Library News

Whitman County Library Director Kristie Kirkpatrick reported to the Palouse City council on the Palouse Library and praised the community’s dedication, support, and patronage of the branch as the reason the library excels in performance measures.  (The Eagle & Boomerang [Moscow ID/Palouse WA], 10.15.09)

Use of public libraries in local cities has increased dramatically since last fall and, in response, librarians are now asking for more funding from Kittitas County government in 2010.  (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 10.15.09)

Fort Vancouver Regional Library District (FVRL), of which the Goldendale Library is a part, has posted the results of an online survey taken by 3,979 library cardholders.  The purpose of the survey was to 1) gauge the level of library patron support for initiating late fees for items returned after the due date; 2) assess opinions of FVRL performance; and 3) identify new services or changes in services in which patrons are interested.  (Sentinel [Goldendale], 10.15.09) http://www.goldendalesentinel.com/features/2009features/10-15-09_features.htm

Because several teenagers won’t let the library go down without a fight, Roy City Council commended their efforts with a standing ovation Monday night.  After raising $600 to keep the library open through the month of September, they are at it again. All of the funds need to be raised by Nov. 8 to keep the library open throughout the next month. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 10.16.09)

Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation, in partnership with corporate sponsors, raised $19,000 through the “Stay Home and Read a Book” fundraiser.  (Stanwood Camano News [Stanwood], 10.20.09) http://www.scnews.com/news/2009-10-20/General_News/SnoIsle_raises_19000_in_Stay_Home__Read_fundraiser.html

Mount Vernon will offer free library cards to Anacortes residents if that city reciprocates with cards for residents of Mount Vernon.  As proposed, the reciprocal borrowing agreement between Mount Vernon and Anacortes would start Dec. 1 and last at least until Jan. 1, 2011.  (Skagit Argus [Burlington], 10.21.09)

The union that represents employees of the North Olympic Library system agreed to take two, one-week furloughs in 2010 to reduce the need for layoffs.  The Library Board has not yet voted on the measure and still has the option to balance the budget by reducing staff.  The board is expected to vote on the budget Nov. 19.  (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles, 10.23.09) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009310239982

 

Buildings

The Redmond Regional Library, a part of the King County Library System, completed its $1.6 million interior improvement project.  Among other interior finishes and lighting upgrades, the project included new way-finding signage, circulations desks, expanded areas for teens and world languages, and reconfiguration of the public computer area and self checkout stations.  (Photos)  (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 10.17.09) 

The Whitman County Rural Library District has requested bids to perform interior and exterior improvements to the Colfax Branch Library including installation of a new elevator, reconfiguration of existing stairs, handicap accessibility improvements and upgrade of finishes in the facility.  (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 10.17.09)

Letters & Editorials

What is the Whatcom County Library system thinking?  All of us are making do with less income and higher expenses in the current economy.  Yet, the Library board seems oblivious to the general hardships facing the public and has cavalierly proposed a tax increase for the coming November election.  (Foothills Gazette [Maple Falls], 10.12.09)

 

Thank you for your recent article about the Grand Coulee Friends of the Library (GC FoL).  I wanted to clear up an apparent misunderstanding.  It is not, and has never been, a stated or written goal of the GC FoL  to, as the article put it, “expand its influence” over the library’s affairs.  Please let your readers know that the GC FoL is a volunteer run organization, and all administrative costs are paid through the support of our members. (The Star [Grand Coulee], 10.14.09)

Kittitas County Commissioners should continue to provide funding that allows county residents to make use of city libraries, but the county should not be the sole contributor of funding for a library. Unfortunately that is the case in the city of Kittitas. (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 10.17.09)

I recently completed ten years on the board of the Whatcom County Library System.  Any diminishment of hours or staff would be such a blow to the library service Whatcom County wants and deserves.  Please, vote YES on Proposition One!  (Westside Record-Journal [Ferndale], 10.21.09)

In April we wrote an editorial saying the Whatcom County Library System should not request a tax increase now, during the worst economic conditions in decades.  Last week we met with library officials and the leader of the “Libraries Yes” lobbying group to talk about why they are requesting the increase on this year’s general election ballot.  That meeting left us with two impressions:   First, we believe that members of the current library management is doing everything they can to try and run operations efficiently while still giving residents an exemplary library. They need more money to keep service levels unchanged.  Second, it’s still the wrong time to ask for a tax increase. We believe taxpayers would rather have slightly reduced service hours than a tax increase at this time.   (The Bellingham Herald Online, 10.25.09)  http://www.bellinghamherald.com/615/story/1127393.html

Life is full of ironies, but here’s a whopper: Seattle, one of America’s most literate cities, home to the Gates Foundation global libraries initiative, may have to shut most of its libraries two days a week. Since 2000, library usage in the city has soared; from 4.5 million in-person and virtual visitors to 13.2 million in 2008, according to the library.  Nevertheless, responding to Mayor Greg Nickels’ directive to city departments to cut budgets in response to a $72 million revenue shortfall, the library is proposing a 23 percent reduction in library hours.  (Seattle Times Online, 10.26.09.)   http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2010136401_litlife26.html

People

Kris Barnes, who has over 20 years of experience in libraries, has been named Library Branch supervisor of the Deer Park Library. (Photo)  (Deer Park Tribune, 10.14.09) http://www.dptribune.biz/content/view/162165/60/

 

Awards

Software developers at King County Library System (KCLS) headquarters got a million-dollar boost from a federal grant, supporting efforts to expand and grow a library database redesign currently underway that uses “open source” software.  The matching grant of $998,556 was one of several grants awarded by the federally-funded Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).  (Issaquah-Sammamish Reporter [Kent], 10.9.09)

Philip Metcalfe and Travis Burke were the top winners in the Libraries of Stevens County’s 2009 “Flip for Reading” video book contest.  (Photos)  (Deer Park Tribune, 10.14.09)

The King County Library System’s Look to Your Library campaign received national attention as a finalist in two categories for the Nonprofit PR Awards sponsored by George Washington University and PR Web.  (Bellevue Reporter [Kent], 10.17.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/community/64220382.html

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has granted $515,000 to Washington State Library system to help public libraries enhance services during the economic turndown. The Renew Washington grant program will help 17 public libraries {and two community college libraries—editors’s note}  help residents learn basic computer skills, find jobs, gain new skills and educational opportunities, file for unemployment benefits, improve interviewing skills, prepare resumes and cover letters and start or grow small businesses.  The Washington State Library will combine the Gates Foundation grant with $400,000 in federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds. (Seattle Times Online, 10.30.09) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010170793_weblibary30m.html

 

Programs & Displays

Famous librarian Nancy Pearl delivers eighth annual Huntingford Humanities Lecture at the Jefferson County Library. (Photo)  (The Leader [Port Townsend], 10.14.09) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?SectionID=101&SubSectionID=471&ArticleID=25421&TM=67144.08

As a follow-up to the community book discussion on “Three Cups of Tea” the Yelm Timberland Library will hold a Community Story-Tell on October 27. The story telling will only relate to the book by theme.  Librarians are looking for people with stories that illustrate helping others. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 10.16.09)

A prestigious national touring exhibit focusing on Ben Franklin will be at the Sunnyside Library, a part of the Yakima Valley Libraries.  Called “Benjamin Franklin, In Search of a Better World,” the free exhibit celebrates the life and achievements of Franklin.  One of only 20 cities in the entire U.S. to host the exhibit, the Sunnyside display will feature larger than life panels on loan from the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.  (Photos)  (Daily News [Sunnyside], 10.21.09) http://www.dailysunnews.com/ARCHIVES/Story.aspx/17029/sunnyside-one-of-only-20-cities-nationwide-to-host-benjamin-franklin-touring-exhibit

[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] ]

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