Library News
The Pierce County Library system has chosen “The Paris Wife” as the book for this year’s Pierce County Reads program. The program includes a swag of April events themed around 1920s Paris and a May visit by author Paula McClain of Cleveland. (The News Tribune, [Tacoma] 3.19.23)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/03/18/2518647/author-found-a-friend-in-1st-mrs.html

The Spokane Public Library will get new leadership just as its funding stabilizes after years of uncertainty. Pat Partovi, who has led the library since 2003, will retire May 10. The Library Board of Trustees will choose among three finalists on Wednesday. The public can ask the candidates questions at an event on Saturday. (The Spokesman-Review, [Spokane] 3.21.13) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/mar/22/library-getting-new-chief/

Elections
Spokane voters resoundingly approved a city charter amendment granting the police ombudsman more authority and a tax to ensure that branch libraries won’t close. The four-year library tax plan, called a levy lid lift, had wide support from the city’s elected leadership. The proposal will increase taxes by $7 a year on a property assessed at $100,000. (Photo) (Spokesman Review, [Spokane] 2.13.13) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/feb/13/voters-pass-library-police-measures/

Buildings
More than two years after it was shuttered due to budget cuts, the former Swan Creek Library building on Tacoma’s east side appears poised to be sold. Tacoma City Council is expected to vote on a resolution later this month to authorize the sale of the building, which is owned by the City of Tacoma. (Tacoma Daily Index, 3.6.13)

The grand opening of the Mall Library Connection, located at the Westfield Vancouver Mall is April 6, with a 9:45 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. The “library connection” was designed to accommodate a facility with about half the space of the previous mall library. (Photos) (The Columbian, [Vancouver] 3.21.13) http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/mar/18/smaller-renovated-library-opens-vancouver-mall/

Letters & Editorials
We’re impressed by the decisions made by a review committee examining the appropriateness of two books in the Prosser school libraries. A good cross-section of people reviewed the challenges presented and came to the decision that the books were of value and should remain in schools, with age restrictions in place. (Tri-City Herald, [Kennewick] 2.13.13.) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/02/13/2272972/our-voice-prosser-review-committee.html#storylink=misearch

“No, no!” said the Queen. ‘Sentence first – verdict afterwards.’ ‘Stuff and nonsense!’ said Alice loudly.” (Alice in Wonderland) I am sure Alice would say the same thing about the paucity of public process that has produced an illogical sequence of steps in the planning process regarding the Port Townsend Public Library. (The Leader, [Port Townsend] 2.13.13)

The Prosser book controversy is a prime example of a flawed system where one librarian was able to buy books for the public school system, than it takes a whole panel of stubbornly naïve women to deal with her mistakes. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 2.14.13) http://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/latestopinion/827846-8/flawed-school-library

People
Terry Man has provided security at the Shelton Timberland Library for the past year and a half. The presence of Man, and the two security employees before him, instantly changed the safety factor at the library following the choking of library manager Patty Ayala Ross. (Photos) (Shelton-Mason County Journal, 2.14.13)

Milton Wagy had worked at the library for about 21 years before he retired from his position January 31, and during that time he became known as a local expert on Kittitas County history. Ellensburg Library Director Debby DeSoer has no doubt the community will miss Wagy. (Photos) (Daily Record, [Ellensburg] 2.19.13) http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/paywall/top_story/milton-wagy-retires-from-the-ellensburg-public-library/article_3c4deb32-7ac2-11e2-abc4-001a4bcf887a.html

Awards
Maureen Doyle McQuerry of Richland is a teacher, a mother, a wife, and between all the hustle and bustle she finds time to write novels. Her latest, The Peculiars, recently earned the 2012 best fiction for young adults award from the American Library Association. (Photo) (Tri-City Herald, [Kennewick] 2.9.13) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/02/09/2268497/richland-authors-novel-wins-national.html#storylink=misearch

[This summary of library news was created by Bobbie DeMiero and Leanna Hammond of the Washington State Library Division of the Office of the Secretary of State. It represents a selection of newspaper clippings about Washington libraries from all Washington newspapers received in the packets on the dates shown. For more information about any of these stories, contact Carolyn Petersen at 360.570.5560 or [email protected] ]