Washington State Library News
First published in 1973, The Quinault Rain Barrel started out as a booklet-format newspaper and eventually became a newsprint newspaper. Washington State Library has an extensive collection of Washington newspapers, including The Quinault Rain Barrel, on microfilm available for use in the State Library or via interlibrary loan. (The Daily World, [Aberdeen] 6.20.12) http://www.thedailyworld.com/sections/news/local/quinault-rain-barrel-now-available-state-library.html

Library News
The Jefferson County Library in Port Hadlock now offers a printing service for its wireless customers. They can print to the library printer from a personal laptop, phone or tablet. The charge for printing is $.10 per page. (The Leader, [Port Townsend] 5.16.12)

Twelve local authors sold and signed their published works at the Libraries of Stevens County Foundation Book Fair and Silent Auction that raised just under $1,000 on May 12. The Foundation supplements funds for the library book budget and capital projects, in addition to supporting the library friends group. (The Independent, [Chewelah] 5.17.12)

The North Olympic Library System has a variety of online forms and reference materials that can be used both at the library and at home. The Legal Information Reference Center, Biography Reference Center, and Small Business Reference Center have forms and other information available. (Peninsula Daily News, [Port Angeles] 5.18.12) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20120518/news/305189988/0/SEARCH

The Liberty Lake City Council reviewed proposed amendments to an ordinance establishing the library’s funding on May 15, and if the update is passed, the department may see additional funds added to its 2012 budget. (Liberty Lake Splash, 5.24.12) http://www.libertylakesplash.com/news.asp?id=21970

Buildings
Roslyn City Council approved a change order at a cost of $32,196.96 from grants and capital improvement funds for the Old City Hall/Library project. The library will move into temporary quarters on the main floor by the third week of June and remain there until the second floor is complete. (North Kittitas County Tribune, [Cle Elum] 5.17.12)

The W.H. Abel Memorial Library, a part of the Timberland Regional Library in downtown Montesano, was painted purple. Unfortunately, because the prior paint was dark, covering it with a lighter color would have cost 65 percent more and wasn’t in the regional library system’s budget. (Photo) (The Vidette, [Montesano], 5.17.12) http://www.thevidette.com/archives/17May12/

The dream of a new library and civic center in the heart of Chelan took a half-million steps closer to reality May 17 when the state Department of Commerce awarded a $490,000 federal grant to the city of Chelan to renovate the recently acquired Masonic Lodge. The city’s Library Planning Committee and the Chelan Friends of the Library are still engaged in raising $160,000. (Photo) (Lake Chelan Mirror, 5.23.12) http://lakechelanmirror.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=6112&SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&S=1

The central hall of the Port Angeles Library received patrons after the area’s reopening following a two-week renovation. The $72,000 project was funded through donations from the Port Angeles Friends of the Library and other private donors. (Photo) (Peninsula Daily News, [Port Angeles] 5.23.12) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20120523/news/305239988/0/SEARCH

The King County Library System (KCLS) will create a temporary branch at the Vashon Plaza when Vashon’s current branch undergoes an extensive, yearlong remodel, officials have decided. The soonest the remodel could begin is August. (The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, 5.23.12)

First Federal has donated $2,000 to the Jefferson County Library Renovation Project. (Photo) (Peninsula Daily News, [Port Angeles] 5.24.12)

The Kitsap County Law Library, which offers a wealth of legal knowledge to the public for free, recently reopened in the county courthouse, next to the public defender’s office. An open house was held Friday, June 1. (The Kitsap Sun, [Bremerton] 5.28.12) http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/may/27/no-headline—law_library_052912/

Construction crews are working on the demolition portion of a major renovation of Building 22, a two-story building on the South Puget Sound Community College campus that will house the college’s library and media services. The budget for the renovation is about $30 million, which includes design work and construction. (The Olympian, 6.20.12) http://www.theolympian.com/2012/06/20/2147074/spscc-library-to-get-new-home.html

Letters & Editorials
We finally have a beautiful, spacious, nice library to go to and it has turned into a noisy free arcade/daycare. Parents need to teach their kids how to be quiet and respectful in the library so everyone can enjoy being there. (The Enterprise, [White Salmon] 5.17.12)

Thanks to the hard work of the Friends of the Buena Library, the new Buena Library is getting close to opening its doors to the residents and children of Buena. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 5.19.12) http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2012/05/18/05-19-12-letters-to-the-editor

The fourth annual Kalama Word Catcher celebration of literature was a resounding success thanks to record-setting attendance and sponsor generosity. The funding goal was met with proceeds to benefit the Kalama Public Library. (Daily News, [Longview] 5.21.12)

I love libraries. I love education. I’m just not that fond of taxes. I am very interested in learning more about bringing Timberland Regional Library (TRL) to Morton. (The East County Journal, [Morton] 5.23.12)

I am utterly appalled by the news that, according to the City of Goldendale, the Library trees will be cut down for “safety”. I ask the mayor and city council: are you crazy?! Our Carnegie Library and its noble row of street trees is the only gracious amenity that this town has. (Sentinel, [Goldendale] 5.23.12) http://www.goldendalesentinel.com/story/2012/05/23/opinion/grand-old-library-trees-must-stay/799.html

Every year the Friends of the Liberty Lake Municipal Library host a Spring Tea to raise funds for the benefit of our local library. I’m happy to report that this year’s Spring Tea fundraiser was a big hit! (Liberty Lake Splash, 5.24.12) http://www.libertylakesplash.com/news.asp?id=21966

Both the Martin Luther King Jr. and the Swan Creek branch libraries were built through a bond issue specifically passed by citizens of Tacoma to fund library growth and infrastructure. Any monies gained from the sale of these buildings should by rights go back to the library system to continue to fund (and restore) those library services for Tacoma. (The News Tribune, [Tacoma] 6.12.12) http://blog.thenewstribune.com/letters/2012/06/11/give-money-back-to-libraries/#storylink=misearch

Regarding a new central library: We need one now! This is not a time to revisit the need for replacing our library, but an overdue time to build it. (Bellingham Herald, 5.30.12) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/05/19/2524739/says-city-overdue-for-new-library.html

Summer Reading
Registration is open for the Mid-Columbia Libraries Summer Reading Program. Kids can start logging their reading time on June 1, and the program will be open until August 24. Kids under 18 will receive a free book if they complete the program, and both kids and adults will be entered to win grand prizes, courtesy of the Prosser Friends of the Library and Friends of Mid-Columbia Libraries. (Record-Bulletin, [Prosser] 5.16.12)

The reading buddies program returns this summer to the Mercer Island Library. Volunteers help elementary school children improve their reading skills. Reading buddies is every Monday from June 18 through July 16. Training is required. (Mercer Island Reporter, 5.16.12) http://www.mi-reporter.com/community/151145415.html

[This summary of library news represents a selection of current newspaper clippings about Washington libraries received from Washington newspapers. The summary is created by Bobbie DeMiero and Leanna Hammond of the Washington State Library, Division of the Office of the Secretary of State. For further information about this summary or the clippings listed, contact Martha Shinners at 360.570.5567 or [email protected]]