Library News
A Clark County judge has found that a 19 year old man is mentally competent to stand trial for allegedly starting fires in the restroom of the Battle Ground Community Library. (The Columbian, Vancouver, 04/16/14).

Camano Island residents are divided on the merits of building a new library. Stanwood Library is less than five miles from the proposed location of the new library. The Stanwood Library has seen an increase in traffic and will heighten a need for updated facilities. (Stanwood/Camano News, Stanwood, 04/15/14).http://www.scnews.com/camano_scene/article_c630aa24-c4b8-11e3-b599-001a4bcf6878.html

A recent article about a new type of library in San Antonio, Texas describes a totally digital library called Bibliotech. While digital may be the trend for future libraries, the physical gathering place will always be a valuable part of the community. Even Bibliotech is a physical space where people gather and library staff interact with patrons. The Bellingham Public Library and Whatcom County Library System offer a wide array of electronic opportunities and have other resources as well. Story times, tech advice, and recommendations for good reads are just part of the services the library offers. (Bellingham Herald, Bellingham, 04/14/14).

La Center Library is marking its 10th anniversary. The library is housed in the old La Center hospital building. The building was saved from destruction by Margaret Colf Heppola who suggested that that the building would make a good library. The Colf family owns the building and allows the library to use it free of charge. The house was moved from its original site to its current location in 2001. The Colf Family Foundation arranged for renovation of the former hospital and the library open in May 2004. (Reflector, Battle Ground, 05/07/14). http://www.thereflector.com/news/article_c1857d58-d569-11e3-be9a-001a4bcf887a.html

The Mount Vernon City Libraries wants the public to weigh in on the future of the library. A survey asking questions such as: What the community values most about the library, the current role of the library, the future of the library, etc. will be presented to the public to gather information to be used to determine the best services for the library to offer. (Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, 05/15/14). http://www.goskagit.com/all_access/mv-library-survey-queries-public-on-facility-needs/article_7168fb74-663a-5d43-922f-b0b4bab302b9.html

The voters of Spokane Valley approved a measure to create a library capital facilities district but rejected a bond measure that would have paid for two new libraries and the renovation of a third. It will be up to the district to decide if the bond should be put back on the ballot for another try. (Spokesman Review, Spokane, 04/23/14).

Literacy is connected to brain development in young children. ReachOut and Read is an evidenced based non-profit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness. Figures show that 50% of children in Washington State do not have the verbal, communication, or reading skills that they need to succeed in school. A partnership between Libraries of Stevens County, local Rotary clubs, and the Northeast Washington Medical Group is seeking to obtain a grant from the International Rotary Foundation to promote early literacy by enabling physicians to “prescribe” daily reading and giving out free books. (Statesman-Examiner, Colville, 04/23/14).

Mount Vernon library patrons shared their ideas about what they would like to see if a new facility is built to house the Mount Vernon City Library. (Skagit Argus, Burlington, 04/22/14).
The Stevenson Community Library is offering courses on avoiding scams and researching genealogy. Participants can view a film and review information about preventing fraud and financial abuse of the elderly. There is also a course on “Finding Your Roots”, an introductory class in genealogy. (The Skamania, Stevenson, 04/23/14).

The Ritzville Public Library is celebrating Nation Preservation Week with a community digitization project. Community members from the surrounding area, not just Ritzville, are encouraged to bring in family photos, memorabilia and documents that showcase the early days of the area. (Ritzville-Adams County Journal, Ritzville, 04/24/2014).

Camano Island residents approved a 10 year, $2.3 million bond by 62%. The money will be used to transform the former Islanders Restaurant into a permanent library. (Stanwood/Camano News, Stanwood, 04/29/14).

Sno-Isle libraries was audited by the State and earned a clean audit for the 28th consecutive year. More than 98 percent of the funding comes from the library’s operating levy. (Millcreek View, Millcreek, 05/00/14).

Friends of the Port Roberts library were pleased to accept $4,000 for the library from the “Round Up” campaign. The campaign involved allowing International Marketplace customers to round up their purchase with the excess going to the library. International Marketplace initially agreed to match the donation but in the end the match exceeded the donations by more than a $1,000. (All Point Bulletin, Port Roberts, 05/00/14).

The Kitsap Regional Library surveyed their patrons about the proposed location of a new Silverdale library. The choice of locations has been narrowed down to three. The most popular choice is The Central Kitsap Community Campus. (Central Kitsap Reporter, Silverdale, 05/09/14).

The North Olympic Library System has plans for a new public library building in Sequim. A feasibility study done last fall called for a $7 million building to be constructed on the site of the existing library. (Peninsula Daily News, 05/07/14).

Buildings
Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries has hired FFA Architecture and Interiors of Portland of the pre-design services for new libraries in Washougal, Woodland, and Ridgefield. (Daily Journal of Commerce, Seattle, 05/13/14).

The State of Washington Department of Enterprise Services is seeking bids on the renovation of the library of North Seattle College. (Daily Journal of Commerce, Seattle, 05/16/14).
The North Olympic Library System will form a citizen advisory panel to guide its decision to replace the building housing the Sequim branch. The board discussed the possibility of new library being built in conjunction with the Sequim School District and shared between the high school and North Olympic Library System. (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, 04/28/14).
Sno-Isle Libraries is telling the area’s history one photo at a time with on line access to old Herald Photos. Through the “Digitize Our Community History” project more than 500 images have been made available to the public. (The Herald, Everett, 04/18/14). http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140418/NEWS01/140419068

Kennewick had a mini library that looks like the time machine from the Dr. Who series. The bright blue replica of the iconic phone box was built and is maintained by Ja-Kael and Debi Luey of Kennewick. It is a free, mini library to promote literacy. (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, 04/14/14).

Washougal Library could be in pre-design phase soon. Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Executive Director Is expected to sign a contract this week with a company that will research issues around a larger library in Washougal. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, Camas, 04/22/14).

Editorials/Letters
Spokane Valley voters should support The Spokane County Library District’s proposed $22 million bond. The passage of this bond would enable construction of a new library branch, replacement of an old branch, and the expansion of a third. The district reports that an average of 900 people per day or about 309,000 people a year – visit the Valley branch. (Journal of Business, Spokane, 03/27/14).
Library programs need preserving. The library van reaches out to people unable to get to the library. It is a wonderful service to those in nursing homes, retirement homes, and disadvantaged preschoolers. ( The Herald, Everett, 04/27/14).

The Pierce County library has revised its minor access policy. It reads in part, “Library staff cannon assume the role of parents or the functions of parental authority…”. (The News Tribune, Tacoma, 05/16/14).

People
Central Skagit library district hired a new director for the Central Skagit Rural Partial County Library District. Jill Pannkuk is the district’s first paid employee and is tasked with getting online and physical library service for Central Skagit running as quickly as possible. Pannkuk has 17 years of experience. (Courier Times, Sedro Woolley, 04/15/14).
The Pierce County Library System has hired a Kansas City firm to help finding their next executive director. Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager associates will conduct the search. (South Pierce County Dispatch).

Programs/Displays
The Vancouver Community Library will sponsor a showcase of digital poetry, “Anthropoety: Modern Expression of the Human Condition”. The exhibit opens April 23 and is free.
The Prosser Library will be at the Pacific Northwest Preparedness Expo offering books on homesteading, wilderness survival, emergency planning and first aid. (Record-Bulletin, Prosser, 04/30/14).
The Burlington Public Library was inundated by 29 elegantly dressed children and their parents for the Fancy Nancy Tea party. Friends of the Burlington Library volunteers provided craft supplies and help with crowns, and boutonnieres. The event was so popular the library has scheduled another event. (Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, 05/18/14). http://www.goskagit.com/community/community_news/fancy-nancys-gather-for-games-crafts/article_d403827e-dbac-11e3-8ba9-0019bb2963f4.html

The North Spokane Library is hosting an event that ties DIY classes and events to exhibit to the Great Depression. Libraries were always a resource for those seeking new jobs and new skills in hard economic times and in recent years there has been an increase in interest in DIY projects such as canning and gardening to help offset current economic hardships. Librarians collected stories from and memorabilia from residents who lived through the depression. (Spokesman Review, Spokane, 04/19/14).

The Bellingham Public Library participated in World Book Night by helping to hand out free books. Volunteers picked up boxes of books at the library to hand out to people on the street- no catch! Now in its third year, World Book Night celebrates books by giving away thousands of novels and non-fiction books. (Bellingham Herald, Bellingham, 04/27/14).

A move by the Friends of the Jefferson County Library to broaden their bylaws to include organizations other than the library resulted in a walk out by the Board members of the Jefferson County Library. The conflict arose from concerns by the Board that the revised bylaws were in violation of the 2004 guidelines on relations between Friends and their corresponding libraries. (The Leader, Port Townsend, 04/30/14). http://www.ptleader.com/news/jefferson-county-library-s-friends-suffer-a-falling-out/article_cd6e26ae-cff8-11e3-9178-001a4bcf6878.html

Sno-Isle Libraries is put the region’s history online with it Digitize Our Community History Project. There 530 images in the catalog and more added daily, the project is nearing the end of its first year and inviting new partners to participate. (The Mukilteo Beacon, Mukilteo, 04/30/14). http://mukilteobeacon.villagesoup.com/p/sno-isle-libraries-photo-project-puts-region-s-history-online/1179683

The La Conner Friends of Library gave $42,000 to the La Conner Library Foundation.( Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, 05/11/14).

Fort Vancouver Regional Library System will host several public functions for the Washington State Library’s Gadget Menagerie. The events will allow people to try out various electronic devices and to learn how to use their own devices if they have them. The trainers from the Washington State Library will take the time to answer questions and to instruct on all the devices. (The Enterprise, White Salmon, 05/08/14).

Port Angeles Library is sponsoring a children’s music event with Eric Herman. Herman’s videos are very popular online. (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, 05/08/14).