Library News

Turmoil at the Rainier Area Building Community’s old schoolhouse has led to Timberland Regional Library leaving Rainier.  Timberland Director Michael Crose sent an announcement to Rainier Library Director Julie Dallavo that the Timberland kiosk in Rainier will be closed.  The Rainier Library will continue as an independent library.  (Nisqually Valley News, [Yelm] 10.28.11)

The City of Renton has a vision for the downtown core and a steering committee to redevelop the library over the Cedar River should not be limited to the building’s current structural limitations to meet a new concept for that space.  (Renton Reporter, [Kent] 10.28.11) http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/132742953.html

The trend of higher taxes in Ocean Shores continues, as on October 24^th the Ocean Shores City Council voted to increase property taxes by 1 percent.  The 2010 voter-approved tax increases to support the Ocean Shores Library and EMS Services, combined with annual 1 percent increases, have raised taxes significantly.  According to the county assessor’s office, Ocean Shores this year will collect $3.2 million in property tax (which includes EMS and Library increases).  (The North Coast News, [Ocean Shores] 11.2.11)

Paula Barnes, executive director of the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) was advised to anticipate a 6-percent reduction in the county’s assessed property valuation rather than a 2-percent projection from September.  Despite economic issues, more materials and additional hours remain on track for the Sequim Library and the other three branches of NOLS.  (Photo)  (The Sequim Gazette, 11.2.11) http://www.sequimgazette.com/news/article.exm/2011-11-02_despite_economy__library_to_expand_hours_in_2012

Patrons of the Mid-Columbia Libraries who have book fines to pay can redeem $10 worth by donating nonperishable food items through Dec. 15.  The library is bringing back its popular Food for Fines program for all 11 branches and the bookmobile.  (Tri-City Herald, [Kennewick] 11.3.11) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/11/03/1703616/library-book-fines-can-be-paid.html#storylink=misearch

Additional funding for library personnel in 2012 was requested from the Davenport City Council by library board chair Mary Jo Kraus during a preliminary budget hearing.  Kraus told the council that the library needs an active volunteer program which would require paying state industrial insurance premiums – and money isn’t available in the budget for that.  A review of costs will presented to the council at the next meeting.  (Davenport Times, 11.3.11)

As construction continues on Newcastle’s new library, a part of the King County Library System, community members have begun the process of creating a sustainable partnership to support the facility once it’s up and running – a Friends of the Library group.  (Photo)  (The Newcastle News, [Issaquah] 11.4.11) http://www.newcastle-news.com/index.php?s=newcastle+library%27s+friends+group

Eight applicants will be scrutinized as replacements for Mike Wirt, who will retire February 24^th as Director of the Spokane County Library District.  Trustees want the new director to start work March 1.  (Spokesman Review, [Spokane] 11.5.11) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/nov/05/trustees-to-narrow-library-chief-hopefuls/

A child molester and voyeur already facing indefinite confinement at a state facility is now accused of taking “up-skirt” photos at Seattle’s downtown library.  (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 11.17.11) http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Prosecutors-Sex-offender-shot-up-skirt-2274824.php

On another budget issue, the Enumclaw City Council moved a final step closer to getting out of the library businesses. For 2012, the city budget will call for library money to be taken from Fund 180, a pot of cash built through property sales and lease collections. It is seen as a one-time expenditure as the city moves toward placing an item on the April ballot asking voters to annex into the King County Library System. (Enumclaw Courier-Herald, 11.28.11) http://www.courierherald.com/news/134654668.html

The Spokane County Library District has announced that it is bringing in two finalists for the executive director position for a public meet and greet Thursday night. The two finalists are Nancy Ledeboer, director of the Pima County Public Library system in Pima County, Ariz., and Smikahl Vieira, the director of the Benicia Public Library System in Benicia, Calif. (Spokesman Review, [Spokane] 11.29.11) http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/spokanevalley/2011/nov/29/library-district-finalists-meet-public/

Elections

Hoquiam voters overwhelmingly supported annexing the city’s library into the Timberland Regional Library District (TRL), voting themselves a potential tax increase to protect local library services. Until now, the city has collected property taxes and then spent about $200,000 a year on library operations and maintenance. Annexation would allow TRL to levy property taxes directly on residents to pay for library operations.  (Daily World, [Aberdeen] 11.9.11)

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 February 14 ballot. “Love the library, please,” Librarian Vicki Selander quipped about the election date. (The Daily News Online, [Longview], 11.20.11) http://tdn.com/news/local/castle-rock-library-levy-given-another-shot-on-february-ballot/article_8762dfd4-13de-11e1-9226-001cc4c03286.html

Buildings

Teens finally have a place of their own at the main branch of the Everett Public Library. The new teen center, on the main floor of the library, includes a magnetic wall and giant magnetic words to allow kids to write their own stories … new computers are set to be installed in the next several weeks.  All of that is a first for the Everett library, which has never before had a space set aside for teenagers. (The Herald Online, [Everett] 11.17.11) http://heraldnet.com/article/20111117/NEWS01/711179891#A-new-space-just-for-teens-at-the-Everett-library

The Jefferson County Library has requested qualifications from architectural firms to provide design services and preparation of bid documents including construction plans, specifications, and final estimates for the remodel of the Jefferson County Library.  (Daily Journal of Commerce, [Seattle] 11.18.11)

Letters & Editorials

I am writing in support of the Coulee City Library and would ask that it not be included in any budget cuts under consideration by the City Council.  (News-Standard, [Coulee City] 11.9.11)

I am in support of the Coulee City Library.  My use of it dates back to the mid 1970s, when it was still in the little room behind city hall.  I strongly support continued support of the library.  (News-Standard, [Coulee City] 11.9.11)

The Seattle Public Library has been a hot spot for authors and local readers alike.  Surely one of the reasons is it’s been home to the Washington Center for the Book program since 1989.  Program manager Chris Higashi also has a clever way of picking authors that attract the Seattle reader.  (Capitol Hill Times/City Living, [Seattle] 11.9.11) http://www.capitolhilltimes.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=29239&SectionID=63&SubSectionID=367&S=1

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 Online, 11.12.11) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/11/08/2264348/whatcom-view-university-county.html

A recent Twitter tip pointed me to a library like no other around here.  Renton’s Liberty Park Library is perched on concrete pylons and suspended over the Cedar River.  How cool is that?  A steering committee has been formed to envision the future of this building.  Whatever it becomes, I hope it’ll still draw as many people as I saw there on a rainy day.  (Photo)  (Seattle Times, 11.26.11) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seattlesketcher/2016859363_more_to_check_out_than_a_sceni.html

Here’s a surefire way to tap a region’s zeitgeist — find out what books its library patrons love to read. So in honor of the imminent closing of the ledger for 2011, I asked Seattle Public Library to calculate the books most popular with its patrons for this year. The numbers have been crunched — the titles are below. (Seattle Times, 11.28.11) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2016875283_litlife28.html

People

Vicky Beatty is the new children’s librarian at the Stanwood Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries.  Beatty will start story time in January.  In the meantime, she’s helping plan a winter extravaganza, three days of special programs December 19^th-21^st.  (Photo) (Stanwood Camano News, 11.1.11)

Josie Toscano was not a librarian and had no intentions of being one when the position at the Mattawa Public Library, a part of North Central Regional Libraries, was suggested.  Nine years later, Toscano runs a library on which lots of folks depend.  (Photo)  (The Royal Register, [Moses Lake] 11.8.11]

After 30 years as a customer service representative with the Sequim Library, a part of the North Olympic Library System, Kay Ketley retired, saying she was fulfilled by a career of helping people.  Ketley started with the Sequim Library in 1981.  She said in those days it closed for dinner and the staff was impressed with a 400-book circulation day.  (Photo)  (The Sequim Gazette, 11.9.11)

Awards

The Port Townsend Public Library received a $2,500 donation from Union Bank to fund the library’s job-seeker services through the end of the year.  Since starting the jobs services program in 2009, the Port Townsend Library has helped 350 people, library director Theresa Percy said.  (Photos) (Peninsula Daily News, 11.2.11) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20111102/NEWS/311029995

Programs & Displays

After an 18-month hiatus, one local teacher and connoisseur of Japanese art and culture is attempting to resurrect the Teen Anime/Manga Club in the basement of the Colville Public Library.  Elementary school music teacher Rebecca Lazok spent three years in Japan teaching English and the experience changed her life forever.  For more information about the Teen’s Anime/Manga Club, call the Colville Public Library.  (Photo)  (Statesman-Examiner, 11.9.11)

The 13 works of photography and text in “T-Town Transgender Neighbors, A Portrait Exhibition” at the University of Puget Sound’s Collins Library delve into the most fundamental aspect of people’s lives: their gender.  The exhibition is open various days and times through January 20. (Photo)  (The News Tribune, [Tacoma] 11.25.11) http://blog.thenewstribune.com/arts/2011/11/22/a-collins-library-exhibit-at-tacomas-university-of-puget-sound-explores-transgender-identity-through-photography-and-written-word/#storylink=misearch

[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] ]