Washington State Library News
Sam Smith, an eighth-grader at Blue Heron Middle School, received honors for her award winning Letters About Literature submission at a ceremony in Olympia, on May 11. All three state winners also went on to win national recognition and a $1,000 prize to be donated to a library of their choice. Smith chose to donate her prize to the Blue Heron Library. (Photo) (The Leader [Port Townsend], 5.30.12)

Library News
The Hesseltine Public Library board had a special meeting on Monday, May 21st, to discuss the library internet policy and agreement. The librarian said new filters would be installed by the end of the month. The reason for the filters is to protect minors and to comply with CIPA in order to receive grants for electronic equipment for the library. (Wilbur Register, 5.31.12)

On May 1, the King County Law Library unveiled a completely revamped library website at www.kcll.org. The website is the library’s main connection to their virtual patrons. The new website is built on an open-source content management system called Drupal. (King County Bar Bulletin [Seattle], 6.2012)

Connections play an important role in the law library world. Our professional associations (law librarians in Seattle may be members of the Law Librarians of Puget Sound or the American Association of Law Libraries) provide the framework for making those connections. Don’t hesitate to call the Public Law Library of King County if you need assistance. (King County Bar Bulletin [Seattle], 6.2012)

Amy Zuvela has been elected as the newest member of the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation Board of Directors. She is an avid reader and Lake Stevens resident. (The Herald Business Journal [Everett], 6.2012) http://www.theheraldbusinessjournal.com/article/20120531/SCBJ08/705319843/0/SCBJ

Two new electronic resources are available to anyone with a library card from the North Olympic Library System. The first is the popular genealogy database Ancestry.com, which will be accessible at branches in Clallam Bay, Forks, Port Angeles and Sequim. The second resource is a language instruction database called Mango. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 6.4.12)

A high school junior from Sehome High School won the first-ever Friends of the Bellingham Public Library Scholarship Essay Contest, according to a press release. “Step Stool,” the essay describing the moment Zoe Sheinkopf received her first library card, earned her a $500 scholarship at the April 28 Friends’ annual meeting. (Bellingham Herald, 6.4.12) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/06/04/2534273/bellingham-ywca-elects-officers.html

Following a nationwide search for its new executive director, the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Board of Trustees has narrowed the field of candidates to three finalists: Nicolle E Ingui Davies, Jody Risacher, and Nancy Tessman. The finalists participated in three public ‘meet and greet’ events during the month of June. (The Skamania County Pioneer [Stevenson], 6.6.12)

Library cardholders at any Fort Vancouver Regional Library (FVRL) branch can now use the library’s website to download a huge variety of free e-books. To make these services available on the widest variety of devices, FVRL has subscribed to three new services, OverDrive, Axis360 an d OneClickDigital. (Sentinel [Goldendale], 6.6.12) http://www.goldendalesentinel.com/story/2012/06/06/news/library-now-offering-ebook-borrowing/848.html

Faced with yet another year of declining revenues, the Sedro-Woolley City Council plans to discuss several proposals that could help the city’s shrinking budget. One option for trimming expenses would be raising library fees for nonresidents. Currently, an annual library card for nonresidents is $56 per household. Mount Vernon Public Library charges $80. (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 6.6.12)

C le Elum City councilmen announced earlier this year they would no longer pay for Carpenter Library as a fulltime public library, but residents here along with members of the library’s volunteer support group took exception to the cutback. Since then they have raised $9,300 of the $35,000 the city council cut from the library’s budget. (Photos) (Northern Kittitas County Tribune [Cle Elum], 6.7.12)

The Whitman County Rural Library System submitted an application in search of a share of the $100,000 in .09 economic development funding available for public projects. They requested $75,000 to help pay for a $504,450 project that would turn the former Hamilton Drug building into a “Whitman County Enrichment Center and Business Incubator.” (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 6.7.12)

The Liberty Lake City Council adopted proposed amendments to an ordinance establishing the library’s funding Tuesday, providing more predictable funding for the department in future budgets. Yet to be decided: Whether the change will be back-applied to the 2012 budget, a move Library Director Pamela Mogen said could open the library to patrons on Mondays. (Liberty Lake Splash, 6.7.12) http://www.libertylakesplash.com/news.asp?id=22009

Washington’s teacher librarians are trying to shake off the perception that their main task is checking books in and out. Advocates say that teacher librarians help improve test scores and are the best suited in a school to teach students about information literacy. But many school districts facing tight budget cuts are cutting teacher librarians in favor of other certified positions. (Yakima Herald Online, 7.4.12) http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2012/07/04/librarians-defend-positions-in-schools-in-face-of-budget-cuts

Elections
During a May 29 council meeting, the Morton City Council voted to place a library annexation measure on the fall ballot in November. A local citizens committee has been working for three months to gather the 100 signature needed. Representatives from Timberland Regional Library were also at the meeting to lend support to brining a library to Morton. (The East County Journal [Morton], 6.6.12)

Buildings
The public was invited to join Port Townsend Public Library staff at an open house on June 1 at the Mountain View campus. The library has moved temporarily to the campus to accommodate a seismic strengthening of the foundation, walls and roof of the library’s original historic Carnegie building, constructed in 1913. (Photo) (The Leader [Port Townsend], 5.30.12) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=31549&SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&S=1

The Woodmont Library, a part of the King County Library System, received a Merit Award for its expansion based on two premises developed with the owner and community: the expanded building should function as an integrated whole and it should be visible and welcoming from Pacific Highway South. (Photo) (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 6.1.12)

The Lemieux Library, a part of Seattle University, received an Honor Award for combining new construction and renovation to offer a state-of-the-art facility of more than 125,000 square feet. (Photo) (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 6.1.12)

The Kenmore Library, a part of the King County Library System, received an Honor Award for its new 10,000-square-foot building with a 9,000-square-foot below-grade parking garage. The project was designed and constructed on a limited budget. (Photo) (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 6.1.12)

The next time you visit the Woodinville Library, a part of the King County Library System, make sure to check out its newly renovated meeting room. The room was remodeled to the tune of $150,000, funded via a gift made in memory of Ed and Karen Forys. (Photo) (North Lake News & Woodinville Weekly, 6.4.12) http://www.nwnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6371:forys-meeting-room-opens-at-woodinville-library&catid=34:news&Itemid=72

A $100,000 pledge from a “large philanthropic organization” announced May 19 has given momentum to a proposed library for communities in southern Whatcom County. Friends of the Sudden Valley Library, a part of the Whatcom County Library System, won’t get money unless construction starts before the end of the year. (Bellingham Herald, 6.4.12) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/06/04/2545933/100k-grant-boosts-plan-to-build.html

A generous local family has committed $50,000 to challenge community gifts for the remodel of the Jefferson County Library. Beginning this fall, the library intends to remodel and renovate the interior of its Port Hadlock facility. Gifts of $1 to $1,000 to the library’s Make a Difference campaign will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 6.6.12)

Letters & Editorials
“Reach for the Stars” is the Point Roberts Library’s Summer Reading Program theme – all about the night sky and the planets. Prizes are available for everyone! Reach for the Stars this summer by grabbing a book (or an e-book) at your local library. (All Point Bulletin [Point Roberts], 6.2012) http://www.allpointbulletin.com/letters/article.exm/2012-05-25_letters_to_the_editor__june_2012

The Anacortes Schools Foundation is grateful to Soroptimists International for their generous support, for the second year in a row, of library cards for district teachers at the Anacortes Public Library. Partnering with the library, funds this year were raised to pay for 12-month cards for up to 15 Anacortes School District teachers who do not reside in our local library district. (Anacortes American, 6.6.12)

The Enumclaw library will join the King County Library system on June 1 and KCLS is pleased to welcome all Enumclaw residents to the KCLS network of 47 community libraries. Please come in, get your new KCLS card if you don’t have one yet, say hello to your Enumclaw library staff, and meet a few new faces from the KCLS staff who will serve in Enumclaw. (Enumclaw Courier-Herald, 6.6.12) http://www.courierherald.com/opinion/letters/155099685.html

I am writing this letter to the Highline Times in an effort to spread the word about an alarming budget cutting idea put forth by the Normandy Park City Council. Normandy Park is seriously considering de-annexation from the King County Library System. I am strongly opposed to cutting the ties we have with KCLS. (Highline Times/Des Moines Times/Sea Tac News [Burien], 6.8.12)

Programs and Displays
If you are interested in information about stocks, mutual funds, commodities, and other financial instruments aimed at individual investors, come to the White Salmon Valley Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, for Investor’s Business Daily: An Introductory Series Tuesday afternoons from June 5 through July 24. (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 5.31.12)

Local resident Carole MacRury is one of ten Whatcom County poets selected to be featured in a poetry walk at the Bellingham Public Library. The ten Walk Award poems, of which MacRury’s is one, are displayed for one year on plaques in the Sue Boynton Poetry Garden at the library. (All Point Bulletin [Point Roberts], 6.2012)

Summer Reading
Share your summer reads by writing book reviews. Sno-Isle Libraries will choose one “Reader of the Week” each week, for seven weeks, June 1 – August 15. If your review is selected, library staff will help you create a special book list for the Sno-Isle Libraries website and be featured on your own poster. (The Weekly Herald [Lynnwood], 5.30.12) http://www.weeklyherald.com/article/20120530/TWH01/705309894

Children and teens can have fun and earn prized while keeping their reading skill sharp with free summer reading programs at Fort Vancouver Regional Library District libraries and bookmobiles. The district’s summer reading programs run June 1 through the end of August. (The Skamania County Pioneer [Stevenson], 5.30.12)

Summer reading at the Upper Skagit Library began June 18th. There will be weekly performers or activities lined up to make things interesting. The Reptile Man will be the grand finale act. Check out the library’s website or pick up a schedule at the library. (Concrete Herald, 6.2012)

“Dream Big! Read!” is the theme for the 2012 Summer Reading Program at the Sequim Library, which hosts six special programs at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, beginning June 26. All programs are scheduled outside at the library. (The Sequim Gazette, 6.6.12)

The Summer Reading Program at the Coulee City Library will start June 18th with sign up week and story/activity time at 3 p.m. every Wednesday. If you can’t get to the library, you can participate in summer reading on the internet! (News-Standard [Coulee], 6.6.12)

The Summer Reading program began June 9th at all Whatcom County Library System branches. New for 2012, instead of keeping track of books read, children may keep track of hours red. Sign-up is possible anytime during the summer. Got fines? Those will be forgiven up to $5 when you join in Summer Reading. (Lynden Tribune, 6.6.12)

The Libraries of Stevens County kicked off its summer reading program with a series of “Pajama Parties” at its various branches in June. The summer reading program asks youngsters to read at least 20 hours this summer for a chance to win various prizes. Teens and adults who read and review at least three books will have a chance to win an Amazon Kindle. (Deer Park Tribune, 6.6.12)

Entertainers, prizes and more will entice Fidalgo Island’s youngest readers to “Dream Big-Read!” during this year’s summer reading program at the Anacortes Public Library. The program runs through August 3. Pre-readers can be read to by their parents or older siblings and earn special prizes. (Anacortes American, 6.6.12)

A summer of fun reading, free events and chances to win prizes began for children, teens and families when the Timberland Regional Library System’s Summer Reading Program began in mid-June. The program runs in each of the 27 Timberland libraries from the time school is out in each area until September 1. (Daily World [Aberdeen], 6.8.12)

[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]]