Washington State Library News
Each week, Steve Willis, of the Washington State Library, randomly grabs a microfilm reel from the State Library’s large collection of Washington newspapers and comes up with interesting or odd stories. Here’s one that’s both, from the May 13, 1920 issue of The Big Bend Empire, in Waterville. (Photo) (The Wenatchee World, 11.21.12) http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/nov/21/the-year-rainmaker-hatfield-came-to-town/

Many students are influenced or inspired by a book they’ve read. An annual contest sponsored by the Washington State Library encourages students to put their thoughts about a book into words. Now in its eighth year, the Letters About Literature competition encourages young readers to write letters to their favorite authors, living or dead. Entries for this year’s contest must be postmarked by January 11. (Northern Kittitas County Tribune [Cle Elum], 11.22.12)

Library News
Using features available in Kitsap Regional Library’s new system software, the library has begun offering “e-Cards” for people who wish to access only the online collection of downloadable e-books, audiobooks, music and research databases. (Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal [Port Orchard], 11.2012) http://kpbj.com/headlines/2012-10-30/e_cards_available_for_librarys_digital_branch

Donna Albers has been named to the Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees, replacing her husband, who died in July in a bicycling accident at Mount Rainier National park. Albers, appointed by County Executive Pat McCarthy, will join the board in January 2013 and complete her husband’s term through August 2014. (Photo) (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 11.21.12)

Last Friday, Julie Wysong, Harriet Thompson Elementary School Principal, spent the whole day on the roof of the school, reading her heart out. Wysong was participating in the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program, which challenged every school principal in the U.S. to “read your heart out” during National Young Readers Week, November 12-16. One elementary school principal will win 101 copies for their library of the newest book in the Wimpy Kid series. (Photos) (Grandview Herald, 11.21.12)

With the overwhelming defeat of Burien’s bid to annex to North Highline, area library supporters who packed the small Burien Library conference room feared KCLS director Bill Ptacek would recommend the library board resume plans to close the White Center and Boulevard Park libraries. (Photo) (West Seattle Herald, 11.23.12) http://www.westseattleherald.com/2012/11/15/news/update-white-center-library-apparently-saved-0

This time of year, many people think about books as gifts. With that in mind, several local librarians who specialize in children’s literature were asked to name their favorite books from 2012 for children at a variety of reading levels. (Bellingham Herald, 11.28.12) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/11/28/2781829/whatcom-county-librarians-select.html

Buildings
The Jefferson County Library received 6 bids for the Jefferson County Library renovation. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 11.19.12)

Rick Repin of Repin Construction LLC in Roslyn was going about his business on a sunny day earlier this fall when a library patron asked if he’d do the library a favor. Repin stopped what he was doing, scoped out three computer desks that needed some carpentry – and then he returned later to complete the job – for free. The spirit of volunteerism Repin displayed is what keeps the library going. (Photos) (Northern Kittitas County Tribune [Cle Elum], 11.22.12)

Letters & Editorials
In September 2011, I was contacted by Joyce Agee from the University of Washington Libraries staff regarding 53 historic newsreels, mostly from the Harbor area. Thanks to funding from the Apex Foundation, the University of Washington was able to digitize the newsreels from the original 35MM nitrate. (Daily World [Aberdeen], 11.17.12)

Good people. Period. That’s what you’ll always find at the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation’s Authors & Illustrators Dinner and Silent Auction. I sneaked into it this week because, well, it’s a great cause and I enjoy it. So, I say thank you to folks like those who attend the library foundation dinner and thank you to those who give what they can. (Photo) (The Columbian [Vancouver], 11.17.12) http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/nov/17/of-good-people-and-listening-more/

As November winds to a close and winter begins in earnest, take a minute to celebrate Picture Book Month. It was initiated in 2011 by picture book author Dianne de las Casas in response to an article published in the New York Times in October 2010 about the declining role of picture books in the lives of children and, perhaps more pointedly, in the publishing marketplace. (Photos) (The Sequim Gazette, 11.21.12) http://www.sequimgazette.com/entertainment/article.exm/2012-11-20_off_the_shelf__celebrate_picture_book_month_

The Morton Action Committee would like to thank all the wonderful people that helped in the process of getting the local library annexation measure on the ballot and getting it passed. The overwhelming number of “Yes” votes proved that we indeed want and need a library. (The East County Journal [Morton], 11.21.12)

I was enormously pleased with this week’s report that the county library scaled back its improvement plans in line with what they could fund. By contrast, the Port Townsend city library director and board continue to pursue their original multimillion-dollar vision, with no plans to scale back according to realistic funding. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 11.21.12)

What’s happening at the Terrace Heights Library branch sounds familiar. I live in the Nile area, on Chinook Pass, and am a loyal library patron. Three years ago, the Yakima Valley Libraries closed the Nile branch library, located on Nile Road. The librarian lost her job, patrons lost their library, but our real estate taxes still go to the Yakima Valley Libraries. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 11.21.12) http://www.yakimaherald.com/search/533127-14/nile-library-issues

To all of our supporters, friends, neighbors and business owners in Area Y, the Independent White Center PAC would like to take this time to thank you for voting in the November 6, 2012 election. Two out of every three voters voted against Burien annexation. (Highline Times/DesMoines Times/SeaTac News [Burien], 11.23.12) http://www.highlinetimes.com/2012/11/21/letters-editor/letter-north-highline-pac-says-thanks

More about the Terrace Heights Library and the Friendship Tea group. Thank you, Jane Gargas, for your article and interview of politician, libraries director Kim Hixson. Her claim of reaching out to us it pure fantasy. She directed the librarians to put us out should we try to meet in the library again. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 11.23.12) http://www.yakimaherald.com/search/540704-14/library-agenda

Thanks for your Nov. 3 article about the Everett Library allowing people who live in the county to get a library card! I just had a lovely lunch hour at the Everett Public Library. I am so glad that the Everett Library has let me “join!” (The Herald [Everett], 11.25.12) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20121125/OPINION02/711259952/0/SEARCH

The holidays are coming, and many people will unwrap Kindles and other e-readers. Good luck getting an e-book from your public library to download to your new gift. Meet the ghost of Christmas past and present: publishers – the modern day Scrooge. Major publishers are not selling e-books to libraries, including Pierce County Library System. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 11.28.12)

Programs & Displays
Volunteer tutors provide free homework help during Study Zone hours. Students can find help in all subject areas, including math, science and college test preparation. The program is available on drop-in basis, from 3:30 to 5:30pm Tuesdays at the Carnation Library, and 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Duvall Library, both part of the King County Library System. (Snoqualmie Valley Record, 11.21.12) http://www.valleyrecord.com/community/180398381.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]]