Library News
Banned Books Week is slated for September 22nd-28th and is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. The week highlights the value of free and open access to information, according to the American Library Association (ALA). (Federal Way Mirror, 2.22.13)

The City of Monroe is seeking dedicated residents of the Monroe Library Capital Facility Area interested in serving on the City of Monroe Library Board. The Library Board serves as an advisory board to the Monroe City Council and acts as liaison between the city council and the Sno-Isle Libraries. (Monroe Monitor & Valley News, 2.26.13) http://www.monroemonitor.com/2013/02/25/monroe-library-board-seeks-member-2/

At its February 7th meeting, the board of directors of the North Olympic Library Foundation (NOLF) welcomed a contribution of $4,000 from Sequim residents Jo Anne and Jim Roberts. The funds will support NOLF’s summer reading program and other programs designed to encourage children to read. (The Sequim Gazette, 2.27.13)

Camas Public Library cardholders now have access to 58 magazines that they can read anytime, anyplace and keep as long as they like. The cost? Free. That’s because the library is now subscribing to the online service Zinio, described as the “world’s largest newsstand.” All cardholders in good standing need is a device with internet access. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 3.12.13)

Want to be involved with one of the most popular institutions in Camas at a very exciting time in its life? If so, the Camas Public Library wants your application to serve on the Library Board of Trustees. The first round of interviews will take place in late March or early April. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 3.12.13)

Julia Batson, a seventh-grader at Woodward Middle School, has been named a state champion in Washington’s Letters About Literature contest. The literary competition, sponsored by the Washington State Library and the Library of Congress, encourages students to write letters to their favorite authors, living or dead. (Bainbridge Review [Bainbridge Island], 4.2.13) http://www.bainbridgereview.com/news/201131371.html

Patrons and staff at the North Bend Public Library, a part of the King County Library System, say heroin users have taken to shooting drugs in the library bathroom, and police are now stepping in to stem the problem. The library, North Bend officials and police met last month to tackle the problem. (Photo) (Komo News Online [Seattle], 4.2.13) http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Patrons-uneasy-as-library-becomes-hot-spot-for-heroin-users-201163481.html

A library manager in Arizona will be the new leader of the Spokane Public Library. The library’s Board of Trustees voted 5-0 on Tuesday to offer Andrew Chanse the director position. He is currently the innovations and strategies administrator of the Maricopa County Library District in Arizona. (The Spokesman Review [Spokane], 4.3.13) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/apr/03/arizona-administrator-to-lead-spokane-public/

Elections
The Chewelah Library Annexation Committee (CLAC) has formed with the purpose of campaigning for the City of Chewelah’s annexation into the Stevens County Rural Library District. The committee is in need of additional volunteer help. The issue will be on the April 23rd special election ballot. (The Independent [Chewelah], 2.28.13)

Buildings
The debate got heated again during discussions on the Cedar River library renovations at an open house meeting Tuesday night. Audience members interjected and expressed frustration as City of Renton officials tried to explain information collected for the pre-application process for land use and environmental permits for the library over the Cedar River, a part of the King County Library System. (Renton Reporter, 2.22.13) http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/192161071.html

The neglected south Everett library branch is now the mayor’s top priority, but some council members say it’s already taken too long. The Evergreen branch is long overdue for an expansion and may finally get some attention soon. (Everett/Mukilteo Tribune [Snohomish], 2.27.13) http://www.snoho.com/stories_2013/022713_evergreenbranch.html

The Forks Library, a part of the North Olympic Library System, was closed March 19th-21st while staff and volunteers weeded out books and other items that were out of date, in poor condition or underused. This was so the collection can be moved to a smaller, temporary location later, probably in May, before an estimated $835,000 renovation begins. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 3.6.13) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20130306/news/303069996/0/SEARCH

Erin Iwata and her boys went home with a book about raising baby chicks, as well as a few other books for the gardening season. The Vancouver family was part of the low-profile launch of Clark County’s newest library facility, at the Westfield Vancouver mall, a part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District. (Photos) (The Columbian [Vancouver], 3.19.13) http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/mar/18/smaller-renovated-library-opens-vancouver-mall/

Notice is hereby given that the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is soliciting sealed bids for the remodel project for the existing Forks Library. Bids are due at the NOLS Administrative Office, attention Paula Barnes, Director, by 4:00 p.m. on April 26, 2013. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 3.28.13)

Letters & Editorials
Port Townsend City Manager David Timmons took the bold step last week of laying out an alternative plan for the renovation and rebuild of the Port Townsend City Library, a project that had become unleashed from financial reality. Timmons’ assessment is an opportunity for library supporters to rethink how to leverage our library needs within fiscal and partnership realities. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 2.27.13) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=33098&SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&S=1

I am writing to urge the Port Townsend City Council to place a library expansion bond proposal to the ballot as soon as possible. It’s time to get the library bond on the ballot so that all voters may express their opinion. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 2.27.13)

Since 2006, the Port Townsend Public Library, city staff, and the Friends foundation advisory board have been having public meetings and spending hours of city staff and volunteer time to restore and expand our wonderful Carnegie library. It is time to let the voters of Port Townsend weigh in on whether or not we should expand the Carnegie library with a bond of $5.5 million. (The Leader [Port Townsend], 2.27.13) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=33100&SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&S=1

People
Books might be becoming an anachronism in the electronic age, but libraries are not. The Monroe Library offers a host of serves and programs for the most tech-savvy teen, and new Teen Librarian Lindsay Hansen is there to help them make the most of what the library has for them. (Photo) (Monroe Monitor & Valley News, 2.26.13) http://www.monroemonitor.com/2013/02/26/new-monroe-teen-librarian-invites-young-people-to-join-teen-board/

Programs & Displays
Sequim Food Handlers’ Classes for 2013 will be held just twice: from 2:30-4:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 9th, and Tuesday, September 10th, at the Sequim Library, a part of the North Olympic Library System. Registration will begin at 2:00 p.m. on both days. (The Sequim Gazette, 2.20.13)

The Sedro-Woolley Public Library launched its science discussion series “Pushing the Limits” Tuesday evening, February 19th. Three more discussions are planned, every third Thursday in March, April and May. Each session will be led by scientist Barbara Johnson and library staff. (Courier Times [Sedro-Woolley], 2.26.13)

Calling all creatives! The Everett Public Library would like to hear you wax poetic about the things we love most: books, reading, writing, our library, or just libraries in general. Throughout the month of April, aka National Poetry Month, we’ll be asking you to send in your original haiku or limericks with library-related themes. (The Herald [Everett], 4.1.13) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130401/BLOG5201/130329766#Celebrate-National-Poetry-Month-with-a-friendly-competition

[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]]