Clippings, July 29, 2008

Take note: Not returning library books can be expensive and even land you in jail. To recover long-overdue materials from library patrons who ignore requests to return them, the Burlington City Library has resorted to reporting the past-due items as stolen property. (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 7-19-08)

Elections:

Officials from the Boys and Girls Club and city of Sammamish this week reiterated that they hope to partner to create a new recreation center in the existing Sammamish library building. The proposal would be part of a $19 million parks bond package that will likely go to voters this fall. Library officials plan to start construction of the new library adjacent to City Hall in August and vacate the old library building in 2010, City Manager Ben Yazici said. (Issaquah-Sammamish Reporter [Kent], 7-11-08)

Buildings:

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Letters and Editorials:

One year ago, Sno-Isle Libraries launched an experiment on Camano Island – the Camano Island Library Pilot Project. This three-year library pilot project was in response to feedback we received from Camano Island residents. That feedback was loud and clear – local library service is important to us. (Stanwood Camano News, 7-15-08)

Four Coupeville residents write to support the Coupeville library expansion and remodel. One Coupeville resident writes against it. (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 7-16-08)

People:

Three Seattle-area elementary school teachers, who call themselves Recess Monkey, are bringing their fun-loving show to the Mid-Columbia. Five concerts are planned at Mid-Columbia libraries. Gives background information on the band. (with color photo) (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 7-18-08)

Earl Dungey had never been to a prison before he took a job in the library at the McNeil Island Corrections Center. For the past four years, Dungey has been the only man to keep the shelves stocked and the inmates reading. Gives background information on Earl Dungey. Laura Sherbo from the Washington State Library is quoted talking about staffing issues in prison libraries. (with large color photo) (The News Tribune [Tacoma], 7-27-08)

Awards:

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Tuesday offered $8,600 to the Kalama Public Library to purchase new computers. It’s unclear, however, if the library can find the matching funds required to receive the Gates money. (Daily News [Longview], 7-16-08)

Three Walla Walla County libraries have been tapped for grants to improve public computer access. The money is part of $8.1 million in awards announced Tuesday by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for libraries in 11 states. The grants will pay for the purchase of two new computer for each library. (Walla Walla Union Bulletin, 7-16-08)

Fifteen Mid-Columbia libraries are among the more than 800 nationwide that have received $8.1 million in grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 7-18-08)

Programs and Displays:

Water is the medium in internationally known sculptor and artist Trimpin’s latest original interactive piece, Liquid Letters, now on view at Snoqualmie Library. In Liquid Letters, drops of water shaped as letters are timed to fall one at a time, spelling out words. (with color photo) (Snoqualmie Valley Record, 7-16-08)

Summer Reading:

The 2008 “Catch a Reading Bug” Summer Reading program is in full swing at the Blanchard and Priest River libraries, but it is not too late to register and join in the activities. (Newport Miner, 7-16-08)

Book Sales:

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[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].]