Library News
We are pleased to announce that we have received 64 books through a grant from the Libri Foundation. During the past 20 years, the Libri Foundation has awarded grants to more than 3,000 rural libraries in 49 states. Using contributions from a back sale, the Friends of the Upper Skagit Library contributed $350, which the Libri Foundation matched 2:1. (Concrete Herald, 12.2012)

Spokane voters in February may get a chance to save the Spokane Public Library branches and substantially increase branch hours. Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart is proposing that voters be asked for a property tax boost for libraries on the February 12th ballot. The city’s library budget for 2013 maintains its current services, but library officials warn that they likely will face branch closure in 2014. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 12.2.12) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/dec/02/library-tax-could-be-on-ballot/

The Pierce County Library System is seeking a Print Management System for its public access computers and wireless devices. PCLS will evaluate quotes for both a standalone print management system and an integrated software suite to manage computers and printing. Upon selection and approval, purchase would occur by December 31, 2012. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 12.3.12)

Volunteers have helped the Anacortes Public Library with odd jobs, letting staff focus on other needs. “We couldn’t do what we do without the volunteers,” said Director Cynthia Harrison. Up to 30 volunteers help with things such as resurfacing CDs and DVDs, which is time-consuming, and looking for lost books on the shelves. (Anacortes American, 12.5.12)

The Port Townsend Library Foundation is $500,000 closer to its fundraising goal after being selected by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as one of the 246 humanities projects to earn a portion of $17.5 million in grants. (Photo) (The Leader [Port Townsend], 12.5.12)

Grandview will likely begin the new year with an infusion of $250,000 that the City Council wasn’t counting on during the budget development process. At their November 27th meeting, council members approved a resolution accepting Grandview School District’s offer of $250,000 for the Blehyl Library and R.E. Powell Museum building. (Grandview Herald, 12.5.12)

Effective January 1, 2013, the Whatcom County Library System will not charge overdue fines for children’s materials checked out on children’s library cards. This applies to cardholders age 18 and under. The change is also effective for the partner Bellingham Public Library. Simultaneously, WCLS will increase fines on adult materials to 25 cents per day to match Bellingham’s price. (Ferndale Record, 12.5.12)

The city of Ferndale has received a $500,000 state grant for its new library that, when combined with matching funds from an anonymous donor, will mean a total of $1 million toward the project. The grant comes from the Community Economic Revitalization Board. The project to build a new $5.4 million Ferndale Library is a collaboration of the city of Ferndale, Whatcom County Library System and Whatcom Community Foundation, and has been since 2009. (Bellingham Herald, 12.6.12) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/12/05/2792301/state-gives-500000-grant-to-ferndale.html#storylink=misearch

The Walla Walla City Council approved a $149 million biennial budget that includes increases in street funding and decreases in most other departments – including police, fire and library. Faced with flat revenues and increasing health care expenses for its general fund, city officials approved a budget that will raise taxes, eliminate one police officer, eliminate one fire prevention position and cause various program cuts across the board, including a reduction in library hours. (Union-Bulletin [Walla Walla], 12.6.12)

It is now possible to pay library fines and fees from the comfort of your home or at Kitsap Regional Library’s self-check stations in all nine branch libraries. Until last month, the only way to pay a KRL fine or fee was to bring cash or write a check. One reason KRL changed to a new integrated computer system was to allow for payment by credit card. (Independent [Port Orchard], 12.7.12) http://www.portorchardindependent.com/news/181874611.html

Those interested in shaping the development of Renton libraries are invited to attend an upcoming meeting in January. The next Library Open House will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., January 15th, in Renton City Hall, Council Chambers. (Renton Reporter, 12.7.12) http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/182838791.html

Flavors of Spain and Italy, along with Eastern Washington sunshine, have come together in a highly unusual wine made by Wind Rose Cellars. This is Library Re(a)d, a Tempranillo-Barbera-Cabernet blend for lovers of literature. The wine, a Wind Rose limited bottling, is a fundraiser for the Clallam and Jefferson counties and the Port Townsend city libraries. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 12.7.12) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20121207/NEWS/312079992/0/SEARCH

The Tumwater City Council adopted a budget this week that focuses on updating facilities and filling a handful of dark positions. At its regular meeting, the council approved a $103.7 million budget after a final adjustment agreeing to upgrade and replace the carpets at the Timberland Regional Library in Tumwater. “The focus of this budget is on facilities,” said Mayor Pete Kmet. (The Olympian, 12.8.12) http://www.theolympian.com/2012/12/08/2346303/tumwater-budget-adopted.html#storylink=misearch

Buildings
The Enumclaw library opened its doors on Saturday, December 1st to a large gathering, showcasing the renovations made since the King County Library System took over operations. Weekly hours of operation have increased from 36 to 63 hours since KCLS took over operations. (Photo) (Enumclaw Courier-Herald, 12.5.12) http://www.courierherald.com/news/181937951.html?mobile=true

Tim Myers of Amos Construction in Kennewick worked on the wood framing of the new 6,000-square-foot west Pasco branch of the Mid-Columbia Libraries building. The facility will feature Eastern Washington’s first full service library drive-through for returns and pickups. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 12.7.12) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/12/19/2210390/art-project-set-for-mid-columbia.html

Letters & Editorials
How very unfortunate that our bustling town finds it necessary to close the library to save money. This isn’t all about mold, since the amount of money the city will save was also reported. Where is all the money coming into Union Gap going? (Yakima Herald-Republic, 12.4.12)

Libraries are a tremendous asset for the city of Spokane and those outside the city who use its Northwest Room and other unique resources. We have little doubt Spokane voters would authorize a tax increase for maintaining and expanding services and hours if the City Council decides to put one on a February ballot. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 12.5.12) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/dec/05/editorial-put-all-ideas-on-table-for-libraries/

The Port Townsend library has been nationally recognized for the second time with a three-star (out of five) rating by the Library Journal. Since this commendable achievement is being used to justify the conversion of our library into a “gathering place” and to promote the library expansion project, it is imperative that it be put into proper context. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 12.5.12) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=32622&SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&S=1

In September I agreed to work on the Port Townsend Public Library Foundation Board because I believe a vibrant community needs a great public library. I believe we need and deserve a great library so I am willing to spend time working for one, and my wife and I have pledged at the Carnegie Club level to the capital campaign. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 12.5.12) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=32624&SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&S=1

A decisive 73 percent vote approved a November ballot measure to annex Morton into the Timberland Regional Library District. Morton was one of the last cities in Lewis County not to be part of the Timberland system. Napavine, Lewis County’s third-largest city, is one of the few remaining holdouts, and citizens there are poorer for it. (The Chronicle [Centralia], 12.6.12)

Following the Walla Walla City Council’s vote to sell non-resident library cards, the Union-Bulletin has again appealed to the Rural Library District to reconsider building a second facility in the urban area of Walla Walla and to work with the city to develop a system that will build on the strengths of the city Public Library to provide service to all residents of the area. (Union-Bulletin [Walla Walla], 12.6.12)

After a 2 to 1 vote to reject Burien annexation, Rose Clark and Jerry Robinson, two of the most vocal pro-Burien annexation voices on the Burien City Council, testified at a recent King County Library System hearing that our new White Center library should be moved further south into Burien. Their actions are vindictive and appear to be retribution for our strong rejection of a Burien annexation. (Highline Times/Des Moines Times/SeaTac News [Burien], 12.7.12) http://www.highlinetimes.com/2012/11/30/news/letter-after-annexation-rejection-burien-trying-s

Programs & Displays
The Clallam Bay Branch of the North Olympic Library System will resume storytimes for kindergartners in December. Kindergarten storytimes will be on the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, December 18th and continuing through May 21st. (Forks Forum, 12.6.12)

Readers of all ages are eligible to win prizes as part of the Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Winter Reading Challenge. The contest began December 1st and runs through January 31st. Two readers will win trips to Great Wolf Lodge and Water Park in Grand Mound, WA, and the top 100 readers will be entered to win an iPad Mini. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 12.8.12) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/12/08/2198291/reading-challenge-under-way-at.html#storylink=misearch

Note: The Clippings for the week of December 21 will be included with the week of December 28th.

[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]]