Library News
King County Library System subscribes to Science Online, a database filled with diagrams, conversion calculators, articles and experiments covering topics such as forensics, weather, chemistry, biology and more. The articles are from reputable sources like science encyclopedias and dictionaries. This database is available anytime and anywhere. (Bellevue Reporter [Kent], 3.8.13) http://www.bellevuereporter.com/opinion/195451501.html

Up until last year, South Sound High School’s library consisted of about 600 books that were outdated, and not being read by students. Math para-educator and book lover Terri Evans decided to change that. (Photo) (The Olympian [Olympia], 3.10.13) http://www.theolympian.com/2013/03/10/2455261/library-beefs-up-its-offerings.html#storylink=misearch

A new policy to direct book selections for school libraries could be on the horizon. Vivian Jennings, the district librarian, recently told the Prosser School Board about how she acquires books for the district elementary, middle and high schools. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 3.11.13) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/03/10/2307733/prosser-school-board-questions.html#storylink=misearch

The head of the Timberland Regional Library visited the North Beach last week to highlight the array and availability of services provided by the five-county system that taxes property owners in unincorporated Grays Harbor County except Ocean Shores, which operates its own municipal library. (Photo) (The North Coast News [Ocean Shores], 3.13.13)

Pierce County students can combine their love of art and reading by helping create a new Pierce County Library card design. The contest to find two winning designs begins this week and runs through May 3. Any student in kindergarten through 12th grade who attends school in the county can enter. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 4.15.13) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/04/15/2557533/card-design-contest-on-tap.html#storylink=misearch

Spoken word artist Lucas Smiraldo has been chosen as Tacoma’s new poet laureate for 2013-2015. The two-year post is awarded by the Tacoma Arts Commission. Smiraldo received his new title at the biennial laureate ceremony held Tuesday the 23rd at the Tacoma Public Library. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 4.19.13)

The Pierce County Library System has been named one of 10 recipients of a national honor awarded by the agency that distributes federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The National Medal for Museum and Library Service will be presented next month in Washington, D.C. (Seattle Times Online, 4.24.13) http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2013/04/pierce-county-libraries-earn-national-honor/

Buildings
Public review is part of a new process to examine alternatives to the proposed Port Townsend Public Library expansion project. Approved 5-1 during the Port Townsend City Council’s regular March meeting, the review process has city staff members crafting five alternatives to the existing multi-million dollar plan to expand the existing public library. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 3.20.13) http://ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=33214&SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&S=1

Fort Vancouver Regional Library District officials are looking for the best ways to serve almost 450,000 people across 4,200 square miles and four counties. The district has retained Vancouver planning consultants BergerABAM to lead the facilities planning study. (The Columbian [Vancouver], 4.11.13) http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/apr/11/library-district-starts-facilities-planning-study/

Timberland Regional Library branches will be closing for employee training next month. Employees will spend a day of training at their branches, expanding on library service skills. (The Olympian [Olympia], 4.19.13) http://www.theolympian.com/2013/04/19/2512251/timberland-library-branches-to.html

Letters & Editorials
In reading the results of the King County Library Board meeting of February 26th, it is noted that they voted to buy some property on 107th SW and build a new building in lieu of expanding the old one. The voters of White Center did not vote to move the library, only to have it enlarged and updated. (Highline Times/Des Moines Times/SeaTac News [Burien], 3.15.13) http://www.highlinetimes.com/2013/03/04/letters-editor/letter-headline-leave-white-center-libr

I volunteer for the Anacortes Library because I know how overextended public libraries are in trying to meet the multiplicity of needs and desires of the community. However, I feel my efforts are discredited when the library budget is reduced out of petulance. (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 3.16.13) http://www.goskagit.com/all_access/letter-why-hurt-the-library/article_bd6e82d3-e6a6-530b-ab00-30c197da6099.html

In April the citizens of Chewelah will be asked whether or not they wish to join the Stevens County Rural Library District, giving us countywide access to the benefits and resources a modern library system provides. Please vote “YES” so we can all enjoy resources that many in our community cannot afford to be without. (The Independent [Chewelah], 3.21.13)

People
As Shauna Yusko entered the Evergreen Middle School library Tuesday afternoon, the first things she noticed were the poster on display on the far wall – and how the holiday-themed images needed to be updated. This is because the school librarian is currently on leave from work. Yusko was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and has just completed her 13th week of chemotherapy out of 20. (Photo) (Redmond Reporter [Kent], 3.8.13) http://www.redmond-reporter.com/community/196447221.html

You could say Stephanie Juarez was the big winner in the first North Central Regional Library Book Review Contest even though she finished sixth. You see, Juarez entered the most reviews – 19 to be exact. (Photo) (The Royal Register [Moses Lake], 3.12.13) http://www.theroyalregister.com/arts_and_entertainment/article_1b46d2fe-8c2f-11e2-af1d-001a4bcf887a.html

Programs & Displays
Black Hills’ “Zombie Café” was designed to create some buzz about the school’s library and get more students through its door, said librarian Deb Nickerson. Today’s school libraries are designed to be fun and comfortable hubs of information and entertainment. (Photos) (The Olympian [Olympia], 3.10.13) http://www.theolympian.com/2013/03/09/2454584/zombies-help-spread-the-word-school.html#storylink=misearch

Sheila Theodoratos’ brightly colored pencil drawings have earned the artist national recognition. The Edmonds Arts Commission presents a collection of drawings by Sheila at the Edmonds Library. The exhibit can be viewed in the Library through April 30th. (Photo) (The Edmonds Beacon [Mukilteo], 3.14.13)

[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]]