Clippings, September 10, 2008

Second Story Gallery in Camas is seeking artists interested in displaying their work during monthly shows being scheduled for 2009. The non-profit gallery, located upstairs in the Camas Public Library, is known for introducing local artists who are relatively undiscovered. (Camas-Washougal Post Record, 8-26-08)

The Timberland Regional Library System has added downloadable videos and music to its popular catalog of audiobooks that people can download for free to their computers and portable digital devices. (Chinook Observer [Long Beach], 8-27-08)

August saw the new Snoqualmie Library pass its one-year anniversary. Circulation in 2007 was up 82 percent over 2006. The library won the 2008 Build Washington Award from the Associated General Contractors of Washington, saw the installation of “Liquid Letters” by sculpture artists Trimpin, and recently became a test site for an automated check-in system for smaller libraries. Also, in 2008 the Friends of the Snoqualmie Library will contribute more than $3,700 for programs and equipment to supplement the library’s budget. (Snoqualmie Valley Record, 8-27-08)

It can be great to have a lot of choices, but it can sometimes be overwhelming too. At the Peninsula Library, part of the Pierce County Library System (PCLS), we have more than 130,000 items and the Key Center Library, also part of PCLS, has more than 35,000. One of our techniques to make your library trip fast, convenient and rewarding is to create numerous eye-catching displays that feature items on interesting and timely topics. (Peninsula Gateway [Gig Harbor], 8-27-08)

Elections:

Shelton city commissioners are weighing the possibility of annexing the city into the Timberland Regional Library System, a move that would shift the burden for paying the library services directly onto city taxpayers. Currently, the city contracts with Timberland for library services at a cost of $166,336 per year. (Shelton-Mason County Journal, 8-28-08)

Buildings:

The Hoquiam City Council approved about $20,000 to repaint the trim on the Hoquiam Timberland Library and repair a chimney on Monday. Also, the exterior of a chimney will be sealed and a cap put in place to keep out water. The project will be put out to bid. (The Daily World [Aberdeen], 8-26-08)

The Friends of the Kettle Falls Public Library plans to launch an expansive fund-raising drive in September to raise money to expand the Kettle Falls Public Library. A building fund has been established at the American West Bank in Kettle Falls for those patrons and community members wishing to make a contribution to the building fund for this project. (Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 8-27-08)

Letters and Editorials:

A letter to the editor thanking the staff at the Omak Public Library, part of the North Central Regional Library System, for re-painting the inside of the library on their own time. “They have brightened up the library tremendously and save the tax payers money by doing the work themselves. It is amazing how versatile the library staff is and how they take their jobs to heart.” (The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, 8-27-08)

People:

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Awards:

Columbia County Rural Library District receives “One Book” grant in the amount of $4,700. “Columbia County Kids Read” will include all fifth through eighth grade students in the county, including home schooled children who want to participate in reading the book The House of Power, Atherton #1 series by Patrick Carman. (Dayton Chronicle, 8-27-08)

A plan to bring high-speed internet to the Upper Skagit Library District through fiber-optic cables is in limbo after the federal agency funding the project pulled its grant. It is estimated that the Skagit Public Utility District and the library have already spent roughly $220,000 on the project. Not only the library but the community as a whole loses because the grant fell through. (Skagit Valley Herald [Mount Vernon], 8-27-08)

Programs and Displays:

Keitha Owen, manager of the Sequim branch of the North Olympic Library System, is aiming to reel in readers with a slate of fall programs. She seeks children, teens and adults of all ages and local authors. In September, Owen and her staff will add four new story times: for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and families. (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 8-25-08)

The Ballard Library, a branch of the Seattle Public Library system, and all of the other 25 new and remodeled branch libraries will open for tours with a commemorative Library Passport available at all library locations beginning Saturday, Sept. 13. Passports feature beautiful color photos and highlights of each building project. Each library facility will feature a stamp unique to its building or surrounding community. Library patrons will have until Friday, Jan. 2, 2009 to complete their passports in order to be eligible to win prizes. (Ballard News Tribune [Seattle], 8-27-08)

New programs are being introduced at the Garfield Library, part of the Whitman County Rural Library District. Some of the programs include Recipe Resource and Teen Time. Every second Tuesday residents can bring in used books for exchange or to be donated to the book sales here at the library. All proceeds from the book sale go to the Friends Fund for the Garfield branch. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 8-28-08)

Summer Reading:

The summer reading program at Hesseltine Public Library, “Catch the Reading Bug,” ended on Thursday, August 14, with a party in the city park. The Masonic Lodge #127 furnished t-shirts for each child who reached his or her reading goal. (Wilbur Register, 8-21-08)

About 30 children gathered on the floor on the Moses Lake Public Library, a part of the North Central Regional Library system, as Gary Hill walked to the front of the room Friday afternoon. Hill, master of the Moses Masons gave bicycles to children who’ve spent 10 hours reading this summer. (Columbia Basin Herald [Moses Lake], 8-25-08)

The Chelan Library, part of the North Central Regional Library system, celebrated the conclusion of its successful summer reading program, “Catch the Reading Bug,’ with a full-blown party on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at the library. 115 children enjoyed refreshments, visited with friends, and hoped for a chance at one of the grand prizes given away during the final drawing. (Lake Chelan Mirror, 8-27-08)

Book Sales:

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[This summary of library news was created by Leanna Hammond and 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].]