Library News
Since the Japanese community in the Eastside grew up, libraries have been not only a place to borrow Japanese books but also a center for building communication and friendship. Tomoshibi Bunko, a private Japanese library in Bellevue, will reopen this Saturday at Bellevue Children’s Academy after it’s over two-year closure since May 2011 due to facility relocation and funding issue. (North American Post, 09.27.13)

Staff at the downtown Olympia Timberland Regional Library says they are working in fear and one security guard has resigned after Olympia police cracked down on a drug house across the street from the library, court papers state. (The Olympian, 09.28.13) http://www.theolympian.com/2013/09/27/2746150/olympia-library-staff-spooked.html

The Silverdale library committee was formed from a meeting earlier this month between members of the Central Kitsap Community Council, the Friends of the Silverdale Library and officials of the Kitsap Regional Libraries. The committee’s work is to raise awareness about the need for a larger library in Silverdale and to determine if there is the support and funding to build one. (Central Kitsap Reporter, 09.27.13) http://www.centralkitsapreporter.com/news/225377472.html

The library at East Port Orchard Elementary will be renamed in the memory of Deputy Superintendent Kurt Wagner. Wagner died in April 2012 after a battle with pancreatic caner. He worked many years as principal at East Port Orchard Elementary before moving to the district office. (Independent, 09.27.13)

Buildings
The city of Kettle Falls has been awarded funds from the Washington State Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant to do a comprehensive Feasibility Study for an expansion of the Kettle Falls Library facility. (Statesman- Examiner, 09.25.13)

Letters & Editorials
The board of the library system voted last week to get rid of its long-standing ban on guns. The new rule says you can carry a gun, concealed or otherwise, into any Seattle library, as long as you don’t do it in a way that “demonstrates intent to intimidate another of that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.” (The Seattle Times, 10.30.13) http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022149483_westneat30xml.html

If you are a parent, grandparent or have anything to do with children or teens, you may know of Ria Kilburn, children’s library assistant at the Anacortes Public Library, and her creativity. She created an amazing cave for the 2013 Childrens Summer Reading program, “Dig Into Reading” as well as samples of some of the projects she created for the children and teen programs. (Anacortes American, 09.11.13)

The people who live within the city limits of Toledo have a wonderful opportunity to make something happen for our community this November in the general election. The Timberland Regional Library is considering an expansion in Toledo, but before it moves forward the citizens of Toledo must vote to approve this process. (The Chronical, 10.01.13)

Recent articles in the Whidbey News-Times have mentioned that the City of Oak Harbor is considering plans for a sewage plants and coupling a new library with that effort. I heartily endorse your editorial about the value, need and satisfaction of libraries. Indeed, one might note that there were libraries before fire departments and police in cities long ago. (Whidbey New-Times [Oak Harbor], 09.28.13) http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/opinion/letters/225832891.html

Awards
Fourteen projects, including the Odegaard Undergraduate Library in Seattle, are winners in the 2013 Honor Awards by the American Institute of Architects Seattle chapter. They were selected from more than 130 submittals, and include both built and conceptual projects by Washington-based architects and designers. (Daily Journal of Commerce, 11.06.13) http://www.djc.com/news/ae/12059054.html

Programs/Displays
Discover the little gem of the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, and its new exhibit, “The Final Days of the American Civil War.” It features documents and manuscripts from the surrender of Vicksburg, the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse and a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation Amendment to the Constitution signed by Abraham Lincoln. (The News Tribune, 11.13.13)

Carol DeGregory combines her love of art with her love of libraries. She brings her soft pastel landscapes to the Second Story Gallery at the Camas Public Library this month, her fifth show in a local library. (Camas- Washougal Post- Record, 10.01.13)

Snohomish High School alumnus Sean Kelly had a blast at his 25th class reunion. During the reunion, glass artist John Kiley and his team created a sculpture for the school library. (The Herald [Snohomish], 10.04.13) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20131004/NEWS01/710049895

The 34th annual Artists of the Gorge Exhibition opens with a reception beginning at 6 pm, Monday, Oct. 7, at the Stevenson Community Library. The reception will also celebrate the 25th year that Friends of the Stevenson and North Bonneville Libraries has existed. (The Skamania County Pioneer, 10.02.13)

[This summary of library news represents a selection of current newspaper clippings about Washington libraries received from Washington newspapers. The summary is created by Sam Sunderland and Mari Houck 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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