Clippings, March 25, 2009

Graham Library, part of the Pierce County Library System, has started changing with the times. They now have a “Books to Go” counter, which features popular titles easily available for patrons to grab. In addition, they now have twelve computer for use by cardholders and more funds to offer more books, programs, and DVDs. (with color photo) (South Pierce County Dispatch [Eatonville], 2-25-09) http://www.dispatchnews.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=1867&SectionID=6&SubSectionID=6&S=1

Tekoa branch of the Whitman County Library will have new hours beginning March 1. New hours will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 1:30-6pm and Thursdays 10am-4pm. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 2-26-09)

Residents of Mount Vernon and Burlington can continue using each other’s libraries under an agreement approved this week. The Mount Vernon City Council approved the agreement Wednesday, and the Burlington City Council signed off on it Thursday. (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 2-28-09)

What the Pierce County Library System is learning is the libraries don’t have enough materials and there aren’t enough seats, but the system is still gathering input from the public. Several open house meetings were held in January and February to gather input from community leaders and public meetings were hosted as well. (Key Peninsula News [Vaughn], 3-2009) http://www.keypennews.com/March09/KPN%200309_web.qxd.pdf (page 10)

The Kitsap Regional Library’s downtown Bremerton Branch, named for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., had planned on unveiling a new plaque dedicated to the civil rights leader last Monday. However due to scratches on the plaque, the dedication ceremony was pushed back once more. (The Kitsap Sun [Bremerton], 3-2-09) http://pugetsoundblogs.com/bremertonbeat/2009/02/27/on-again-off-again-at-bremerton-library/

Elections:

After voters turned down the Timberland Regional Library’s tax measure, the public now has the opportunity to help the library administrators decide which should programs and services should be cut. Timberland Regional Library will be holding six town hall meetings in March throughout the district to get public input. (The Chronicle [Centralia], 2-24-09)’

Buildings:

The design plans for the expansion of Sno-Isle Regional Libraries Coupeville Branch have been approved. If everything goes smoothly, construction should begin this summer, and the library would be closed for six to nine months. (with photo) (The Whidbey Examiner, 2-25-09) http://www.whidbeyexaminer.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=2254&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&S=1

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray has announced that a 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill unveiled Monday and is expected to be passed by Congress in coming weeks includes $798,000 to provide structural upgrades and other improvements to the Roslyn City Hall building which now serves as home to the city’s library and other programs. (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 2-27-09)

Waterville Library, part of the North Central Regional Library System (NCRL) will be getting much needed renovation. NCRL has pledged $4000 toward purchasing new furniture and lighting for the library. The renovation plan is up in the library for display, so that residents may come by to consider the plans and give their own feedback. (Douglas County Empire Press [East Wenatchee], 3-5-09)

Letters and Editorials:

Now may be the worst time to ask taxpayers to approve a raise in local levies but hard times often mean that local, publicly funded services like libraries are used more. And more use means increased demand. And expanding services to meet that demand costs money. (The Island Sounder [Eastsound], 2-25-09)

Kudos to Liberty Lake Friends of the Library for donating time and effort to raise funds that help support many library activities and programs. (Liberty Lake Splash, 2-26-09)

Letter to the Editor promoting supporting your local libraries, from volunteering time to helping keep the library in order, to delivering materials to homebound residents. “As a community, it is our responsibility to support our local library” (Chinook Observer [Long Beach], 3-4-09)

People:

Artist Timothy C. Ely shares the steps to the bookbinding process through an exhibit in the foyer of the Colfax Library, a part of the Whitman County Library System. The exhibit features a variety of historical and other models, tools, and Ely’s own unique books to pay homage to the craft which dates to the first century. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 2-26-09)

Programs and Displays:

Yelm Timberland Library is offering youth the chance to connect with their inner artist, no matter their skill level. Super Art Saturdays and Xpress for Teens Wednesdays are filling the library’s living room with an artistic flair as teens and children learn new art skills. (with color photo) (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 2-27-09)

The downtown Seattle Public Library hosts a literary smack-down of sorts Saturday when teens stage a “Great Debate” on the merits of the Harry Potter series vs. the Twilight series. Teams of young readers will present their arguments and audience members will decide the winner. (with color photo) (Seattle Times, 3-20-09) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2008890706_zboo20debate.html

Economy/Hard Times:

There are a growing number of patrons across the nation rediscovering their local public libraries during these hard economic times. The second busiest library system in the country is right here in King County. The King County Library System is No. 2 in the nation in circulation according to Bobbie Daniel, library cluster manager for Issaquah and Sammamish libraries. (with color photo) (Issaquah Press, 2-25-09) http://www.issaquahpress.com/2009/02/24/6971/

The Fort Vancouver Regional Library District’s Board of Trustees has approved cut-backs to the district’s books-by-mail service. The decision was made at the board’s regular meeting, held Feb. 9 at Three Creeks Community Library in Salmon Creek. (The Reflector [Battle Ground], 2-25-09)

Meeting for the first time since voters overwhelmingly turned down a property tax increase, leaders of the Timberland Regional Library System spent their time Wednesday night focused on how to manage a multimillion dollar shortfall in 2010. (with photo) (The Chronicle [Centralia], 2-26-09)

Looking for a job and need to polish your resume? Be sure to check out Resume Builder, a new resource offered by The Seattle Public Library. This useful software program can help job-seekers create resumes, get interview help and more. (North Seattle Journal [Lynnwood], 3-3-09)

Patronage is up at the Seattle Public Library, a part of the King County Library System (KCLS), where people are borrowing movies, music and books for free and looking for work on-line. Some come in merely to get out of the cold or as a place to spend time with kids. All Internet stations through the system have changed their time limits to help manage the demand. (with photo) (Capitol Hill Times [Seattle], 3-4-09) http://capitolhilltimes.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=27535&SectionID=3&SubSectionID=3&S=1

[This summary of library news was created by Bobbie DeMiero and Leanna Hammond 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 Bobbie DeMiero at 360.570.5577 or [email protected]. ]