Washington State Library News
LibraryScienceList.com has rated the Washington State Library as one of the most social media-friendly state libraries in the U.S. The website ranks Washington No. 9 out of 46 state libraries that make use of social media. (Bonney Lake/Sumner Courier-Herald, 5.12.13) http://www.blscourierherald.com/news/207134481.html

Library News
So you want to go online but don’t have an Internet connection or maybe even a computer. What to do? If you can get to one of the area libraries, you can get online for free, with a broadband connection. All four libraries in Pend Oreille County – in Ione, Metaline Falls, Cusick and Newport – offer free Internet for their patrons, as well as technical help if you need it. (Photos) (Newport Miner, 4.3.13)

Throughout the Kitsap Regional Library system we are blessed with community branch libraries that offer specialized collections. Little Boston has a special Native American collection; Poulsbo a Scandinavian; and Sylvan Way offers a genealogical center with its own specialized reference works.(Photos) (The Kitsap Sun [Bremerton], 4.7.13) http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/apr/06/local-libraries-offer-chance-to-discover-and/#axzz2TZg3zicI

For the past 90 years, the Camas Public Library has been a community destination. The library first opened in the back of Thayer’s drugstore in April 1923. The 90th birthday celebration also coincides with National Library Week. There are a number of events planned to celebrate both occasions. (Photo) (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, 4.9.13) http://www.camaspostrecord.com/news/2013/apr/09/camas-living-room-turns-90/

Michelle Obama says the nation’s libraries and museums are creating better, more informed citizens and doing it with fewer resources. The first lady commented Wednesday at the White House as she helped award public service medals to 10 institutions, one of which is the Pierce County Library System. (Photo) (Seattle Post-Intelligencer Online, 5.8.13) http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/First-lady-honors-outstanding-libraries-museums-4499478.php

Police arrested Justin J. Stokes on investigation of felony malicious mischief after the 38-year-old man reportedly urinated on books at the Walla Walla Public Library. The charge was upgraded to a class C felony after library staff reported 130 books valued at more than $3,000 were damaged. (Union-Bulletin Online [Walla Walla], 5.13.13) http://union-bulletin.com/news/2013/may/13/man-arrested-for-urinating-on-ww-public-library/

Elections
The Sno-Isle Libraries Board of Trustees voted March 25 to place two Camano Island Library measures on the August 6 ballot for consideration by Camano Island voters and asked library staff to move forward with planning for a permanent Camano Library. (Stanwood/Camano News, 4.9.13) http://www.scnews.com/news/2013-04-09/Editorial/Permanent_library_on_Camano_Island_to_appear_on_Au.html

Buildings
The library is going platinum. Not because it has the hottest new song on the charts. It’s because this year marks its 20-year anniversary in the building Orcas Island’s avid readers call home. The problem is that it’s a home with too many bodies and not enough seats. (The Island Sounder [Eastsound], 4.3.13) http://www.islandssounder.com/news/200964481.html

The North Olympic Library System’s (NOLS) board of trustees approved a partnership with SHKS Architects of Seattle to see what the community needs are for the Sequim branch. Paula Barnes, NOLS executive director, said there’s been a common feeling in Sequim for as long as she’s lived here that the library is too small. (Photo) (The Sequim Gazette, 4.3.13) http://www.sequimgazette.com/news/article.exm/2013-04-04_library_puts_out_feelers

The Bellingham Library’s board of trustees will again try to replace the 62-year-old downtown building as part of a new five-year plan, Library Director Pam Kiesner said Monday, April 8. “Central Library replacement is high on this community’s radar,” Kiesner told a City Council committee. (Bellingham Herald, 4.9.13) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/04/09/2957236/bellingham-library-board-resurrects.html

Letters & Editorials
Ferndale citizens are thoughtful and conservative when it comes to pocketbook issues. They recognize a great stewardship opportunity when they see it. Passage of Proposition 1 gives the city a new library and frees up the Pioneer Pavilion for countless other uses. Let’s finish this project by voting “yes.” (Bellingham Herald, 4.3.13) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/04/03/2947090/ferndale-bond-keeps-matching-grants.html

Did you know that after 100 years of library service in the community, Chewelah is in danger of losing library system services? This need not be if the citizens of Chewelah vote YES to annex into the Stevens County Rural Library District. (The Independent [Chewelah], 4.4.13)

Now that we are able to retain our “icon” library where it is, we want to make the best of it for everyone in our community. Let’s trust that King County people really do want to do what is best for our beloved city. (Renton Reporter, 4.5.13) http://www.rentonreporter.com/opinion/letters/201678791.html?mobile=true

I have been reading KCLS’ latest plans for our library for a month or so now, and I am appalled. Appalled and disgusted that after our hard work and victory last year, we are still threatened with the prospect of getting a shrunken library. (Renton Reporter, 4.5.13) http://www.rentonreporter.com/opinion/letters/201682171.html?mobile=true

As the election for the Ferndale Library bond nears, consider this: Instead of taxing and increasing fees, why not just ask? If everyone checking out an item or using the computer would donate just $1, this library would be paid off in two years. No bond for 14-20 years, no interests, and no added taxes to make up the shortfall. (Ferndale Record, 4.10.13)

People
A library manager in Arizona will be the new leader of the Spokane Public Library. The library’s Board of Trustees voted 5-0 on Tuesday to offer Andrew Chanse the director position. He is the innovations and strategies administrator of the Maricopa County Library District in Arizona. Chanse, 36, accepted the job. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 4.3.13) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/apr/03/arizona-administrator-to-lead-spokane-public/

[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 Martha Shinners at 360.570.5567 or [email protected]]

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