Library News
The Port Townsend Public Library is once again on the Library Journal’s list of top libraries in the U.S. The Journal gave the library three out of five stars in the category of $499,999-$1 million in expenditures. (The Leader, [Port Townsend] 11.28.12) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=32603&SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&S=1

In an unannounced move, the Walla Walla City Council voted unanimously to allow county residents to buy city library cards starting next year. The cards will cost $68 per household. (Union-Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 11.29.12)

The North Olympic Library System will have no change in hours next year under the approved 2013 budget. The budget avoids having to dip into the library’s reserved fund primarily by leaving vacant three library staff positions and filling a full-time position with a part-time staff member. (Peninsula Daily News, [Port Angeles] 12.3.12) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20121203/news/312039990/0/SEARCH

The Tacoma City Council approved the 2013-14 general fund budget. For the Tacoma Public Library it will mean about $3 million in cuts which will mean reducing operating hours at the main branch downtown from 54 hours per week to 45, cutting 16 staff positions, and buying far fewer books, periodicals and other materials. (The News Tribune, [Tacoma] 12.5.12) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/12/04/2390856/tacoma-city-council-unanimously.html#storylink=misearch

Bedbugs hitching rides in books? Yep, and it’s happening here. A New York Times piece about bedbugs and other crawly creatures showing up in library books says the problem is occurring across the country – including at the University of Washington (UDUB). (Photo) (Seattle Times, 12.7.12) http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019849413_bedbugs07m.html

Buildings
The Northwest Indian College located in Bellingham has posted a bid for a general contractor for the construction of a library/technology building. (Daily Journal of Commerce, [Seattle] 11.24.12)

The public library in Union Gap, a part of the Yakima Valley Libraries system, is closing for good on
Dec. 14. It’s in the same building as City Hall and the building is being demolished because of toxic black mold. (Daily Journal of Commerce, [Seattle] 11.28.12)

The City of Spokane and Spokane County Library District have published a request for qualifications seeking a design consultant tem for site development planning for a joint park/library site. (Daily Journal of Commerce, [Seattle] 11.28.12)

The Jefferson County Library is to be closed Dec. 3-16, as it moves to a temporary location during a remodel of the interior of its Port Hadlock facility. (The Leader, [Port Townsend] 11.28.12) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=32593&SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&S=1

Moses Lake officially endorsed remodeling the library in hopes to raise funds for the project. The city council recently approved the request from the Moses Lake Library Foundation to support the project. (Columbia Basin Herald, [Moses Lake] 11.29.12) http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_33c0d4f0-3a78-11e2-99f8-0019bb2963f4.html

Moses Lake Library’s regional manager is giving up her office so the library can have a new bathroom. The city council approved the estimated $7,700 project to install a bathroom compliant with the American Disabilities Act. (Columbia Basin Herald, [Moses Lake] 11.30.12) http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/article_5f708de8-3b45-11e2-b608-0019bb2963f4.html

Capital expenditures in the North Olympic Library System’s 2013 budget include about $26,000 to study what could replace the current Sequim library building. Paula Barnes, the executive director of the system, hopes the study, to be done with input from architects and other consultants will be finished by the end of 2013. (Peninsula Daily News, [Port Angeles] 12.3.12) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20121203/news/312039990/0/SEARCH

The King County Library System is seeking a general contractor to renovate and expand the Vashon Library. The estimated cost is up to $2.75 million. The project will add 3,400 square feet and fully renovate the interior of the 29-year-old building. (Photo) (Daily Journal of Commerce, [Seattle] 11.30.13)

Letters & Editorials
I am a member of the Friendship Tea and would like to thank the public for all their support. Letters to the newspaper, kind words and several people calling and offering us a place to continue our tea time.
(Yakima Herald Republic, 11.24.12) http://www.yakimaherald.com/search/533249-14/friendship-tea-thanks

Pierce County Library System Executive Director Neel Parikh has asked citizens to demand that publishers sell more e-book titles to libraries, and at lower prices. But she did not explain how publishers and authors are paid by PCLS for e-books and without that information citizens have no way of knowing whether this is a fair request. (The News Tribune, [Tacoma] 11.30.12) http://blog.thenewstribune.com/letters/2012/11/29/e-books-and-libraries/

Finally, a positive step in the ongoing dispute over local library services. On Wednesday, the Walla Walla City Council approved a plan to allow full access to the city library to county residents who purchase cards for $68 per household. The ultimate solution is for the city and county libraries to work together with the public in mind. (Union-Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 11.30.12)

The Moxee Library League was started in 1980 to help the library buy things they needed, such as bookshelves and supplies for reading programs. Now it seems that we must have permission from the Yakima Valley Library System to help our own Moxee Library. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 12.2.12) http://www.yakimaherald.com/search/560622-8/trying-to-help-library

Yakima Valley Libraries Director Kim Hixson recently has wrongly been made the lighting rod regarding the Terrace Heights Friendship Tea group. However, Hixson has simply been following the direction of the library’s Board of Trustees, appointed by county commissioners. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 12.2.12) http://www.yakimaherald.com/search/569124-8/library-director-follows-boards-directives-on-meeting-space

I’ve had the good fortune or blessing of never living under a dictatorship or theocracy. When I watch the county Rural Library Board in action, ignoring constituents and determined to build another library in the urban area despite the desires of those whose funds they use, I think I have an idea what it must be like. (Union-Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 12.3.12)

The history of public libraries in America began with Benjamin Franklin, and the latest milestone in that grand tradition is the overwhelming vote in Morton for the city to join the five-county Timberland Regional Library System. (The Chronicle Online [Centralia], 12.6.12) http://www.chronline.com/opinion/article_5e5e6184-3fcb-11e2-b538-0019bb2963f4.html

Programs & Displays
As part of the Pend Oreille County Libraries celebrating of the holiday season, the Ione Public Library and Metalines Community Library will be handing out an orange and a book from First Books to each child who visits the library during the week of Dec. 17-24. (Newport Miner, [Pend Oreille] 11.28.12)

The Friends of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge are proud to announce that they have made arrangements for the 2012 Washington State Federal Junior Duck Stamp exhibit to go on display throughout Pacific County. You may view them at the Ilwaco Timberland Regional Library, Ocean Park School, Long Beach Elementary, Raymond Timberland Library, and Naselle Timberland Library. (Photo) (Pacific County Press, [South Bend] 11.29.12)
[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]]