Washington State Library News
Are you a teen who aspires to be the next Steven Spielberg or Spike Lee? Here is your chance to put that cinematic creativity to good use and help promote reading and libraries at the same time. The “2012 Teen Video Challenge” is a national video competition now underway. The Washington State Library is partnering with the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) to promote the video contest. (Northern Kittitas County Tribune [Cle Elum], 12.22.11)

To give the Roslyn Library’s new grant-funded scanner a trial run on photos Frank Badda passed on to his grandson Frank Schuchman, Evan Robb and Ross Fuqua, Digital Project Librarians attached to the Washington State Library, joined Erin Krake and Scott Templin on December 20th at the Roslyn Library. The project is funded by a $5,000 grant awarded by the Washington State Library. (Photo) (Northern Kittitas County Tribune [Cle Elum], 12.29.11)

Among several bills introduced by Democratic Reps. Sam Hunt of Olympia, Zack Hudgins of Tukwila and others to realign state government services is House Bill 2222, which is sponsored by Democratic Rep. Mary Helen Roberts of Lynnwood and Republican Rep. Maureen Walsh of Walla Walla, raises the fees for out-of-state users of the state Library. HB 2222 got a hearing Monday, and acting state librarian Rand Simmons testified in favor of helping the state recoup its research costs – by an estimated $44,535 in the biennium. (The Olympian [Olympia], 1.16.12) http://www.theolympian.com/2012/01/16/1951479/state-agency-shuffles-in-offing.html

Library News
Sue Richart, treasurer for the Libraries of Stevens County Foundation, reports that the 501 3 non-profit organization recently received two donations. Robert and Susan Schalock generously donated $2,000 for general use, and Campbell Scientific, Inc., of Logan, Utah, donated $500 at the request of a shareholder; John Greene. (Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 12.21.11)

The fundraising campaign for the New Ferndale Library Project recently got a boost when a $250,000 grant from the Norcliffe Foundation, originally contingent on starting the facilities construction by the end of 2011, was extended to August 2013, allowing for more time to fundraise. (Ferndale Record, 12.21.11)

Making just a few last minute changes, members of the Enumclaw City Council adopted a 2012 operating budget during their final meeting of 2011. The library will get $350,000 from the Fund 180 portion of the city budget, a pot of money that stems from the sale of property and collection of leases on city land. It is seen as a one-time alternative, as the city will ask voters to annex into the King County Library System during an upcoming election. (Enumclaw Courier-Herald, 12.21.11)

To better serve customers, all branches of the Mid-Columbia Libraries will undergo a change in open hours beginning on January 1, 2012. The libraries’ hours are being realigned to improve and expand access for customers. Weekday hours will extend until 7:00 p.m., and libraries with Saturday hours will be open from at least 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. (Record-Bulletin [Prosser], 12.21.11)

Colfax Mayor Norm Becker, presiding over her final city council meeting Monday night, said the city needs to have representation on the Whitman County Library Board. The proposal evolved out of a discussion of the city’s longstanding agreement to pay 20 percent of the maintenance, repairs and upgrades for the county library building in Colfax. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 12.22.11)

Liberty Lake City Council wrapped its final meeting of the year Tuesday. The Council approved a $21,142.15 bid from Abacus Electric for the installation of six pole lights for parking lot lighting and light for illuminating signage at the Liberty Lake Municipal Library. (Liberty Lake Splash, 12.22.11) http://www.libertylakesplash.com/news.asp?id=21539

The Northshore Schools Foundation recently granted the Northshore School District $20,000 to purchase classroom libraries for new teachers in the district. Classroom foundational sets provide a valuable resource for teachers and are an important part of the new literacy curriculum. (Photo) (North Lake News & Woodinville Weekly, 12.26.11) http://www.nwnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5551:new-northshore-teachers-receive-classroom-libraries&catid=34:news&Itemid=72

A book fair earlier this month at Okanogan Middle-High School brought in $1,725 in gross sales. That allows the library to buy about 50 books from the profits, Librarian Kim Goudge said. (The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, 12.28.11)

“Difficult choices” forced by revenue shortfalls resulted in a budget of $26.8 million for Pierce County Library System being approved for next year by the Board of Trustees. Steps that were taken to offset the shortfall include a salary freeze for managers, the elimination of five jobs that were already empty, a reduction of hours for another position, the near elimination of bookmobile service, and fewer purchases of books and materials. (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 12.28.11)

Whitman County Library announces the addition of Livemocha to a growing list of products available from the Library’s website. Livemocha provides unlimited access to coursework in 38 languages including English as a second language. Livemocha is found at the Electronic Resource link of the library website and is available to all Whitman County Library cardholders. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 12.29.11)

Amazon.com Inc. is working with Seattle’s most loved librarian, Nancy Pearl, to publish a line of Pearl’s favorite out-of-print titles based on her “Book Lust” recommendations. AmazonEncore will publish six titles in the Book Lust Rediscoveries series each year that will be available in print, audio-book and e-book editions. (Puget Sound Business Journal [Seattle], 1.13.12)

She’s the country’s most-beloved librarian, and overnight, Nancy Pearl has become a greedy betrayer of the small, sometimes-struggling, bookshops that so supported her? “Yes,” says J.B. Dickey, owner of the Seattle Mystery Bookshop. “By aligning herself with Amazon, she’s turning her back on independents. Amazon is absolutely antithetical to independent bookselling…” If things sound like they’ve gotten little heated over Pearl’s latest project, they have. (Seattle Times, 1.15.12) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017242493_nancypearl15m.html

Elections
The Seattle Public Library began gauging the public’s priorities for libraries Saturday as officials ponder a possible property-tax levy that would help restore services and stave off further budget cuts. An August vote on a levy may be the next step for the city’s popular library system, which has been on a funding roller coaster for years. City leaders have said they would likely ask for between $10 million and $20 million. (Seattle Times, 1.8.12) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017186345_library08m.html

Buildings
The first patrons of the Quincy Public Library made their appreciation of the new building, which opened Monday, December 19, known with words such as “cool” and “awesome.” The new library, which is twice the size of the old Quincy Library and has about one-third more items to check out, is located at 208 S. Central Ave. (Photos) (Quincy Valley Post Register, 12.22.11) http://www.qvpr.com/articles/library-opens-rave-reviews

The branch library serving Eltopia is closed, a victim of low use and budget priorities. The Mid-Columbia Libraries board told a group at its meeting this week that it will stand by the decision to close the branch. Board chairwoman Gloria Garcia said the board believes the Eltopia-area residents will be well served with twice-monthly visits by the library district’s bookmobile. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 12.21.11)

Visitors to the downtown library will start using a temporary public entrance on A Street on Monday as Yakima Valley Libraries prepares to launch a major remodel of their building on North Third Street. Library Director Kim Hixson said the project involves relocating the restrooms to the main floor, adding more computer stations and moving the checkout desk to a more central location. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 1.5.12) http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2012/01/05/downtown-yakima-library-renovations-to-begin-monday

Tacoma Public Library Officials announced Wednesday that the Charlotte White Mottet Library will reopen at noon on Tuesday, January 10 following a three month renovation. Visitors will notice more computer workstations, a brighter and more spacious interior, a special area just for teens, a cozy reading nook, and ADA-compliant rest rooms. (Photo) (Tacoma Daily Index, 1.6.12)

Letters & Editorials
Bellingham businesses have a solid reputation for enriching our community by supporting education, literacy, the arts and public services. But even in this supportive context, The Barkley Co. stands out for its generosity in helping to establish the Barkley Branch Library, the first branch library to open in Bellingham since 1924, and by providing attractive, rent-free space for the past three years. (Bellingham Herald, 12.26.11)

People
When Enumclaw Public Library Director Bob Baer retires at the end of December, it’s the people he will miss. “I didn’t have a desire to be an administrator at a larger library,” Baer said, reflecting on his 30 years at the Enumclaw Public Library. “It would have taken me away from the front desk and people.” (Photo) (Enumclaw Courier-Herald, 12.21.11) http://www.courierherald.com/news/135766003.html

On Tuesday, the Spokane County Library (SCLD) Board of Trustees announced that Nancy Ledeboer would replace Mike Wirt as executive director, beginning March 1, 2012. Wirt, SCLD director since 1979, announced his retirement this year. (Photo) (Valley News Herald [Spokane], 12.23.11)

The hiring of Neel Parikh 17 years ago to run Pierce County’s public libraries had skeptics questioning how long she’d want the job. “People thought I wouldn’t stay because I was from California,” she recalled. “But I love it here. I really do.” And the affection is returned to the woman who’s been executive director of Pierce County Library System since 1994. (Photo) (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 12.28.11)

Programs & Displays
Sno-Isle Libraries will host an additional screening and public discussion of the new PBS documentary, “Not In Our Town: Light in the Darkness,” in December. The screening is part of Sno-Isle Libraries’ “Issues That Matter” series of programs that encourage community dialogue. The movie tells the story of residents of a Long Island village taking action after a local immigrant is killed in a hate crime attack by seven teenagers. (South Whidbey Record [Langley], 12.21.11) http://www.southwhidbeyrecord.com/community/136070428.html

Photos by Bob Sears are on display through January 30 at the Edmonds Library, a part of Sno-Isle Libraries. Bob Sears carries his camera with him everywhere he goes, watching for photo opportunities. Edmonds is rife with such opportunities, with its mix of historic building, colorful downtown and magnificent views of Puget Sound, Sear said. (The Weekly Herald [Lynnwood], 12.21.11) http://www.weeklyherald.com/article/20111221/TWH05/712219930

To get the word out about its 250,000 items – traditional books, electronic books, books on CD and tape – the North Olympic Library System threw a party. It was called the Winter Readers’ Revel, and it featured short book “trailers” on the big screen, a book swap, a demonstration of the online database NoveList, door prizes and plenty of food and drink. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 12.26.11) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20111226/news/312269996

It’s the time of year when magazines, newspaper, and radio show hosts all over the country publish their “best books of the y ear” lists. With the Timberland Regional Library Adult Winter Reading program just around the corner, individuals can make a list, too – of the books they want to read from January 1 to March 15. Now in its 15th year, the program offers chances to win prizes while spending cold winter nights reading books, whether print, audio, or downloadable. (Shelton-Mason County Journal, 12.29.11)

A warm winter tradition begins its 16th season on January 6 as lovers of reading gather at the Aberdeen Timberland Library on Friday morning for coffee, cookies and books. “Rainy Day Reading Reviews, Volume 16,” an eight-week lineup of fiction and nonfiction book reviews by members of the local community, runs each Friday from January 6 through February 24. (Daily World [Aberdeen], 12.29.11)

The Seattle Public Library, United Way of King County, and the AARP are collaborating to offer free tax preparation service through mid April at 11 library locations. Trained volunteers will answer questions and help prepare personal tax returns. The service is not available for business tax returns. (Seattle Times, 1.7.12)

The Tacoma Community College Library is displaying photographs by Gerry Sperry showing Tacoma’s iconic historic architecture. “Urban Singularities: Tacoma” opens Thursday and runs through June 15. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 1.11.12)

[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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