Washington State Library News
We are very excited to announce that we will be able to continue our historic newspaper digitization project for an additional two years. The National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP) is a collaborative grant program between the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress, seeking to fund state newspaper digitization projects. (Washington State Library Blog, 8.7.12) https://blogs.sos.wa.gov/library/index.php/2012/08/neh-approves-grant-extension-for-wsl-through-2014/

Library News
A 2012 Broadband Grant in the amount of $958 was awarded to the Columbia County Rural Library District is supported with Library Services and Technology Act funding provided by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State. (Dayton Chronicle, 7.11.12)

An extensive renovation of the Forks Memorial Library is in the works, and could be completed by the end of 2013. North Olympic Library System has funds in their budget to provide about $625,000 towards the projected cost of $774,500. (Forks Forum, 7.12.12)

Friends of the Weller Public Library are in need of new members who can commit to keeping Waitsburg’s little library stocked with new books. At 6:30 p.m. on August 14 an informational meeting will be held in hope of getting new members. (The Times, [Waitsburg] 7.12.12)

A narrow vote Tuesday will make a big difference on Monday’s at the Liberty Lake Municipal Library. The City Council approved a budget amendment in a 4-3 tally, adding $24,000 to the library’s budget for the remainder of the year. The adjustment will fund a staffing increase in the department. (Liberty Lake Splash, 7.12.12) http://www.libertylakesplash.com/news.asp?id=22118

The race to raise funds for an all-new library in Ferndale recently changed its outlook from gloomy to bright as organizers of the effort came to a consensus that the current location in Pioneer Park is not adequate and not worth repurposing long-term. Representatives from the Whatcom Community Foundation recently announced that there is good reason to believe the library can indeed break ground, as hoped, by the end of summer, 2013. (Photos) (Ferndale Record, 7.18.12)

All Seattle Public Library branches will be closed from Aug. 27-Sept. 3 for a furlough, to help the system save $613,000 due to budget cuts. Most library services will be unavailable during the one-week closure. (Magnolia Voice, [Seattle] 8.8.12) http://www.magnoliavoice.com/2012/08/08/all-seattle-public-libraries-to-be-closed-aug-27-sept-3/

Elections
Complaints have been filed with the Washington Public Disclosure Commission against the King County Library System, claiming the library over-stepped its bounds by mailing a letter about the Aug. 7 library vote. The Commission has received two similar complaints about this issue. (Renton Reporter, 7.13.12) http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/162155505.html

A Seattle levy to restore library operations and services was passing easily in initial returns, while a measure to rebuild the King County Youth Services Center was being approved by a more narrow margin. The library levy had support of 62 percent of voters; the Youth Services Center was being approved by 53 percent. (The Seattle Times Online, 8.7.12) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018869850_ballotmeasures08m.html

Buildings
The Federal Way 320th Library, a part of the King County Library System, closed July 22 for construction. The library will be expanded to 15,000 square feet which will include a multi-purpose meeting room, study rooms and additional seating. The construction is expected to cost about $5 million and will be funded through a bond measure approved by voters in 2004. (Federal Way Mirror, 7.13.12) http://www.federalwaymirror.com/news/161820785.html#

The Sumner Library, a part of the Pierce County Library System, will be closed until Sept. 3 for construction. Workers will replace the building’s roof and the heating and cooling systems, improve restroom ventilation and install a single, central customer service desk. (The Bonney Lake Courier-Herald, [Kent] 7.18.12) http://www.blscourierherald.com/community/162770216.html#

The King County Library System opened bids for a project to repair the roof of the Boulevard Park Library roof. (Daily Journal of Commerce, [Seattle] 7.21.12)

Letters & Editorials
This library situation is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read or heard! We have only been in the area a couple of summers, but right off were shocked to go to the Walla Walla library to get a card. When told because we settled in College Place the cost was $135 each, naturally we walked out.
(Union – Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 7.12.12)

We recently received a letter from the King County Library System (KCLS) regarding the Cedar River ballot measure, Proposition 1, that the citizens of Renton will be voting on come August 7th. First, I confess that I do not trust anything from King County. I also confess, that until I received the KCLS letter and did some research, I did not know the source of the Cedar River Library ballot proposal. (Renton Reporter, 7.13.12) http://www.rentonreporter.com/opinion/letters/162242205.html

Regardless if the library moves or not, taxpayers will pay for refurbishing the building over the Cedar River. The voting question remains: Which location do voters believe best suited for a library? Cedar River or the Piazza? (Renton Reporter, 7.13.12) http://www.rentonreporter.com/opinion/letters/162242115.html#

The Walla Walla County Commissioners and the Walla Walla City Council, as elected officials, need to take the bull by the horns and direct the Walla Walla County Rural Library District and Walla Walla city library directors to cooperate for the benefit of all citizens. (Union – Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 7.15.12)

It seems odd that Walla Wallans, who will have the right to decide whether Walla Walla should build an aquatic center, will have no opportunity to decide whether we should build a new county library. That will be the sole decision of the Rural Library District Board. (Union – Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 7.15.12)

When I read the article regarding the impasse between the Walla Walla County Rural Library Board and the Walla Walla City Council I was incredulous. In this economy, we cannot afford the expensive and unnecessary redundancy of a new county library in the near vicinity of a wonderful existing city library.
(Union – Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 7.15.12)

I can’t understand why it would make sense to have two mediocre libraries, close together, instead of one really good one that everyone can use. If this is a power struggle between the Rural Library Board and the city, can’t we find some way to share resources and achieve something we all can be proud of? (Union – Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 7.16.12)

Our library is an active place where we can access information and entertainment and enjoy programs for both our young and adult citizens. Our state law stipulates that the library cannot charge residents user-fees, so the only way we can support these services is through our tax dollars. And so, I ask you to do your part and vote Yes to support our library. (The North Coast News, [Ocean Shores] 7.18.12)

Programs & Displays
Through August 17, the White Salmon Valley Community Library’s Sprint/Baker Gallery will feature works highlighting the artistic endeavors of local home school students who have participated in co-op classes associated with the L.I.F.E. (Learning is For Everyone) in the Gorge home school group. The title of the show is “Reflections of the Natural” and focuses on clay modeling, acrylic paintings, and figure drawing, including self-portraits in pencil and Lego. (Photo) (The Enterprise, [White Salmon] 7.12.12) http://www.whitesalmonenterprise.com/archives/Story.aspx/13459/home-school-students-display-art-at-library

[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]]