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Library News
Philip Pledger, a Boy Scout with Troop 1506, kept it local when he chose the Tracyton Community Library as the site for his Eagle Scout project. Library volunteer Bonnie Chrey said Philip installed an improved community bulletin board and revamped the planting bed on the west side of the building. (Central Kitsap Reporter [Silverdale], 3.22.13)

A janitor, Joaquin Amaya, at the Vashon Island Library, a part of the King County Library System, has been charged with sexual assault, accused of groping a developmentally disable man after luring him inside the building. Amaya has been charged with fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation as well as attempted unlawful imprisonment. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer Online, 4.25.13) http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Charge-Library-janitor-molested-disabled-man-4464702.php

What a generous gift Bill and Pat Caldwell have offered to the city of Toledo – a building for a library branch. Shrinking reimbursements from insurance companies left the Caldwell’s struggling to earn a living so, after 23 years, they closed their pharmacy reluctantly. Now the couple … wants the empty pharmacy building turned into a Timberland Regional Library branch. (The Chronicle Online [Centralia], 4.30.13) http://www.chronline.com/opinion/article_c99f564c-b1b3-11e2-ae10-0019bb2963f4.html

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Library News
King County Library System subscribes to Science Online, a database filled with diagrams, conversion calculators, articles and experiments covering topics such as forensics, weather, chemistry, biology and more. The articles are from reputable sources like science encyclopedias and dictionaries. This database is available anytime and anywhere. (Bellevue Reporter [Kent], 3.8.13) http://www.bellevuereporter.com/opinion/195451501.html

Up until last year, South Sound High School’s library consisted of about 600 books that were outdated, and not being read by students. Math para-educator and book lover Terri Evans decided to change that. (Photo) (The Olympian [Olympia], 3.10.13) http://www.theolympian.com/2013/03/10/2455261/library-beefs-up-its-offerings.html#storylink=misearch

A new policy to direct book selections for school libraries could be on the horizon. Vivian Jennings, the district librarian, recently told the Prosser School Board about how she acquires books for the district elementary, middle and high schools. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 3.11.13) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/03/10/2307733/prosser-school-board-questions.html#storylink=misearch

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Washington State representatives attended the Collaborative Summer Library Program’s annual meeting in Atlanta, GA this month.  Pictured above: Meredith Hale, Martha Shinners, Josephine Camarillo, and the little red hen at the Center for Puppetry Arts.

Image courtesy North Pend Oreille Heritage collection

Washington State Library News
Julia Batson, a seventh-grader at Woodward Middle School, has been named a state champion in Washington’s Letters About Literature contest. Julia won the state title in the Level 2 (grades 7-8) competition. Julia’s letter was to Randa Abdel-Fattah about her book “Ten Things I Hate About Me.” (Bainbridge Island Review Online, 4.2.13) http://www.bainbridgereview.com/news/201131371.html

Library News
Wired or Wireless was recently honored during a reception at the Malden Library, a part of Whitman County Libraries, to celebrate the conclusion of their two year grant that provided 60 hours per week access to Malden’s library and computer center. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 3.7.13)

The book drop in front of the Daily Sun News office on Sixth Street in Sunnyside has new signs, but that’s all that’s changed, according to Sandra Linde, who operates the donation box. Books donated at the book drop are passed along to schools, the library, and hospital, as well as given out at Sunshine Days. (Photo) (Daily News [Sunnyside], 3.7.13)

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Washington State Library News
Just 2 ½ months after taking office, Republic Secretary of State Kim Wyman is following the footsteps of her predecessor, Sam Reed, in fighting against a proposed fund reduction for the library’s operations. (The Olympian [Olympia], 4.7.13) http://www.theolympian.com/2013/04/07/2495373/wyman-picks-up-torch-to-save-wash.html#storylink=misearch

Library News
The state Public Disclosure Commission has informed Renton residents that staff won’t take any action on complaints residents filed against the King County Library System and Renton Mayor Denis Law concerning the Aug. 7 election. (Renton Reporter, 3.1.13) http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/192318631.html

Kitsap Regional Library patrons will now have unlimited access to more than 100 digital magazine titles, cover to cover with no waiting. Popular titles such as Newsweek, Consumer Reports, National Geographic and Popular Photography are being provided through KRL’s subscription to Zinio. (The Kitsap Sun, [Bremerton] 3.3.13) http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/mar/02/krl-now-offering-unlimited-access-to-digital/#axzz2Q5xociQ0

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Library News
Banned Books Week is slated for September 22nd-28th and is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. The week highlights the value of free and open access to information, according to the American Library Association (ALA). (Federal Way Mirror, 2.22.13)

The City of Monroe is seeking dedicated residents of the Monroe Library Capital Facility Area interested in serving on the City of Monroe Library Board. The Library Board serves as an advisory board to the Monroe City Council and acts as liaison between the city council and the Sno-Isle Libraries. (Monroe Monitor & Valley News, 2.26.13) http://www.monroemonitor.com/2013/02/25/monroe-library-board-seeks-member-2/

At its February 7th meeting, the board of directors of the North Olympic Library Foundation (NOLF) welcomed a contribution of $4,000 from Sequim residents Jo Anne and Jim Roberts. The funds will support NOLF’s summer reading program and other programs designed to encourage children to read. (The Sequim Gazette, 2.27.13)

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Washington State Library News
Spokane voters have again proved they strongly support city libraries. Take notice, Olympia. The Washington State Library and the Washington State Archives have about filled up the space available for housing the state’s most important documents and artifacts. In 2007, the Legislature authorized construction of a Washington Heritage Center that would house the archives and library. With the state committed, private dollars might follow, and finally move the project forward. (The Spokesman Review [Spokane], 2.15.13) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/feb/15/editorial-restore-momentum-for-heritage-center/

Library News
More than 10,000 postcards have been sent to e-book publishers by library users who agree with Pierce County Library System that a blockade on e-books for libraries is unfair. The result: At least two publishers have agreed to start selling e-books to the libraries again. (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 2.13.13)

Sno-Isle Libraries have a simple, streamlined option for checking out and reading eBooks, thanks to the 3M Cloud Library eBook Lending Service and the Polaris Integrated Library System. The service combines digital content, in-library hardware, and apps for borrowing and reading eBooks, all within the library’s own online catalog, creating an unrivaled patron experience. (The Whidbey Examiner [Coupeville], 2.14.13)

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Library News
The Pierce County Library system has chosen “The Paris Wife” as the book for this year’s Pierce County Reads program. The program includes a swag of April events themed around 1920s Paris and a May visit by author Paula McClain of Cleveland. (The News Tribune, [Tacoma] 3.19.23)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/03/18/2518647/author-found-a-friend-in-1st-mrs.html

The Spokane Public Library will get new leadership just as its funding stabilizes after years of uncertainty. Pat Partovi, who has led the library since 2003, will retire May 10. The Library Board of Trustees will choose among three finalists on Wednesday. The public can ask the candidates questions at an event on Saturday. (The Spokesman-Review, [Spokane] 3.21.13) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/mar/22/library-getting-new-chief/

Elections
Spokane voters resoundingly approved a city charter amendment granting the police ombudsman more authority and a tax to ensure that branch libraries won’t close. The four-year library tax plan, called a levy lid lift, had wide support from the city’s elected leadership. The proposal will increase taxes by $7 a year on a property assessed at $100,000. (Photo) (Spokesman Review, [Spokane] 2.13.13) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/feb/13/voters-pass-library-police-measures/

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Library News
A committee of administrators, teachers, parents and a student on Tuesday recommended a book challenged for its graphic depiction of child abuse remain available to seventh and eighth graders at Housel Middle School. Currently, middle-school students must have parental permission to check out Dave Pelzer’s A Child Called It. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 2.6.13) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/02/06/2264383/prosser-book-committee-gives-ok.html#storylink=misearch

The Kettle Falls Public Library Board of Trustees seeks to fill two open trustee positions beginning April 2013. Interested parties should reside within the city limits of Kettle Falls, be available to attend quarterly Board of Trustees meetings and be willing to serve as a liaison between the community and its library. (The Independent [Chewelah], 2.7.13)

Patty Ayala Ross, manager of the Shelton Timberland/William G. Reed Public Library, says Shelton is a town full of readers, and she has the numbers to back it up. In her 2012 year-end report to the Shelton City Commission, Ross pointed out that the number of visits rose from 92,866 in 2011 to 1332,037 in 2012. Also, the number of books and other items checked out rose from 288,515 in 2011 to 305,387 in 2012. (Shelton-Mason County Journal/Belfair Herald, 2.7.13)

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Washington State Library News
Wolf recovery in Washington State – a blessing to many, a curse to others – continues on an upward trajectory, despite the controversial killing of seven wolves caught preying on livestock in the northeast corner of the state last fall. Folks who want to learn a little more about wolves can view a modest wolf exhibit on display weekdays through April 12 at the Washington State Library. (The Olympian [Olympia], 2.17.13) http://www.theolympian.com/2013/02/17/2426874/states-wolf-success-means-everybody.html

Library News
Spokane County Library District has announced the addition of Zinio, the world’s largest provider of online magazines. Library card holders can now access 157 magazines online through the district’s web site, http://scld.org/zinio. (Valley News Herald, [Spokane] 2.1.2013)

As the Walla Walla County Rural Library District moves ahead with building a 15,000-square-foot County Central library branch, controversy also advances. Last week, the State Auditor’s office released news of two findings against the Library District. And a new controversy is coming to light over the Library District’s refusal to disclose the location of its proposed County Central library. (Union-Bulletin, [Walla Walla] 2.2.13) http://union-bulletin.com/news/2013/feb/02/auditor-rural-library-district-violated-law/

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