Library News
The University of Washington Libraries Special Collections has created a documentary from 35mm film discovered in an abandoned Seattle storage locker. The film, circa 1920’s, depicts the everyday happenings of people in Grays Harbor County. Created by Nicollete Bromberg, visual materials curator and Hannah Palin, film archive specialist, the 28 minute documentary, Grays Harbor Happenings, has garnered several awards and can be viewed on YouTube. (The Seattle Times, Seattle, 07/28/2014). http://seattletimes.com/html/movies/
2024106672_preciousfilmsxml.html

Seattle’s International District is home to the Eastern Café. In addition to food, coffee, and people there is a library. This library is the API Flying Bookshelf, a traveling library specializing in the works of Asian and Pacific Islander writers, artists, and scholars. Everything is based on the honor system and people may take a book and return it when they are done- no fines, no due dates. The API Flying Bookshelf covers a wide range of genres and issues and the plan is to “fly” it to different cafes throughout Seattle. (International Examiner, Seattle, 0716/2014). http://www.iexaminer.org/2014/07/api-flying-bookshelf-a-library-of-art-literature-and-visibility/\

The Morton City Council plans to discuss plans to put a Timberland Regional Library at the Morton Junior High School. Last fall, TRL officials in cooperation with Central College East (CC East) installed a library kiosk at the CC East campus for patrons. (The East County Journal, Morton, 06/18/14).

The Queen Anne Little Free Library was vandalized recently. The Library was created to honor the spirit of a Vietnam veteran by his widow, Michelle Nash. She installed the library on what would have been their 43rd wedding anniversary. Bob Nash was injured in the war and was a paraplegic. He and Michelle shared a love of books and reading. The community pulled together to help stock the library and Michelle will continue keep it going. (http://www.queenannenews.com/Content/News/News/Article/QA-Little-Free-Library-vandalized/26/337/36033

Sno-Isle Libraries are hoping to build the next generation of library users by kicking off a research and engagement project targeting 13-29 year olds. The objective is to show Gen YZ that Sno-Isle Libraries fit very well into their tech savvy, mobile lifestyle. The early data collection process will focus on library card holders, demographic, geographic, and trend analysis, online customer surveys, and non-customer focus groups. (The Edmonds Beacon, Mukilteo, 07/03/2014).

People with hearing aids have a new service at the Burlington Library. The hearing loop makes it possible for people with hearing aids to filter out background noises and concentrate on what they want to listen to. It works by transmitting magnetic energy directly into a person’s hearing device fitted with a telecoil (or T-coil) using a series of wires placed around a room or area. Joanna and Jerry Olmstead, who both rely on hearing aids approached library director, Maggie Buckholz, with the idea of using the loop. While Ms. Buckhoz thought the idea was great, the $6,000 cost was prohibitive. The Olmstead’s began fundraising efforts and with community support the cost was covered. It allows the hard of hearing to participate in community and government discussions. (Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, 07/14/14).

The Port Townsend Public Library is moving back home! After more than two years the Carnegie Library. The temporary library closed on July 13. The Carnegie Library re-opened on Aug 3. Seismic retrofits and refurbishing were completed and the children’s area re-done. The Port Townsend Public Library Foundation, the Friends of the Port Townsend Library, the Wallis family, and Gray Wolf Ranch provided funds for the refurbishing of the library. (The Leader, Port Townsend, 07/02/14).

The La Center library celebrated their 10th anniversary with two special events on June 25. The Summer Reading event bookmark design winners were acknowledged and Margaret Colf Hepola was the special guest of honor for the celebration. She was the driving force behind the relocation and conversion of an old house- once the community hospital- into the library. (Reflector, Battle Ground, 07/02/14).

The Grays Harbor County vote on a new hospital district may impact Timberland Regional Library District. TRL is planning for the worst and hoping for the best. TRL stretches over five counties and must use the same property tax levy in all of its jurisdictions. There are a number of different proposals being looked at to off-set the impact of the new hospital district should it be approved. (Daily World, Aberdeen, 07/08/14).

Columbia Bank donated $500 to the newly formed North Olympic Library Foundation. The Foundation was formed by concerned citizens as a way to augment public funding that mainly consists of property taxes. (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, 07/06/14).

The Harrington Public Library is modernizing its system to eventually replace the card catalogue system. Gary Bortel of the Washington State Library came to the library to instruct librarians on how to use the system. Carol, Susan Larmer, and Marge Womach spent about four hours learning the system and practicing using it. (Odessa Record, Odessa, 07/03/2014).

The Davenport City Library has become the first in Lincoln County to utilize the ARRA-funded connection the NoaNet’s broadband Fiber. Internet speeds at the library have gone from 1.5 Mbps to and average of 20 to 25 Mbps. Patrons are encouraged to come and experience the new fast speed internet for themselves. (Davenport Times, Davenport, 06/19/14).

The Cedar Rivers Library closing will have some impact on the event scheduled at Liberty Park. The city and the contractor are working together to ensure that the impact is minimal. There will be fences and signs to direct people safely around in the construction area while still allowing access to the Park’s amenities. (Renton Reporter, Renton, 06/20/14).

Buildings
Kitsap Regional Library is reviewing three site proposals for the new Silverdale branch library. KRL did not release details about the site options but will be allowing public comments until August 15. (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, 07/01/2014).

Library patrons in Ridgefield, Washougal, and Woodland, were invited to voice their opinions and visions for the new libraries. There were three meetings all part of the first round of the pre-design process as the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District looks to improve services and facilities in the three communities. (The Columbian, Vancouver, 07/05/14). http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/jul/05/library-predesign-meetings-tuesday/

The Renton library design is set to begin construction August 2014. The 14,700 square foot Renton Highlands Library is slated to take approximate one year to complete. The design of the building was inspired by airplane hangers, with a wide, tall central space for the library collection. It will have a main reading room, children’s area, teen section, quiet room, community meeting room, and staff work and lounge areas. (Daily Journal of Commerce, Seattle, 07/24/2014). http://www.djc.com/news/ae/12068048.html?query=Renton+Library&searchtype=all

South Whatcom Library is closed indefinitely due to structural instability discovered in a pre-remodel inspection. The inspection found that three pillars in the former horse barn where the library is housed had been weakened due to an infestation of woo-boring powderpost beetles. The condition was such that it was unsafe for human occupation. Some of the scheduled library activities have been moved to the YMCA portion of the building. The library will have to move to a temporary location while repairs are being done. (Bellingham Herald, Bellingham, 07/02/14). http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/07/02/3729379/beetle-infestation-forces-closure.html

Letters & Editorials
The Everett bookmobile is a needed service. The proposed budget cuts in which the bookmobile would be eliminated would cause seniors to not be able to obtain the library services they need. (The Herald, Everett, 06/13/14).

The third anniversary of the opening of the Vancouver Community Library was a typical day. More than 1,500 people come through the doors on a “typical” day and since its opening three years ago, it has become a central part of the community. It boasts the largest early learning center in the nation and is an “outstanding example of what a modern library should be.” The $38 million structure was jumpstarted with a $5 million gift from Steve and Jan Oliva. In addition to providing traditional library services, it also provides community event space and was used not long ago for a job assistance workshop hosted by Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler. It is also home to the Vancouver Watersheds Alliance’s film festival and donates space for the monthly Art Walk. (The Columbian, Vancouver, 07/18/14).

The Port Townsend Public Library was formed in 1995 as a nonprofit charitable organization. It provides services and facilities to the library over and above those which are financed by the traditional tax-based funding. This year, the foundation has committed approximately $117,000 to the acquisition of a new circulation desk, two mobile reference and service desks, express checkout stations, public catalog stations, computer tables and chairs, reading/lounge chairs, and mobile display units. http://www.ptleader.com/opinion/library-foundation-our-mission-work-will-never-stop/article_c3998828-0165-11e4-8912-001a4bcf6878.html

Security cameras will be installed at the Aberdeen Timberland Library for safety and security reasons. Cameras are being installed a in the system’s larger city libraries to “hopefully deter illegal activities.” There have been threats of violence to both patrons and staff of the Aberdeen Library. The video is triggered by motion and will be transmitted back to the Timberland Regional Library’s service center. (Daily World, Aberdeen, 07/05/2014). http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/security-cameras-be-installed-aberdeen-timberland-library

Bob Krueger urges Ocean Shores residents to vote yes for the library. He relates his own experiences and the positive influence the library has had and still has on him. ( The North Coast News, Ocean Shores, 07/03/2014).

People
Puyallup Public Library hosted Tacoma young adult author, Marissa Meyer, for discussion of her books, including the popular Lunar Chronicles. Meyer’s stated that her initial idea was to recreate fairy tale characters with a science fiction twist. “Cinder”, the first book in the series, is a re-telling of the Cinderella fairy tale and her second, Scarlett, follows the Little Red Riding Hood story. (The Herald, Puyallup, 07/09/14). http://www.puyallupherald.com/2014/07/07/3278068/puyallup-public-library-welcomes.html

Candidates for the Library Director position for Pierce County Library System will have the opportunity to participate in a public forum on August 22 via Skype. The open forum will allow the public to ask questions and give input into the process. Neel Parikh, the director for the past 20 years, will retire in November. The Board of Trustees hopes to have make and offer by the end of August and have a new director on board before the end of this year. (South Pierce County Dispatch, 07/02/14).

Programs/Displays
The opening of the Summer Reading Program at the Hesseltine Public Library was a great success. Fourteen children attended and were treated to a discussion of galaxies, the solar system, the moon, the sun, the earth, comets, and more otherworldly happenings. The children were given pictures of the milky way and outlined the different arms of the galaxy with glue and glitter. They then used Oreos and a paper plate to show the phases of the moon. Then they ate the Oreos! (Wilbur Register, Wilbur, 07/03/2014).

The downtown Spokane Library is hosting “Discover Earth”, an interactive exhibit designed to pique questions about the world around us. The exhibit is a traveling collection of personal stories, graphics, videos, animations, artifacts, animal specimens and simulation based games. It is a “museum quality” exhibit with eight touch screen displays with games and activities, dramatic weather related videos, animal displays showing how animals adapt to their environment, an 18 inch interactive, light-up Earth with visualizations of various global systems. (Spokesman Review, Spokane, 06/27/14). http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/jun/27/library-exhibit-tackles-earths-mysteries/

The Upper Skagit Library kicked off its Summer Reading 2014 program in partnership with the United General Hospital District 304 hosting the National Summer Learning day. The mayor of Concrete, Jason Miller, read silly stories to kids, and literacy themed water games. Also a visit from the Pacific Science Center van, Reptile Man, and Silly Saturdays are on the summer program agenda. (Concrete Herald, Concrete, 07/00/14).

The Waterville Library hosted an event with entertainer Louis Foxx and his daughter and assistant, Ella. This was a fast paced show with a lot of audience participation. Foxx, a self-described “Asian Buddy Holly” wears black framed glasses to enhance the “resemblance”. Robert Moreno and Marly Jones participated in several tricks. The kids enjoyed the performance from beginning to end. The library will host at least one program a week during the summer months. The programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Library. (Douglas County Empire Press, East Wenatchee, 07/03/14).

Processer Library held their first Library Lab in June. WSU student volunteers led a group of 26 students and adults in a demonstration of water bottle rocket making. Kids learned about the chemical reaction of baking soda and vinegar and the explosive power of CO2 first hand. There were also demonstrations of forensic science, alpaca wool crafts, and the joys and challenges of pet ownership. (Record-Bulletin, Prosser, 06/18/14).

Kids in the Wilbur, Davenport, Harrington, Reardan, Sprague and Odessa Libraries would will soon have access to more STEM-oriented books, DVEs and other materials and activities thanks to a grant from the Inland Northwest Foundation. The libraries take part in the Collaborative Summer Reading Program, which is sponsored by the Washington State Library. Carolyn Petersen, from WSL, said the grant money will enable the local libraries to increase children’s awareness of science, technology, engineering, and math education through their summer reading program. The grant also provides each library $250 to pay for the Mobius Science Center to visit each library and perform a family STEM program. (Wilbur Register, Wilbur, 06/16/14).

Waterville Library hosted several programs aimed at all ages in June. Seattle magician Louie Foxx appeared with Science of the Side Show. The Chelan County PUD will present “Zap, Crackle, Zing!- How Energy Works”. All events were free and were part of the summer reading program, “Fizz, Boom, Read!”. (Douglas County Empire Press, East Wenatchee, 06/19/14