Library News
Hosted by the Friends of the Mountlake Terrace Library and Mountlake Terrace Library Board, Sno-Isle Libraries celebrated 50 years of service to Snohomish and Island Counties with an open house and used book sale. (Photo) (The Weekly Herald, [Lynnwood] 6.13.12) http://www.weeklyherald.com/article/20120613/TWH01/706139879/0/SEARCH

The Goldendale Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, is celebrating its centennial year. Special displays highlighting the library’s history will be featured in the front display case throughout the year. The celebration will continue with programs and displays through summer 2013. (Photo) (Sentinel, [Goldendale] 6.13.12) http://www.goldendalesentinel.com/story/2012/06/13/news/librarys-centennial-celebration-begins/879.html

The Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a hiring contract with former Salt Lake City Public Library director Nancy Tessman at a special June 25 meeting. Tessman will assume her new duties as FVRL executive director on Monday, July 16. (FVRL press release 6.25.12) http://www.fvrl.org/aboutus/news.cfm?shownews=542&libraryname=&year=&month=&search=

Citywide budget cuts will close Seattle public libraries for a week again this year. The library has chosen the week of Aug. 27. All branches will be closed from that Monday until Tuesday, Sept. 4, the day after the Labor Day holiday. (The Seattle Times, 6.30.12)

Buildings
Due to construction issues, the King County Library System has set a new opening date – in October – for the Newcastle Library. (The Seattle Times, 6.8.12)

Wahkiakum County commissioners voted to allow the Town of Cathlamet to move its municipal library into the River Street Meeting Room this fall while the library is being remodeled. The remodel project should start in September and be completed by the end of the year. (The Wahkiakum County Eagle, [Cathlamet] 6.14.12) http://www.waheagle.com/news/article.exm/2012-06-14_officials_review_draft_h_hs_analysis

City of Yelm now owns the Yelm Library…lock, stock and condo. The city council vote authorized the city to buy the library through a condo agreement for $1 million. (Photos) (Nisqually Valley News, [Yelm] 6.15.12)

Investors interested in bidding on the Swan Creek branch of the Tacoma Public Library building have an extra month to make a decision. The City of Tacoma revised its Request For Proposal (RFP) to include a reduced minimum bid amount of $300,000. Meanwhile, the City of Tacoma is poised to sell the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) branch for $700,000 to a local doctor who plans to use the site as a non-profit medical center. (Photo) (Tacoma Daily Index, 6.19.12)

Letters & Editorials
In the Mukilteo School District, eliminating 2.5 more elementary library positions is the ONLY cut in next year’s proposed budget. This change hurts kids. The libraries won’t be closed half time, but staffed with paraeducators instead.(The Mukilteo Beacon, 6.6.12)

“Plan with the end in mind.” This is one of the seven points in the book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. I think it applies to the recent decision by voters to go with the King County Library System rather than keep control of our own library. (Photo) (The Bonney Lake Courier-Herald, 6.13.12) http://www.blscourierherald.com/opinion/158502945.html?mobile=true

I am writing this in response to the letter published on June 6, from Mr. Thom Garrard, teacher-librarian, at Discovery Elementary. My colleagues and I were highly offended by how he chose to vent his frustration … and the paraeducators I work with were insulted that Mr. Garrard chose to paint the illusion of incompetence around those that are not “certificated.” (The Mukilteo Beacon, 6.13.12)

The Associated Arts of Ocean Shores (AAOS) Board of Directors asks residents of the community to support the Ocean Shores Public Library by voting for the Library Levy in the upcoming election Aug. 7 so that the library can remain open for the benefit of all Ocean Shores citizens and visitors in 2013-2014.
(Daily World [Aberdeen], 6.16.12)

Awards
A video submitted by the Tacoma Public Library has been named Washington’s winning entry in the 2012 Teen Video Challenge contest. The Tacoma group’s entry is called “Own the Night – Teeler.” The teens involved with the video will receive a $275 award and their chosen public library will receive prizes from the Collaborative Summer Reading Program. (Tacoma Weekly, 6.8.12) http://www.tacomaweekly.com/news/view/city-briefs31/

In 1993 Ed and Tee Gilden set up a $20,000 fund with Skagit Community Foundation for two local libraries. Since then, a yearly gift has been made to the Friends of the Anacortes Public Library and some years also to the Friends of the Mount Vernon Library. In June the Anacortes Friends were presented with a $3,000 grant. (Photo) (Anacortes American, 6.13.12)

The National Civic League presented a joint All-America City Award to eight King County communities for their efforts, through The Road Map Project, to increase the number of third-grade children who read at grade level. Big changes can come from little connections made through the partnership, said Bill Ptacek, director of the King County Library System. (The Seattle Times, 7.3.12) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018585263_allamericaaward3m.html

Summer Reading
The summer reading program for elementary-age children at Longview Public Library has started. Cowlitz County libraries are all involved in the “Dream Big – Read!” summer activities. Please check with your local library for scheduled events. (Photo) (Daily News, [Longview] 6.11.12) http://tdn.com/lifestyles/the-sky-s-the-limit-at-local-libraries-summer-programs/article_2784fd3a-b1b4-11e1-802d-0019bb2963f4.html

The Odessa Friends of the Library announced the Summer Reading program beginning mid-June. The theme: “Dream Big – READ!” The program is open to preschool through age 10 and will run through July 23, the last session meeting in the park for a special program and treats. (Odessa Record, 6.14.12)

In mid-June Neill Public Library invited children who just completed grades 3-5 to join the “Let’s Book It!” Summer Reading program. The free program receives generous support from the Friends of the Neill Public Library. (Whitman County Gazette, [Colfax] 6.14.12)

[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]]