Clippings, November 14, 2008

The Yakima Valley Regional Library has adopted a new name—Yakima Valley Libraries and is hosting a design contest to create a new logo. (Yakima Herald-Republic, 11-07-08)

The Fort Vancouver Regional Library Board will have a public hearing on Nov. 10 to discuss how to achieve at least $1 million in budget reductions. The library is in daily communication with Westfield Vancouver mall officials who are proving receptive to the need for the library to not immediately undertake renovation expenses for the Vancouver Mall Branch. (Columbian [Vancouver], 11-10-08) [Also see “Letters” section below.]

Elections:

An open house was held at the Garfield Branch of the Whitman County Library to discuss what annexation to WCL would mean to the town. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 10-30-08)

Buildings:

The Richland Public Library renovation, funded by a $17.25 million voter-approved bond, is scheduled for a mid-2009 completion. A new plan includes adding a reading area and archive devoted to Richland history. The Richland Public Library Foundation has contributed $75,000 toward this space, and is seeking matching funds from a community challenge. “The historical archive would complement rather than compete with similar archives in the area.” (With color photo) (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 11-3-08)

The City Council in Quincy (North Central Regional Library) is asking the school board to consider the possibility of a land swap on a portion of land near Pioneer Elementary School. (Quincy Valley Post Record, 10-30-08) Quincy is also advertising for an architect to advise on the site selection and later do a building design for the library. It was determined by the city attorney that although the architectural firm of MJ Neal and Associates had been hired earlier to assess the library possibilities in renovating a local commercial building, the city’s advertising for that contract did not describe sufficiently the further activities now required. (Columbia Basin Herald [Moses Lake], 10-31-08)

Letters and Editorials:

A column describes some of the special items involved in the new Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library, including the first drive-through library pickup window in the state, named for TRL trustee Edna Fund’s 99-year-old mother, June Gorter. Orin Smith, former Starbucks CEO and $1 million contributor to the library named for his mother, asked that the library interior have a “warm and inviting” presence, somewhat as in a Starbucks, or a Barnes and Noble, adds the columnist. And Mrs. Smith had a young daughter who used a wheelchair, so a colorful painting in the children’s section shows “the library being used by children of all abilities, including those who cannot climb steps.” (The Chronicle [Chehalis], 10-30-08)

A letter writer from Walla Walla asks—“Why must we risk losing something before we can begin to measure its true worth…I’m talking about our public library…I am encouraging our Council members to appropriate the necessary funds…” (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 10-31-08)

A letter writer from Vancouver—“If Fort Vancouver Regional Library officials do have to close the Vancouver mall branch, maybe they can find a better place to lease near the mall that might cost less money. They could put all new construction on hold until they have secured financing for upkeep on all existing branches….People depend on the library branches we have…”(Columbian [Vancouver], 11-8-08)

An editorial from Vancouver—“The (FVRL) library in the mall appears doomed, unless Westfield Vancouver mall management wants to play fairy godmother. We urge it to find a wand and some fairy dust and do just that.” (Columbian [Vancouver], 11-9-08)

People:

“Regina Tipton-Llamas of the Ellensburg Public Library has been selected to participate in the American Library Association-FIL Free Pass Program to attend the Guadalajara Book Fair in Mexico Nov. 20-Dec. 3.” (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 10-30-08)

Garfield Branch (Whitman County Library) staff Becky Sprague will be moving on to full-time work in a Pullman business. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 10-30-08)

Programs and Displays:

Activities at the Roslyn Public Library include a Knitting Circle, Armchair Travel Series, and a Book Club discussion. (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 10-30-08)

“The ‘Soiree in the Stacks’ dinner and auction benefit at Colfax last Sunday raised a total of $64,575 in support of Hayden’s Corner (children’s room) and the Colfax Library renovation project. The benefit was sponsored by the Whitman County Library Foundation. Library director Kristie Kirkpatrick credited the generosity of the participants and the award-winning skills of auctioneer Butch Booker as key to the auction’s success. ‘The community came ready to give. The atmosphere of love and support was simply awe inspiring’, she said.” (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 10-30-08)

The Roy City Library has received 66 new children’s books, courtesy of the Libri Foundation, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and WSL. (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 10-29-08 & Nisqually Valley News [Yelm]. 10-31-08)

For its 2009 “Seattle Reads” program, now in its 11^th year, the Seattle Public Library has chosen My Jim by Nancy Rawles, a fictional account of the wife of Jim, the escaped slave character in Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Rawles is a local Seattle author. Seattle Reads is sponsored by the Wallace Foundation, with additional support from the Seattle Public Library Foundation, KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, and Three Rivers Press. (With photo) (The Skanner [Seattle], 10-29-08)

In honor of Banned Books Week, the Kirkland Public Library (King County Library System) is displaying 11 works of art based on a book title. “’The purpose of the exhibit is to subtly encourage the viewer into thinking about what censorship really does’” said branch manager Elsa Steele. A reception for the artists will be held at the library. At the end of the exhibit, the artists will be invited to contribute their works for auction by the King County Library System Foundation. (With photo)(Kirkland Reporter, 10-29-08)

The Endicott Library (Whitman County Library) is sponsoring a Community Food Drive with the Endicott Lutheran Church. All who bring in a food item will be entered in a drawing for a free book. Meeting of an Adult Craft Club and a Third Thursday craft club for younger students also took place. The St. John Library (WCL) held an eBay class for 21 participants and thanks to a gift from the General Federated Women’s Club now has subscriptions to two quality children’s magazines, Ranger Rick and National Geographic Kids. Technology Tuesday classes are held at the Colfax Branch, using the new laptop lab. WSU Extension of Whitman County has developed a Barns of Whitman County calendar with proceeds benefiting the Colfax library renovation project. (All, Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 10-30-08)

“The Cheney Community Library (Spokane County Library District) building will celebrate its 20^th anniversary with a week of activities.” A story highlights some of the history of the library’s beginning. (Cheney Free Press, 10-30-08)

The Friends of the Hesseltine Library in Wilbur listened to a presentation by Karen Cooper of Hartline about “her adventures and learning in creating and publishing three children’s books.” (Wilbur Register, 10-30-08)

Story Hours, Summer Reading and Early Learning:

Timberland Libraries at Elma, Oakville, and Montesano will host various story times, with Montesano also having a Math Play event. (The Vidette [Montesano], 10-30-08)

Book Sales:

The Friends of the Brooks Library, at Central Washington University, held their annual book sale to benefit the Brooks Library’s endowment fund. (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 10- 31-08)

[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] .