Clippings, December 17, 2008

The initial library service and staff reductions at Fort Vancouver Regional Library will take place Feb. 1, with more to perhaps follow. Several branches will close one day per week. The district will eliminate 24 positions, 20.6 full-time equivalents, including the layoff of 11 current employees. Hours will be reduced for 13 more employees. The 11 layoffs will include five administrative positions; according to site, five will come from the main Vancouver library, one each from Stevenson and White Salmon, and four from Vancouver-based central district operations. (Columbian [Vancouver], 12-9-08)

Statistics are showing library use in King County (KCLS) to be up 6 percent over last year, presumably in connection with the economic downturn. (Federal Way Mirror, 12-03-08)

“Library service in Othello is at a crossroads after 14 years of partnership between the city and the Mid-Columbia Library District.” (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 12-09-08) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/410890.html

“A consultant for the city of Pasco (Mid-Columbia Library System) may survey residents early next year to find out what they want in library services. (Tri-City Herald, 12-09-08) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/410874.html

“College Place and Milton-Freewater residents will pay $85 more next year to check out books from the Walla Walla Public library….The increase had been expected by many because of recent changes to the reimbursement policy between the Walla Walla County Rural Library District and the Walla Walla Public Library.” (Walla Walla Union Bullewtin, 12-04-08) http://www.union-bulletin.com/articles/2008/12/04/local_news/081204local01library.txt

Elections:

“The Timberland Regional Library district has placed a tax measure on the Feb. 3 special election ballot to avoid making more cuts in services. The proposal requires a simple majority of voters in all five counties to pass. The recession is driving more residents to Timberland libraries, which this year are expected to circulate about 1 million more items than they did a decade ago.” (With photo)(Olympian, 12-09-08) http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/692309.html

Buildings:

The city of Oroville was asked to repair leaks in the library roof. The city had budgeted money for roof repair about 10 years ago, but subsequent plans called for a change in the entire roof. Current intention is to tear down the building and build another. The public works department, which had not previously heard about the leaks, will seek to find and repair them, perhaps a difficult process since the building is “really two buildings put together”. ((With color photo) (Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune, 11-27-08)

A temporary mall site will be used while the Federal Way Regional Library (King County Library System) undergoes a 10,000 square-foot expansion. The 320^th Street Library (KCLS) also “has been beefing up its collection and equipment” and a pick-up site for requested library materials will also be available in the evening at the library of the Panther Lake Elementary School. (Federal Way Mirror, 12-03-08)

Materials were moved to the new-addition side of the Deming Library (Whatcom County Library) in preparation for the grand re-opening on Dec. 6. “Volunteers and other community members have spent hundreds of hours since spring 2007 constructing the 4,000-square-foot space” in the library, which is owned by the Friends. Renovation of the original space, and of the parking lot, will continue as funds become available. “The Deming Library has the largest circulation per square foot in all of Whatcom County.” (With photo) (Bellingham Herald, 12-05-08)

“The Prosser Library (Mid-Columbia Library System) has reopened after closing for two weeks for the installation of a new heating system….As owner of the library building, the city of Prosser has agreed to pay up to $89,900 for the new heater and a roof overlay.” (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 12-04-08)

“Minor construction issues have delayed the re-opening of the Redmond Regional Library (KCLS)…A preview party, originally scheduled for Dec. 10 has been cancelled, and the re-modeled library is now anticipated to re-open after the first of the New Year.” (Redmond Reporter [Kent], 12-06-08)

Letters and Editorials:

An editorial comments about the Pasco Library/MCRL remodel—“With so much uncertainty about the future, it’s remarkable--and commendable--the district and city found a way to pursue the project and still protect the long-term interests of their constituencies…Everyone involved in making the remodel a reality can take some justified pride, but library services haven’t kept up with Pasco’s explosive growth. The remodel helps, but can’t solve the problem.” (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 12-08-08) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/962/story/409419.html

People:

Gail Goodrick of the Kitsap Regional Library offers reviews of five of her favorite books for 2008. (With color illustrations. (Kitsap Sun [Bremerton], 12-07-08) http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/dec/07/great-non-fiction-books-of-2008/

Selina Gomez-Beloz has left her head librarian position at the Tenino Timberland Library to become manager of the Lacey Timberland Library. (With color photo) (Tenino Independent, 12-03-08)

Programs and Displays:

“Timberland Regional Library marks its 40^th anniversary as a five-county library system with open house celebrations in all 27 Timberland libraries” on Dec. 9 from 3 to 5 pm, with a commemorative calendar picturing all the libraries available to attendees. (Chinook Observer [Long Beach], 12-03-08) & (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 12-05-08)

North Valley Community Schools presented a musical program at the Oroville Public Library (North Central Regional Library) with singers Daisy Nau and Lindsay Delmarter. (With color photo) (Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune [Oroville], 11-27-08)

Santa and Mrs. Claus are pictured at their visit to the Friends of the Orcas Island Library Holiday Tea. (The Island Sounder [Eastsound], 12-03-08)

“Many Garfield (Whitman County Library) residents visited the library during the open house Nov. 17 to meet the new branch manager, Crystal Bailey.”(Whitman County Gazette [Palouse], 12-04-08)

The Chewelah Library (Libraries of Stevens County) is accepting food items in payment of fines, for a holiday food drive. (The Independent [Chewelah], 12-04-08) The same idea is in place at the Neill Public Library in Pullman, which has already collected 1000 pounds of food for local food banks. (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, 12-11-08)

“The Tekoa Library Branch (Whitman County Library) has started a new youth program, the Popcorn Club, which will meet every Wednesday, 3-5 pm. It will feature free popcorn and hot chocolate and a place to do homework, access the Internet, and use the library. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 12-04-08)

The Sunnyside (Yakima Valley Libraries) Masons are providing two free bikes to the Sunnyside Library, for use in a reading, and possibly poetry, contest. (With photo) (Daily News [Sunnyside], 12-04-08) http://www.sunnyside.net/ArcStoryPage.asp?Database=Story&StoryID=14756

The Friends of the Key Center Libr ary (Pierce County Libraries) presented their annual Holiday Musical Program, with live music by the Helios Trio. (Peninsula Gateway [Gig Harbor], 12-03-08)

The Mason Conservation District will offer a workshop on “Native Plants in Your Backyard” at the North Mason Timberland Library. (Belfair Herald, 12-04-08)

The Liberty Lake Municipal Library offers a monthly Family Game Night. (Liberty Lake Splash, 12-04-08)

Story Hours, Summer Reading and Early Learning:

The Colton Branch (Whitman County Library) is offering Christmas stories at its story-time, while Colton residents are invited to attend the baby lap-sit programs at the Uniontown Branch. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 12-04-08)

[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].]