Clippings, August 6, 2008

The Whitman County Library has many books on the topic of ghost towns. From the northwest to the American West, these books talk about various mining camps, boomtowns, and interesting characters from long ago. (Boomerang [Palouse], 7-17-08)

Kitsap Regional Library has replaced its old bookmobile, Buttercup, with a brand new, purple, 28-foot long vehicle named Violet. Violet was purchased entirely through donations made through the Kitsap Regional Library Foundation. It is considered the 10^th branch of the library and provides not just books but also access to the online KRL catalog, KRL research databases, and the internet. (Bainbridge Island Review, 7-19-08)

Librarians have been battling a certain stereo-type for years. Thankfully, books are helping us change this image. While some books work subtly to show librarians in a different light, others make it their mission. There are books about librarians in every genre, and for readers of every age. (West Seattle Herald/White Center News, 7-23-08)

Elections:

N/A

Buildings:

The owl, a symbol of wisdom, is an ideal resident for a library, and the large, bronze owl just inside the entrance of the Aberdeen Timberland Library, created by renowned modern-art sculptor Beniamino “Benny” Bufano, has been a beloved member of the library community for 40 years. The owls 40^th anniversary is being held at the Aberdeen Timberland Library this Saturday. (with photo) (The Daily World [Aberdeen]. 7-18-08)

Liberty Lake’s police chief and library director heaved sighs of relief Tuesday after the City Council voted to approve Plan B – purchasing a building on East Mission to house a new police station and library. (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 7-20-08)

The Clallam Bay Branch of the North Olympic Library System will close Monday to finish construction that started April 14. It will reopen Sept. 8, ahead of schedule. Library staff will work limited hours during the closure, processing holds, shelving returned materials and preparing for the reopening. Patrons can continue to place holds for books and other materials at www.nols.org. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 7-23-08)

Renovation of the Redmond Regional Library will be constructing an enclosure around the automated book return area outside the building and conduct an interior renovation. A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held on July 31 at the Redmond Regional Library. (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 7-26-08)

Letters and Editorials:

A letter to the editor supporting the Coupeville library expansion and remodel. “The Coupeville library 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.” (The Whidbey Examiner [Coupeville], 7-18-08)

A rebuttal to a letter written on July 9^th that did not support the Coupeville Library expansion and remodel. “I hope I am one of hundreds to respond to his selfish view of the library situation.” (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 7-19-08)

People:

Ten years ago, when the Mukilteo Library first started serving the community in its current location, now-managing librarian Jane Crawford was in graduate school, raising two small children and working for an industrial chemical manufacturer. “Then,” Crawford recalled, “I read Rachel Carson’s ‘Silent Spring’ and decided that I needed to find my life’s work, something that would serve my community and help people, instead of just earning a paycheck peddling chemicals.” Goes on to give background of Jane Crawford and the Mukilteo Library. (with photo) (The Mukilteo Beacon, 7-23-08)

Melinda van Wingen’s career had mixed beginnings. On June 30, she started her job as an Everett Public Library historian. While in academia, she saw historians as the major users of library archives. Here, she more often sees people researching their houses. Goes on to give background information about Van Wingen, as well as some information on the retired librarian whose position she took over. (with large color photo) (The Herald [Everett], 7-29-08)

Awards:

Twenty North Central Washington libraries will recieve more than $218,000 in new computers in the next two years, thanks to a major grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation last week. More than $720,000 was given to Washington libraries. Articles list the libraries who received awards. (The Wenatchee World, 7-22-08)

The Rock’s owner, Brad Loucks, presented a $1,000 check to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation before opening for business. The Rock donated half of the revenue from sales of The Bucket tropical rum drink and 10 percent of other drink sales. (Columbian [Vancouver], 7-29-08)

Programs and Displays:

The King County Library System (KCLS) Board of Trustees is discussing the introduction of a program entitled “Ride to Read,” which will give youth free Metro bus transit to and from their local libraries. (Mercer Island Reporter, 7-16-08)

Summer Reading:

Keeping students reading during their summer break is all about keeping their reading level intact, said Mary Jo Torgeson, director of the Puyallup Public Library. This year’s summer national reading theme is “Catch the Reading Bug” and unique programming at the Puyallup Library is bringing reading opportunities for prizes, interactive activities and a place to go during summer break. (The Herald [Puyallup], 7-17-08)

Teenage readers may turn into writers this summer if they choose to get involved in King County library programs. They can also indulge in their manga and anime addictions or duke it out in Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution tournaments. “The summer reading incentive program has been so popular,” said Loomis. “We want to encourage kids to read.” (Snovalley Star [Issaquah], 7-17-08)

As the Summer Reading Program draws to a close, the Palouse library celebrated a very good turnout for all of the programs this summer. The theme for the summer was “Catch the Reading Bug’, and the kids learned about all kinds of bugs, metamorphosis, camouflage, spiders, and animals that eat bugs. (Boomerang [Palouse], 7-17-08)

Book Sales:

Moses Lake library puts on second summer book sale. The Moses Lake Friends of the Library are doing their best to get residents accustomed to the idea of an ongoing book sale. The book group’s efforts to support a new, updated library building are ongoing. (Columbia Basin Herald [Moses Lake], 7-23-08)

[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].]