Washington State Library News
Julia Batson, a seventh-grader at Woodward Middle School, has been named a state champion in Washington’s Letters About Literature contest. Julia won the state title in the Level 2 (grades 7-8) competition. Julia’s letter was to Randa Abdel-Fattah about her book “Ten Things I Hate About Me.” (Bainbridge Island Review Online, 4.2.13) http://www.bainbridgereview.com/news/201131371.html

Library News
Wired or Wireless was recently honored during a reception at the Malden Library, a part of Whitman County Libraries, to celebrate the conclusion of their two year grant that provided 60 hours per week access to Malden’s library and computer center. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 3.7.13)

The book drop in front of the Daily Sun News office on Sixth Street in Sunnyside has new signs, but that’s all that’s changed, according to Sandra Linde, who operates the donation box. Books donated at the book drop are passed along to schools, the library, and hospital, as well as given out at Sunshine Days. (Photo) (Daily News [Sunnyside], 3.7.13)

The Daffodil Festival itself relies on the combined efforts of many volunteers and affiliated organizations … in a group effort to promote literacy and a love of reading in children throughout Pierce County. The Daffodil Festival Royal Court already participates in appearances at Pierce County libraries each month to promote such qualities. (Photo) (The News Tribune Special Insert [Tacoma], 4.10.13)

The publisher of Stephen King, Bob Woodward and other top-selling authors has changed its policy of withholding e-books from libraries. Simon & Schuster announced a 1-year pilot program Monday with three New York City library systems that cover the city’s five boroughs. (The Herald Online [Everett], 4.16.13) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130416/BIZ/704169985#Simon-%26-Schuster-to-offer-e-books-to-libraries

Elections
It was a unanimous vote at the end, a surprising conclusion to an otherwise tense meeting of the Ferndale City Council. At the Monday meeting, the council passed a measure to send a $550,000 capital construction bond to voters to close the funding gap for building a new Ferndale Library, a part of the Whatcom County Library System. (Ferndale Record, 3.6.13)

Buildings
The Ocean Park Timberland library hosted a grand re-opening event to celebrate the expanded library on March 16th. Visitors will notice new carpet and skylight, all new furnishings, additional seating areas, a separate area for teens and more space for children, along with a new checkout and information desk and lighting for the shelving. (Chinook Observer [Long Beach], 3.6.13)

The White Center Library, currently in Burien, will be rebuilt in unincorporated White Center. The King County Library System Board of Trustees approved the new White Center Library February 26th by a vote of 4 to 0. The larger site will provide an opportunity for both increased parking and a park-like setting. (West Seattle Herald/White Center News [Seattle], 3.8.13)

In a section of Brooks Library at Central Washington University, students are writing on the walls and tables and speaking aloud in groups. The $300,000 upgrades added collaborative meeting spaces with smart boards and projectors, tables where students can plug in their computers and sync their work together on two large monitors, and ample whiteboards – some of which double as tables. (Photos) (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 3.14.13)

Letters & Editorials
Hoorah! It’s been decided! Our new, larger 10,000 square foot library will be built right behind Mount View Elementary. Like planning a home, the White Center community needs to be sure that the King County Library System has our input in designing our library so that it meets the needs of our diverse White Center patrons. (Highline Times/DesMoines Times/SeaTac News [Burien], 3.8.13) http://www.highlinetimes.com/2013/03/01/news/opinion-hoorah-gratitude-new-white-center-library

I take exception to the claim that the Tacoma library system is somehow failing the public (letter, 4-7). As usual, a person decided to use one example as rationale for passing judgment on some public service. In this case, being a weekly user of the Tacoma library system, I feel the need to defend it. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 4.9.13) http://blog.thenewstribune.com/letters/2013/04/08/library-services-lacking-i-think-not/

People
The Board of Trustees of the Whatcom County Library System has hired Christine Perkins to be the new executive director of the nine-branch system. Perkins, coming from the Bellingham Public Library, will start in mid-April. She was chosen from among four finalists to replace Joan Airoldi, who retired after 10 years with Whatcom libraries. (Photo) (Lynden Tribune, 3.6.13)

Although the Quincy Valley holds its attractions, Betty Simon finds her most exciting adventures in life have been found in between the pages of her favorite books. As the librarian for the new George Public Library, a part of North Central Regional Libraries, she finds herself living a dream come true. (Photo) (Quincy Valley Post Register, 3.7.13) http://www.qvpr.com/articles/love-books

[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 Martha Shinners at 360.570.5567 or [email protected]]