Library Clippings vol. 2 for the week of February 13, 2015

Library News

City Council weighs taxing budget options (The North Coast News, Ocean Shores, 1/8/15)

2014 year in review: Blaine Public Library (The Northern Light, Blaine, 1/8/15)

Library starts year with expanded hours, more staff
The Quincy Public Library has expanded its library hours and staffing. The new hours are Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday & Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. There are now three fulltime librarians: Nikki Urwin, Dottie Van Baugh, and Schiree Ybarra. (Quincy Valley Post Register, Quincy, 1/8/15)

It’s a little overdue!
A book was returned to the Whitman County Library after being more than 60 years overdue. The library recently agreed to waive 60 years of late fees in order to secure return of the book entitled “The American Twenties.” An anonymous caller asked about the library’s policy on overdue books and explained they have a book which was really overdue. When the book was returned, the due date card showed it should have been returned Oct. 13, 1954. Policy at the time called for a late fee of two cents per day which would total $638.90. The district no longer charges late fees for books. Lenders who damage or lose books are required to pay for repairs or replacements. (Whitman County Gazette, Colfax, 1/8/15)

Friends of Hospice donate books
Whitman County Library recently accepted a donation of books from Friends of Hospice. Friends of Hospice provide many helpful resources through both Whitman County and Neill Public libraries. The books relate to hospice services. (Whitman County Gazette, Colfax, 1/8/15)

Popular IRS tax filing instructions eliminated from libraries (Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, 1/13/15)

Book discussion group meets monthly
A book discussion group has scheduled monthly meetings at the South Hill branch of Pierce County Library System. The meetings began on January 12 and are scheduled to continue on February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, and June 8. (South Pierce County Dispatch, Eatonville, 1/14/15)

Library offers tech advice
In the wake of the winter holidays, many older folks are figuring out how to use the high-tech presents they’ve received, and the Arlington Library is happy to help. Kelli Bragg, technical liaison for the library, conducted the first “Gadget Guidance” seminar of the New Year on Jan. 10, but she noted that patrons can schedule consultation appointments at their leisure, even to answer the simplest of questions. For details call 360-435-3033 or log onto www.sno-isle.org. (Arlington Times, Marysville, 1/18/15)

Sno-Isle responds to city’s discussion on library (Stanwood/Camano News, Stanwood, 1/20/15)

New hours at the library
Grand Coulee Community Library, a branch of North Central Regional Library, has extended open hours. The new hours are: Monday 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (The Star, Grand Coulee, 1/21/15)

Council Oks PUD water contract in principle (The Wahkiakum County Eagle, Cathlamet, 1/22/15)

Buildings

Library Director addresses elevator installation concerns
This letter from Kylie Fullmer, Director of the Ritzville Library, explains the library’s efforts to make their historic Carnegie library ADA accessible. It was determined that ramps would have a negative visual impact on the building so they are focusing on a three-stop elevator that would have outside access at the Adams Street entrance. The elevator would take patrons to either the main or basement floors. They have applied for a competitive Heritage Capital Projects Fund grant offered through the Washington State Historical Society for $419,020. Patrons may view architectural drawings at the library, and are encouraged to attend monthly board meetings where suggestions are welcomed. Donations toward their 67 percent share of the costs for the project are also welcomed. (Ritzville-Adams County Journal, Ritzville, 1/8/15)

Information sought on historic La Center building (Reflector, Battle Ground, 1/14/15)

Western Washington University Wilson Library reading room lighting
Advertisement for bid. Western Washington University is seeking proposals for the following project: Wilson Library Reading Room Lighting, PW683, a project involving installation of modern energy efficient LED pendant fixtures and modern lighting controls in the historic Wilson Library Reading Room. Architect/Engineer’s Estimate: $115,000.00. MANDATORY Prebid Conference will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at WWU Wilson Library Reading Room 480. Contact Erik Sterns with Hargis Engineers for more information at 206-436-0477. This prebid conference is mandatory for all prime bidders. Attendees arriving more than 10 minutes late will not be admitted to the prebid conference. Parking permits are required to park on the main campus and are obtainable at the Parking Office in the Campus Services Building, located at 2001 Bill McDonald Parkway. (Daily Journal of Commerce, Seattle, 1/30/15)

NBBJ designs White Center library
Construction is slated to begin soon on a 10,000-square-foot library in the White Center neighborhood of Seattle. The library is expected to open in spring of 2016. The project is expected to cost &7.6 million, including the land, which was purchased from the state. The new library is being paid for with a bond approved by voters in 2004. (Daily Journal of Commerce, Seattle, 2/2/15)

Letters & Editorials

Cheney’s Fisher Building a community treasure
This letter from Thomas E. Durst of Medical Lake, talks about some of the merits of living in Medical Lake, and specifically mentions that “the library is fantastic in that it combines the technology of a larger system with a small town coziness, especially the reading area with a fireplace. The staff are amazingly dedicated to serving this community and reaching out to connect in several creative ways.” (Cheney Free Press, Cheney, 1/8/15)

People

A new face in the stacks – Soap Lake welcomes new librarian (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, 1/19/15)

Programs/Displays

New lineup of classes set at Colfax Library
A new line-up of classes is now available at the Colfax Library through a partnership with Community Colleges of Spokane. These ACT 2 programs run through March and provide low cost, non-credit classes that range from history and technology to cooking and music. For more information on these classes, call 800-845-3324 or visit www.iel.spokane.edu/ACT2 or contact Whitman County Library at 509-397-4366. (Whitman County Gazette, Colfax, 1/8/15)

SCLD streaming services
The Spokane County Library District has announced public availability of thousands of movies, television shows, and albums. All are available on computers and mobile devices via hoopladigital.com. All you need is a library card. To get registered, or to find out more information, visit www.scld.org/whats-hoopla. (Valley News Herald, Spokane, 1/9/15)

Kids can get hands-on with science
Children 8 years old and up can participate in hands-on activities and games at the South Hill branch of Pierce County Library System one Wednesday a month starting in January. Upcoming free sessions, to be held from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., are scheduled for: February 18 – Connect light circuits using special dough; March 18 – Build art bots and hover bots that move; April 15 – Engineer the tallest toothpick tower or the strongest straw bridge. Registration is at www.piercecountylibrary.org/calendar. The events are sponsored by Friends of the South Hill Library. (South Pierce County Dispatch, Eatonville, 1/14/15)

City residents have access to free legal service at public library
Reach Enumclaw is a free legal clinic open to all local residents on a first-come, first-served basis. The clinic is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Enumclaw Library the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Reach Enumclaw is provided through the cooperation of the King County Library System, The Cardozo Society, Plateau Outreach Ministries, and Seattle University Access to Justice Institute. (Enumclaw Courier-Herald, Enumclaw, 1/14/15)

Sumner library explores public laptop options (The Bonney Lake & Sumner Courier-Herald, Kent, 1/14/15)

Library announces book selected for 2015 Columbia River Reads program (The Wenatchee World, Wenatchee, 1/16/15)

BG Library hosting senior social event each month
On January 7, the Battle Ground Community Library hosted its first Senior Social event. The Senior Social is a time for seniors age 55 and older to come to the library and learn about and utilize library resources, or simply visit with others. Library staff are available to answer any questions during this time, and snacks are provided. For more information on this and other Battle Ground Library programs, call 360-906-4742. (The Reflector, Battle Ground, 1/21/15)

Library puts out call for fiber art (Daily Record, Ellensburg, 1/21/15)

County libraries sharing online – users will be able to access information countywide (Daily Record, Ellensburg, 1/21/15)

Library starting community reading series
The Friends of the Library invite the community to join in the first ever White Salmon Valley Community Library “community reads.” The series of events being called “Koobdooga: Community Reads 2015” will feature the book “Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher; the Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis” by award-winning Seattle author Timothy Egan. For more information call the library at 509-493-1132. (The Enterprise, White Salmon, 1/22/15)

Technology ‘makerspace’ on horizon for Puyallup Library
The Puyallup Public Library wants to bring a makerspace to Pierce County’s third-largest city. The foundation has launched fundraising and outreach for a proposed makerspace inside the library in Pioneer Park. Visitors could use equipment and technology not easily accessible to or affordable for the public. Puyallup’s makerspace would be free except for some costs associated with materials. (The News Tribune, Tacoma, 1/29/15)

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

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