Clippings, November 19, 2008

“If only the Lehman Brothers had been librarians. With the stock market in flux...libraries are busier than ever. Use of libraries nationwide has spiked. And here in North Central Washington, usage is up 15 percent from last year, said Dan Howard, director of public services for North Central Regional Libraries,’” (Cashmere Valley Record [Cashmere], 11-05-08)

“What’s a good read worth? Othello residents may soon find out.” A library status report was recently presented to the City Council. “Othello’s current contract with the Mid-Columbia Library District will expire in December of 2009. MCL has written a letter to the city, stating the City must notify MCL by the end of December 2008 if the city is going to terminate the contract. Councilmember Spohr said MCL officials have reported the fee to operate the local library would increase from $221,000 to $461,000 in 2009, twice the current fees.” Various options for Othello are mentioned. (Othello Independent, 11-05-08)

“Is the economic downturn changing your lifestyle? You’ve made an investment in your community that is always there for you, no matter what. It’s your public library.” An article by the directors of the Bellingham Public Library and the Whatcom County Library lists ways that libraries can help citizens. (Bellingham Herald, 11-07-08)

A tight 2009 budget for the city of Sedro-Woolley will include impacts on the city library—no expansion in the materials budget and elimination of interlibrary loans. “An expensive card-catalog system has contributed to a tighter budget for the library because it has taken the majority of the library’s funds.” (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 11-06-08)

Elections:

Timberland Regional Library has proposed to the city of Shelton that they consider an annexation election in early 2009, rather than maintain a contractual arrangement, which will have a rising price due to a re-evaluation of city land. The City Manager warned that “’our budget planning indicates that the city of Shelton will need to cut approximately $400,000 from the 2010 budget. Given the cuts we’ve already made, our choices will be very limiting. We will have to choose between support for law enforcement and from a very limited set of other programs, including library services.’” (Shelton-Mason County Journal, 11-06-08)

Buildings:

A Kelso developer’s offer to build a new library for the town, as part of a condominium and retail project, has been shelved for the time being by the credit crunch facing banks. The project will begin again when money for loans is once again available. In preparation, the town has annexed and re-zoned the 8-acre parcel. (Daily News [Longview]. 11-9-08

http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/11/09/top_story/doc49167a0ab8ac8972838853.txt

The city of Quincy (North Central Regional Library) and the Quincy School District are in discussions about a possible land swap for placement of a new city library. (Columbia Basin Herald [Moses Lake], 11-04-08) A number of Quincy citizens spoke up at a public hearing for the $850,000 Community Block Grant being requested to cover half the new library’s cost. (Columbia Basin Herald, 11-06-08)

A long article, for the AIA (American Institute of Architects) Project of the Month, discusses the Seattle Public Library’s South Park Branch, in an area “still somewhat isolated from the rest of the city by geography and culture.” South Park was not on the original list of branches to be built by the Libraries for All bond, but requests and support from area residents activated use of a portion of an unspecified “opportunity fund” that had been included in the bond issue. “Because of the new library, this corner-and the neighborhood-is safer, livelier, and more attractive.” (With photos) (Daily Journal of Commerce, 11-19-08)

“The Kettle Falls Library (Libraries of Stevens County) continues to explore ideas to take advantage of their ambitious expansion and redesign project. An opportunity became available involving WSU-Spokane students from their ‘Integrated Design’ class. The class coordinates architecture, interior design, and landscape design, and selected Kettle Falls as one of its projects for this semester.” The Kettle Falls Library is also assisting with a community effort in Northport which will bring broadband and a community center as a result of a USDA Rural Development Utility Services grant of $997,780 to EcliptixNet Broadband. (Both, Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 11-05-08)

A color photo of a 1928 Roadster carrying June Gorter and Vernetta Smith, for whom the new drive-up window and the new Chehalis Timberland Library are named, and an article by Edna Fund, Gorter’s daughter and long-time TRL trustee, give personal stories behind the opening of the library. (Chronicle [Centralia], 11-04-08)

“The popular public library (FVRL) at the Westfield Vancouver shopping mall will stay open through 2009, thanks to some mall concessions and budget adjustments approved by the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District on Monday afternoon. As a trade-off, five other branches will see full-or partial-day closures, including the main Vancouver Community Library.” (Columbian [Vancouver], 11-11-08)

“While discussions continue with the city of University Place’s potential Town Center private-sector partner, the public portion continues to be built and includes parking, a new library (Pierce County Library System) and a civic building.” (With photo) (Business Examiner [Tacoma], 10-27-08)

An article describes the ‘library passport” that is encouraging patrons to visit all of Seattle Public Library’s newly built or renovated branches. (With color photos) (Seattle’s Child, 10-08)

Letters and Editorials:

A letter from Ferndale: “Why can’t an impartial analysis of full public library consolidation be jointly performed by Bellingham city and Whatcom County finance staffs? Administrative staff duplication and other repetitive operating costs are untenable as we all struggle to do more with fewer personal and public resources.” (Westside Record-Journal [Ferndale], 11-05-08) http://www.ferndalerecordjournal.com/index.php?goto=2008-11-06%2010:48:00

A column by Kristie Kirkpatrick, director of the Whitman County Library, praises Bill Gates and the Gates Foundation’s assistance in providing computers for WCL. “A recent national survey revealed four out of five public libraries don’t have enough computers to meet their community’s needs. Sixty percent of libraries don’t have the financial means to add public computers, and approximately one third of libraries experienced a decline in revenue from 2000 to 2005.” (Moscow- Pullman Daily News, 11-08-08)

A letter writer says, “A few weeks ago, I read that the Longview Public Library was compelled to let three part-time employees go due to budget cuts. Small libraries are often underfunded. It caused me concern and sadness to see that the library is always the first to feel the pain whenever belt tightening is called for. This facility and these employees are as crucial to the well-being of the city as the Department of Solid Waste/Recycling or the Department of Parks and Recreation. It was stated that volunteers could probably replace those let go, inferring that anyone can be a librarian as long as they know how to say ‘Shhhh’. Lo and behold, on Nov. 2, Susan James of Longview wrote a miraculous piece about what a professional librarian is.” (Daily News [Longview], 11-09-08) http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/11/09/letters/doc49171b268bb2e197180709.txt And the Susan James article: http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/11/02/readers/doc490dd87a72341944339996.txt .

Awards:

“Laurel Black Design’s recent visual logos for…the North Olympic Library System were chosen as winners in the prestigious Graphic Design USA competition. (The Sequim Gazette, 11-05-08)

People:

A long article introduces Alice Hutchinson of Montesano, member and former president of the Friends of the Library (W.H. Abel Memorial Timberland Library) and active participant in most of the community-helping organizations in town. (With color photos)(The Daily World [Aberdeen], 11-02-08)

A photo shows members of the Greenwood Library (Seattle Public Library) staff dressed in 1920’s costumes to celebrate the 80^th anniversary of their branch. (North Seattle Herald-Outlook, 11-05-08)

The Liberty Lake Municipal Library is accepting applications for a trustee position. (Liberty Lake Splash, 11-06-08)

Programs and Displays:

The Port Townsend Library presented chef Karen Jurgensen, author of Chefs on the Farm: Recipes and Inspiration from the Quillisascut Farm….A silent auction of pies benefited the Port Townsend Library Foundation. (Port Townsend Leader, 11-5-08)

The Mill Creek Library (Sno-Isle Libraries) invites children ages 7-12 to a Children’s Book Festival, featuring illustrator Craig Orback and Trudi Trueit, author of Julep O’Toole and Secrets of a Lab Rat. (Millcreek Enterprise [Lynnwood], 11-05-08)

‘The Westport Timberland Library will host a Japanese kanji art class for teens…Participants will learn how to paint Kanji characters and eat candy sushi and other treats.” (The Daily World [Aberdeen], 11-02-08)

“Art by Molly Reeves will be on display through November at the Second Story Gallery at the Camas Public Library.” (With color illustration) (Camas-Washougal-Post-Record, 11-04-08)

”The Richland Public Library Foundation Board recently held a Cake and Cider Social for the library staff members to celebrate the founding of the American Library Association.” There was a drawing for a gift certificate from a local restaurant. ( Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 11-09-08)

“Valley residents can learn how to create the ancient sounds of the (Native American) flute, in workshops at the North Bend and Fall City libraries (King County Library System). (With photo) (Snoqualmie Valley Record, 11-5-08)

“George Shannon, children’s author, professional storyteller and lecturer will appear at the Coupeville and Oak Harbor Libraries Saturday, Nov. 8. These programs are part of Sno-Isle Libraries Children’s Book Festival celebrated this month.” (With photo) (Whidbey News-Times, 11-05-08)

“To mark National America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, Richland Public Library Children’s Department employees will hand out reusable shopping bags for each recycling pledge turned in. They will also hold a children’s magazine and book exchange and have information on recycling available.” (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 11-08-08)

“The Friends of the Kettle Falls Library (Libraries of Stevens County) will hold their annual meeting Nov. 18. The community is encouraged to attend and learn about the building expansion program.” Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 11-05-08)

A Mount Vernon Theater Arts Guild musical production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is receiving collaboration from Skagit County Community Action and from Skagit Libraries, with the libraries distributing TAG book marks, collecting food donations, and having representatives on hand at the theater to talk about their services. (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 11-06-08)

Book Sales:

Friends of the Ellensburg Public Library (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 11-05-08_

[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] .