Washington State Library News
The “2012 Teen Video Challenge” is a national video competition now underway. Its goal is for more teens to get involved with reading and their public library’s summer reading program. The contest ends March 9, 2012. The Washington State Library is partnering with the Collaborative Summer Reading Program (CSLP) to promote the video contest. (The Island Guardian, [Friday Harbor] 12.10.11) http://www.islandguardian.com/archives/00004165.html

Library News
Renton Police scored a recent victory in the city’s ongoing campaign against graffiti with the arrest of the person who tagged the downtown Renton Library with the word “Reckless” written in red. The witness who came forward with the key information will receive a $300 reward from the city. (Renton Reporter, [Kent] 11.11.11) http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/133467588.html

The Anacortes Public Library’s centennial year of 2011 is coming to a close. But you still have time to commemorate the library’s 100 years of service and help it prepare for the next 100 years by giving a meaningful, tax-deductible give. Contributions for the library are made to the Anacortes Public Library Foundation. The foundations then helps stretch the library’s city budget by purchasing needed print and electronic resources, funding special improvement projects and programs and supporting other activities that benefit the library. (Anacortes American, 11.16.11)

The Walla Walla City Council will hold a special session this month to decide if it should raise property taxes as much as 8.18 percent to deal with budget shortfalls for next year. Council member Shane Laib suggested the banked levy could be used to fund the library. (Union-Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 11.17.11)

Librarian Jill Wubbenhorst got help painting the Stanwood Library’s meeting room. (The Stanwood Library is part of the Sno-Isle Libraries.) Funded by a $2,000 grant from the Sno-Isle Library Foundation, the project is aimed toward helping the library meet its strategic plan of building a community of life-long learners. (Photo) (Stanwood/Camano News, 11.22.11)
http://www.scnews.com/news/2011-11-22/Front_Page/Stanwood_Library_spruces_up.html

The Puyallup City Council unanimously passed a first reading of the budget on Nov. 15, and it includes adjustments such as an increase in funding for library materials by $20,000. Puyallup Library Director Mary Jo Torgeson said the $20,000 increase for library materials will help them get closer to the $6.46 average spent on library materials in the state. (The Herald, [Puyallup] 11.23.11) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/11/28/1924124/city-council-votes-on-2012-budget.html#storylink=misearch

“I am excited to announce that on Jan. 1 we will have reciprocals with all of the five libraries in Skagit County,” said Joy Neal librarian of the LaConner Regional Library. Agreements are already in place with Upper Skagit, Anacortes, and Sedro Woolley. In January, agreements with Mount Vernon and Burlington will be in place. This means residents of the La Connor Library District can apply for a card at the other libraries. (LaConner Weekly, 11.23.11)

In answer to the calls from disabled drivers, the city of Vancouver this month is adding several new spaces reserved for them in front of the Vancouver Community Library. The spaces will also be the first to have time limits on free parking downtown for disabled drivers, the result of a controversial ordinance passed by the city council this summer. (Columbian, [Vancouver] 11.25.11) http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/nov/25/parking-for-disabled-to-rise-at-library/

If there ever was any question how badly the people of Fife wanted a new library, it became clear at Saturday’s grand opening. By the time Fife Mayor Barry Johnson and Pierce County Library Board Vice-Chairman Steve Albers cut the ceremonial ribbon, the line of patrons stretched around the building and down the sidewalk. (The News Tribune, [Tacoma] 12.4.11) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/12/03/1931456/with-much-pomp-and-circumstance.html#storylink=misearch

Elections
Following unrest among residents over Renton City Council’s decision to move the downtown library, concerned residents have started a petition for an initiative to stop the process. The petition is designed to allow Renton voters control over where a new downtown library will be located. It is not an attempt to prevent library improvements. (Renton Reporter, [Kent] 11.11.11) http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/133714073.html

Castle Rock book lovers are hoping for a Valentine’s Day gift: passage of the library levy on its second try. The City Council has agreed to put the $56,000 library levy on the Feb. 14 ballot, which will include a Castle Rock School maintenance and operation levy. “Love the library, please,” Librarian Vicki Selander quipped about the election date. (Daily News, [Longview] 11.21.11) http://tdn.com/news/local/castle-rock-library-levy-given-another-shot-on-february-ballot/article_8762dfd4-13de-11e1-9226-001cc4c03286.html

Seattle voters in August might be asked to approve a tax hike to support the city’s libraries, which have seen their hours and staff reduced and the acquisition of new materials limited by city budget cuts over the past three years. No dollar amount for the levy has been determined, but Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin suggested it would be a “relatively modest” tax measure to raise between $10 million and $20 million. (Photo) (The Seattle Times, 12.12.11) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017001350_libraries13m.html

Letters & Editorials
The Walla Walla County Rural Library District held a forum Nov. 15 to discuss the stalemate between its Board and the City Council of Walla Walla concerning the shared countywide WALNET library services. This meeting was well attended and the vast majority did not care who was “right” or who was “wrong.” We just want both sides to sit down together, quit making ultimatums, open up their minds and listen!
(Union-Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 11.17.11)

Public libraries have long been a favorite place for me because they are one of the few public places where all of us are indeed welcome, if only to sit in a comfortable, safe place for awhile. I have chosen to be a volunteer at the Walla Walla Public Library because the atmosphere offers not only this space, but a spirit of service to all who visit there. Due to the apparent impasse that has been reached by the Walla Walla Rural Library District and the city of Walla Walla’s public library it appears services will no longer be available to non-city residents. I urge the involvement of a mediator to assist in this task so our libraries can continue to be that welcoming place for all. (Union Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 11.20.11)

At first blush, the recent announcement by Pierce County Library System that its bookmobile service in rural areas such as Ashford and Elbe is being eliminated seems like a budgetary slap in the face for communities that don’t deserve it. But then reasoning takes over and the action becomes a disappointing but sensible concession to fiscal reality and the fact that libraries and people interact in ways that make bookmobiles a logical escape hatch for budget writers. (South Pierce County Dispatch, [Eatonville] 11.23.11)

Living locally means adopting a mindset in which you start looking for everything you need in your own backyard, figuratively speaking, and then work outward. By being present in your own community, you actually help build community. The library plays a role in living locally. The Sequim branch, a part of the North Olympic Library System, provides space for countless clubs, community groups and nonprofits to hold meetings and programs. Job seekers can use public computers to write resumes and submit applications. And, of course, you can find books, magazines, DVDs, music CDs and more entertainment and lifelong learning. (Photo) (The Sequim Gazette, 11.23.11)

People
For Mike Wirt, the time has arrived to start a new chapter. Wirt’s retirement will be official on Feb. 24 of next year. The search for Wirt’s replacement has already begun. Interviews continue for Spokane County Library District’s new Executive Director. (Photo) (Valley News Herald, [Spokane] 11.18.11) http://www.spokanevalleyonline.com/articles_svnews/2011/111811_Wirt%20turns%20page%20after%20four%20decades%20with%20SCLD.html

Awards
Soroptimist international recently funded a joint request from the Anacortes Schools Foundation and the Anacortes Library Foundation to provide city library cards to district teachers who live outside the library district or its reciprocal districts. (Anacortes American, 11.16.11)

The Anacortes School Board accepted $60,000 in grant funding from the Worthington Foundation through the Anacortes Schools Foundation. Funding will be used for a variety of purposes including additional reading and literacy programs for K-2, an online card catalog system, classroom libraries, and technology purchases including wireless keyboards/mics, audio systems, and new iPads and Kindle Fires.
(Anacortes American, 11.16.11) http://www.goanacortes.com/news/news_article/schools_receive_60000_from_worthington_foundation

The Anacortes Public Library recently received a $2,000 Target grant to provide Target Family Reading Nights at the library. Doug Woods, children’s and young adult librarian said the partnership with Target is a first for the library. (Anacortes American, 11.16.11) http://www.goanacortes.com/news/news_article/library_gets_2000_target_grant
[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] ]