Washington State Library News
The Paul G. Allen Foundation announced it will be granting $1.35 million to support Washington and Oregon library programs this year. Among the projects and organizations receiving grant funds is the Washington State Library for development of a smartphone app that will provide service to rural patrons and Kitsap Regional Library Foundation for a teen library program. (Seattle Times Online, 1.29.13) http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2013/01/1-35-million-grant-going-to-washington-and-oregon-libraries/

Library News
Pierce County Library System is making operational changes that officials said are helping save time and money. Those changes, plus an end to the honor system for public use of library printers, will be discussed during a meeting of the system’s Board of Trustees in Tacoma. (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 1.9.13)

The Pierce County Library Foundation Board recently elected new officers to direct the volunteer board’s support of library services for the Pierce County Library System. New officers for 2012-13 include Michael Gordon, president; Jane O’Neal, vice president; Kari Kennard, treasurer; Molly Stuen, secretary; Janice Ludwig, member-at-large; and Lisa Korsmo, past president. (Peninsula Gateway [Gig Harbor], 1.9.13) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/01/09/2428525/library-foundation-board-elects.html#storylink=misearch

Sometimes good things come out of something bad. Someone attempted to vandalize the donation can on the Friends of the Forks Library (FOFL) book cart located in the entrance of the library. So, FOFL contracted with local carpenter and craftsman Mike Tetreau to create a sturdier donation box. At the same time, the library offered FOFL a better shelving cart to display its selection. (Forks Forum, 1.10.13)

The Redmond Library board of trustees is seeking interested Redmond residents to volunteer for a board vacancy. The board advises the mayor and City Council on library policy, represents Redmond’s interests to the King County Library System and promotes local interest in the library. (Redmond Reporter [Kent], 1.11.13) http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/185897881.html

A man robbed the Kittitas Public Library at gunpoint the afternoon of Tuesday, January 15th, making off with $15-$20 in library money and an employee’s wallet, according to Kittitas Police Department Chief Brent Nierman. He said there was no specific links between this robbery and one that occurred in Ellensburg last week, but he added he wouldn’t rule it out. (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 1.16.13)

Libraries hold the power to transform lives and break down barriers – so it’s no wonder they often come under attack, Caroline Kennedy told a packed house Sunday, January 27th, at the Midwinter Meeting of the American Library Association. (Photos) (The Seattle Times, 1.28.13) http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020229761_kennedybooksxml.html

Slick and simple, it adds nearly 2,000 titles available as e-books for users of Sno-Isle Libraries. It’s the 3M Cloud Library, and Sno-Isle is the first library system in the state and the Northwest to offer it. (The Herald [Everett], 1.30.13) http://heraldnet.com/article/20130130/NEWS01/701309940#Sno-Isle-1st-libraries-in-state-with-new-e-book-system%0A

Elections
“It is clear that citizens in our community want their libraries open, the shelves filled,” city librarian Marcellus Turner said after Seattle voters approved a seven-year, $122 million levy by 62 percent in the August 2012 primary election. Now turning the page into 2013, the payoff begins with Seattle Public Library announcing Sunday hours at all branches throughout the year. (West Seattle Herald/White Center News [Seattle], 1.11.13)

Buildings
Crews from Pease Construction are framing a $5 million replacement library in Federal Way, a part of the King County Library System. Architect SRG Partnership designed the 15,500-square-foot library as a community hub for a neighborhood that transitions from commercial to residential. (Photo) (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 1.11.13)

A long-awaited new community center is in its last fundraising phase, and organizers are asking for the public’s help. The organizers kick off fundraising events on January 26th and hope to remind the public of the project’s ongoing need. The new community center will house a Boys & Girls Club, senior center, community kitchen, meeting rooms and the Kingston Library, a part of the Kitsap Regional Library. (The Kitsap Sun [Bremerton], 1.14.13) http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/jan/13/new-community-center-in-kingston-ramps-up-final/#axzz2JaX1loNN

The Friends of the Forks Library’s roof fund received a $100 donation from Alexander County Friends of the Library in Taylorsville, N.C., all because of a Twilight-themed teen sleepover event at the Taylorsville library, said Ellen Matheny, Friends of the Forks Library treasurer. (Photo) (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 1.15.13) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20130115/NEWS/301159995/0/SEARCH

The west Pasco branch of the Mid-Columbia Libraries is scheduled to open around April 1, according to library officials. The district will lease it for about $1.1 million a year from a developer, who will own the building and the surrounding development. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 1.16.13)

Letters & Editorials
Our family loves our local rural library here in Prescott. Our library serves as one of the hubs of the community, providing a safe, positive environment for families. The only problem with the Prescott Library is the current facility is much too small. That is why my family is really excited about the vision the Rural Library Board has for the Prescott Library. (Union-Bulletin [Walla Walla], 1.13.13)

City of Spokane libraries have been running on reserves the last few years. With that money expended, and the pressure on city finances for public safety purposes unabated, the City Council has agreed to let voters decided whether to impose a new levy that will not only maintain library operations as they are today, but also expand hours at some of the neighborhood branches. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 1.18.13) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/jan/18/editorial-spokane-library-levy-thoughtful/

Programs & Displays
The Larson Gallery loans a number of pieces from its collection for display at the Grandview Library, which are rotated from time to time. But the library is also accumulating a permanent collection for display at the library … and the most recent addition to the collection is a colored-pencil drawing by Vivian Martin, who lived in Grandview for 64 years before moving to the Tri-Cities. (Photo) (Grandview Herald, 1.9.13)

Enzo tells the story. Enzo is a dog. If you’ve read “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, Kate Mossman said you’re in for a treat. Mossman is assistant director of the Everett Public Library, where Garth Stein’s novel, “The Art of Racing in the Rain” has been chosen for this year’s Everett Reads! program. (The Herald [Everett], 1.9.13) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130109/NEWS01/701099943/0/SEARCH

Each Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. the Sunnyside Library, a part of Yakima Valley Libraries, hosts toddler time for youngsters in the community. Library Supervisor Marcelina Ortega engages youngsters through stories and songs during the program. (Photo) (Daily News [Sunnyside], 1.11.13)

Aid for those who need help with e-readers such as Barnes & Noble’s Nook or Amazon Kindle is available from the Port Angeles Library, a part of the North Olympic Library System, through staff-led e-reader orientation sessions or hands-on drop-in technology tutoring provided by a corps of teen volunteers. The library will be offering several workshops through March. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 1.13.13)

[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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