Library News
Joanna Bailey has been appointed director of Neill Public Library in Pullman by the library’s board of trustees. She has served as the library’s interim leader for the past two years. (Whitman County Gazette, [Colfax] 11.24.11)

Among factors in the Colfax budget compilations for next year will be an increase in the city’s payments for upkeep and improvements of the Whitman County Library. Colfax pays the library a fee for building maintenance and upgrades because the library district owns the building in Colfax. (Whitman County Gazette, [Colfax] 11.24.11)

Seattle Public Library cardholders now have a new way to keep track of their library holds and due dates. Library Elf is a free, online service that provides holds waiting, pre-overdue and overdue notifications for multiple library accounts in one message. (South Seattle Beacon, 11.30.11) http://www.sdistrictjournal.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=29349&SectionID=26&SubSectionID=248&S=1

Sequim seems in good shape for the North Olympic Library System’s future. Along with approving a $4.1 million budget on Monday, Nov. 28, the libraries’ board of trustees voted to open all four branches with more hours sooner than expected. Originally planned for early 2012, the Sequim Library’s new hours started Monday, Dec. 12. (Photos) (The Sequim Gazette, 11.30.11) http://www.sequimgazette.com/news/article.exm/2011-11-30_libraries_open_longer__sooner

Buildings
The Mid-Columbia Libraries Kennewick branch hopes to unwrap its new computer technology center after the New Year. Kate Holloway, the libraries’ communications coordinator, said the project, which was entirely paid for by the Shirley Stroh Estate, also includes a computer training lab, a new area for copying and printing, and a new home for microfiche readers. (Photo) (Tri-City Herald, [Kennewick] 11.27.11) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/11/27/1732613/141000-kennewick-library-remodel.html#storylink=misearch

Chelan council members discussed plans for the purchase and reconstruction of the Masonic Lodge building to use as a library and civic center. Local architect Larry Hibbard will write grant requests and schematic drawings after taking public input. The Chelan Library is part of the North Central Regional Library system. (Lake Chelan Mirror, 11.30.11) http://lakechelanmirror.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=5229&SectionID=59&SubSectionID=178&S=1

Letters & Editorials
A persistent sour economy means voters statewide likely will see a proposal on the ballot this spring for a higher state tax to support the flagging general fund. For Seattle voters, there is talk of a new library library levy, possibly next August. (Seattle Times, 12.16.11) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2017025694_edit16nba.html

Programs & Displays
The work of Beth Margolis will be featured through Dec. 30 in the Deming Library Gallery Holiday exhibit, along with work done by Bellingham artist Vikki Jackson. Margolis is an artist who finds much of her inspiration in Fairhaven for her paintings and draws upon material absorbed on trips to Mexico, Costa Rica and Hawaii for her masks and seascapes. (Photo) (Bellingham Herald, 11.24.11) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/11/23/2273986/bellinghams-beth-margolis-continues.html#storylink=misearch

The Mukilteo Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries, is hosting a Winter Extravaganza of free fun for school-aged children during winter break. Remaining programs include The Singing Snake and Other Tales from Far and Near; Lego Animation; Mad Science Fire an Ice; and a Movie Matinee “Tangled”. These programs are supported by the Friends of the Mukilteo Library. (The Mukilteo Beacon, 11.30.11) http://www.mukilteobeacon.com/community/article.exm/2011-11-30_winter_extravaganza__at_the_library_

The Lynnwood Library Gallery, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries, will be showing the artwork of Minh Carrico through Jan. 5, 2012. Minh’s color photographic images represent two societies, two worlds that make up his identity; a white southern community in Little Rock, Arkansas where he grew up during the 1970’s, and Vietnamese culture through his mother, and his own travels. (Photo) (The Edmonds Beacon, [Mukilteo] 12.1.11) http://www.edmondsbeacon.com/stepping-out/article.exm/2011-12-01_carrico_images_featured_at_lynnwood_library

[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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