Clippings, September 5, 2008

Kennewick High School students have been banned from using the library across the street from their school while classes are in session. Mid-Columbia Library System officials say they aren’t trying to keep kids out of the library. They want to make sure kids aren’t skipping school. (The Olympian, 9-1-08)

Elections:

In the City of Port Townsend, a proposed permanent lid lift of the general fund in support of library operations got a green light from voters. The proposition was passing with 2,082 yes votes compared with 1,185 no votes as of Tuesday night. (Port Townsend Leader, 8-20-08)

Two ballet measures to remodel and expand the Coupeville Library were still passing on Friday, but the one that would provide the money remained up in the air. Proposition 1, which requires a simple majority to pass, was ahead by a more than 64 percent margin Friday. Proposition 2 needs a 60 percent majority to pass. Friday, it was clinging to 60.543 percent of the vote. (South Whidbey Record [Langley], 8-23-08)

Buildings:

The board of trustees of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District added nearly $1 million last week to the Battle Ground library construction fund, helping the project overcome some higher-than-expected interior construction costs. (The Reflector [Battle Ground], 8-20-08)

The North Olympic Library System plans to pour about $388,000 into new displays, interior pain, carpet, remodeled restrooms, better signs and new furniture for the children’s area. Work is scheduled to start this fall. (with photo) (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 8-22-08)

Letters and Editorials:

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People:

Youth Service Supervising Librarian of at the Peninsula Branch of the Pierce County Library System, Anita Sheneberger encourages individuality when it comes to reading. An experience at a young age taught Sheneberger of “the individual’s right and responsibility to pick what they want to read.” (with photo) (Peninsula Gateway [Gig Harbor], 8-20-08)

Awards:

Whitman County Library’s Patti Cammack and Marie Doak catalogue and process over 70 new books provided through a grant from Libri Foundation Books for Children, the Washington State Library, and the Paul Allen Foundation. (with photo) (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 8-21-08)

Local libraries and colleges have snared $14,000 in grants to get as many people in Whatcom County as possible to read and talk about the same book at the same time. (Bellingham Herald, 8-24-08)

Everett youth who recently complete the Everett Public Library’s Summer Reading Program were honored at the Mayor’s Award Ceremony at the Everett Civic Auditorium in Everett. This year more than 1,000 kids and teens participated in the summer reading program. (The Herald [Everett], 8-28-08)

Programs and Displays:

The Lynden Library, part of the Whatcom County Library System, will start a campaign Sept. 1 to get a library card into the life of every first grader in the Lynden service area. That’s approximately 500 kids in 25 classrooms in five public and private school districts. The “Best Place to Begin: First Grade Library Card Campaign” will run through Nov. 30. (Lynden Tribute, 8-20-08)

The Mercer Island Library, part of the King County Library System, offers a number of afterschool activities for children and teenagers. One of the library’s most popular programs is the Teen Zone, a place for Mercer Island high school and middle school students to work together on assignments, socialize and unwind. (with photo) (Mercer Island Reporter, 8-20-08)

The Liberty Lake Municipal Library offers the online database “Live Homework Help” from tutor.com for library patrons. The program allows users to log on from their home computer (or the library’s computers) using their library card number and chat live with certified support help in several different subject areas. (with photo) (Liberty Lake Splash, 8-21-08)

Summer Reading:

Every year many students fall behind in school because they do not read during the summer. This summer, the Libraries of Stevens County encouraged kids, teens and adults to read all summer long by holding a summer reading program. (Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 8-20-08)

The windows of the Roslyn Library give you an idea of how much time kids spent reading this summer during the library’s annual Summer Reading Program – each ladybug and flying book taped to the windows both inside and out stands for one hour of reading. (with photo) (Northern Kittitas County Tribune [Cle Elum], 8-21-08)

Book Sales:

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[This summary of library news was created by Susan Barrett 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].]