Library News

The Online Visioning Survey created to establish the direction of the Mount Vernon City Library closed on June 30. As of June 10, 222 surveys had been completed. (Skagit Argus, Burlington, 06/24/14).

Burlington Library has book kits available for checkout for two months at a time. The book kits are available for book clubs and discussion groups. (Skagit Argus, Burlington, 06/24/14).

Timberland Regional Library offers patrons unlimited free access to about 100 popular magazines. Cardholders can read the latest issues on their PC or Mac computers and most tablets and mobile devices. The startup collection includes a wide variety of magazines. The e-magazines are full-text and full-color and some provide additional content such as video, audio, and web links. (Chinook Observer, Long Beach, 06/18/14).

The North Central Regional Library System’s one and only bookmobile has been on the move. The mobile library has more than 3, 000 volumes and has been bringing the library experience to rural areas that don’t have their own libraries. (The Wenatchee World, Wenatchee, 07/11/14).

Little Libraries are springing up all over Ellensburg. The ‘take one-give one” Little Libraries are becoming popular all over the country. (Daily Record, Ellensburg, 07/15/14). http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/little-free-library/image_c806b2ce-0c4a-11e4-8caa-0019bb2963f4.html

Despite passing a tax increase, the Everett City Council is still considering eliminating the Everett Public Library’s bookmobile as a way of saving money. (Everett/Mukilteo Tribune, Snohomish, 06/25/14).
http://www.snoho.com/stories_2014/062514_Everett_Tax_Increases.html

Fort Vancouver Regional Library has added a third weekly courier run between district headquarters and libraries in Stevenson, White Salmon Valley, and Goldendale. The new schedule was created to enhance the speed of delivery of books and materials. (The Enterprise, White Salmon, 06/26/14).

Stanwood City Council has put the annexation of the Stanwood Library into Sno-Isle Libraries on the ballot for next November. The library cost has risen to the point that the city budget can no longer sustain it. (Stanwood/Camano News, Stanwood, 07/01/14). http://www.scnews.com/news/article_2f40bc06-0141-11e4-8126-001a4bcf6878.html

The Bainbridge Public Library by virtue of a grant from the Rotary Club of Bainbridge, has installed hearing loop system to enable the hearing impaired to participate in many of the events held in the large Community Room. (Bainbridge Island Review, Bainbridge, 07/04/14). http://www.bainbridgereview.com/news/265902431.html

The Kitsap Regional Library received a total of 2,084 responses to it on-line survey regarding the strategic plan for the library. The information will be used to determine the future of the library services and what services are the best match for the community. (Independent, Port Orchard, 07/04/14). http://www.portorchardindependent.com/news/265715781.html

The on-line survey conducted by Kitsap Regional Library found that 90 percent of those responding would give the library “an overall assessment of eight, nine, or ten on a scale of one to ten.” Less than one percent gave it a score lower than five. Top ranking services and/or offerings were books, movies and music, next was trained staff to answer questions, downloadable books, audiobooks, music, classes and events for adults, and computer and internet access. In terms of what they thought could be improved, interlibrary loans, book recommendations, mobile apps, and assistance with using computers, tablets, and other devices. (Central Kitsap Reporter, Silverdale, 07/11/14). http://www.centralkitsapreporter.com/news/266631861.html

The Upper Skagit Library district is trying to find a way to better serve the citizens of Concrete. The problem is the way the tax funding is set up. As it is, the Concrete Library serves county residents who live in the Concrete School District but outside of incorporated areas. The City of Concrete, where the library is located, is incorporated, therefore its residents are not eligible to use the library without purchasing a library card for $30. Even with a library card these residents do not have access to all of the library’s services such as access to the district’s other libraries. The options for the town are to either annex into the library district, which would require landowners to pay the same tax levy as the rest of the district or the city could contract with the library. (Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, 07/03/14).

Buildings

The Camano Island Library is tripling its space soon. The library is moving from a temporary home of 1,800 square feet to a permanent home in a former restaurant in approximately a year. More space and longer hours will enable the library to provide more programs and services to the community. (The Herald, Everett, 06/30/14). http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140630/NEWS01/140639966

Programs/Displays
The Mount Vernon City Library has extended its summer reading program to adults. Author William Dietrich kicked off the event with a reading from his works. A series of local author events is scheduled throughout the summer. (Skagit Argus, Burlington, 07/01/14).

Skagit County has six public libraries that sponsored Pacific Science Center’s mobile science programs with the intent of keeping kids learning throughout the summer. The kids learned about physics, liquid nitrogen and electricity, electrons, and chemistry. (Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, 07/18/14).

The theme for this summer’s reading program at Grand Coulee branch of North Central Regional Library is “Fizz, Boom, Read!” There are many activities and crafts, special presentations, and a reading challenge available for all ages. Activities included paper airplanes, balloon powered helicopters and balloon airplane races. There was Lego Day, Master Storyteller, Deb McVay, mad scientist puppeteers, energy demonstrations, and many other activities (The Star, Grand Coulee, 06/25/14). http://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2014/06/25/school/library-summer-reading-program-has-begun/4324.html

The Othello Summer Reading Program hosted a visit from the Pacific Science Center. Another event featured Bouncing Polymer Balls. There was also a Starters’ Party and Dissolving Rocks. Participants of the Summer Reading program who record 15 hours of reading between June 1 and August 8 will be rewarded with a free book and admission to the pool party. (The Outlook, Othello, 06/19/14). http://www.othellooutlook.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=24851&SectionID=14&SubSectionID=39&S=1

The Quincy Public Library had several events for kids in July including a puppet show, lizard key chain craft, kid’s Bingo, and others. (Quincy Valley Post, Quincy, 07/03/14).

Olympia Timberland Regional Library kicked off their summer program for kids with a play. Ancient Superheroes featured cast members of the Olympia Little Theater. The program theme of STEAM is a teen/youth oriented way of creating excitement for the academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The children’s program is Fizz, Boom, Read! (The Olympian, Olympia, 06/23/14). http://www.theolympian.com/2014/06/23/3195332/libraries-roll-out-program-for.html

Airway Heights Library hosted their first “Let’s Move Health Fair”. The library and the city collaborated on the event. The health fair featured several local businesses and organizations. (Cheney Free Press, Cheney, 07/10 http://www.cheneyfreepress.com/story/2014/07/10/more-news/airway-heights-community-library-hold-health-fair/14237.html

Timberland Libraries in McCleary, Elma, and Aberdeen are hosting local author, Beth Peterson who will talk about her book, “Life After Lighting”. The events are free and open to the public. (Daily World, Aberdeen, 07/12/14). http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/author-giving-presentation-libraries

The Upper Skagit Library hosted the Reptile Man in Concrete. The reptile presentation was the last of the events for the summer reading program, “Fizz, Boom, Read!” for all the libraries in the county. (Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, 08/1/14).

The Seattle Public Library hosted a free social skills workshop and dance in celebration of Chinese Valentine’s Day. It is hoped that library patrons will use the event to meet new people, learn some skills from the workshop, and have a good time. (Northwest Asian Weekly, 08/02/14). http://www.nwasianweekly.com/2014/08/chinese-valentine-party-meet-someone-seattle-public-library/