Washington State Library News
The State Library will host an exhibit entitled Wolves in Washington State, from February 2 to April 14 showcasing the unique history of wolves in Washington. The traveling exhibit is on loan from the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture in Seattle. (The Outlook, [Othello] 1.17.13)

Library News
A young man using his laptop computer at the Keewaydin branch of the Mid-Columbia Libraries was attacked by gang members, according to the Kennewick police. All three gang members were found and taken to juvenile detention. The victim was taken to Kennewick General Hospital and required six staples to his head. (Tri-City Herald, [Kennewick] 1.15.13) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/01/15/2237317/police-roundup-man-injured-by.html#storylink=misearch

With bookstores gradually on the way out in the digital age, libraries are increasingly finding themselves filling that niche. The Libraries of Stevens County District is no different. “We buy what people in our communities want and need, says Library District Director Amanda Six. (Photo) (Statesman-Examiner, [Colville] 1.16.13)

The Seattle Public Library, United Way of King County and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) are collaborating to offer free tax preparation service January through mid-April at 11 locations of the Seattle Public Library. Trained volunteers will answer questions and help prepare personal tax returns. (Seattle Medium, 1.16.13) http://www.seattlemedium.com/news/article/Article.asp?NewsID=114936&sID=13&Search=YES

The Yakima County Commissioners appointed local businessman Del Rankin to the Yakima Valley Library Board of Trustees. Rankin replaces James Barnhill, whose term expired in December. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 1.17.13) http://www.yakimaherald.com/search/733355-8/businessman-del-rankinselected-for-library-board

Elections
The wait to get into the Hilyard Library and Spokane’s other neighborhood branches could be much shorter under a proposed tax voters will consider on the Feb. 12 ballot. The tax would increase hours at the city’s three smallest branches from 22 ½ to 40 hours a week. More importantly, it would prevent branch closure. (Photo) (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 1.23.13) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/jan/23/spokane-library-open-fewer-hours-than-most-of-its/

Buildings
The new George Public Library opened just before Christmas. The City of George rents the library space for $750 a month which is offset by $500 that The North Central Regional Library (NCRL) pays the city as a maintenance fee. NCRL makes books available and pays Librarian Betty Simon’s wages. (Photos) (The Royal Register, [Moses Lake] 1.15.13) http://www.theroyalregister.com/news/article_4b156b0c-60f2-11e2-b12d-001a4bcf887a.html

At the January Grandview School Board meeting, directors approved the purchase of a building owned by the city of Grandview, known as the old library. The purpose of the purchase is to acquire additional instructional space for students of the Grandview School District. The building will be purchased by the district for $250,000. (Daily News, [Sunnyside] 1.16.13)

Big Macs, Frappuccinos and cash withdrawals are just a sliding Plexiglas window away in virtually any town in the Pacific Northwest. But drive-through sustenance for the mind? That’s only available at the Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library, a part of the Timberland Regional Library System. The convenient pick-up window is the only one of its kind in the state. (Photos) (The Chronicle [Centralia], 1.17.13)

The North Olympic Library System board discussed issuing a request for proposals for consulting services for the Sequim Library expansion when they meet in January. Consulting services will be sought for a needs-assessment and feasibility study on expanding the Sequim Library. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 1.20.13)

Gonzaga University may soon break ground on a 165,000 square foot, four-story university center, as well as update technology in the Foley Center Library and create an independent school of nursing. (Photo) (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 1.25.13) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/jan/25/major-development-on-gonzagas-horizon/

Letters & Editorials
“The public library defines democracy; it is free and open to everyone in the community regardless of age, educational level, economic circumstance, ethnic background or social or political point of view.” While reading “What’s a library for?” published in the Yakima Herald-Republic on Jan. 1, 2013, one might expect the executive director and chair of the board of trustees to have been the authors of the above statement. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 1.13.13) http://www.yakimaherald.com/search/717053-8/libraries-must-change-with-times

A healthy library system is an essential component of Spokane’s quality of life, and for that reason, voters should approve the four-year property-tax levy that will appear on a Feb. 12 ballot. The measure is intended to fill a gap in library funding and expand hours for three branches while the library’s leaders develop a long-range funding plan. (Journal of Business, [Spokane] 1.17.13)

Awards
The American Library Association named Katherine Applegate’s “The One and Only Ivan” as the recipient of the Newberry Medal. The book was inspired by the life of Tacoma’s beloved gorilla, who lived for 27 years in a cage at B&I Shopping Center on South Tacoma Way before being moved to Zoo Atlanta in 1994. (The News Tribune, [Tacoma] 1.29.13) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/01/29/2453186/book-inspired-by-ivan-wins-award.html#storylink=misearch

The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation announced that it will be supporting local libraries in Washington and Oregon with $1.35 million in funding this year as part of its newest grant cycle. Washington grants from this cycle include a $200,000 grant to support Washington State Libraries’ development of a smartphone application to bring basic library services to rural patrons; a $200,000 grant to fund teen library programming projects through the Kitsap Regional Library Foundation; and a $136,000 grant to support a technology lab at the Walla Walla Public Library. (Press release from The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, 1.29.13) http://pgafamilyfoundation.org/NewsDetail.aspx?id=521

Programs & Displays
The North Central Regional Library would like to announce the 2013 Book Review Contest, January 14 through February 28. Book Lovers are invited to review books they have read in the past year and then submit the reviews to the NCRL Facebook page. Contest prizes include a Kindle Fire, a Nook and assorted gift certificates. (Lake Chelan Mirror, [Chelan] 1.16.13) http://lakechelanmirror.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=7101&SectionID=59&SubSectionID=178&S=1

Randy Adams’ work will be featured at the Quincy Library Art Gallery through the end of February. “I use different methods for different art. Colored pencils work better for cards. An abstract design—I would paint,” Adams explained. (Photo) (Grant County Journal, [Ephrata], 1.17.13)

Cost and transportation don’t have to block people from the benefits of a higher education. The five-county Timberland Regional Library (TRL) System is providing free college-level courses and personal-interest classes through Ed2Go, a new service on the library’s website. All of the courses are free to those who have a TRL library card. (Shelton-Mason County Journal/Belfair Herald, 1.17.13)

[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]]