Library News
The most popular class offered at the Public Law Library of King County is “Skip Tracing: Finding Personal and Business Information.” (King County Bar Bulletin, [Seattle] 11.11) https://www.kcba.org/newsevents/barbulletin/BView.aspx?Month=11&Year=2011&AID=article16.htm

Department heads in Grandview provided the City Council with preliminary 2012 budget figures. Library Director Elizabeth Jahnke spoke about the library services budget which is anticipated at $231,000 for next year. (Photo) (Daily News, [Sunnyside] 11.10.11)

Walla Walla County Rural Library District will hold its 2012 budget hearing Tuesday. After the hearing, board members are expected to vote on the budget. Executive Director Punkey Adams said she expected an online version to be available to the public prior to the meeting. Later Tuesday, the district will hold a public forum led by Ruth Metz, a consultant hired by the WALNET library consortium to study alternative models for effective and sustainable library services in Walla Walla County. (Union-Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 11.13.11)

Sno-Isle Regional Library System recently selected Stanwood Library as a community that would benefit from offering citizenship classes. “The material is meant to build a person’s English language learning, as well as provide a good grounding in United States civics,” said Jill Wubbenhorst, managing librarian. (Stanwood Camano News, 11.15.11) http://www.scnews.com/news/2011-11-15/General_News/Library_offers_citizenship_classes.html

All branches of the Mid-Columbia Libraries will have new hours starting Jan. 1 to better serve patrons. Kyle Cox, director for the public library system, said the shift to most branches being open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays will better fit the demand for service, without any added expense to the library system’s budget. (Tri-City Herald, [Kennewick] 11.16.11) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/11/16/1719386/mid-columbia-library-branches.html

Buildings
Librarian, Schiree Ybarra and her staff are just weeks away from moving into the new $2 million Quincy Public Library, at part of the North Central Regional Library system. The city of Quincy has financed most of the construction with $1 million from its general fund – booked by data center sales taxes – and a state block grant of $900,000. The North Central Regional Library will lease the new space from the city. (Photos) (The Wenatchee World, 11.8.11) http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/nov/08/quincys-new-library-expands-space-and-minds-amid/

Letters & Editorials
I would like to thank the Mid-Columbia Libraries for the great service it provides to the Prosser area. (Tri-City Herald, [Kennewick] 11.10.11) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/11/10/1711620/one-for-the-books.html

We have a delightful gem in Westport’s Timberland library branch. Although nearly everybody passes by it frequently, they may not know what is located within its doors. This little jewel contains a wonderful collection of materials: books, CDs, children’s picture books, books on tape, use of computers, even links to electronic books for your Nook, Kindle, or other e-readers. (South Beach Bulletin, [Westport] 11.10.11)

Libraries share. It’s what they do. We strive to provide information to people when and where they need it. It’s why I became a librarian. Thus, it’s not surprising that I was an enthusiastic advocate for Whatcom Libraries Collaborate and its associated One Card program, which has resulted in the sharing of Western Washington University library’s collection with the Whatcom County community. (Bellingham Herald, 11.12.11) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/11/08/2264348/whatcom-view-university-county.html

Several months back when the city and Rural Library District were negotiating I had the privilege of writing a column for this paper. At that time it seemed possible the vision of a regional library that would serve all the people of the Valley might be realized. (Union-Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 11.14.11)

People
Parker Yancey, a 15-year-old Lakewood High School student, loves to read at and visit the Arlington Library. He visited so often that, in the midst of planning out his Eagle Scout project for the Boy Scouts of America, he noticed that the grounds of the library were in need of some attention. With help from volunteers, Parker spruced up the Arlington Library grounds. (Photo) (Marysville Globe, 11.9.11)

Awards
Shelby Reynolds, Northshore School District manager for Instructional Technology and Library Services, received the 2011 Supervisor of the Year Award from the Washington Library Media Association (WLMA). The award is given to an individual who provides outstanding service and support to the library media program to achieve a school’s instructional goals. (Bothell-Kenmore Reporter, [Bothell] 11.4.11) http://www.bothell-reporter.com/community/132341683.html

Friends of the Yelm Library work hard for what they love. The group donated $25,000 to the Yelm Library Building Fund, which will go toward purchasing the existing space. (Photo) (Nisqually Valley News, [Yelm] 11.11.11)

A national trade magazine has singled out the Port Townsend Public Library as one of three “star libraries” in Washington State and among 262 top libraries nationwide. “This is great for us. It’s like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval for libraries,” said library Director Theresa Percy. She received the news about Library Journal’s recognition of the library in its November issue. (Photo) (Peninsula Daily News, [Port Angeles] 11.13.11) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20111113/news/311139979

The Spokane Public Library Foundation recently received a grant from the Fred Meyer Fund. The $30,000 grant will provide family programming in 2012 that supports education in science. (Spokesman Review, [Spokane] 11.17.11) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/nov/17/in-brief-library-group-wins-grant-for-science/

[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] ]