Clippings, August 15, 2008

A generous donation from the Forks Outfitters community rebate program has put a new children’s train on its track at the Forks Library. The new train replaces the outdated and rickety train now in place at the library. (Forks Forum, 7-30-08)

The Columbia County Rural Library District needs to scan original photographs of some of the school houses in Columbia County for the Washington Rural Heritage Grant that the Library District received. Thirty-nine schools have been scanned. The County Library District is hoping to locate original photographs for the remaining schools. (Dayton Chronicle, 7-30-08)

If Snoqualmie residents are looking for a way to get more involved in their community, the Friends of the Snoqualmie Library are looking for them. Friends of the Snoqualmie Library is a non-profit group that supports the Snoqualmie Library by volunteering, hosting fundraising activities, sponsoring programs and services, and increasing awareness of the library’s community role. (Snoqualmie Valley Record, 7-30-08)

Kenmore Library celebrated its 50^th anniversary on July 21 by holding a 1950’s era celebration. The original Kenmore Library opened July 21, 1958 with only 5,600 books. (with photo) (Bothell Reporter Kenmore Reporter [Kent], 7-30-08)

Spare time is not good in prison. Inmates at the Monroe prison complex try to keep themselves busy to stay out of trouble. They work out, play cards and chat with each other. And they read. Dozens of inmates each day visit the library inside the reformatory unit of the Monroe prison complex. The small library, monitored by surveillance cameras, keeps 18,096 books and dozens of newspapers and magazines. (with large color photo) (The Herald [Everett], 8-6-08)

Elections:

Last week, nearly 50 children and 17 adults squeezed into the children’s room at the Coupeville Public Library to participate in the Wednesday afternoon children’s activity. The number of people using the library has increased over the years so to provide more space for the increasing crowds, Sno-Isle Libraries is running two election proposals that would allow for a renovation that would basically double the size of the library. (with photo) (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 7-30-08)

About 25 people attended Thursday night’s public library levy lid lift Q&A session led by city and library officials at the Port Townsend Community Center. The levy lid lift represents a property tax increase. The city library levy is permanent; it only goes away if the city library ever annexes to the county library district, or if the city ever ceases library service. While the majority of attendees came to show their support for the levy, a few community members voiced concerns regarding the long-term impact of devoting tax funding strictly to the library as well as how exactly the money will be spent and by whom. (Port Townsend Leader, 7-30-08)

Buildings:

City leaders are considering temporarily relocating City Hall away from the municipal campus following the collapse of the City Council chambers ceiling. City Hall may relocate, for up to four years, to a commercial building away from the municipal campus, which includes the adjacent police and fire departments as well as the city’s Sno-Isle Library District branch library. (Lynnwood/Mountlake Terrace Enterprise, 7-25-08)

Ground was officially broken at a ceremony July 24 for the city of Carnation’s new library. The new facility, part of the King County Library System, will include a community meeting room, children’s and teen’s areas and more space for studying and reading. (with color photo) (Valley View [Woodinville], 7-28-08)

The Kirkland Library is set to undergo a major renovation in October, and King County’s nearby sewer pump station and pipelines will soon be upgraded. The project will also feature bicycle amenities, landscaping and public art, and is designed with a “park trellis” theme. (Kirkland Courier Reporter, 7-30-08)

Construction of a new library building in Battle Ground is moving more quickly than previously estimated, and officials now predict the library will open by May 15, 2009. The Fort Vancouver Regional Library District board of trustees has declared the current library building to be surplus and will offer it for sale, said executive director, Bruce Ziegman. Ziegman said he has not talked to officials of the Battle Ground School District about their interest in the building. (with color photo) (The Reflector [Battle Ground], 7-30-08)

The Seattle Public Library Retaining Wall Addition is a project to build a new retaining wall to support a section of the existing concrete wall. It will also remove existing econo-blocks in sections to facilitate new construction and add new footings, wall sections, and a new metal railing. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 8-7-08)

The King County Library System (KCLS) invites qualified vendors to participate in the Request for Proposal for Catalog Enrichment Services. KCLS must receive proposals from vendors by 5pm PDT on Sept. 11, 2008. Proposals received later than the above date will not be considered. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 8-7-08)

The Edmonds Library will be closed for 18 days later this month while new carpeting is installed. In addition to the new carpeting, the space used by the Friends of the Edmonds Library for the book sales will be improved to make it look more like a book store and the library’s staff area will also get some small improvements. (The Herald [Everett], 8-11-08)

Letters and Editorials:

Two letters to the editor supporting the Port Townsend Library levy lid lift. “Vote yes to ensure that future generations will have access to our excellent city library.” (Port Townsend Leader, 7-30-08)

Two letters to the editor saying “no” to the Port Townsend Library levy lid lift. “The council’s record: progressively increasing debt and taxes at a time when local, state and national economies are struggling.” (Port Townsend Leader, 7-30-08)

A letter to the editor about the Port Townsend Carnegie Library. “When I entered the building, I was struck with the warmth and welcoming atmosphere, the displays and furniture; the obvious happy reverence paid to the written word affected me at once and deeply.” (Port Townsend Leader, 7-30-08)

A letter to the editor supporting the Coupeville Library expansion. “The Coupeville branch of Sno-Isle Libraries desperately needs more room and the ability to offer more services to a growing population. The ballot measures on Aug. 19 will result in doubling the current library size.” (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 7-30-08)

A letter to the editor supporting the Coupeville Library expansion. “I see the vote on Aug. 19 as one of those rare opportunities for us to give our dollars to a project that will benefit the families of Coupeville for years to come.” (South Whidbey Record [Langley], 7-30-08)

Two letters to the editor supporting the Coupeville Library expansion. “With our yes votes, we can open wide a window that brings more of the world into our community for the benefit to each and every one of us. Remember vote “YES, vote twice!” (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 8-2-08)

People:

A good work day for mystery novelist Aaron Elkins begins at the Sequim Transit Center. About two dozen novels ago, Elkins created Gideon Oliver, the “skeleton detective” who gallivants around the globe solving mysteries involving strange, very old bones. (with large color photo) (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 7-30-08)

Awards:

Bailey Pykonen enjoys the books at the Manchester Library, which recently received a grant of $4,000 from the Fred Meyer fund for its Summer Reading Program, along with $1,000 donation from the Friends of the Manchester Library. (with photo) (Independent [Port Orchard], 8-2-08)

Programs and Displays:

Secret societies of early Whitman County are the topic of an exhibit now on display in the Colfax Library. Sponsored by the Whitman County Historical Society, the exhibit includes artifacts that date back to the late 1800s. (Boomerang [Palouse], 8-7-08)

Summer Reading:

The Pierce County Library System will present its summer youth reading program at each of its locations and bookmobiles through Aug. 16. The programs are not only designed to keep youths interested in reading, but also to maintain their reading levels. (Bonney Lake and Lake Tapps Courier Herald, 7-30-08)

The annual summer reading program conducted at branches of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District is nearing an end for the year. Under the program, children up to age 12 earn prizes based on the amount of reading they do. (The Reflector [Battle Ground], 7-30-08)

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].]