Clippings, July 16, 2008

A former manager of Timberland Regional Library system is suing her one-time employer claiming she was removed from her position after participating in her boss’s job evaluation. The Olympian reports that Tina Roose, 63, is seeking lost wages and retirement benefits and damages for emotional distress in a lawsuit filed in Thurston County Superior Court. (The Daily World [Aberdeen], 6-28-08)

Around 150 people showed up Wednesday to watch tribal members and King County Library officials dedicate the $4 million, 6,000-square-foot Muckleshoot Library. Built to serve the needs of the Muckleshoot Tribe and surrounding community, the library is roughly six times the size of its 40-plus-year-old predecessor. (with large photo) (Auburn Reporter [Kent], 6-28-08)

Interest alone will grant you access to one of Ocean Shores’ most valuable assets, the public library. Library directory, Judy Stull, sees the library as having continual growth. Additional staffing, a dedicated computer area, a full-fledged teen section and a larger meeting room are all changes Stull said would benefit the needs of the community whose population is on the rise. (with color photo) (The North Coast News [Ocean Shores], 7-2-08)

The mission of Whitman County Library is to be our community’s No. 1 resource for education, recreation and discovery. To fulfill our mission, WCL is committed to serving people in the towns where they live. In an age where many agencies and businesses have pulled out of small towns, Whitman County Library is determined to stay put. (with color photo) (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, 7-5-08)

Books: Suggested Reading. Here are some titles that you might have missed because they are not necessarily bestsellers, nor are they books that have been spotlighted often. These are simply books that I have come across, found interesting, and made it past the first 50 pages entertained and wanting to read more. (with color photo) (The Kitsap Sun [Bremerton], 7-6-08)

Elections:

The Timberland Regional Library Board of Trustees may go to the voters seeking a levy lid lift. It’s either that or face cutting services, according to Timberland officials. In the 40 years Timberland Regional Library has served the public, it has never asked the voters to increase its levy rate. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 6-27-08)

Citing the current economic situation, the Kitsap Regional Library Board of Trustees announced Thursday night at a regularly scheduled meeting that the library will not seek a levy lid-lift tax initiative on the November ballot. (Central Kitsap Reporter [Silverdale], 6-28-08)

Buildings:

Historic building may be restored to former glory. Supporters are trying to raise $4 million to renovate the Carnegie Building, built originally as a library in 1910, in Snohomish. (with color photo) (The Herald [Everett], 6-24-08)

With downtown development in the works for Kenmore, designing a new library there means helping define the emerging city, said Matt Aalfs, an associate with Weinstein A/U. The new Kenmore library (King County Library System) is one of 43 libraries being expanded or built thanks for a $172 million capitol bond that passed in 2004. (with photo) (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 7-10-08)

The Magnolia Library (Seattle Public Library System) is reopening after being closed for the past year for expansion and renovations. This was part of the Libraries for All Project, approved by voters in 1998 to overhaul the city’s public libraries. (with photo) (Seattle Times, 7-12-08)

Letters and Editorials:

Sam Rarig: Mukilteo Library Profile. This is one in a series of articles about the Mukilteo Library and the people who have helped make it special. This summer, library supporters will mark the 10 anniversary of the opening of the new facility. (The Mukilteo Beacon, 6-25-08)

Letter from the president of the Jefferson County Family YMCA Board of Directors stating they unanimously support the City of Port Townsend Library Levy and asks that you join them in their support. (Port Townsend Leader, 7-2-08)

Letter from Coupeville resident supporting the Coupeville Library Expansion. (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 7-2-08)

It’s that time of year to celebrate by reading some revolutionary material. Libraries have always served as bastions of free speech and repositories of the information necessary for an informed electorate. Numerous titles over the years have illuminated the Founders, the American Revolution and the Declaration itself, ranging from celebratory to revisionist and everything in between. (Daily News [Longview], 7-3-08)

Guest Commentary: Community Improvement. Brian Zylstra, co-chair of the Chehalis Library Capital Campaign Committee, talks about the building of the new Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library. (The Chronicle [Centralia], 7-3-08)

Letter to the editor – County commissioner’s heavy-handed actions forced the departure of Monica Weyhe, whose skill and vision as executive director enlarged the tax base of the Yakima Valley Regional Library District, assuring the system a brighter future. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 7-12-08)

People:

N/A

Awards:

Cathlamet Library was recently notified that they are the recipient of a special Libri Foundation $1000 Books for Children grant. The Libri Foundation matched a contribution from the Washington State Library, using funds from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. (The Wahkiakum Co. Eagle [Cathlamet], 6-26-08)

For the second year in a row, the National Endowment for the Arts has awarded its maximum “Big Read” grant of $20,000 to Timberland Regional Library to build on the library system’s annual adult reading program, “Timberland Reads Together.” (The Daily World [Aberdeen], 6-28-08)

The city of Lacey was recently honored by the Association of Washington Cities for its participation in Lacey Loves to Read, a community literacy program. The four-year old program, a partnership with North Thurston Public Schools and Lacey Timberland Library, is designed to celebrate reading. Lacey Loves to Read was one of eight projects selected to receive a Municipal Excellence Award. The city won the Community Service Award. (The Olympian, 7-5-08)

Programs and Displays:

The Aberdeen Timberland Library will host “Conversational Spanish Practice Time” for those interested in improving their Spanish skills. Sessions are scheduled every Tuesday starting July 8^th. Beginners through advanced learners welcome. (The Daily World [Aberdeen], 6-28-08)

Kent Regional Library is holding twice monthly video game sessions for teens. Developing ties between library staff and youngsters is what Kent Library’s teen programs are all about. They currently hold two main recreational programs for teens: Game On! And the Book Explorers Book Club. (with photo) (Kent Reporter, 6-28-08)

Nathan Sherman, 9, of Monroe, attended a demonstration by David George Gordon, also known as “The Bug Chef”, at the Monroe Library. Gordon is a Port Townsend bug-cooking expert who has prepared bugs for celebrities as well as kids. (with large color photo) (Monroe Monitor & Valley News, 7-1-08)

In partnership with the Heritage Network, the Libraries of Stevens County are digitally preserving photos and documents through the Washington Rural Heritage Project. Residents in the area are encouraged to bring historically significant photographs to participating libraries where the photos will be scanned and preserved in a digital format. (with photo) (Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 7-2-08)

Libraries across the country are taking advantage of the popular social networking site MySpace to communicate with teens online. The Jefferson County Library page will offer all the social aspects of the site, as well as a place to advertise programs and library activities. Teens will also be able to make suggestions and comments on how the library can best serve their needs. (Port Townsend Leader, 7-2-08)

Readers will “Talk it up” at a new, fun and lighthearted gathering to discuss great books and nibble on tasty snacks. On the first Monday of each month, the group will meet at Graham Pierce County Library. (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 7-2-08)

Public libraries throughout Clallam County now offer free access to GrantStation, an interactive Web site for grant seekers. The Web site includes information on federal, state, and private funding and online training on grant seeking, technical assistance and grant writing. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 7-2-08)

Beginning July 1, checking out books from the Pierce County Library System and Tacoma Public Library became easier. People who live in either the county library’s service area or the City of Tacoma can check out books from both library systems for free. (Peninsula Gateway [Gig Harbor], 7-2-08)

Summer Reading:

Summer boredom is a thing of the past because Yelm Timberland Library has kicked off their summer reading programs. (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 6-27-08)

The Ocean Shores Library has kicked off its summer programs for North Beach area youth. The Library’s two summer reading programs, the teen summer reading program and summer reading club for elementary-aged children, have already begun with events taking place nearly every week. (The North Coast News [Ocean Shores], 7-2-08)

The Summer Reading Program at Coulee City Library is counting the minutes they read each week to earn a party. Kids need to come in each week and turn in their minutes to be counted on the chart. This year’s theme is Catch the Reading Bug. (with photo) (News-Standard [Coulee City], 7-2-08)

Magician Jeff Evans, aka Bug Boy, came from Olympia on Wednesday to wow the crowd on the grass behind the Sequim Public Library with card tricks, a simulated Venus flytrap, a basket of buzzing B’s – as in the letters – and random insect information. His free show was part of the North Olympic Library System’s “Catch the Reading Bug” summer reading program.(with color photo) (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 7-3-08)

Book Sales:

N/A

[This summary of library news was created by Susan Barrett and Leanna Hammond of the Washington State Library Division of the Office of the Secretary of State. It represents a newspaper clippings packet from all Washington newspapers received on the date shown. For more information about any of these stories, contact Susan at 360-570-5561 or [email protected].]