Library News
The Point Roberts Library, a part of the Whatcom County Library System, will have extended hours this summer to accommodate more users during summer months. In addition, the summer reading program will run to August 30 and the theme for kids is “Dig into Reading”. (All Point Bulletin [Point Roberts], 6.13)

Pamela Timmons, an Issaquah resident, said technology has made her library trips quick and easy. Basic things like the self-checkout and free Wi-Fi in all library branches are just the beginning for libraries in the King County Library System, which is increasingly finding new ways to use technology. (Photos) (Issaquah Press, 6.12.13) http://www.issaquahpress.com/index.php?s=advances+in+technology+changes+local+

The Walla Walla County Rural Library District has expanded its services on the web. Now members can download books, magazines, songs, job-finding and educational material right onto their electronic devices around the clock. (Union Bulletin [Walla Walla], 6.16.13) http://union-bulletin.com/news/2013/jun/15/countys-rural-libraries-expand-online-offerings/

The Port Townsend Food Co-op and Port Townsend Public Library have partnered to place a library book drop at the Food Co-op. The book drop was recently delivered and installed near the north entrance of the Food Co-op. (Photo) (Peninsula Daily News, [Port Angeles] 6.17.13)

When Nile Valley lost its library four years ago, people there showed the same can-do spirit that pervades the community. They simply opened their own a year later. Yakima Valley Libraries operated a branch in Nile dating back to the 1940s … But then came the October 2009 Nile landslide. What residents though was a temporary closure turned permanent … then someone suggested that the community open its own library. (Yakima Herald Online, 7.18.13) http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestnews/1287507-8/photos-nile-library-still-has-stories-to-tell

Teens and 20-somethings visit libraries as often as older adults, and are just as likely to take home a book. While in a library, they are more likely to use computers and just hang out there. They are however, less likely to require the services of a librarian. Timberland Regional Library is noticing similar trends in its branches spread across five South Sound counties. (Photo) (The Olympian [Olympia], 7.24.13) http://www.theolympian.com/2013/07/24/2635801/libraries-help-level-economic.html

Mayoral Candidate Peter Steinbrueck has called out Mayor Mike McGinn for recommending a $1 million reduction to the 2013 library budget in the executive’s supplemental budget. The mayor’s office was quick to respond that it is not cutting any programs, services, hours or collections, Rather, it’s redirecting some savings the city found after discovering it had budgeted twice to end the one-week August furlough throughout the library system. (Seattle Times Online, 7.26.13) http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2013/07/26/candidates-mayor-differ-on-library-funding/

Genette Brocken didn’t use the Everett Public Library, but her friends did. And she liked what she saw on the sign. A retired teacher, musician and school counselor, Brocken died April 7 at 83. The Everett library was notified in June that it is one of the beneficiaries of Brocken’s estate. (Herald Net Online [Everett], 7.28.13) http://heraldnet.com/article/20130728/NEWS01/707289885/-1/news01#Everett-library-initiatives-get-generous-gift

The historic Shay logging locomotive could be back on the Longview Library lawn this summer if the city can raise enough private donations, materials and in-kind labor in the next month to build a pavilion and fence to protect it. (The Daily News Online [Longview], 7.31.13) http://tdn.com/news/local/community-effort-key-to-returning-historic-locomotive-to-longview-library/article_1575c3da-fa43-11e2-9e69-0019bb2963f4.html

Elections
For several months, the Sno-Isle Library District has been looking at construction of a new regional library in the East Gateway Urban Village. Before a new library can be constructed, voters in the local service area will be asked to form a special taxing district. If voters agree, they will then be asked to approve a 20-year bond measure to pay for construction. (Millcreek View [Millcreek] 6.13)

Sno-Isle Libraries did something they have never done before. To make a permanent library on Camano Island a reality, they chose to front taxpayers the money to purchase a building to house it. It will be up to voters in August to decide on a $2.3 million bond measure that would pay for the property. (Photo) (Stanwood/Camano News [Stanwood], 6.4.13)

Buildings
The Renton City Council approved the preliminary plans and budget of up to $10 million for the Renton Highlands Library project. The project calls for a 15,000-square-foot library to be built and also features a one-story underground garage, located directly beneath the new building. (Photo) (Renton Reporter [Renton], 6.7.13) http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/210332221.html

The Camille Wade Children’s Library, a part of the Wenatchee Public Library, had its grand opening with a ribbon cutting June 18th. The library renovation of $400,000 was a memorial to Camille. (Photo) (The Wenatchee World [Wenatchee], 6.16.13) http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/jun/15/wilf-woods-kids-library-gets-a-grand-opening/

Letters & Editorials
I support the bond vote for the Port Townsend Public Library on the Aug. 6 ballot. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 6.18.12

We encourage our fellow citizens of Port Townsend to join us in voting for our city’s public library bond issue. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 7.17.13)

People
An interim director for the Port Townsend Library will begin work on Monday. Beverly Shelton, who served as Port Townsend library director from 1976-1991, was selected by City Manager David Timmons and will serve in the position until a permanent director is recruited. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 7.16.13) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013307179990

On July 2, the Cathlamet Public Library switched from one capable pair of hands to another. Five years ago Connie Christopher came in like a whirlwind and now it is Carol Blix’s turn to build on her predecessor’s gains to leave her own mark. (Photos) (The Wahkiakum County Eagle [Cathlamet], 7.25.13) http://www.waheagle.com/news/article.exm/2013-07-25_changing_of_the_guard_at_cathlamet_library

Awards
Shannon Peterson, Youth Services Coordinator for Kitsap Regional Library, was named the 2013 recipient of the CAYAS Award for Visionary Service to Youth at the Washington Library Association Conference held in Vancouver. (Photo) (Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal [Port Orchard], 6.13) http://kpbj.com/people/promotions_and_recognition/2013-06-03/youth_services_librarian_receives_state_award

Programs & Displays
This fall Seattle City Librarian Marcellus Turner will travel to each branch in the Seattle Public Library system for a “community conversation,” an update on what the library has accomplished since city voters approved a library levy in August 2012. To see when Turner will be at your neighborhood branch, go to spl.org, click on “calendar of events” and search Marcellus. (Photo) (The Seattle Times [Seattle], 8.12.13) http://seattletimes.com/html/books/2021575670_litlifexml.html

[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]]