Clippings, December 12, 2008

Reductions in service at Fort Vancouver Regional Library for 2009 are discussed. Bookmobile service will not be affected at this time “although the district will be studying the costs in the coming year.” (The Skamania Pioneer [Stevenson], 11-26-08)

An article explores the services available at the Heritage Quest Library (special library) in Sumner, which focuses on history and genealogy. A family membership is $35 per year. (With photo) (Bonney Lake & Lake Tapps Courier Herald, 12-03-08)

Jail administrators at the Pierce County Jail are asking County employees and others for donations of old paperback books and magazines, which are delivered to the inmates once a week by jail employees. (Tacoma Daily Index, 12-08-08)

Elections:

A thumbs-down column comments on the Castle Rock election, with nine votes short of a super-majority.”With this library levy, the minority rules. It’s wrong. A minority of voters shouldn’t be able to deprive the majority of Castle Rock residents of the many educational and entertainment benefits a library provides.” (Daily News [Longview], 11-29-08) http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/11/29/editorial/doc493057db41335133092655.txt

The 2009 budget discussion in Port Townsend included the $181,000 released by the Port Townsend Library’s successful levy lid lift election in August. One council member likened it to their economic stimulus package “to support our community and to support our culture.”(Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 12-02-08)

Buildings:

“After years of fundraising and a year and a half of construction, the first phase of the Deming Library (Whatcom County Library) expansion is complete.” The library will be closed for a week while staff move materials, but the bookmobile will come to the parking lot each day between 3 and 6 p.m. (With photo) (Lynden Tribune, 12-3-08)

A bid announcement lists work to be done as part of the Pasco Library remodel (Mid-Columbia Library System). (Daily Journal of Commerce [Seattle], 12-06-08)

The Seattle Public Library’s Green Lake Branch and book drop re-opened Nov. 19 after being closed since Oct. 2 to remove mold found in a crawl space. (Ballard News Tribune, 11-26-08)

Letters and Editorials:

A customer admires the new Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library, its beauty, and its drive-up window on a rainy night. “Treat yourself and go see.” (The Chronicle [Centralia]. 12-03-08)

A column from the chairwoman of the Walla Walla City Library Board of Trustees thanks the City Council for finding the funding for a compromise for a year in the budget discussions between the Walla Walla City Library and the Walla Walla Rural Library District which will enable city library services to continue at the same level. (Walla Walla Union Bulletin, 12-02-08)

People:

Geraldine de Rooy is leaving the Kelso Public Library to be director of Neill Public Library in Pullman. Kelso children’s librarian Cindy Donaldson will take over as interim library manager in Kelso. “De Rooy’s departure comes at a time of uncertainty for the library. The city is cutting $50,000, about 12 per cent, from the library’s 2009 budget…Given that Kelso’s library usage is increasing, which seems to be the trend during bad economic times, it doesn’t make sense to trim back Kelso’s library services, de Rooy said…she pointed out that the number of Kelso library patrons had risen 19 percent this year.” (With color photo) (Daily News [Longview], 11-29-08 & 12-03-08)) http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/11/29/top_story/doc4930a0d4d74a7091244463.txt

“New officers have been selected by members of the Davenport Public Library’s Board. (Davenport Times, 11-27-08)

Programs and Displays:

The Stevenson Library (FVRL) offers armchair travel to Paris and Morocco, wreath-making, floral centerpiece, and holiday ornament creation, and book discussion with a related film showing, plus a holiday book sale. (The Skamania Pioneer [Stevenson], 11-26-08)

This year’s Silver Tea at the Everson McBeath Community Library (Whatcom County Library) was the 25^th annual event. (Lynden Tribune, 12-03-08)

A show in the Camas Public Library’s Second Story Gallery will showcase the work of photographer Lois Settlemeyer. (With color photo) (Camas Washougal post-Record, 12-02-08)

“A year-long oral history project on community-based ski areas is bringing its presentation to Waterville (North Central Regional Library)…Featuring a 20-minute video, ‘Homegrown Ski Areas of NCW,’ the presentation will highlight the results of 39 interviews conducted across the region last winter.” Funding was sponsored by several local organizations. (Douglas County Empire Press [East Wenatchee], 11-27-08)

Washington State’s first poet laureate, Sam Green, gave a reading at the Oak Harbor Library (Sno-Isle Libraries). (With photos) (Whidbey News-Times, 11-29-08)

[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].]