Library News
As the world readies for the coming days of increased light, the Lopez Island Library is making preparations for moving forward, as well. We are making the switch to a new and improved library catalog interface, KOHA ByWater Solutions. (Island’s Weekly Newspaper [Lopez Island], 12.25.12)

Thanks to a Giving Circle donation, the Port Townsend School District libraries have joined the countywide library system. Members of the Giving Circle stopped by the high school library last week to talk to students, library officials and school administrators about the benefits of collaboration. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 12.26.12)

The Timberland Regional Library District approved a budget that spends about $2 million in reserves, divvying up the majority of it to building and special circulation technology funds. The decision brings the operational fund reserves down to levels not seen since cuts were first implemented back in January of 2009. (Chinook Observer [Long Beach], 12.26.12)

John Kehne, Whitman County Library Trustee of 10 years, was honored by library staff, friends, and fellow trustees during the library’s winter luncheon at the Colfax Library. Whitman County commissioners recently confirmed Stephen Balzarini of Colfax to fill Kehne’s vacant position. (Photo) (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 12.27.12)

Kyle Cox, executive director of Mid-Columbia Libraries, has been named to the Library Council of Washington by Secretary of State Sam Reed. The council was formed to promote access to library and information resources for Washington citizens and has an advisory role. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 12.28.12) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/12/28/2218507/mid-columbia-libraries-director.html#storylink=misearch

A book-lending library opened by the Sedro-Woolley Lions Club in November at Helping Hands Food Bank is already a success. The club lends adult and children’s books at the Sedro-Woolley food bank as a way to make books more accessible and as part of the Lions International nationwide literacy campaign. (Photo) (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 12.30.12)

The Walla Walla Rural Library District will reimburse unincorporated Walla Walla County residents who purchase a city library card for their household next year. At a meeting earlier this month, the district’s board of trustees approved reimbursing the $68 fee for the card, but only one per household and just for 2013. (Union-Bulletin [Walla Walla], 12.30.12)

Students throughout Whatcom County can find out more about the role of ports in Washington State now that the Port of Bellingham provided copies of a history of state ports to every public library and public school in Whatcom County. The Port distributed over 125 copies of the book to local libraries. (Photo) (Bellingham Business Journal, 1.2013)

Friendship Tea members at Terrace Heights Library are still boiling, while their counterparts in Moxee say the Grinch took their Christmas stockings. Which raises the larger question: What purpose does a community library fill? Yakima Valley Libraries, a group of 18 community libraries, is re-examining core services and refining policies. (Photo) (Yakima Herald-Republic, 1.1.13)

They’re tiny, homemade, weatherproof boxes filled with books for the community to share. They’re called Little Free Libraries, an idea founded in Wisconsin and now a worldwide phenomenon, with four right here in Tacoma. (Photo) (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 1.11.13) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/01/11/2431396/walk-borrow-read-return-and-repeat.html#storylink=misearch

Buildings
Some book pickup services at the Vancouver Mall Community Library have already stopped as the branch prepares to close for remodeling. A smaller version will open in late March or early April as The Mall Library Connection. (Photo) (The Columbian [Vancouver], 12.20.12) http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/dec/20/mall-library-to-close-monday-for-three-month-remod/

Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery has donated $25,000 to a project to build a new library in Ferndale. Combined with a match from an anonymous donor, the refinery’s pledge actually will mean $50,000 for the library, the Whatcom Community Foundation announced in December. (Bellingham Herald, 12.22.12) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/12/21/2812799/phillips-66-ferndale-refinery.html#storylink=misearch

For $125, individuals can purchase a tile to be featured in the foyer connecting the historic 1913 Carnegie Library building and the library’s new structure being planned. Order forms for tiles are available at First Federal in Port Townsend. (Photo) (The Leader [Port Townsend], 12.26.12)

The Key Center branch of the Pierce County Library System, which closed in November for renovations to expand space for collections and technology, was scheduled to reopen February 27. But it’s now set to open February 3 after improvement work progressed more quickly than anticipated. (Peninsula Gateway [Gig Harbor], 12.26.12) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/12/26/2414429/key-center-library-to-reopen-feb.html#storylink=misearch

Residents of George now have a public library to call their own, after the North Central Regional Library recently opened their newest Grant County branch. The library occupies 2,000 square feet of an office complex in George, and patrons can find a little bit of everything at the library. (Columbia Basin Herald [Moses Lake], 12.27.12)

Letters & Editorials
I was appalled when I heard that story times and library programs were being attacked by Spokane City Councilman Mike Fagan. In an age when people claim, “it’s all on the Internet,” we need our libraries more than ever. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 12.23.12) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/dec/23/libraries-bring-enrichment/

I wish to acknowledge the cooperative and successful efforts of the city of Chelan and Library advocates to fund a library on the main floor of the Masonic building. Many people from city government and the community have been working on this special project for more than two years. (Lake Chelan Mirror, 12.26.12) http://lakechelanmirror.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=7059&SectionID=10&SubSectionID=10&S=1

This fall I went deliberately to donate a number of my books and some of my locally produced bookmarks to a small beginning library of the Timberland Regional Library. Are you an author, or do you know others who have published books? Please consider library donation as a way to make known information so carefully assembled. (Chinook Observer [Long Beach], 12.26.12)

I want to compliment the Sun for an excellent article about the decision not to expand the Kitsap Regional Library’s Silverdale branch when the Bangor submarine base was planned in the 1970’s, and the subsequent impacts of growth (“Silverdale’s growth puts strain on library,” Dec. 30). It is refreshing to have a journalist serving our community that gets it right! (The Kitsap Sun [Bremerton], 1.2.13) http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/jan/01/letter-to-the-editor-praise-for-reporting-on/#axzz2IMH8zSA8

Programs & Displays
Rain or shine, a warm winter tradition begins its 17th season in January as lovers of reading gather at the Aberdeen Timberland Library, Friday mornings at 10:30 for coffee, cookies, and books. Rainy Day Reading Reviews will be held each Friday from January 4 through February 22 in the library’s Rosalie Spellman meeting room. (Daily World [Aberdeen], 12.26.12)

The annual Timberland Regional Library (TRL) Adult Winter Reading program is offering chances to win prizes while reading books you love in the format you prefer, whether print, audio, or electronic. Read five books or listen to five audio books between January 1 and March 15. Pick up a reading log form at any branch library or print one off the TRL website. (South Beach Bulletin [Westport], 12.27.12)

Resolve to Read, Kitsap Regional Library’s winter reading program for adults and teens, encourages Kitsap County to enlighten their lives during the darkest months of the year by curling up with a good book. The program kicks off January 2 and will include appearances at local libraries by several published authors. (Independent [Port Orchard], 12.28.12) http://www.portorchardindependent.com/news/184775921.html

Winter is time to tuck into a good book for Walla Walla Public Library’s annual adult reading and discussion program. Formerly known as Booked for Winter, it is now called Big Idea Talks to correspond with other adult programs throughout the year. The theme for 2013 is “A Taste of Culture,” as all three selected novels prominently feature food within a particular culture. (Union-Bulletin [Walla Walla], 1.1.13)

The Stanwood-Camano Together We Read Committee announced that they selected Garth Stein’s “The Art of Racing in the Rain” as the book for the fifth annual Together We Read project, which engages the community by sharing one book. (Photo) (Stanwood/Camano News, 1.1.13)

[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]]