Washington State Library News
Judy Eagen of Palouse received a Kindle Fire from Palouse Library manager Bev Pearce as a result of her participation in a Whitman County Library Community survey. The Friends of WCL sponsored the prize drawing as an incentive for community members of all ages to take part in the three-page survey conducted by Washington State University Students, in conjunction with a Federal Library Services and Technology grant studying the needs of the largest growing population of library users, those over the age of 50 (TLA 50 Grant Cycle). (Photo) (Whitman County Gazette, [Colfax] 3.29.12)

Eighth-grader Samantha Smith just beat more than 5,500 other students in a statewide competition called Letters About Literature. The contest, sponsored by the Washington State Library and the Library of Congress, encourages students to write letters to their favorite authors. Smith wrote a letter to Julie Anne Peters about her 2003 novel Keeping You a Secret. (The Leader, [Port Townsend], 4.11.12) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&ArticleID=31250

Library News
The Liberty Lake City Council reviewed budget projections in consideration of potential staff additions to the Municipal Library. The review came, in part, as a response to the February 21st request from Library Board President John Loucks for an additional $36,000 to be added to the library’s budget, to bump a current half-time librarian to full-time and add a part-time clerk. (Liberty Lake Splash, 3.22.12) http://www.libertylakesplash.com/news.asp?id=21794

Renton City Attorney Larry Warren calls an initiative to keep the downtown Renton library over the Cedar River illegal and untimely. Warren believes the initiative is illegal because it deals with a breach of contract with the King County Library System, infringement of the council’s budget authority, an improper attempt to set policy, and the language is “fatally flawed.” (Renton Reporter, 3.23.12) http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/142833395.html

The Port Townsend Library will use trucks to move 60,000 books to its temporary home at Mountain View Commons, but will begin the process by forming a “human chain” from one location to another.  “We decided to use the human chain because we wanted to have something that will involve the entire community and draw attention to our move,” said Library Director Theresa Percy. (Photo) (Peninsula Daily News, [Port Angeles] 3.27.12) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20120327/NEWS/303279997/0/SEARCH

Grandview Librarian Elizabeth Jahnke gained approval from the city council for assessing a $2 replacement fee for library cards. Also approved were changes to the Grandview Municipal Code that reflects current practices at the library. (Daily News, [Sunnyside] 3.28.12) http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/Story.aspx/23734/library-cards-replacement-fee-now-set-at-2

Blown away. That’s how Friends of the Carpenter Memorial Library characterized their reaction to the outpouring of community support they received at the Carpenter Memorial Library open house held March 24. 20+ new members signed on as members of the Friends group. (Photo) (Northern Kittitas County Tribune, [Cle Elum] 3.29.12)

Kelso Public Library cardholders can now download books and audiobooks for free from the library’s website onto their home computers, eBook readers, iPods and other electronic devices. To get started, interested patrons need to call the library, or stop by, to set up an account. (Daily News, [Longview] 3.29.12) http://tdn.com/news/local/kelso-public-library-launches-ebook-options-for-cardholders/article_5b13ac9c-7937-11e1-99ff-0019bb2963f4.html

The “Seattle7” is a group of local authors who, for the past year, has been soliciting books from individuals, schools and bookstores, and creating “pocket libraries” in area homeless shelters and children’s homes. The group has more books than places to install libraries and is looking for additional nonprofits and other organizations whose clients could be helped by the written word. (Seattle Times, 4.13.12) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nicolebrodeur/2017969508_nicole13m.html

A 20-year veteran of Vancouver schools is representing Washington teachers in the other Washington this week. Mark Ray, the 2011 state teacher of the year and a librarian/media specialist at Skyview High School, was one of 53 teachers recognized in a White House ceremony Tuesday. (The Columbian Online, [Vancouver] 4.24.12) http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/apr/24/school-librarian-makes-the-rounds-in-dc/

Elections
The Enumclaw City Council approved a resolution at the regular Monday meeting stating its position that the city’s property tax levy rate would not be reduced if the library annexation vote is approved in April. (Enumclaw Courier-Herald, 3.21.12) http://www.courierherald.com/news/142581925.html

The Seattle City Council voted unanimously to place a $123 million, seven-year levy on the August 7th primary ballot to restore and enhance library services across the city. The levy would raise about $17 million a year to supplement the libraries’ annual general-fund budget of about $50 million. (Photo) (Seattle Times, 4.10.12) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017945386_librarylevy10m.html

Buildings
Eltopia residents protesting the closure of their small branch library have convinced Mid-Columbia Libraries to reopen it. Library district board members voted 4-2 Tuesday night to reopen the branch at Merrill’s Corner in the central Franklin County community. (Tri-City Herald, [Kennewick] 3.28.12) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/03/28/1882328/mid-columbia-libraries-to-reopen.html#storylink=misearch

Letters & Editorials
I have to confess, I’d never been to the Hilltop Tavern. I never imagined attending a formal book discussion there, especially one endorsed by the Port Townsend Public Library. (Photos) (The Leader, [Port Townsend] 3.21.12) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=31121&SectionID=101&SubSectionID=471&S=1

The good news is that Seattle Public Libraries will continue to allow the free flow of information in its facilities. The bad news is that parents will actually need to watch their children at the library. In case you haven’t heard, Seattle Public Libraries grants open Internet access on its computers. It doesn’t censor any material, including pornography. (Photo) (City Living Seattle, 3.21.12) http://citylivingseattle.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=88784&SectionID=22&SubSectionID=167&S=1

Times have changed. We live in a different world from the time when Enumclaw opened its library back in the 1920s. What worked for 94 years isn’t working anymore. I urge you to vote yes for KCLS on April 17th. (Enumclaw Courier-Herald, 3.21.12) http://www.courierherald.com/opinion/letters/143069016.html

There is movement afoot to give the Enumclaw city library over to the King County Library System. I believe this would be a sad event and a move that could have regrettable consequences. (Enumclaw Courier-Herald, 3.21.12) http://www.courierherald.com/opinion/letters/143425346.html

I am writing in support of the Enumclaw City Library being annexed to the King County Library System. I don’t see any reason why Enumclaw should retain operation of the library other than local control and the City Council didn’t follow procedure. (Enumclaw Courier-Herald, 3.21.12) http://www.courierherald.com/opinion/letters/143276766.html

Upon glancing at the March 8 Inlander, I experienced surprise, first, then a certain frustration when I read how the “People on the Street” responded to: “Are public libraries dying?” What surprised me was that all five people agreed, more or less unanimously, that libraries were dying or of little value in their lives. (The Pacific Northwest Inlander, [Spokane] 3.22.12)

City Attorney Larry Warren makes a compelling legal argument that an initiative to keep the downtown library where it is over the Cedar River is illegal, which by the way is not the same as criminal. Warren makes other logical points, most of which point to a poorly written or ill-conceived initiative. (Renton Reporter, 2.23.12) http://www.rentonreporter.com/opinion/143875986.html

I believe the city attorney (Larry Warren) is wrong on many points. First, the city attorney has stated that the initiative petition is illegal. I think that he has misspoken, as no laws have been broken. (Renton Reporter, 3.23.12) http://www.rentonreporter.com/opinion/letters/143876256.html

Library annexation is the current topic of conversation in Enumclaw. I encourage you to vote “yes” for annexation. (Enumclaw Courier-Herald, 3.28.12) http://www.courierherald.com/opinion/letters/144988305.html

On our city’s website, cityofenumclaw.net, you will find a library FAQ link that clearly defines the dilemma we now face in trying to maintain a viable sustainable community library. Read the FAQs on our city’s website. It’s all there. (Enumclaw Courier-Herald, 3.28.12) http://www.courierherald.com/opinion/letters/143841266.html

I read Mr. Parker’s commentary (Renton Reporter, March 16, 2012) about the new library being in its new location and want to write to say it was, in my opinion, an excellently written explanation about this decision. I completely agree with him and have always been of the opinion that it will be a very good thing, in the long run, for downtown Renton and all its citizens. (Renton Reporter, 3.30.12) http://www.rentonreporter.com/opinion/letters/144969385.html

As the artistic director of Renton Civic Theatre, I would like you to know that my board of directors, staff and I are very much in support of the move and the new building at the South Third Street location. We believe that it will bring growth and help revitalize downtown Renton, as well as add security for the patrons of the Renton Civic Theatre. (Renton Reporter, 3.30.12) http://www.rentonreporter.com/opinion/letters/144969155.html

Sometimes when a taxing district sees a shiny new building or project in its future, it is blinded to more cost effective alternatives. Sno-Isle is considering a new regional facility at the East Gateway Urban Village. Sno-Isle needs to look at all the possibilities, if only to justify the tax increase to the voters. (Millcreek View, 4.12)

Thumbs up to everyone involved in the decision to reopen Eltopia’s library. Patrons of the little branch library at Merrill’s Corner deserve kudos for keeping the pressure on the Mid-Columbia Libraries board. (Tri-City Herald, [Kennewick] 4.2.12) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/04/02/1888843/thumbs-up-thumbs-down.html#storylink=misearch

The Seattle City Council is absolutely right to ask one of the most literate cities in the nation if it wants to recharge its beloved public library system. The council will decide Monday whether to put a seven-year, $122.6 million property-tax levy on the August 2012 ballot. (Seattle Times, 4.9.12) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2017926835_edit09library.html

People
Corby Varness is the Grays Harbor County representative on the Timberland Regional Library Board of Trustees. A huge fan of libraries her whole life, Corby has spent a lot of time learning about the workings of the Timberland Library District. She shared that Timberland Regional Library has scheduled a series of “community conversations” to learn more about what its patrons want. (Photo) (Daily World, [Aberdeen] 3.25.12)

Kailib Crewse, 9, is a Green Park Elementary student from Walla Walla and he has created a “Little Free Library”. The littlest library was built under the premise of swapping books without a due date. In the week it has been open many visitors have brought and/or taken books to enjoy. (Photos) (Union – Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 3.25.12)

Following eight years at the Puyallup Public Library, Director Mary Jo Torgeson has resigned and plans to become the director of the Anchorage Municipal Library in Alaska. In the short-term following her departure, effective April 6, an interim director will provide direction to the library. (The Herald, [Puyallup] 3.28.12) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/03/29/2087431/library-director-will-leave-post.html#storylink=misearch

Awards
North Olympic Library System librarian Lorrie Kovell received a $2100 donation from the West Olympic Council on the Arts (WOCA) representative Patt Doyle. The money was originally part of a grant WOCA received from the Pride Foundation to bring the AIDS memorial quilt to Forks. The Pride Foundation suggested that the unused grant money be donated to the library to purchase Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender-friendly materials for library collections across its branches. (Photo) (Forks Forum, 3.22.12)

Hesseltine Public Library has received books from a grant from the Libri Foundation “Books for Children” program. Eighty-two books have arrived and are being processed. The total value of the books is $1413.75. (Wilbur Register, 3.22.12)

The Rock Star Readers from Samantha Smith Elementary School have lived up to their name by becoming the Northern Region Champions in the Global Reading Challenge. The Global Reading Challenge is a contest put on by the King County Library System and local public schools to engage students in a “Battle of the Books” style challenge. (Photo) (The Sammamish Review, [Issaquah] 3.28.12)

Programs & Displays
Mid-Columbia Libraries Prosser Branch staff has chosen “Dream Big” as the theme for this year’s summer activities. In April, they are looking for volunteers to help design and put together the summer display. (Record-Bulletin, [Prosser] 3.28.12)

“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot has been selected as Kitsap Regional Library’s One Book, One Community selection, beginning September 15th. KRL Staff will develop programs and schedule films that explore similar themes. (North Kitsap Herald, [Poulsbo] 3.30.12) http://www.northkitsapherald.com/news/145221125.html

Mid-Columbia Libraries will accept up to $10 in food donations from patrons to pay for overdue fines through April. Area food banks informed library officials they are low on donations, according to a press release. The libraries typically offer a “food for fines” program in the winter. (Tri-City Herald, [Kennewick] 3.31.12) <a class="mceWPmore" title="More…" href="http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/03/31/1889232/donate-food-reduce-overdue-library.html#storylink=misearch”>http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/03/31/1889232/donate-food-reduce-overdue-library.html#storylink=misearch

Search Engine Optimization: Maximizing SEO for your business workshop series will be held Monday, April 30th, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Poulsbo Public Library. This workshop will include how search engines work, how to target your audience, create strong “search-friendly” web pages, and how links influence search engine rankings. (Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, [Port Orchard] 4.12) http://kpbj.com/technology/2012-04-04/maximizing_seo_for_your_business_workshop_set

The second Port Townsend Public Library Teen Community Read began in April. This year’s selected book is Blank Confession by Pete Hautman. Teens are invited to read it and participate in activities exploring its themes led by local writers, artists and musicians. (Photo) (Peninsula Daily News, [Port Angeles] 4.1.12)

April is National Poetry Month and the Everett Public Library is inviting you to celebrate your favorite published poet. In the program “Rhymes with Everett” you can bring your favorite short poem and share it by reading it aloud. “Rhymes with Everett” is based on former poet laureate Robert Pinsky’s Favorite Poem Project. (The Herald Online, [Everett], 4.9.12) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120409/LIVING/704099977

The Lynden library, a part of the Whatcom County Library System, will host its annual celebration of children, Hispanic culture and literacy – “El Dia de los Niños / El Dia de los Libros” – in the Lynden Community Center this year, to make room for the event’s growing popularity. The free event is to be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 28. (Bellingham Herald Online, 4.24.12) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/04/24/2494719/lynden-librarys-celebration-of.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 on the dates shown. For more information about any of these stories, contact Carolyn Petersen at 360.570.5560 or [email protected] ]