Washington State Library News
The Odessa Public Library and Historisches Museum have recently added new material to its digital collection and celebrating the history of Odessa and neighboring communities. The collection was made possible by a Washington Rural Heritage grant from the Washington State Library, funded by the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) through the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). (Odessa Record, 9.13.12)

Library News
Children, students and adults alike browse shelves of Pullman’s Neill Public Library in search of that certain book or DVD in which they can escape. Founded in 1922, the library started as a children’s collection. As it became more popular, more donations helped it become what it is today. (The Daily Evergreen [Pullman], 9.13.12) http://dailyevergreen.wsu.edu/public/readmore.castle?id=2894

To help make up for a $250,000 loss in the general fund, the Chewelah City Council plans to eliminate funding for the Chewelah Public Library beginning 2013. Eliminating the library would give back $100,000 to the general fund. The city library is not entirely funded by the city as they contract with the library district for management and one staff member. (The Independent [Chewelah], 9.13.12)

The Liberty Lake City Council and Spokane County Library District Board of Trustees will both vote Tuesday on an inter-local agreement that would permit reciprocal borrowing between the two entities, effectively meaning a city resident could hold a membership card in both library systems. (Liberty Lake Splash, 9.13.12) http://www.libertylakesplash.com/news.asp?id=22279

The Kitsap Regional Library is keeping up with the Internet needs of patrons and doing it for half the price they once paid. Eight of the nine branches of the library have been upgraded to a 40-megabit fiber internet connection with the Manchester Library slated for upgrade by early 2013. Library branches originally connected through a 10-megabit connection. (Photo) (Central Kitsap Reporter [Silverdale], 9.14.12)

There is a new database at the North Central Regional Library (NCRL) in Coulee City. It is called ‘Universal Class’ and is located on the NCRL website. ‘Universal Class’ offers over 500 non-credit classes on topics such as algebra and math, computers and technology, and writing fiction. (News-Standard [Coulee City], 9.19.12)

People who are hard of hearing notice when a loop system is at work, say hard of hearing advocates. It sends amplified sounds, like people speaking in a microphone, directly to a hearing aid or cochlear implant. A loop was installed in August 2011 at the Senior Activity Center. Loops have also been installed at the Anacortes Public Library and at City Hall. (Anacortes American, 9.19.12) http://www.goanacortes.com/news/entry/loop_systems_add_clarity_for_hearing_impaired

Challenger Elementary School, located in the Klahanie neighborhood, is a sign all is not lost in the world of printed books. Earlier this month, the school celebrated the opening of its brand new library. “Kids come in and go, ‘Oooh,’ with the big eyes,” said Mary Berry, who is in her 22nd year as the school librarian. (Photos) (Issaquah Sammamish Reporter [Kent], 9.21.12) http://www.issaquahreporter.com/news/170712736.html

Seattle, buoyed by economic growth and a voter-approved library levy, could hire dozens more employees next year, while struggling King County considers a $20 car-tab fee for residents of unincorporated areas to maintain roads. The 2013 general fund budget proposed by Mayor Mike McGinn is more than 3 percent higher than this year’s budget. (Photo) (The Seattle Times, 9.25.12) http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019252122_budgets25m.html

Elections
Skagit County Commissioners approved Tuesday morning, September 11, an initiative that would create a rural partial-county library district outside Sedro-Woolley city limits. The measure now heads to the November ballot. (Courier Times [Sedro Woolley], 9.18.12)

Buildings
With four kids ages 5 years to 6 months, Brook Black is a regular at Mid-Columbia Libraries, but her closest branch is more than six miles away. That will change come early January, when Mid-Columbia Libraries opens its newest branch at the intersection of Road 76 and Wrigley Drive, less than a block from her West Pasco home. (Photo) (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 9.13.12) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/09/13/2098457/officials-break-ground-on-new.html#storylink=misearch

In line with a nation-wide trend, three WSU libraries closed at the end of spring semester, consolidating their material to the Holland, Terrell and Owen libraries. All the space the George B. Brain Education, Agricultural Sciences and Architecture libraries occupied was given back by the library to each of their respective departments for other uses. (The Daily Evergreen [Pullman], 9.13.12) http://dailyevergreen.wsu.edu/public/readmore.castle?id=2977

Letters & Editorials
The city administration seems anxious to put the past six month behind them. Voters were told in a July 2 letter from Director Ptacek of King County Library System that renovation of the Cedar River Library would cost $13.1 million. Reportedly, KCLS architects will unveil a plan to do the job for 30 percent less. (Renton Reporter, 9.14.12) http://www.rentonreporter.com/opinion/letters/169677006.html

While it may not be a popular opinion, I say filter all public library computers. If a website is blocked, helpful library staff can unblock it. A person should be allowed to enjoy every genre of literature, but I think it’s an easy decision to not allow full-blown porn on a public computer. (The Chronicle [Centralia], 9.15.12)

Cheers to the new “Yacolt Library Express.” Yacolt-area library patrons will have the opportunity to linger at this new facility, located in the former city hall and jail. Faced with the need to end its bookmobile service to Yacolt and other outlying Clark County communities, library administrators came up with what looks like a blueprint for the future. (The Columbian [Vancouver], 9.15.12) http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/sep/15/cheers-jeers/

There are some people who think it’s weird to have a library in the mall. But if you spend any time there at all, you will see that it gets a lot of use and functions as a sort of social center as well. (The Columbian [Vancouver], 9.20.12) http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/sep/20/letter-shrinking-mall-library-bad-idea/

People
Joan Airoldi will leave her position as director of the Whatcom County Library System in the New Year, after spending 10 years at the helm. “It’s time,” Airoldi said, simply, of her decision, adding that she didn’t consider her departure a retirement. (Photo) (Bellingham Herald, 9.14.12) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/09/13/2689359/after-10-years-whatcom-county.html#storylink=misearch

Programs & Displays
Eleemosynary. It means charitable, supported by charity, or free. Could you spell it if you heard it? It’s on a list Eileen Simmons calls “assassination words.” Simmons, director of the Everett Public Library, needs such a list just in case. If too many smart spellers compete at the Spelldown next month, the thing could last all night. (Photo) (The Herald [Everett], 9.12.12) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120912/NEWS01/709129954/0/SEARCH

The Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF) is sponsoring a wrapping paper fundraiser. Because of dwindling funding from the state, the Orcas Island School District has had to make cuts to this year’s budget, including closing the library. The OIEF Board has decided to donate all proceeds of this year’s sale to help re-open the school library. (The Island Sounder [Eastsound], 9.12.12) http://www.islandssounder.com/community/168954146.html

The Asset Building Coalition and United Way of Mason County are sponsoring free financial education classes in October. The purpose of these classes, which take place October 8, 15, 22 and 29, is to provide financial hope, opportunity and choice to low-income individuals and families. Classes will be held at the Shelton Timberland Library. (Shelton-Mason County Journal-Belfair Herald, 9.13.12)

An art exhibition that brings together four local women is on display at the Port Angeles Library, a part of the North Olympic Library System. Anna Wiancko-Chasman, Linda Parcell, Olivia Bailey and Melissa Penic are displaying their creations at the library today through November 6. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 9.14.12)

The Washougal Community Library is having monthly Lego Building Bash events. Participants ages 5 to 11 are invited. Each event features a different theme and snack. The next challenge is 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 17. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 9.18.12)

[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]]