Library News
The Seattle Public Library will offer free assistance to students filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, January 13 at the Central Library. The session is free and open to the public. (Seattle Medium, 12.19.12) http://www.seattlemedium.com/news/article/Article.asp?NewsID=114894&sID=13&Search=YES

The Timberland Regional Library is striking a deal with Barnes & Noble to begin offering the company’s Nook e-readers to loan out to library card holders. The e-readers would come preloaded with books and could be checked out just like any other item at Timberland. As part of Timberland’s annual budget next year, the library district has set aside $50,000 to purchase $50,000 to purchase 50 Nooks. (Daily World, [Aberdeen] 12.20.12)

Funding support from the Avista Foundation and Friends of the Library will mean residents of Lamont will have library service after approving a ballot proposal to annex the town to the Whitman County Library District. The funding support will cover the costs of starting the service before revenue from the library levy arrives on the library district’s books. (Whitman County Gazette, [Colfax] 12.20.12)

Three years ago, the Timberland Regional Library District cut services, reduced library hours, implemented overdue fines and generally hunkered down to cope with lower-than-expected revenues in the wake of a failed property tax hike that voters soundly rejected. The library district recently approved a budget that spends about $2 million in reserves, divvying up the majority of it to building and technology funds. (Photo) (Daily World, [Aberdeen] 12.21.12)

The Pierce County Library system’s Board of Trustees approved an operating budget of $25.4 million, which addresses a $3 million budget shortfall. They also authorized a $1.6 million for capital improvements. (South Pierce County Dispatch, [Eatonville] 12.26.12)

Elections
Long-time Chewelah library assistant Jay Andrews will lose his job position since the Chewelah City Council decided the city could no longer fund the library after 2012 due to recent audit findings requiring the elimination of nearly $250,000 from the annual general budget fund. The city of Chewelah intends to put a proposition for annexation into the Stevens County Rural Library District on the April 23 ballot (if approved by the district board and county commissioners). (The Independent, [Chewelah] 12.20.12)

Letters & Editorials
Digital books do not degrade over time, unless of course, technology makes the format obsolete. The rising shift from printed books to digital ones is pitting publishers against libraries who stock their “shelves” with the new formats to respond to customer demands for e-materials. (Tacoma Weekly, 12.14.12) http://www.tacomaweekly.com/news/view/our-view-publishers-should-rethink-business-model/

Councilman Mike Fagan is not a librarian and knows nothing of library science or culture. That is crystal clear to all who saw his Dec. 10 rant. Please stand up against book burners such as Mike Fagan. (Spokesman Review, [Spokane] 12.20.12) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/dec/20/fagan-clueless-on-libraries/

There’s a battle going. It’s a battle that may or may not touch your life, but one that will help to shape the future of digital rights. It’s a battle between many top publishers and libraries. You can join this battle. Pierce County Library’s “Stop Being Scrooge” campaign urges bookworms to unite against Scroogey publishers – publishers who are not selling e-books to libraries. (Fort Lewis & Ranger Weekly Volcano, [Lakewood] 12.20.12)

As we close out the year 2012, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Friends of the Point Roberts Library (FOPRL) for their amazing accomplishments in raising public awareness, support, and money for a new library. (All Point Bulletin, [Point Roberts] 1.13) http://www.allpointbulletin.com/letters/article.exm/2012-12-21_letters_to_the_editor__january_2013

People
Penny Humphrey, President of the Friends of the North Bend Library, has been selected as the recipient of this year’s Friend of the Year award. She joined the Friends group in 2005, then took on the presidency in 2007 and has presided ever since. During her tenure, active membership and meeting attendance has more than doubled. (Photo) (Snoqualmie Valley Record, 12.19.12)

Awards
Western Washington University librarian Rob Lopresti is this year’s winner of the Black Orchid Novella Award for his novella “The Red Envelope,” set in Greenwich Village in 1958. The prize consists of $1,000 and publication in the Mystery Magazine. “The Red Envelope” will appear in the July/August 2013 issue. (Bellingham Herald Online, 12.27.12) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/12/27/2801074/wwu-librarian-rob-lopresti-wins.html

Programs & Displays
For their first-ever art exhibit, the Roslyn Library decided to go as local as possible by featuring the work of artists and crafts persons from the area in a show they are calling Handmade Roslyn. The exhibit runs from January 27 through March 21 at the Roslyn Library. (Northern Kittitas County Tribune, [Cle Elum] 12.20.12)

Did you get a new eReader, tablet or smartphone for Christmas? The Everett Public Library is offering two classes Saturday, January 12, from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. to show you how to download free eBooks using the library’s OverDrive service. The events are free and open to the public. (The Herald Online, [Everett] 1.8.13) http://heraldnet.com/article/20130108/LIVING/701089955#Library-classes-will-teach-you-how-to-access-free-eBooks

[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]]