Library News
The Richland Public Library has started an eReader loan program thanks to a donation from the Friends of the Library. There is a three-week loan period and patrons are responsible for the eReader and its accessories. (Tri-City Area Journal of Business, [Kennewick] 10.2012)

Starting in January, all Seattle Public Library branches will be open on Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m. Hooray! The Central Library will still be open noon to 6 p.m. (The Stranger Online [Seattle], 10.15.12) http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/10/15/library-news

The Oak Harbor Library will celebrate the 50th birthday of the Sno-Isle Regional Library System from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 27. In Oak Harbor, the 50-year mark has special relevance. It was here that the unique, two-county library system was born through a vote of the people in 1962.
(Photo) (Whidbey News-Times, [Oak Harbor] 10.17.12) http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/174475991.html

Perhaps the most important thing we can do is make informed choices. It is the hallmark of a functioning democracy and one of the most important roles that a public library can play. Below are a number of books relating to elections past and present, the process of running for office or electing a president, and a couple of most recent titles about the two men vying to run our country. (The Daily News [Longview], 10.20.12) http://tdn.com/lifestyles/library-corner-great-candidates-for-expanding-your-election-knowledge/article_ed80cd96-1a3e-11e2-8cbc-001a4bcf887a.html

A technology upgrade was supposed to keep Tacoma Public Libraries closed for three days this week, but due to “unexpected and continuing problems,” all library branches will remain shuttered through Monday afternoon. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 10.25.12) http://blog.thenewstribune.com/politics/2012/10/25/tacoma-problems-with-new-catalog-and-circulation-system-keeps-tacoma-public-library-closed-through-monday/

Buildings
New improvements are slated for the Key Center Library and should start near the end of this year. The Pierce County Library Foundation and the Friends of the Key Center Library are gathering public support to help fund some upgrades the allocated $250,000 budget does not cover. (Photo) (Key Peninsula News, [Vaughn] 10.2012) http://www.keypennews.com/index.php/component/k2/item/230-kp-library-groups-looking-for-help-to-upgrade-meeting-room

Mid-Columbia Libraries broke ground on a new west Pasco branch. The library is scheduled to open in early 2013. The library will lease the facility for 10 years for $1.1 million. Mid-Columbia Libraries will spend $300,000 to furnish the new branch and invest more than $200,000 in books and other library items. (Tri-City Area Journal of Business, [Kennewick] 10.2012)

The main areas of the Ocean Park Timberland Library are closed and will re-open by the end of this year. Construction on the expansion project at the library began in late July and remodeling efforts on the main library space began Oct. 16. (Chinook Observer, [Long Beach] 10.3.12)

The University of Washington Tacoma celebrated the grand opening of the Tioga Library building last week. The new four-story, 40,000 square foot, $16 million building is connected to the Snoqualmie Library Building – the UW Tacoma Library’s original home – by a sky bridge. (Photo) (Tacoma Daily Index, 10.10.12)

A generous Manson woman literally put stock into the proposed Chelan Public Library. Her $30,000 donation of Coca Cola stock pushed the Chelan library fund to $193,000 and moves the renovation to the next phase so the renovation can include jobs necessary to finish the restoration of the building. (Lake Chelan Mirror, 10.10.12) http://lakechelanmirror.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=6740&SectionID=59&SubSectionID=178&S=1

Letters & Editorials
When the Friends of the Point Roberts Library decided to take action on new housing, I had no idea how fast things would move! And now in short order $59,000 has been raised! Thank you Point Roberts for stepping up to the plate so promptly and generously. (All Point Bulletin, [Point Roberts} 10.2012) http://www.allpointbulletin.com/letters/article.exm/2012-10-01_letters_to_the_editor__october_2012

Morton is a great little town. I have lived in the area 35 years and don’t want to be away for very long. However, I can’t imagine anything that would lighten up this town more than a library. Please vote for the library bond on Nov. 6. (The East County Journal, [Morton] 10.10.12)

The six Skagit County libraries recently completed a very successful Summer Reading program. The Youth Services Librarians would like to thank the individuals, organizations, businesses, library staff and Friends of the Library groups who donated to the program. (Skagit Valley Herald, [Mount Vernon] 10.14.12)

People
Stephanie Chase has been named director of library programs and services at the Seattle Public Library.
Most recently she worked at the Multnomah County Library in Portland as the administrator of system-wide and virtual information services. (Photo) (The Seattle Times, 10.22.12) http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2019491832_bizmove22xml.html

Marcellus Turner started out in 4th grade shelving books in his school library in Mississippi. Fourteen months ago, he became the Director of the Seattle Public Library System, and he now oversees the Central Library and 26 branches that circulated 11,572,778 items last year. With all those books at his disposal, which ones is he checking out to read at home? (Photo) (Crosscut Online [Seattle], 10.25.12) http://crosscut.com/2012/10/25/books/111118/book-city-seattle-public-librarian-marcellus-turne/

Programs & Displays
The Cashmere Public Library will present Flip the Switch, a bilingual English-Spanish program for the whole family every Tuesday in November from 4 to 4:30 p.m. (Photo) (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 10.3.12)

[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]]