately $58,000, Library manager Patty Ayala Ross said. The Friends of the Library donated $10,000 and $5,000 came from the Timberland Foundation. The rest of the money came from a large private donor who wished to remain anonymous. (Photo) (Shelton-Mason County Journal, 9.15.11)

The designers of the new downtown Renton library got an earful Tuesday night about the look, feel and location of the library as they start the design process. No formal ideas have been crafted yet by the design team, but the designers had easels covered with ideas and designs to spur this initial public discussion. More than 100 people attended the open house. (Photo) (Renton Reporter, [Kent] 9.14.11)
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/news/129827118.html

The new Reading Garden at the Walla Walla Public Library, which offers a relaxed, outdoor setting to patrons, is now open. Made possible by a $5,000 grant from the Sherwood Foundation, $1,000 from Friends of the Library, and patron donations, the garden transforms the patio at the east end of the library. (Photo) (Union Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 9.20.11)

Soon teens visiting the Everett Public Library will have a space of their own — one removed from the children’s section and its stuffed animals, board books and toddlers. A new teen center is planned on the main floor of the downtown branch, just adjacent to where the juvenile collection is now kept. (The Herald, [Everett] 9.23.11) http://heraldnet.com/article/20110923/NEWS01/709239892

University of Washington Tacoma Chancellor Debra Friedman recently took advantage of the unique view of the UW Tacoma campus and ongoing Tioga Library Building construction from the top of a 120-foot tall tower crane on the project site. The new building will house expanded Library resources and classrooms that will be linked to the existing Library via a bridge over the historical railroad tracks that run through the campus. (Photo) (Tacoma Daily Index, 9.23.11) http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=2041523&more=0

Letters & Editorials
For sure, the future of library services in Renton has stirred more controversy than any other issue in recent memory. But now is the time to look forward, not backward. Now is the time to speak out – and ask questions – about what plans the King County Library System has in mind for a downtown Renton Library. (Renton Reporter, 9.9.11)
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/opinion/129421603.html

A recent letter by Maria Conijn states that our Latino residents do not merit bilingual signs because the rest of us immigrants do not get signs in our respective languages. According the recent census, one-third our population is Hispanic. I hope the library gets its dual-language sign back. (Skagit Valley Herald, [Mount Vernon] 9.13.11)

The June 16th Minutes posted this week to FilePro gave public notice that: “Library Cards – New cards will be issued in September. Free to residents and non-resident property owners. $5 for non-residents living within the North Beach School District … .” As an Ocean Shores taxpayer, I see no reason for someone that lives in the North Beach School District and is not a property owner in Ocean Shores to pay anything less than what I pay for my library card. (The North Coast News, [Ocean Shores] 9.14.11)

Walking toward the Renton Pavilion Event Center Tuesday night, I was struck by the crowded parking lot on the downtown side of the lovely Burnett Linear Park. Bill Ptacek, director of the King County Library System, liked what he saw, too, the potential for a thriving downtown, with one of his libraries as a centerpiece. Yes, a new modern library is an essential piece of rebuilding downtown Renton. (Photo) (Renton Reporter, [Kent] 9.16.11)

Thank you to the Nisqually Valley News, Yelm Cinemas and Uncle Roy’s Music for sponsoring our first-ever Yelm International Battle of the Bands. Friends of the Yelm Library Teen Team is launching this event to raise money for the Yelm Library Building Fund. (Nisqually Valley News, [Yelml] 9.16.11)
http://www.yelmonline.com/articles/2011/09/23/opinion/editorials/doc4e73c8949475d100559914.txt

It’s great news for Kindle owners that they can finally get library books on their devices. I always thought this was one of the biggest shortcomings of Amazon.com’s device. The convenience of digital books is compelling, especially to public libraries struggling to manage costs, grow their collections and stay relevant. (Photo) (The Seattle Times, 9.25.11) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/technologybrierdudleysblog/2016323413_kindle_library_lending_questio.html

People
On Wednesday, August 31, the Friends of the Hesseltine Library held an open house in honor of Connie Finch for her retirement after serving for many years as assistant librarian at the town library. (Photo)
(Wilbur Register, 9.8.11)

Judy Smith, a retired teacher, volunteered as a reader at Coupeville Elementary School after moving to Whidbey Island four years ago. A year ago, she signed up to donate her time at the Coupeville branch of Sno-Isle Libraries. Smith volunteers for several hours each Friday. (Photo) (The Whidbey Examiner,
http://whidbeyexaminer.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=6583&SectionID=3&SubSectionID=3&S=1

Dianne Morgan is retiring at the end of September after 30 years as a reference librarian with the Camas Public Library. “She’s always taken a great interest in the history of the library and of Camas. When there were questions about either, Dianne was always our first choice for an answer,” said Camas Library Director David Zavortink. (Photo) (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 9.13.11)

Eileen Simmons will continue in her role as director of Everett Public Library. The Library Board of Trustees – the only policy-setting board in the city – voted unanimously last week to keep Simmons after completing her annual performance review. (Photo) (The Herald, [Everett] 9.20.11)
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110920/NEWS01/709209905

With Fall comes the Lake Stevens Library’s Fall Storytime for kid’s newborn to five years old and their caregivers. This year Lake Stevens Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries, has a new addition to their already entertaining and educational children’s activities and that is new Children’s Librarian Monica Jackson. (Photo) (Lake Stevens Journal, 9.21.11) http://lakestevensjournal.com/news/article.exm/2011-09-21_lake_stevens_has_their_own_children_s_librarian

Programs & Displays
As the clouds and rain settle in for the fall, the Timberland Regional Library is inviting book lovers to come together to read the New York Times best-seller “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein. It’s part of the seventh annual Timberland Reads Together, which features more than 50 free events that include Stein discussing and signing his book and performances by Book-It Repertory Theatre, Seattle’s books-to-stage professional theater company. (The Olympian, 9.19.11)

Friends of the Ferndale Library will host artists Tracy Nyuyen, of Ferndale and Irene Lawson, of Custer, October 1-2. This event is part of the 2011 Whatcom Artist Studio Tour (WAST). (Photo) (Ferndale Record, 9.21.11)

Area youth gathered Saturday to rock out and raise money for the Yelm library with the first-ever Yelm International Battle of the Bands. Friends of the Yelm Library Teen Team organized the battle as a way to raise money for the Library Building Fund. In all, the event raised $715. (Photos) (The Nisqually Valley News, [Yelm] 9.23.11) http://www.yelmonline.com/articles/2011/09/23/business/doc4e7d0152e4b50984093481.txt

Luis Alberto Urrea would be the first to admit growing up the child of an American mother and a Mexican father on the dirt streets of Tijuana that becoming a Pulitzer Prize finalist author sounds unreal. Urrea’s personal story and his ability as a compelling speaker is why Mid-Columbia Library partnered with Washington State University Tri-Cities’ GEAR UP program to bring Urrea to the Tri-Cities. (Tri-City Herald, [Kennewick] 9.26.11) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/09/26/1656626/pulitzer-finalist-coming-to-tri.html

Economy/Hard Times
Sno-Isle Libraries, in partnership with WorkSource, is offering nine “Creating a Targeted Resume” workshops to give job seekers an edge. With a targeted resume, job seekers will increase their chances of getting interviews and ultimately landing the right job, while employers will be able to hire the person with the right qualifications for a good match. (Millcreek View, 9.11)

[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] ]