Washington State Library News
The Port Townsend Library’s ENCORE jobs retooling program recently received a $5,000 grant from the Washington State Library. Known as ENCORE: Transforming Your Life Through Technology & Re-Careering Exposition, the program is also funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 8.30.12)

The Odessa Library is partnering with six libraries in Lincoln and Adams counties to purchase NOOK and Kindle eReaders, which will be preloaded with popular content that the libraries have selected. The seven libraries were awarded grants from the Washington State Library. The grant cycle, “Connecting Libraries Through Resource Sharing,” is a federal program that encourages cooperation among public libraries in counties where interlocal agreements to share materials do not exist. (News-Standard [Coulee City], 9.5.12)

New York Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen is the author of eight non-fiction books and seven novels. He will appear in Washington, D.C., September 17, where “Envy” – his first young adult book – has been chosen by Washington’s Secretary of State Sam Reed to represent the state. (Photo) (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 9.6.12)

Library News
The Ellensburg City Council has approved a request from the Ellensburg Public Library to charge $20 per quarter, or $5 per test, to cover a portion of the library’s administrative costs for test proctoring. The library supervises exams for students taking online courses from schools throughout the United States and local students studying at Yakima Valley Community College. (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 8.27.12)

September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and local libraries are encouraging everyone to obtain a library card if they have not already done so. Pend Oreille County Library District is funded primarily from resident property taxes and the staff would like to ensure every resident makes the most of their taxpayer money. (Newport Miner, 8.29.12)

Rosalee Johnson, who operates two Vancouver day care centers, started collecting Olympic mascots in 1984 to get children interested in the Games. Johnson’s collection of Olympics plush toys were on display at the Three Creeks Community Library, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, for one week in August. (Photos) (The Columbian [Vancouver], 8.29.12) http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/aug/28/plush-mascots-help-teach-olympic-lesson/

Tekoa Library, a part of the Whitman County Rural Library District, will change Thursday hours to noon to 6 p.m. in September to increase the popular after school and work hours. Tuesday and Wednesday hours remain the same. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 8.30.12)

A pair of operating hour adjustments – one permanent and the other a single event – are planned at the Liberty Lake Municipal Library in the first part of September. The long-term change happens September 10 when the library opens its doors Mondays from 2 to 8 p.m. (Liberty Lake Splash, 8.30.12) http://www.libertylakesplash.com/news.asp?id=22253

The issue of internet filtering on library computers is heading back to a policy committee for further refinement. The Timberland Regional Library Districts Board of Trustees conducted a healthy debate on the issue during its regular meeting last week, but ultimately decided to kick the issue to a committee to figure out details. (The Chronicle [Centralia], 8.30.12)

September is Great Change Month, the next push in efforts to raise $500,000 for a new Point Roberts library, a part of the Whatcom County Library System. The building fund balance is at $54,000. Once they have collected $100,000 through local fundraising Judy Ross, a member of the Point Roberts Friends of the Library building fund committee, said they would begin to pursue grant funding. (All Point Bulletin [Point Roberts], 9.2012) http://www.allpointbulletin.com/news/article.exm/2012-08-31_gather_up_your_change_for_the_library

The nation’s busiest library system by circulation is Washington’s King County Library System. About 22.4 million items were checked out in 2010, exceeding the second-place library system in Queens, N.Y. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 9.1.12)

The South Hill Historical Society was formed in 2001. The idea for such an organization came from a series of meetings of the Friends of the South Hill Library. It was during those gatherings that the librarian expressed frustration about the dearth of material on local history. A grant of $100 from the Friends of the Library provided the funds to create the historical society. (The Herald [Puyallup], 9.5.12) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/09/05/2281060/origins-of-the-south-hill-historical.html#storylink=misearch

Libraries of Stevens County Director Amanda Six stressed the importance of early literacy to the Colville Rotary Club when she gave a presentation concerning Read out and Read, citing statistics for child development in Stevens County. Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness. (Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 9.5.12)

When Lori White’s neighbors need a book, they don’t have to go far. At the corner of her north Everett yard is a library, built with the same spirit that propelled philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to start hundreds of libraries across the United States. This one is just smaller. This spring, White and her partner, Marc Baker, erected the world’s 998th Little Free Library. (Photo) (The Herald [Everett], 9.6.12) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120906/NEWS01/709069941/0

Fifty years ago, two rural county library districts merged to form Sno-Isle Regional Libraries. Throughout this anniversary year, the libraries have hosted or plan to host Sno-Isle 50th birthday party events. Snohomish librarian Rebecca Loney said the celebrations give people a chance to look back and acknowledge history. (Photo) (The Herald [Everett], 9.6.12)

Edmonds now has its second Little Free Library, in the Westgate neighborhood. The Westgate library is number 2647. Edmond’s first Little Library, established on the waterfront, is number 858. (The Seattle Times, 9.9.12)

Elections
A public hearing on a proposed rural partial-county library district drew mostly positive comments Tuesday morning. Supporters submitted more than enough valid signatures – 1,300 – in time to qualify the initiative for the November ballot. Residents within Sedro-Woolley boundaries, but outside city limits, would vote on the measure in the general election. (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 9.6.12) http://www.goskagit.com/all_access/s-w-library-district-hearing-draws-supportive-crowd/article_5f161171-fdab-5a02-bd7e-6c3403b45cb3.html

Buildings
A $280,000 renovation will soon turn one of Wahkiakum County’s historic buildings into a modern library and community center. Cathlamet Mayor George Wehrfritz on Thursday said a renovation of the town’s 1930s fire hall is slated to get under way within the month. The project will make the library more spacious and inviting. (Daily News [Longview], 8.31.12) http://tdn.com/news/local/redesign-will-expand-cathlamet-library-s-floor-space/article_c6479de2-f340-11e1-b018-001a4bcf887a.html

Consultants hired by Kitsap Regional Library continue their investigation into the feasibility of the library system raising enough money through private donations to fund a new Silverdale Branch Library. The study is expected to be completed and submitted to the KRL Board of Trustees at its scheduled September 27 meeting. (Central Kitsap Reporter [Silverdale], 8.31.12) http://www.centralkitsapreporter.com/news/164911656.html?mobile=true

Two roofing project – one public, one private – are moving forward downtown, helped by the dry weather that’s holding into September. The city of Port Orchard is replacing the roof on its library with a project that will change the profile of the building. The library is operated by Kitsap Regional Library. (Photo) (The Kitsap Sun [Bremerton], 9.4.12) http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/sep/03/roofing-projects-taking-shape-in-downtown-port/

Letters & Editorials
There have been several articles and discussion of the cuts to our public school budget, but virtually nothing has been mentioned about the cut of the entire school library program for the year 2012-13. Please consider this hole in the school budget and support the reinstatement of the library to our school. (The Island Sounder [Eastsound], 8.29.12) http://www.islandssounder.com/opinion/letters/167107345.html

We need $10 million, according to the city’s best estimate, to bring the Cedar River Library to KCLS standards; maybe less if we economize. We are making progress, but we are not done – because the city administration is out of touch with and obstructing the will of the people. (Renton Reporter, 8.31.12) http://www.rentonreporter.com/opinion/letters/168049076.html

It is time to provide a new project for Morton. We need a Morton library. All communities should have a library, not just for the school kids but for their parents, grandparents and visitors, too. Just imagine how nice it would be to walk to a library in Morton instead of driving 20 miles or more. (The East County Journal [Morton], 9.5.12)

Awards
The St. John Branch of the Whitman County Library was recently notified that it has been awarded a fourth grant from the Libri Foundation of Eugene, OR. Residents have contributed the $350 required to fulfill the grant and the Libri Foundation will match every dollar contributed in St. John with two dollars. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 8.30.12)

The Port Townsend Public Library Foundation recently received a $2,000 donation from U.S. Bank. These funds will support the library’s free Transition Yourself Workshop series. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 9.2.12)

Pierce County Library System was recently recognized with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. The award goes to the state and local government organizations that prepare budget documents of the highest quality. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 9.11.12) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/09/11/2291154/south-sound-business-people.html#storylink

Programs & Displays
Friends of the Dayton Memorial Library, a part of the Columbia County Rural Library District, are having a special tribute to Columbia County authors Saturday, October 20th from 1 to 3 at the library. Authors will be invited to the October 20th event to talk about his/her book. The public is invited to attend the special tribute event. (Dayton Chronicle, 8.29.12)

Summer Reading
Evan Otte, age 7, was the Magnolia Library 2012 Breakfast of Champions winner and Katie Udycz, age 7, was the Queen Anne Library 2012 Breakfast of Champions winner. The Seattle Public Library (SPL) hosts the Breakfast of Champions celebration to recognize the summer reading accomplishments of children up to 12 years of age throughout Seattle. (Photos) (Magnolia News [Seattle], 8.29.12) http://www.queenannenews.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=33347&SectionID=95&SubSectionID=448&S=1

To promote summer reading for all ages, Sno-Isle Libraries held a summer reading contest for adults and the grand prize winner hails from Oak Harbor. The Friends of the Oak Harbor Library held a reception for Lynn Scoby, Sno-Isle Libraries Adult Summer Reading grand prize winner. Children and teens were also big winners at Oak Harbor Library. (Photos) (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 9.5.12) http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/community/168536916.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]]