Clippings, September 28, 2009
Library News
Patrons of the Ritzville Public Library are being reminded of its overdue policy. The policy states that a fine of 10 cents per day per item will be charged for any item overdue, until the price of the item(s) has been reached. Use of the library’s public computers is denied to patrons with overdue fines. (Ritzville-Adams County Journal, 9.10.09)
Ritzville Public Library Director Robin Braun was among many rural librarians who took a training course on ProQuest, a powerful Internet database that allows users to access magazine stories, product reviews, medical information and other items. Braun said “Kids and adults alike will thoroughly enjoy using it. It will open up new worlds of information and knowledge.” For more information about ProQuest, contact Will Stuivenga at the Washington State Library at 360.704.5217 or [email protected]. (Ritzville-Adams County Journal, 9.10.09) [Editor’s note: The program is administered by Will Stuivenga at the Washington State Library using federal, LSTA funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services]
The estimated 2010 Pierce County Library System budget shortfall of up to $958,000 will not affect plans to bring future services to Fife residents. The system plans to cut $1 million per year over the next three years from the system’s budget to cope with the shortfall; however, they are still committed to their partnership with the city of Fife to bring services to the community. (Fife Free Press [Tacoma], 9.10.09) http://www.fifefreepress.com/article/678/
The Libraries of Stevens County are stressing the need for a library card. “A library card has always been the most important school supply of all,” says Library Director Amanda McKeraghan. (Deer Park Tribune, 9.16.09)
Staff of the Kitsap Regional Library toured the Manchester branch and will be touring each of their other branches to collect public input as they create their next Strategic Plan. A final Strategic Plan is expected in early 2010. (Independent [Port Orchard], 9.18.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/news/59616502.html
The Port Orchard City Council’s list of seven specific requirements for redevelopment of the library building could develop into a blueprint for downtown Port Orchard. The City Council will be looking at all of the available options as they plan for the city’s long-term goals.
(Photo) (Independent [Port Orchard], 9.18.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/news/59649087.html
When the Roy city council passed a motion to close the Roy City Library for the month of September, nine kids took matters into their own hands. They held two car washes and put donation jars in businesses to raise money to keep the library open. Because of their effort, the library remained open throughout the month of September. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 9.18.09)
Recent claims by the union that represents Bellingham Public Library workers that the department took the biggest budget cuts appear to be inaccurate, according to statistics provided by Mayor Dan Pike’s administration. (Bellingham Herald, 9.22.09) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/1079698.html
Two unions representing the city of Bellingham’s fire dispatch staff and librarians have agreed to 2010 contracts without cost of living increases. The agreements reached will help the city save jobs. (Bellingham Herald, 9.23.09) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/1081338.html
A public hearing for the 2010 Libraries of Stevens County budget will take place at the next Board of Trustees meeting Oct. 15 at 4 p.m. in the basement of the Colville Public Library. Community members are encouraged to attend to voice questions and comments about the proposed budget. (The Independent [Chewelah], 9.24.09)
In his final budget as Seattle’s mayor, Greg Nickels proposes eliminating more than 300 city jobs, requiring furloughs from all employees and raiding the city’s rainy day fund. Public libraries will take a 5 percent cut, about $2.8 million, and will have another weeklong closure.
(Photo) (Seattle Times, 9.26.09) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009945852_budget26m.html
The Tacoma Public Library recently launched Help Now for students in grades three through 12. Students throughout Pierce County can get free help with homework, boost basic skills such as reading comprehension and even have their writing critiqued by trained tutors through services offered online by public libraries. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 10.1.09) http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/900087.html
The policy to charge for overdue books, CDs, videos and other library materials went into effect in the five-county Timberland Regional Library system last week. That’s a first in the 40-year history of the Timberland Regional Library system. The new fines are expected to bring in $200,000 next year. While some will criticize Timberland officials for moving to fines, others will recognize that it’s time for library patrons to take personal responsibility for their library materials and ensure that they are returned on time. (The Olympian, 10.6.09)
http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/994368.html
Elections:
Sno-Isle Libraries will ask the community for a levy increase on the Nov. 3 ballot. The ballot measure would increase the library district’s levy rate by 9 cents per $1,000 in assessed value. If the levy passes, the library system will receive an additional $4.8 million a year. (Photo) (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 9.23.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/wnt/news/60420302.html
Buildings:
The King County Library System is seeking bids for the construction of the Kenmore Library. The $10.5 million project will replace a 1962 retail building that has been home to the city’s post office. The 9,500-square-foot library will have a large, open reading area with books, materials, computers, space for children and teens, and a community meeting room. (Photo) (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 9.17.09)
The new Cascade Park Library (Fort Vancouver Regional Library) will open Dec. 15. Paid for by a $43 million construction bond measure approved by voters in September 2006, the facility can hold up to 90,000 volumes. (Photos) (Columbian [Vancouver], 9.23.09) http://columbian.com/article/20090923/NEWS02/709239959/-1/NEWS
Letters & Editorials:
We are lucky in Snohomish and Island counties to have a library system as excellent and accessible as Sno-Isle Libraries. I can only wonder about the criticism leveled against Sno-Isle in the letter to the editor on Sept. 12 (“Scaled-down version is still too much.”) I have a different perspective. (The Daily Herald [Everett], 9.19.09) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090919/OPINION02/709199986
Nobody likes to lose city services, but times are tough and we support Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike in making the tough choices needed to bring the city budget in line with lower revenues. And as much as we love libraries and parks, they are not as important as police or fire effort. In the long run, they are not even as important as property planning for the redevelopment of the waterfront, which could provide a much-needed economic stimulus for our community during the next 20 years. (Bellingham Herald, 9.20.09) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/315/story/1076040.html
As lifelong library customers, residents of Coupeville, and active supporters of the Coupeville Library expansion project, we were surprised and dismayed to read the misinformation in the Sept. 5 letter to the editor. We believe that our tax dollars are being spent as the voters intended. (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 9.23.09)
Phil Heikkinen, Orcas Island Public Library Director, compliments those who have served and continue to serve on the library’s Book Selection Committee. Heikkinen invites anyone with a love of books, music, or movies, and who believes in the mission of your public library, to contact him if interested in joining the committee. (The Island Sounder [Eastsound], 9.23.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/sanjuans/isj/opinion/letters/60289687.html
I listened to the Monday, Sept. 14, Bellingham City Council meeting and speeches of some of the supporters of the library. The City of Bellingham is choosing to lay off seven library employees and restrict hours of our central library. I hope the council and may reconsider this decision. (Bellingham Herald, 9.24.09) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/letters/story/1080782.html
Jonathan Evison’s first novel “All About Lulu” won critical acclaim, launched a national book tour, netted a film deal and this month, and beat out a host of literary luminaries to win the 2009 Washington State Book Award. With the win, Evison joins a select group that reads like a who’s who of the Northwest’s most respected writers: Jonathan Raban, Ivan Doig, Sherman Alexie, Raymond Carver. (The Seattle Times, 10.1.09) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009982584_apwabookawardwinner1stldwritethru.html
Awards:
The Makah and Jamestown S’Klallam tribes will use grants from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services to document and archive aspects of their history. The Makah tribe of Neah Bay was awarded $149,999 for a genealogical project called “We Are All Family” and the Jamestown S’Klallam of Blyn was awarded $145,733 for digital conversion of archival materials. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 9.16.09)
[Editor’s note: The grant was awarded by the Washington State Library using federal, LSTA funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services]
The Washington State Book Awards sponsored by the Washington Center for the Book recognizes outstanding Washington authors for books published the previous year. Winners will pick up their awards at an Oct. 14 ceremony. For a complete list of winners and finalists in each category, go to the Seattle Public Library’s website at www.spl.org. (Photo) (Seattle Times, 9.21.09) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2009896437_litlife21.html
Programs & Displays:
Columbia City edition of the Seattle Bookfest will be held the weekend of Oct. 24-25 and the festival lineup will include more than 60 local authors, bookstores, presses and publishers. Seattle Public Library is one of the event sponsors. (Seattle Times, 9.17.09) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2009879573_bookfest17.html
A unique collection of images and stories about San Juan Island is now available online. The digital collection includes documents, paintings and photos that help tell the story of San Juan Island and the lives of its inhabitants. The San Juan Story Collection was funded with a grant awarded by the Office of the Secretary of State, Washington State Library Division. The grant was funded by the Library Services and Technology Act through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. (Photos) (The Journal of the San Juan Islands [Friday Harbor], 9.23.09)
Scholar and re-enactor George Dauler will bring philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to life in 10 free performances during the next week. The series opens Tuesday, October 13 at 10 a.m. in a downtown Vancouver landmark that was built through Carnegie’s generosity, the Clark County Historical Museum at 1511 Main St. The building was constructed 100 years ago as a Carnegie library. Carnegie, who died in 1919, was one of the world’s richest industrialists and, later, a noted philanthropist. As part of his philanthropy, he funded more than 3,000 libraries. (Photo) (Columbian [Vancouver], 10.5.09)
Economy/Hard Times:
Looking for ways to save money is a popular activity lately and now some Pierce County residents may find relief from their local libraries. The month of October is the Pierce County Library System’s third annual card drive and during Oct. 4 through Oct. 10 fees may be wiped from library card holder’s records. A one-week amnesty from fines or fees will be offered. Amnesty should help respond to the economic downturn and reduce further pressure to people, while welcoming them back to the library. (Bonney Lake Sumner Courier-Herald [Kent], 9.16.09)
[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 Carolyn Petersen at 360.570.5560 or [email protected] ]
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
