Washington State Library News
The North Central Regional Library and the Initiative for Rural Innovation and Stewardship are working together to collect and digitize historic photographs for the local history project “Foodways and Byways: The Story of Food in NCW.” The “Foodways and Byways” project is funded in part by a grant from the Washington State Library with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. (Republic News Miner, 3.1.12)

Library News
The Upper Skagit Library has a board position and positions on the finance, marketing, and buildings to fill. The new face at the library is Stephanie Morgareidge. She will be in charge of the Summer Reading Program, Play and Learn, LEGOS, and author and other events. (Concrete Herald, 3.12)

Fully searchable digital archive files for the 2010 and 2011 issues of The Independent are now available at the Chewelah Public Library. The PDF database is available for anyone to access during library hours on all public computers. (Photo) (The Independent, [Chewelah] 3.1.12)

Colfax Mayor Todd Vanek reported that the city and Whitman County Library officials are working up a new contract for the long-standing agreement which calls for the city to pay for part of the upkeep of the library’s headquarters building in Colfax. (Whitman County Gazette, [Colfax] 3.1.12)

The City of Liberty Lake has a $3 million surplus for 2012. As a result, Liberty Lake Library Board President John Loucks asked the city Council to expand the library’s staffing with a $36,000 addition to its current budget. (Photos) (Liberty Lake Splash, 3.1.12) http://www.libertylakesplash.com/news.asp?id=21733

Dan Howard, director of public services for the North Central Regional Library System said that most books (fiction and non-fiction) on the current best-seller lists are not available in eBook format to libraries. “They are available for individuals to purchase but not to libraries,” he said. Still, the local library system has 2,000 eBooks available in its lending system. (Photo) (The Wenatchee World, 3.2.12) http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/mar/02/ebooks-popularity-on-the-rise-but-dont-throw-out/

Library Director Michael Crose is no longer employed by the Timberland Regional Library District. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously on this decision Wednesday night after a closed-door, 70-minute executive session at the Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library. (The Chronicle Online [Chehalis], 3.29.12) http://www.chronline.com/news/local/article_73818b1e-79a5-11e1-acdb-001a4bcf887a.html

Buildings
The Port Townsend Public Library has completed the first step of its capital campaign project with completion of the Charles Pink House Library Learning Center. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house was held March 3. (Photo) (The Leader, [Port Townsend] 2.29.12) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=30998&SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&S=1

The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe held the grand opening of its new tribal library March 12. The tribal library, which specializes in materials that focus on Northwest Coast Native Americans, for readers of all ages, has relocated to the newly remodeled Heron Hall across the street from the main Tribal Administrative Campus in Blyn. (Photo) (The Sequim Gazette, 2.29.12)

City of Yelm is days away from owning the Yelm Library after approving a nearly $2.3 million bond Tuesday evening. The library will be purchased through a condo agreement for $1 million. An additional $1 million was tacked on for other capital improvements, including a community center in Yelm. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 3.2.12)

Possible future locations for a new library in Washougal will be discussed during the next meeting of the Friends of the Washougal Library. Adam Taylor, leasing manager of the Washougal Town Square, is expected to attend, along with a representative from the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation. Washougal Community Librarian Chris Hughey said possible partnerships will be discussed. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 3.6.12)

The main entry doors at the Olympia Timberland Library will be replaced Tuesday through Friday, and the carpet in the main entryway area will be replaced March 19-23. Both sets of doors will be removed. The exterior doors will be replaced with American Disabilities Act compliant, single, swinging doors with power-assist opening. The interior set will not be replaced. (The Olympian [Olympia], 3.8.12) http://www.theolympian.com/2012/03/07/2020857/doors-carpet-at-olympia-librarys.html

Letters & Editorials
Sadly, Seattle is following a strategy promoted by the American Library Association, which regards pornography as just a routine aspect of protecting the First Amendment. But they generally omit an important qualifier: When taxpayers are paying for computers they have a right to insist that children are protected. I know because I authored the federal law on this, and it has passed muster with the Supreme Court. (Daily Record, [Ellensburg) 2.28.12)

I love libraries. I especially love the Hoquiam Public Library. I was a bit nervous years ago when the library was remodeled and expanded, but one visit quelled my fears – all was well. (Daily World [Aberdeen], 3.4.12)

Awards
The Friends of the Mill Creek Library will award one or more grants of up to $1,500 to defray professional development costs to support the provision of literacy education or expansion of literacy services in the community. To apply, mail a resume and cover letter detailing interest in the grant postmarked by April 15 to the Friends of the Mill Creek Library Grants Committee. Awards will be announced at the meeting of the Friends on May 9. (Millcreek View, 3.12)

The Reardan Library has received 77 new children’s books thanks to The Books for Children grant from the Libri Foundation, Hal Berenson and Laura Ackerman, and the Janet Hein Memorial. The library has been greatly enhanced by the addition of these books. (Photo) (Davenport Times, 3.1.12)

Programs & Displays
Dawn Rutherford, teen coordinator for the Mountlake Terrace Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries, makes sure teens have a place to learn, feel comfortable. “I want people to expect there to be services for teens. Teens are so creative, funny and full of life. I feel blessed to work with them,” said Rutherford.
(The Herald, [Everett] 2.27.12) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120227/NEWS01/702279912

The five Whidbey Island Sno-Isle Libraries are bringing a book to life through discussions, events and activities in March and April. The book selected for Whidbey Reads is “Crow Planet: Essential Wisdom from the Urban Wilderness,” by Lyanda Lynn Haupt. (Photo) (Whidbey News-Times, [Oak Harbor] 2.29.12) http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/community/140778843.html

Port Townsend Public Library’s seventh annual Community Read is “Winterkill,” by Pacific Northwest author Craig Lesley. Community events are planned for the month of March as part of the Community Read, including an art show and a raffle. (Photo) (The Leader, [Port Townsend] 2.29.12) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=30981&SectionID=101&SubSectionID=471&S=1

As part of Read Across America Day, sponsored by the National Education Association, schools and libraries on the North Olympic Peninsula and across the nation celebrated the 108th birthday of the man who wrote “The Lorax” and other children’s favorites, Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss. (Photo) (Peninsula Daily News, [Port Angeles] 3.2.12) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20120302/news/303029998

Whitman College’s Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and the Walla Walla Public Library partnered to provide a Dr. Seuss Day program which combined a birthday celebration for Dr. Seuss and celebration of Read Across America Day, sponsored by the National Education Association. (Photos) (Union Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 3.2.12)

Did you know that the Puyallup fairgrounds were home to Japanese-American internments during World War II? In partnership with the Pierce County Reads 2012, Roy City Library invited the public to read “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” by Jamie Ford, which tells the story of Japanese-American internments in the Pacific Northwest through the eyes of a child as he matures through life. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 3.2.12)

The Everett Public Library plans three talks this spring about “Books You’ve Always Meant to Read.” March 28 will be a discussion about “David Copperfield”, by Charles Dickens; April 24 a discussion about “The Secret Agent, by Joseph Conrad; and May 23 a discussion about “The Scarlet Letter,” by Nathanial Hawthorne. (Photo) (The Herald, [Everett] 3.4.12) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120304/NEWS01/703049942

Children with painted faces, musicians, and even parents dressed like Dr. Seuss’ famous Whos, gathered Saturday as Roslyn celebrated the children’s author’s birthday with its sixth annual Seussapalooza at the NWI Building. (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 3.5.12)

A “Meet the Artist” reception was held for Holly Irish, a fourth year veterinary student, at the Animal Science Library, a part of Washington State University, last Friday. Holly was first introduced to mixing animal and photography at the veterinary school’s open house. Holly’s work will be up until May 5. (The Daily Evergreen [Pullman], 3.5.12) http://dailyevergreen.com/read/Animal-art-is-featured-in-the-Library

Two well-known Raku pottery artists from Camas will be part of the “Tree Show” in Stevenson. Pottery by Clay artists Dave and Boni Deal will be part of the exhibit at the Stevenson Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, today through March 30. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 3.6.12)

Literature and reading have a long tradition in Sedro-Woolley. Now a group of dedicated volunteers are ready to continue the practice. On March 10, the town’s very first Story Walk took place. Volunteers read aloud to small audiences for about 15 minutes at a time at various merchants. Quilts inspired by books were also on display in some locations. (Photo) (Courier Times [Sedro-Woolley], 3.6.12)

A new monthly series of free afternoon movies sponsored by Bellingham Public Library highlights children’s stories that have been turned into films. Library officials hope the movies will inspire parents and children to read the books before they see the movie, and then talk about the differences between the two media – a discussion that can bolster critical thinking in young minds. (Bellingham Herald, 3.8.12) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/03/08/2424119/see-free-movies-made-from-books.html#storylink=misearch

The Longview Public Library will hold a Hunger Games-themed event Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m.
All middle and high school students are invited to attend the event, where they can practice survival skills, make crafts, test their knowledge of Hunger Games trivia, and eat snacks inspired by Suzanne Collins’ best-selling trilogy of young adult novels. (The Daily News Online [Longview], 3.24.12) http://tdn.com/news/local/library-hosting-hunger-games-party-giving-away-books/article_06be2462-763d-11e1-a6f1-001871e3ce6c.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] ]