Clippings, September 17, 2008

Students in the Larson base area no longer need to drive to the library – the library will drive to them. The North Central Regional Library System’s brand new Bookmobile stopped at Larson Heights Elementary School Tuesday during the schools’ open house. Bookmobile Librarian Lucy Ford said students can obtain a library card application from their teachers.  When the Bookmobile returns, the students will receive their library card.  (with color photo) (Columbia Basin Herald [Moses Lake], 8-29-08)

There are a couple of ways to help put books in the hands of youths this fall.  South Sound Reading Foundation is a great place to drop off new and used children’s books.  The foundation is especially in need of books this time of year, with school starting up and its big fall Grand Slam Book Drive just around the corner in October.  Used books should be in good condition without a lot of wear and tear and little or no writing inside.  (The Olympian, 9-2-08)

Columbia County Heritage is a project of the Columbia County Rural Library District, in partnership with the Washington State Library.  It features 52 photographs of early school houses in Columbia County.  The grant agreement was entered into between the Office of the Secretary of State, Washington State Library and the Columbia County Rural Library District. (Dayton Chronicle, 9-3-08)

In 1908, a community library association opened a reading room in the back of Enos Guss’ barbershop on Front Street.  The room contained a collection of 40 books, making it Issaquah’s first library.  On Sept. 6, the library will celebrate its 100-year anniversary, and everyone is invited. (with photos) (Issaquah Press, 9-3-08)

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) serves all of Clallam County with four branches on the North Olympic Peninsula. More than 24,000 people (one out of every three county residents) use the Sequim, Port Angeles, Clallam Bay and Forks branches. NOLS extends library services beyond its brick and mortar facilities through the Outreach program, which uses volunteers to deliver books and other materials to people whose disabilities prevent them from traveling to the library.  (with color photos) (The Sequim Gazette, 9-3-08)

Kennewick High School students once again can use the library across the street from their school during lunch.  Mid-Columbia Library System officials this week reversed their policy banning students from the Keewaydin Park branch during lunchtime. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 9-5-08)

Elections:

The $2.3 million proposal to remodel and expand the Coupeville Library is in the books.  The results of two ballot measure were certified in the library’s favor Wednesday by the Island County auditor.  The plan is to increase the size of the library from 2,600 square feet  to 5,400 square feet, add a library programming room, put in space for more computers and double the amount of public seating.  (South Whidbey Record [Langley], 9-6-08)

Buildings:

A $150,000 renovation of the Newport Public Library, part of the King County Library System, will begin in mid-September and will last an estimated five to six weeks. The library will be closed during the construction period.  While the Newport Library is closed its staff of six people will be receiving training to enhance their computer software skills, cataloguing new materials and doing planning and reorganization. (Newport Miner, 9-3-08)

The Stevens County Library system, particularly the Colville, Kettle Falls, and Nine Mile Falls sites are looking into expansion down the road. Due to growth in patronage and donated and purchased items, the libraries are in need of more room. But it is still uncertain on how more space is going to be acquired. Public meetings on the issue of library growth will be announced at a later date. (Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 9-3-08)

Budgetary approvals and a charity program dominated the Tonasket City Council meeting on Aug. 26.  The council discussed an addition for the public library, a member of the North Central Regional Library System, in Tonasket. Resident Chris Zaferes asked the council to look into buying the land around the library so that it could be expanded.  (Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune [Oroville], 9-4-08)

The Seattle Public Library is releasing a report Friday about completion of the $196.4 million taxpayer-funded Libraries for All program that resulted in the replacement, expansion or renovation of libraries throughout the city, including the Central Library, designed by Rem Koolhaas. Libraries for All, which was passed by Seattle voters 10 years ago, was the most comprehensive library initiative in the country, according to Seattle Public Library. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 9-8-08)

Something for everyone, 27 libraries tailored to Seattle communities. In a city that debates public works projects to oblivion and tends to resist investing lavishly in itself, the ballot proposition avoided typical Seattle rancor, passing with 70 percent of the vote. With the opening of the Magnolia branch earlier this summer, construction of all 27 libraries is now complete – on time and without voters being hit up for more money.  (with color photos) (Seattle Times, 9-12-08)

Central Library, part of the Seattle Public Library System, is refinishing public restrooms.  Work includes refinishing wall and floor surfaces in men’s and women’s public restrooms on Levels 1, 4, and 7. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 9-13-08)

Letters and Editorials:

Q&A session with Rem Koolhaas, architect of the Central Library, part of the Seattle Public Library System.  Koolhaas is speaking at the celebration for the conclusion of the “Libraries for All” building program. (with photo) (Seattle Times, 9-9-08)

People:

After 50 years of public service to her community, Barbara Cobean, librarian at Key Center Library, part of the Pierce County Library system, is retiring at the end of September. Cobean began her public service career at the public school library systems of Pierce County and continued it with a transfer to the Key Center Library just over 21 years ago. (with photo) (Key Peninsula News [Vaughn], 9-2008)

With 17 years of library experience, Francisco Garcia-Ortiz was named manager of the Yakima Valley Regional Library in Sunnyside last month.  Hailing from Spain, Garcia-Ortiz came to the United States four years ago.  Up until that point, he had been working in libraries in Spain since 1991. He is full of ideas to bring new programs and changes to the library.  (with color photo) (Daily News [Sunnyside], 9-4-08)

Marsha Donaldson still remember, as a child, checking out a book from the local library and seeing the stamps of all the others who had checked out the same book. From that grew the new Seattle library passport, launched Saturday, a unique stamp for every branch, affixed in a passport book.  The idea began about four years ago when Donaldson and her husband, Bill Ferris, decided to visit every library as it was rebuilt or remodeled under the “Libraries for All” project, which is now completed. (with photo) (Seattle Times/Post Intelligencer, 9-14-08)

Awards:

In partnership with the Heritage Network, the Stevens County Rural Library District is digitally preserving photos and documents through the Washington Rural Heritage Project. The Rural Heritage grant was awarded by the Office of the Secretary of State, Washington State Library Division, funded by the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).  (Tri-County Tribune [Deer Park], 8-27-08)

The Ellensburg Public Library received a $2,000 grant allowing it to digitize 83 historic rodeo photographs for public use. The money allocated is from federal funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Se
rvices (IMLS).  (with photo) ( Daily Record [Ellensburg], 8-30-08)

Programs and Displays:        

A trip into the past provided a look at the future here Wenesday.  Using a genealogy workshop in an unlikely place, the Walla Walla County Rural Library District debuted a flock of new computers ready to expand Internet services to outlying communities. Set up for wireless operation, the 12 laptop computers will allow library workers to set up labs in places like Touchet’s Community Park. (with photo) (Walla Walla Union Bulletin, 8-28-08)

The public is invited to take apart in two monthly book discussion groups starting in September at the White Salmon Valley Community Library, part of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District.  An evening group will be meeting on selected Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., and an afternoon group will be meeting on selected Saturdays at 1 p.m. Books and schedules are now available at the library. (The Enterprise [White Salmon], 9-4-08)

Summer Reading:

New children’s librarian Jessica Maria has organized an assortment of activities for children and teens this summer, both centered around distinct themes.  Young children were encouraged to “Catch the Reading Bug!” The summer theme for teens is “Metamorphosis.” (with photo) (Renton Reporter [Kent], 8-27-08)

Mill Creek Children’s Librarian Mickey Gallagher promised children he would eat a worm for every 100 kids that signed up for the library’s summer reading program. 1800 kids signed up, so he ate 18 freeze-dried meal worms on top of a cheeseburger. Hands shaking, eyes closed – the celebrity librarian took an enormous bite, fulfilling his promise. (with color photos) (Millcreek Enterprise [Lynnwood], 8-29-08)

With more than one million total minutes logged, the Camas Public Library’s summer kids reading program witnessed an 81 percent increase over 2007.  A total of 1,756 young readers registered. The teen program also saw a 79 percent increase over last year in minutes read with approximately 349,000 among 274 registrants. (Camas-Washougal Post Record, 9-2-08)

Book Sales:  

N/A

[This summary of library news was created by Leanna Hammond and Susan Barrett of the Washington State Library Division of the Office of the Secretary of State. It represents a newspaper clippings packet from all Washington newspapers received on the date shown. For more information about any of these stories, contact Susan at 360-570-5561 or [email protected].]

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.