Washington State Library News
Students in grades 4-10 can enter the Washington State Library’s eighth annual Letters About Literature competition. The contest encourages young readers to write letters to their favorite author, living or dead. Entries for this year’s contest must be postmarked by January 11. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 12.16.12)

Library News
The Walla Walla County Rural Library District – which has been criticized heavily this year for failing to work out an agreement with the city and moving forward with plans for a new branch – will soon have an opening on its Board of Trustees. On December 31, Board Chair Sandra Bradley will complete her final term. (Union-Bulletin [Walla Walla], 12.10.12)

A gift from a vendor has added 90 new e-books to the Ellensburg Public Library’s collection, according to a news release. The library staff can help people check out e-books on home computers, e-readers or smartphones. (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 12.11.12)

Due in part to budget reductions, the Camas Public Library is now open six fewer hours each week. According to Library Director David Zavortink, the reduction is due in great part to a reduction in the number of staff as well as a change in library usage patterns. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 12.11.12)

Frustrated by the lack of many e-books offered by the Pierce County Library System? Branch manager Robin Clausen agrees with you. “…we have as good a collection as we can buy right now.” She’s referring to the unusual situation that libraries around the country are facing: they’d like to purchase more electronic books, but the six major publishing houses have put restrictions on their ability to do so. (Peninsula Gateway [Gig Harbor], 12.12.12) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/12/06/2393167/local-libraries-protest-publishers.html#storylink=misearch

A team from the Key Peninsula Veterans (KPV) organization made another of its many contributions of books to Evergreen Elementary School’s “Reading is FUNdamental” program. KPV President Mike Coffin said his organization is proud to be one of the first contributors to the program. (Photos) (Peninsula Gateway [Gig Harbor], 12.12.12) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/12/12/2399407/kp-veterans-enjoy-participating.html#storylink=misearch

Take a book from the collection and leave an old book. That’s how the Little Free Library in South Cle Elum works. The little library has about 35 books in it from a variety of genres. Helga Johnson, creator and steward of the Little Free Library, hopes to see many more little libraries in South Cle Elum. (Photo) (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 12.12.12)

The Fort Vancouver Regional Library (FVRL), including the Goldendale and White Salmon Valley Community Libraries, are making available free college level courses and community internet classes through a new service on its website, “Ed2Go.” “Ed2Go” offers hundreds of online courses. All that is needed to take a course is an FVRL library card number. (Sentinel [Goldendale], 12.12.12) http://www.goldendalesentinel.com/story/2012/12/12/features/library-offers-free-ed2go-classes/1840.html

The seven-member Timberland Regional Library (TRL) Board of Trustees voted unanimously on November 28 to offer Cheryl Heywood the position of Library Director. Heywood, an internal candidate, was one of three candidates resulting from a nationwide search process. Following successful contract negotiations, she accepted the position. (Photo) (South Beach Bulletin [Westport], 12.13.12)

Auditors uncovered no problems in finances or procedures at the King County Library System according to recent reports from state Auditor Brian Sonntag’s office. The thumbs-up from auditors came after routine financial check-ups conducted by the state. (The Sammamish Review [Issaquah], 12.19.12) http://sammamishreview.com/2012/12/19/king-county-library-system-receives-clean-audits

Buildings
Construction could start next fall on Tukwila Village, a project that city officials want to become a community destination. The city hopes to turn the land into a mixed-use development that will include a new King County Library System library, apartments, a neighborhood police resource center, retail, restaurants, public meeting space and an outdoor plaza. (Tukwila Reporter [Kent], 12.2012) http://www.tukwilareporter.com/news/183581651.html

Renovation of the Endicott Library, a part of the Whitman County Library System, is set to begin January 2, town and library officials announced this week. A remodel of the library, once the town’s city hall and jail, was set to begin last summer, but Library Director Kristie Kirkpatrick said unexpected requirements for a handicap-accessible parking pad pushed the project cost over its initial estimate. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 12.13.12)

The bookworms in George now have a place to check out books – the new George Public Library, a part of the North Central Regional Library System. The library was initiated by Joe Schons, George public works director. (Photos) (Quincy Valley Post Register, 12.13.12) http://www.qvpr.com/articles/new-george-public-library-now-open-patrons

As of January 6, all Seattle Public Library (SPL) branches will be open on Sundays – thanks to the funding measure approved by voters in August. SPL sent around a reminder that also includes an announcement of dates for special “Sundays are special” parties. (Seattle Times, 12.16.12)

Moving the Washougal Community Library into a leased space within the Washougal Town Square is no longer under consideration, following a decision by the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Board of Directors. Executive Director Nancy Tessman said the board determined that the shorter term idea of occupying the Town Square space was not the most cost effective way to address the long term need for a permanent, improved location. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 12.18.12)

Letters & Editorials
I would like to thank the Spokesman-Review for supporting libraries and our performing arts in many ways. Regarding stable library funding, one idea is creating a dedicated fund through a voter-approved utility tax increase on the lower-taxed telephone, natural gas and electricity utilities to generate a funding level to support our libraries. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 12.9.12) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/dec/09/libraries-need-dedicated-funds/

A parade of new, expensive propositions that may well come before voters in 2013 require a hard look. A Port Townsend Library rebuild bond of up to $8 million is under consideration, to be repaid through property taxes. Funds would tear down the existing one-story annex and replace it with a three-story building, and also complete renovations on the existing Carnegie building to tie into the new building. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 12.12.12) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=32680&SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&S=1

Major publishers are not selling e-books to libraries, including the Pierce County Library System, and that’s giving residents throughout Pierce County a raw deal. The public is demanding e-books from libraries and publishers are locking them out. (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 12.12.12)

Story time. That was one of Spokane City Councilman Mike Fagan’s examples of a world gone mad – of government overreach that must be reined in. Fagan’s views on the library came during a council discussion Monday night about the possibility of using $15,000 to hire WorkSource employees to provide after-hours service at the library for job seekers. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 12.12.12) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/dec/12/councilmans-assault-on-library-story-time/

Have you been to the Bainbridge Public Library lately? If you’ve seen our “new” laptop bar, maybe you’ve noticed some names taped onto the backsplash area. This space is reserved for a set of commemorative tiles being designed and produced by a local woodworking artist. You can go to the library website or stop by the library to buy a tile. (Bainbridge Island Review, 12.14.12) http://www.bainbridgereview.com/opinion/letters/183839631.html

It’s time for a new library board and management. Three admitted reorganizations in four years underscore the need for a management change. Our branch libraries have been warm, helpful and friendly places that patrons are pleased to visit; not the stiff, sterile automatons the current director envisions. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 12.16.12)

Awards
Students appreciate the attention she gives them even when she’s busy. Her fellow educators praise her unflagging dedication. And the Washington Library Media Association calls Alyse Fritz the cream of the librarian crop after naming her its 2012 Outstanding Teacher-Librarian of the Year. Fritz, a teacher-librarian at Eatonville High School since 2006, was selected by a committee of the association. (Photo) (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 12.12.12)

Programs & Displays
The Clallam Bay Branch of the North Olympic Library System will resume storytimes for kindergarteners in December. Kindergarten storytimes, for ages 5 to 6, will be on the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, December 18 and continuing through May 21. (Forks Forum, 12.13.12)

Mid-Columbia Libraries is challenging readers to see how many books they can read this winter during the Winter Reading Challenge. The contest ends January 31. Participants will be entered to win prizes based on the number of books they log on the library’s website. All prizes are courtesy of the Friends of the Mid-Columbia Libraries. (Franklin County Graphic [Connell], 12.13.12)

The Longview, Kelso, Kalama and Castle Rock public libraries are offering “Fire It Up!,” a new winter reading program where adults can win prizes for reading. Weekly prizes will be offered at each library, drawn on Mondays. The contest begins January 1 and ends February 28. Anyone 18 years or older can participate. (Daily News [Longview], 12.15.12)

[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]]