Washington State Library News
Pioneer Middle School eighth-graders took in a performance by the Wa’Lu’La’Pum Dance Troupe, listening and watching attentively and many joining in a group circle dance at the end. The enriched study of local tribes was made possible through a $7,500 Supporting Student Success grant awarded through the Washington State Library, a part of the Secretary of State department. (Photos) (Union-Bulletin [Walla Walla], 5.31.12) http://union-bulletin.com/stories/2012/05/31/sharing-heritage

Library News
The Camas Public Library is currently looking for adult and teen volunteers to help out during its summer reading program. Volunteers must be able to quickly learn the summer reading computer program, attend 90-minute training, be punctual, friendly, enjoy talking to kids and be available at least three hours a week through August 11. (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 5.22.12)

Several months ago, Quincy High School (QHS) librarian Jacque Rasmussen was thinking of a way to get students into the library. She brought the idea of checking out Kindles to QHS principal David Talley to see if it could be done. She got the go ahead to order five new models of the Kindle Touch to start with. To everyone’s surprise, students loved it. (Photo) (Quincy Valley Post Register, 5.24.12)

PJ Library Seattle was honored on May 3, 1212 as being the most successful PJ Library community in terms of market penetration. PJ Library is a donor-funded outreach strategy of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, and started as a book-based program through the Harold Grinspoon Foundation in Massachusetts. (Photo) (JT News [Seattle], 5.25.12)

Chelan City Council members unanimously accepted two grants May 24 totaling $494,000 for renovation of the Masonic Lodge into a library and civic center. The state Department of Commerce awarded the city a $490,000 federal Community Development Block Grant that should provide the majority of funding for the renovation. (Lake Chelan Mirror, 5.30.12)

Grandview Library has named Mary Alice Herrera of Grandview as its 2012 recipient of the Harry Christian Cook and Blanche McLane Cook Art Scholarship. The scholarship award in the amount of $2,500 will be paid directly to the school where Herrera will pursue future academics in the field of art for the purposes of books, tuition and supplies. (Daily News [Sunnyside], 5.31.12) http://www.dailysunnews.com/archives/Story.aspx/24283/grandview-library-names-cook-scholar

This year’s Olympia Comics Festival included a panel and book signing by author and Olympia Timberland Regional Library’s children librarian, Jason Shiga. His best-known book is the “choose-your-own-adventure” style Meanwhile. (Fort Lewis Ranger & Weekly Volcano [Lakewood], 5.31.12)

Friends of the Richland Public Library received the Distinguished Service Award from the Washington Library Friends Foundation Trustees Association. The award recognizes the Friends organization for its effective advocacy of the library and contributions in support of community library services. (Tri-City Area Journal of Business [Kennewick], 6.2012) http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/2012/06/networking-36/

Unlike some libraries in other parts of the United State, the South Sound’s Timberland Regional Library System is stocking “Fifty Shades of Grey,” the soft-core erotic trilogy still topping best-seller lists. (The Olympian [Olympia], 6.22.12) http://www.theolympian.com/2012/06/22/2149740/libraries-dont-cast-shadow-on.html

Buildings
It’s not close to the expansion voters rejected last summer, but Jefferson County Library officials say they are still excited about plans they have for remodeling and improving their facility. Planned is a $700,000 upgrade to improve seating for patrons, ease congestion and allow for more computer workstations. (Photos) (The Leader [Port Townsend], 5.23.12) http://www.ptleader.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=31497&SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&S=1

The South Hill branch of the Pierce County Library System has reopened with dramatic changes to the acoustics of the 20,000 square-foot building that allow for quieter studying and talking. Other features include a new media library and a central customer service desk. (The Herald [Puyallup], 5.30.12) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/05/30/2161935/south-hill-branch-of-county-library.html

After being closed for several months, the Buena Library, a part of Yakima Valley Libraries, reopened on Thursday in a new building. The new facility is at the same address as the old, double-wide trailer that housed the library for about 10 years. Construction began last fall and was completed in May. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 5.30.12) http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2012/05/29/new-buena-library-getting-stocked-for-opening-thursday

Letters & Editorials
I’d like to say a BIG thank you to the Friends of the Buena Library. The determination and hard work of these good people is about to pay off when the new library building opens for business! (Review Independent [Toppenish & Wapato], 5.30.12)

For over 15 years, the Friends of the Kettle Falls Public Library have been serving pie and coffee at the annual Town and Country Days celebration. This year, new regulations from Tri-County Health District require that certain foods, including pies, be prepared in a “commercial kitchen” which has been approved by the District. We are making arrangement to comply and will proceed with the sale this year, but who knows what will happen next year? (Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 5.30.12)

Awards
Rayonier recently announced an award of more than $41,000 from the Rayonier Foundation to non-profit organizations serving Northwest communities and local students. Recipients of 2012 grants, including the North Olympic Library System, were recognized at special awards breakfasts hosted by Rayonier in Aberdeen and Forks. (Photo) (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 6.3.12)

Programs and Displays
An artist who has decorated downtown Camas with her murals will be hanging smaller works at the Second Story Gallery, upstairs in the Camas Public Library, in the month of June. Rebecca Trimble, a 17-year Camas resident, unveiled her framed landscapes at a reception held June 1. (Photo) (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 5.29.12)

The Forks branch of the North Olympic Library System will host informational programs focused on tenants’ and homeowners’ rights. If you, or someone you know, might be facing foreclosure or eviction, this program will provide essential information on your rights and what processes must be followed by financial institutions and landlords. (Forks Forum, 5.31.12)

What was an invitation-only show is now accessible to all: “River Story,” an exhibition of Elwha River-fed art, poetry, rhythm and song is now at the Port Angeles Library. These works were created for last summer’s “Celebrate Elwha!” ceremony at the Elwha Dam, but the event was an exclusive one for federal, state and tribal dignitaries. Now, all summer long, the story of Elwha will flow through the public library, where everybody can dive in. (Photos) (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 6.1.12) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20120601/NEWS/306019995/0/SEARCH

Summer Reading
Readers of all ages can explore the night this summer as the Ritzville Public Library presents “Dream Big – Read!” during their summer reading program. Readers who reach their summer reading goal before school starts this fall earn a special prize. The 2012 Summer Reading Program is open to children ages 2-18 and all programs are free of charge and open to the public. (Ritzville-Adams County Journal, 5.24.12)

The school year is ending and the Summer Reading Program is almost here. A Mad Hatter Party in the Prosser City Park is the official kickoff for our Summer Reading Program, the yearly challenge to read 15 hours before August 24. Kids under 18 will receive a free book for finishing the challenge. Finishers of all ages will be entered to win great prizes. (Record-Bulletin [Prosser], 5.30.12)

The Seattle Public Library’s 2012 Summer Reading Program, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1962 World’s Fair, kicked off Friday, June 1 and continues through August 26. Teens and adults can sign up online and track their reading during the summer, rate and review books, earn badges and create their own avatar. (Magnolia News [Seattle], 5.30.12)

The Everett Public Library invites adults in the community to participate in “Between the Cover,” a summer reading program for adults from June 1 to August 30. Visit the Main Library or Evergreen Branch reference desk to fill out a registration form. The program features several small prize incentives, a grand prize drawing for a Kindle and author events. (Snohomish County Tribune, 5.30.12)

Whitman County Library’s sixth annual Teen and Adult Summer Reading Program will start June 1 and continue through August 31. Participants receive a prize upon completion and are entered in drawings for both local and countywide grand prizes. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 5.31.12)

The Bellingham Public Library started its annual summer reading program Monday, June 11. All three city library branches offer programs catered to different age groups. Prizes are awarded to younger children for reaching literacy or reading goals, and to teens and adults for writing book reviews. (Bellingham Herald, 6.2.12) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/06/01/2545934/summer-reading-program-to-begin.html

This year’s Kitsap Regional Library’s summer reading theme is “Dream Big, Read!” and it kicked off June 9. If your child completes 10 hours of reading they’ll receive a free ticket to the Kitsap County fair, an entry into a raffle for a gift card to a local bookstore, and a free, branch-new book from our fantastic prize book collection. (Photos) (The Kitsap Sun [Bremerton], 6.3.12) http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/may/31/dream-big-with-kitsap-regional-library/

Pierce County Library System’s Summer Reading Program kicked off June 22 and runs through September 2 in all Pierce County library branches. The program will offer a new incentive in which kids and teens can read down fines that have accrued by not returning books or other materials on time. For the first 10 hours, children earn one coupon for up to $5. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 6.18.12) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/06/18/2185107/pierce-county-library-summer-reading.html#storylink=misearch

Officials with the Mid-Columbia Libraries are encouraging children to sign up for the summer reading program and possibly win one of four bikes donated by Kennewick Masonic Lodge 153. The “Dream Big” Summer Reading Program goes until August 24. (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 6.25.12) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/06/23/2193617/libraries-offer-chance-to-read.html

[This summary of library news represents a selection of current newspaper clippings about Washington libraries received from Washington newspapers. The summary is created by Bobbie DeMiero and Leanna Hammond of the Washington State Library, Division of the Office of the Secretary of State. For further information about this summary or the clippings listed, contact Martha Shinners at 360.570.5567 or [email protected]]

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