Library News

On November 24 Waterville Elementary School first graders were presented with their first library cards and a special lanyard on which to hold them safely.  As part of the annual North Central Regional Library System sponsored program, librarian Sandy Bareither visited the first grade classroom and made a presentation encouraging the students to read instead of watching TV or playing video games. (Photo) (Douglas County Empire Press [East Wenatchee], 12.3.09)

A large screen television worth nearly $2,000 was stolen from the Manchester Library, a part of the Kitsap Regional Library System, last week, Branch Manager Dee D’Haem said Monday.  D’Haem said the library had the television for barely a month when a staff member noticed it missing November 25, the day before Thanksgiving.  (Photo) (Independent [Port Orchard], 12.4.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/news/78175477.html

The Libraries of Stevens County will continue their “Food for Fines” program this holiday season. The libraries will accept non-perishable food donation in lieu of library fines. One item of non-perishable food will county for up to $1.50 worth of overdue fines.  Non-perishable food will be accepted for overdue fines only.  The libraries will not accept food for lost or damaged books.  (Deer Park Tribune, 12.9.09)

Buildings

The Fairhaven Library Branch, a part of the Bellingham Public Library, will reopen on January 4 with new hours from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturdays, following a $3.3 million repair project that began in June. A re-opening celebration will take place 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 9. (Northwest Business Monthly [Bellingham], 12.2009)

The seventh annual Oroville Library Country Celebration, a part of the North Central Regional Library System, raised $2,500 for the building project.  “If anyone would like to see our building plans, they are at the library.  We are still looking for big monetary donations, or grants, so we can build it,” said FOL member Ellie Braman.  (Photos) (Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune [Oroville], 12.3.09)

A site has been confirmed and the Ferndale Library, a part of the Whatcom County Library System, will have a new home adjacent to city hall on Main Street. Ferndale Library branch manager Sarah Koehler said the location will work well because it is near the current library location, which is near schools and downtown. Most importantly, nailing down a site will help tremendously with fundraising efforts. (Photo) (Westside Record-Journal [Ferndale], 12.16.09)

Letters and Editorials

I am very dismayed at the thought that we might soon lose our library. When my husband and I first checked out Ocean Shores as a potential home, one of the first things we looked for was the library. The idea of living far away from a convenient source of free books would frankly have been a deal breaker.  Please, let’s not do this. (The North Coast News [Ocean Shores], 12.2.09)

The Ocean Shores City Council is considering closing our library and the Interpretive Center. We cannot believe that this would even be considered! The library is so important almost everyone we know uses it often. Common sense must prevail.  We cannot close the library or the Interpretive Center.  They are absolutely vital to our citizens. (The North Coast News [Ocean Shores], 12.2.09)

Dear County Commissioners: I know that tough decisions are made every day to stretch ever shrinking budgets to service as many needs as possible and it’s an unenviable task that you’re working very hard to complete.  I realize that our problem here in Ocean Shores may be nothing in comparison to what you are facing, but I would welcome any support or advice you are able to offer.  We must save this library! (The Daily World [Aberdeen], 12.8.09)

How can there not be a library for North Beach High School? I am shocked and dismayed to learn that the city of Ocean Shores would propose closing the city library, even temporarily knowing that the school students would be cut off from any library access, unless you consider a 50-mile round trip local access? We all know the salaries of our highest officials in Ocean Shores are getting paid.  Spare the library, get rid of the officials. (The Daily World [Aberdeen], 12.8.09)

I am disheartened to hear that our city is willing to reduce library services at the cost of making up their budget shortfalls.  As a student at Pasco High School and Columbia Basin College, I greatly appreciate the value in the Mid-Columbia Library System.  A reliable location of educational resources for students and the community is needed, and Pasco’s existing branch does not fully service this capacity. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 12.10.09) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/letters/story/824736.html

Growing up, the library was always such an exciting place to visit. Today’s libraries offer many more resources, programs and materials, especially for younger people. My kids see the library as a safe, welcoming place for people of all ages.  And when I look at it through their eyes, I see the heart of our community.  (The Olympian [Olympia], 12.13.09) http://www.theolympian.com/busymama/story/1069299.html

People

Throughout life, most people can say that one or two people influenced them.  For JoAnn Heinz, the new Hiawatha Elementary School librarian, it was her best friend in the first grade, whose mother was a teacher.  “She gave me my first chapter book, ‘Joan of Arc,’” Heinz said.  “This caused me to realize there was a whole world out there to love and to foster the love of reading.”(Photo)  (The Outlook [Othello], 12.3.09) http://othellooutlook.com/?p=6824

Awards

Spokane County and city of Spokane libraries today announced they have received a Big Read grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), continuing their mission to help make the Big Read the largest federal reading program in U.S. history. The NEA launched the Big Read nationally in 2007 in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. (Deer Park Tribune, 12.9.09)

This fall, the Puyallup Public Library applied for the grant through its state counterpart, a grant made possible because of a $515,000 gift from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  Puyallup learned in early December that it was one of 17 public library branches to get funding, earning $9,800 in conjunction with the state library’s Renew Washington program.  (The Herald [Puyallup], 12.16.09)

Programs and Displays

The South Tacoma branch of Tacoma Public Library (TPL) has a new work of art that celebrates the people, plant life and industrial activity of this section of the city. Tacoma artist Claudia Riedener, who works in the medium of tile, just finished installing her mural “Elk Trap.” Riedener studied up on the history of this section of the city in planning her mural. (Photo) (Tacoma Weekly, 11.26.09) http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/3765/

Tacoma students can now get help on their homework seven days a week. As long as students have a library card at Tacoma Public Library, they can log on to an online homework help service, and work with experienced tutors to find solutions to their academic questions. Between 3-11 p.m., students in grades three through 12 can get live assistance. Services are available to English and Spanish-speaking students. (Tacoma Weekly, 12.26.09) http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/3773/

Let The Seattle Public Library help you find a job! With workshops on how to look for jobs and how to ace job interviews, the Library can get you from start to finish in your job search. All workshops will be held at the Central Library unless otherwise specified.  The workshops are free and open to the public. (Chinese Times [Seattle], 12.3.09)

Downtown Port Orchard was ablaze with light and sound on Saturday night as the world premiere of a TV movie based on Debbie Macomber’s “Mrs. Miracle” was hosted by the Historic Orchard Theater. The event was a benefit for the South Kitsap High School Band and the Port Orchard Library. It raised more than $6,000 to be shared by these two causes, according to event coordinator Shannon Childs. (Photos) (Independent [Port Orchard], 12.4.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/lifestyle/78089927.html

Each month the library comes to the Vintage.  This retirement center in north Spokane is just one of 42 locations that Spokane Public Library outreach librarians Judy Killin and Al Kiefer visit each month.  At the Vintage, Killin and Kiefer set up laptop computers and began to check out books as residents lined up with their arms full.  Large-print books, magazines and books on CD are in high demand. Some residents brought wheeled carts or suitcases to transport their treasures. (Photos) (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 12.10.09) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/dec/10/traveling-librarians/

Doug Robberson will teach a multimedia class on winter waterfowl of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. This class will be a good introduction to waterfowl identification in western Washington and will also cover the importance of wildlife refuges in providing key habitat for wildlife. This class will be taught from 6 – 8 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Longview Public Library with a field trip to the Ridgefield NWR at 8 a.m. Jan. 16. The cost for the class will be $8 and space is limited.  To register, or for more info, contact Carlo Abbruzzese at 575-5056. (Daily News [Longview], 12.11.09) http://www.tdn.com/lifestyles/article_02d95d9c-e5e6-11de-a2ea-001cc4c002e0.html

Economy/Hard Times

Thanksgiving week was a tough one for three Ocean Shores’ employees.  According to Ocean Shores Mayor Dean Bunkers, “Three layoff notices have been sent as of . . . 25 November.” He said the layoffs were sent to the two library technicians, and one permit technician. (The North Coast News [Ocean Shores], 12.2.09)

With the Ocean Shores Library headed for closure, what will the kids do? Bill Duncanson, principal of North Beach Junior and Senior High School, confirmed that his school has a minimal library.  “We have a library with books.  We don’t have a librarian.” As in most communities, students on the North Beach regularly use the local library, for homework and research.  (The North Coast News [Ocean Shores], 12.2.09)

According to Ocean Shores “Recommended 2010 Budget,” the Ocean Shores Library is scheduled to close. The heading of the Library’s budget narrative, on page 90, “OPERATIONS TEMPORARYLY (sic) SUSPENDED DUE TO DIMINISHING REVENUES” The Interpretive Center, a popular tourist destination, is also unfunded, and may close at the end of 2009. (The North Coast News [Ocean Shores], 12.2.09)

[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] ]

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