Library Clippings for the week of February 20, 2015

Library News

IRS makes fewer forms available at libraries (The Mukilteo Beacon, Mukilteo, 1/28/15)

Off the shelf: library news by Prosser branch staff
Storytimes are held every week in February. Preschool storytimes are held at the Prosser McDonalds on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. in the play area; Baby & Me storytimes are held at the Senior Center on Fridays at 11:00 a.m. For more information, visit our website at www.midcolumbialibraries.org. (Record-Bulletin, Prosser, 1/28/15)

IRS makes fewer forms available for library customers
Because of Internal Revenue Service cutbacks, Snohomish and Island County residents seeking printed tax forms will find fewer of them in their community libraries. “Some basic forms will be available, but even the number of those will be limited,” said Terry Beck, information services manager for Sno-Isle Libraries. Forms available in the library will include 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ, as well as some tax-help publications. Beck said customers at their 21 community libraries can use their computers to access the IRS forms online, then make free copies using their printers. For more information, visit their website at www.sno-isle.org/taxtime. (The Edmonds Beacon, Mukilteo, 1/29/15)

Buy books in February to help support the library
During the month of February the Friends of the Library’s year-round bookstore will be having a special 2-for-1 sale on all books to make room for new selections. The bookstore, located at Ephrata Public Library, is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Grant County Journal, Ephrata, 1/29/15)

Library effort begins in Rock Island
A group of Rock Island school teachers is leading an effort to bring public library access to the City of Rock Island. The city is one of just a handful in Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan and Ferry counties that are not already part of the North Central Regional Library. Being part of the library would open up opportunities to check out books and movies, have access to research materials and mail-order services, and bring the library district’s bookmobile to the community of 790 residents just south of East Wenatchee, said Theresa Sloan, a reading teacher at Rock Island Elementary School who is helping with the effort. (The Wenatchee World, Wenatchee, 1/30/15)

Library friends
The Port Angeles Friends of the Library are taking renewals and accepting new members. The Friends provide direct financial assistance for materials and programs that are beyond the Port Angeles Library’s budget. For information on membership renewal or becoming a member, request a membership form by emailing [email protected] or writing to Friends of the Library, P.O. Box 1720, Port Angeles, WA 98362. (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, 2/2/15)

Cle Elum holds off on library contract (Daily Record, Ellensburg, 2/4/15)

Small turnout for library meeting
Proponents of a plan to bring the city of Rock Island into the North Central Regional Library system say they are undaunted by the low turnout at an organizational meeting Tuesday. Some 200 invitations were sent out but just a handful of people attended the meeting, most of them speaking against the idea of paying a library tax. Rock Island is one of just a few cities in Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan, and Ferry counties that are not already part of the library system. The Rock Island City Council would like to see widespread public support before allowing a ballot measure on the issue. Property owners within the library district pay 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation to have access to library services. (The Wenatchee World, Wenatchee, 2/4/15)

Some in shock over firing of library chief (The News Tribune, Tacoma, 2/12/15)

Buildings

Displaced South Whatcom Library relocating (Bellingham Herald, Bellingham, 1/18/15)

Taking advantage of sunny days
Solar panels were installed on the roof of the Anacortes Public Library on January 7. The 17-kilowatt photovoltaic system is funded by Anacortes Library Community Solar, an LLC formed for just this purpose. The system will be handed over to the city in 2020 for $1. (Anacortes American, Anacortes, 1/21/15)

Boom in borrowing (Spokesman Review, Spokane, 1/22/15)

Future site of library debated (The Herald, Everett, 1/22/15)

Sprucing up the library gardens (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, 1/27/15)

Capitol Hill library gets mini-makeover (Capitol Hill Times, Seattle, 1/29/15)

Letters & Editorials

A welcome advance in library services (Daily Record, Ellensburg, 1/23/15)

Library, city hall must be in ‘core’ (The Herald, Everett, 1/25/15)

Library aims to be a place where people can connect with others (The Herald, Puyallup, 1/28/15)

People

Ephrata grad Aaron Loeffelbein checks in at the SL library
Aaron Loeffelbein, known to many in the Ephrata area for his musical talent, is writing a new chapter as the librarian at Soap Lake’s public library. The Grant County native previously worked at the Ephrata library. He replaces Suzi Crapson, who is the new children’s librarian in Moses Lake. (Grant Co. Journal, Ephrata, 1/15/15)

Programs/Displays

DP Library to join ‘The Big Read’
The Deer Park Library will take part in the Spokane County Library District’s 2015 “Big Read.” This year, the Big Read centers around Jack London’s “Call of the Wild.” Several programs are scheduled during the months of February and March. (Deer Park Tribune, Deer Park, 1/21/15)

Teens take active role in planning library programs (The Herald, Puyallup, 1/21/15)

Free climate change talks scheduled in Port Hadlock (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, 1/23/15)

Gallery presents mixed media show
Mixed media works by artist Bonnie Bucknam will be on display at the Camas Public Library through February 28. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, Camas, 1/27/15)

Pierce County Library provides free coding education to youth (The Herald, Puyallup, 1/28/15)

Gadget Fair well attended, repeats this Friday [Correction to photo caption: “Jay Olayvar” should be “Joe Olayvar”] (The Wahkiakum County Eagle, Cathlamet, 1/29/15)

Tax help begins at OS library
Through a program administered by AARP with sponsorship from the IRS, free income tax assistance and preparation of personal income tax returns is available at the Ocean Shores Library. Sessions are held from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from February 4 through April 14. (The North Coast News, Ocean Shores, 1/29/15)

How do they love poems? (The News Tribune, Tacoma, 2/8/15)

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[This summary of library news represents a selection of current newspaper clippings about Washington libraries received from Washington newspapers. The summary is created by Leanna Hammond and Marilyn Lindholm of the Washington State Library, a Division of the Office of the Secretary of State. For further information about this summary or the clippings listed, contact Shirley Lewis at 360.570.5567 or [email protected].]