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Washington State Library News
The Washington State Library is more than a building full of old, dusty books. The Library is responsible for the distribution of grant money to local libraries, scanning and digitizing historical items, and supporting early reading programs, among other things. The Library has lost 52 percent of its state funding and 57 percent of its workforce since 2002 and is struggling to provide the same level of service. A recent downturn in revenue from recording fees has caused the Library to reduce its public in-person service hours by half. Continued cuts hinder the Library’s ability to receive federal Library Services and Technology Act money which requires a match from the state. (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, 05/28/14).

Library News

North Olympic Library System has teamed up with the Olympic National Park to get kids out and about in the wilderness. “Explore Olympic!” backpacks are available for check out from the library. The packs are filled with discovery tools for exploring the park including field and trail guides, binoculars and reading materials. Families that check out a backpack will get a seven day pass to the park through a donation by Washington’s National Park Fund. (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, 05/29/14).
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Library News
Spokane County Library District will welcome the Digital Bookmobile National Tour. The Digital Bookmobile is equipped with internet connected PC, high definition monitors, sound systems and portable media players, and everything that anyone would need to learn about the library’s download services. (Spokesman Review, Spokane, 05/15/14). http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/may/15/digital-bookmobile-to-make-local-stop/

The City of Sultan has one open position on the Sultan Library Board. The board members are advocates for the library and promote the services the library provides. The new member must live within the Sultan Library Service area. (Monroe Monitor & Valley News, Monroe, 05/20/2014).
Mount Vernon Library is seeking public input through an online Community Needs Assessment survey. City residents can offer their opinion of the community’s needs and preferences in terms of library services. (Skagit Argus, Burlington, 05/27/2014).
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Washington State Library News

Washington State Library is reducing it hours for the public almost in half as part of an effort to meet a $1 million shortfall in funding. The Library will be open to the public from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The library has been planning for budget reductions for several months. The library’s budget comes from a state account that relies on recording fees tied to real estate transactions. Those revenues started tapering off when home loans and refinancing slowed in November and resulted in the $1 million shortfall. The new hours will not affect the Talking Book and Braille Library in Seattle and institutional libraries at state hospitals and prisons. (The News Tribune, Tacoma, 06/10/14). http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/06/10/3235960/funding-hours-slashed-at-library.html

Library News
The city of Everett is considering shifting the local library system to the regional Sno-Isle Library System. Having the Everett libraries would remove $5 million from the city operating budget and may help stabilize the library funding. It could mean the library would be open more hours. Sno-Isle Libraries would have to approve the deal as well as the city residents. (Everett/Mukliteo Tribune, 05/07/14) http://www.snoho.com/stories_2014/050714_everett_budget_meetings_May_8_and_13.html
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Library News
A Clark County judge has found that a 19 year old man is mentally competent to stand trial for allegedly starting fires in the restroom of the Battle Ground Community Library. (The Columbian, Vancouver, 04/16/14).

Camano Island residents are divided on the merits of building a new library. Stanwood Library is less than five miles from the proposed location of the new library. The Stanwood Library has seen an increase in traffic and will heighten a need for updated facilities. (Stanwood/Camano News, Stanwood, 04/15/14).http://www.scnews.com/camano_scene/article_c630aa24-c4b8-11e3-b599-001a4bcf6878.html

A recent article about a new type of library in San Antonio, Texas describes a totally digital library called Bibliotech. While digital may be the trend for future libraries, the physical gathering place will always be a valuable part of the community. Even Bibliotech is a physical space where people gather and library staff interact with patrons. The Bellingham Public Library and Whatcom County Library System offer a wide array of electronic opportunities and have other resources as well. Story times, tech advice, and recommendations for good reads are just part of the services the library offers. (Bellingham Herald, Bellingham, 04/14/14).

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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

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Washington State Library News
The Kittitas County Early Learning Coalition — which includes representatives from local Head Start, private preschools, the Ellensburg School District and an array of other organizations — formed with the help of a four-stage $40,000 grant from the state’s Foundation for Early Learning that began in 2011. In June of this year, the coalition and the Ellensburg Public Library received a $1,000 Early Achievers Outreach grant from the Washington State Library to operate a series of monthly workshops at the library focusing on learning for children 5 years old and younger. (Daily Record, 9.19.13) http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/grants-support-early-learning-in-ellensburg/article_38398f8c-2153-11e3-abc5-0019bb2963f4.html

Library News
Library users still want real books. They give high marks to library service, but some want a quieter place. What they don’t like is seeing their library used as a hangout by smokers outside or people loitering inside. Those are among findings of a public survey conducted recently by the Everett Public Library. (Everett Herald [Everett], 9.25.13) http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130925/NEWS01/709259888

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Library News
The friends of the Spokane Valley Library announce the placement of a Little Free Library on the site of the proposed park/library at the corner of Sprague Avenue and Herald Road. The Little Free Library will be placed on September 12 and filled with books before the public meeting on the park/library conceptual site plan at 4 p.m. (Valley News Herald, 09.06.13)

The Richland Public Library has expanded its downloadable audio book and eBook collections. The library has joined a consortium of public libraries in Washington to share a group license for the OverDrive downloadable collection. (Tri-City Area Journal of Business [Kennewick], 09.13) http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/2013/09/shoptalk-49/

Comprehensive needs assessment and feasibility study for a new Mount Vernon city library, Mount Vernon, WA. Submittals due November 22nd at 4 pm. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 10.14.13)

Arts Groups are getting $405K for projects. The largest awards include $35,000 for a library and resource center for the Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center and $35,000 for an elevator upgrade at El Centro de la Raza. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 10.24.13) http://www.djc.com/news/co/12058619.html

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Due to two staff positions in the process of being rehired, clippings will be on hold through November 2013.

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Library News
Lawns at Pierce County Library System (PCLS) branches will be brown this summer as a money-saving measure. PCLS anticipates $8,300 in savings from not watering and, as a result of letting lawns die, less mowing. (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 6.26.13) http://www.dispatchnews.com/?p=2706

The Anacortes Public Library recently redesigned its website and public catalog. Library director Cynthia Harrison said recent survey results told them searching the catalog is the top reason library patrons visit the website. The survey also revealed the catalog has been a source of frustration. (Anacortes American, 6.26.13) http://www.goanacortes.com/news/entry/library_launches_redesigned_website

Quilcene students are learning to navigate new technology thanks to a gift from the Port Ludlow Yacht Club Women’s Group. The group’s 49 women put together a beauty pageant fundraiser that netted $3,800, and in November 2012 Quilcene’s school librarian Kelly Ingalls received a surprise check. (Photos) (The Leader [Port Townsend], 6.26.13) http://www.ptleader.com/news/education/e-books-open-new-wave-of-learning-at-quilcene/article_3fdd3dbf-1a62-5dc8-b100-11c3450d584d.html

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Washington State Library News
Washington State University Libraries have joined Ask-WA, a service coordinated by the Washington State Library in participation with libraries statewide. WSU faculty, students and staff can get a quality answer within minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (WSU News Online, 8.14.13) http://news.wsu.edu/articles/37052/1/Get-online-answers-24%2F7-through-new-library-service

Library News
Ali Raphael, 18, Darby Lowney, 16, and Laura Christman, 17, were selected to participate in the Best Fiction for Young Adults session during the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting in January. Lynn Stone, reference/teen services librarian at the Poulsbo branch of the Kitsap Regional Library, had seen the announcement in a library journal and approached each of the teens with the opportunity. (Photos) (North Kitsap Herald [Poulsbo], 6.14.13) http://www.northkitsapherald.com/community/211591061.html

Dayton City Council members learned 25,354 people visited the Dayton Memorial Library and Delany Room in 2012 during the annual report by Janet Lyon, library director at the Council meeting held June 10. (Dayton Chronicle, 6.19.13)

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