Clippings, December 1, 2008

In Walla Walla, “a dispute between the City Library and the County Rural Library District could be settled soon, ending a contract disagreement over more than $400,000 But the threat to cut hours, staff and books is far from over.” (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 11-14-08)

An article mentions recent high losses of DVD’s at some Mid-Columbia branches and says that North Central Regional Library experienced a similar problem a few years ago, but moving self-checkout to beside the front desk instead of the front door helped mitigate the problem. (Wenatchee World, 11-14-08)

“The regular monthly meeting of the Adams County District No. 1 Board will be held this Thursday. The Board will discuss the potential rate increase by the Mid-Columbia Library and the future of library services in Othello.: (The Outlook [Othello], 11-13-08)

Buildings:

“Plans to expand Sno-Isle Libraries’ Coupeville branch took a step forward recently with the hiring of a Bellevue-based architectural firm. Lewis Architecture was awarded the contract on Oct. 27.” Construction is slated to begin in July of 2009. (With photo) (The Whidbey Examiner [Coupeville], 11-14-08)

A color photo shows the stained glass public art project by artist Jack Archibald recently installed at the Marysville Public Library (Sno-Isle Libraries). (Stanwood Camano News, 11-18-08)

The Prosser Library (Mid-Columbia Libraries) was temporarily closed while a new heating system was installed. “Library employees were trying to use portable heaters to keep the building warm until the work was done, but it became too cold.” The city, which owns the building, agreed in September to spend up to $89,900 on the heating system and a new roof. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 11-18-08)

The Green Lake Library (Seattle Public Library) recently re-opened after a closure on Oct. 2 to “remove mold found in a crawl space”. (North Seattle Herald-Outlook, 11-19-08)

Letters and Editorials:

An editorial urges the Sammamish city government, now that a vote for a parks bond has recently failed, to at least try to lease the old Sammamish Library building for a teen center before it is sold by the King County Library System. “Construction on the new library is set to break ground in early December. It will likely be open before another bond initiative can reasonably get on the ballot in 2010.” (The Sammamish Review [Issaquah], 11-12-08)

A guest column by members of the Orcas Island Board of Trustees thanks island residents for participating in the library survey, with a chart summarizing results available on the library website. Top priority was “growing the library collection” and more space to do so. Current predictions are that, even with weeding, the library will be out of room by 2010. (The Island Sounder [Eastsound], 11-12-08)

A Kitsap Regional Library patron writes in thanks for the events of the Month of the Book. “This program spurred me to actually go to the library, check out the book, and seek out events related to it that fit my schedule…The Month of the Book was a welcome, educational event that helped me feel more knitted into the community.” (The Kitsap Sun [Bremerton], 11-19-08)

A columnist praises the Gates Foundation for its Opportunity Online hardware grant for the Neill Public Library in Pullman. :As budget challenges mount, grant sources like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation offer critical assistance to libraries struggling to meet their community’s needs. (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, 11-22-08)

Awards:

AIA Annual Architecture awards include Seattle Public Library’s Montlake Branch. (With color photos) (Seattle P-I, 11-25-08)

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/ae/389235_architecture25.html

People:

“Susan Hildreth, California state librarian, has been selected as Seattle’s new city librarian. “ (with photo) (Seattle Times, 11-25-08) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008432129_librarian25m.html (Seattle P-I, 11-25-08) http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/389263_Librarian25.html

The Orcas Island Library is seeking applicants for a Board of Trustees position. (The Island Sounder [Eastsound], 11-12-08)

Programs and Displays:

The Connell Library (Mid-Columbia Libraries) presented a program by the WSU Raptor Club., “featuring live birds of prey”. (With color photos from a recent visit of the club to the Othello Library) (Franklin County Graphic [Connell], 11-13-08)

A program ,“Japanamania’, recently held at the Yelm Timberland Library, enabled attendees to learn about origami, writing their name in Japanese, sushi, and other activities. Several of the presenters were from the “English First program at the Evergreen State College. Interest in the program arose from the library’s Anime Club. (With color photos) (Nisqually Valley News [Yelm], 11-14-08)

A Twilight party entertained teens at the Longview Public Library, (Daily News [Longview], 11-18-08) and another was held at the Vancouver Mall Library (FVRL), while the La Center Library (FVRL) had a teenage book discussion group on the series. (With book photo) (Columbian [Vancouver], 11-22-08)

“The Roslyn Library continues the Armchair Travel Series on Nov. 19 with “Camino de la Rioja: Touring Spain’s Wine Country.” (With color photo) (Northern Kittitas County Tribune [Cle Elum], 11-13-08)

A bookmobile from the Fort Vancouver Regional Library will stop at the Yale Elementary School in Ariel during the 8^th Annual Yale Valley Christmas Bazaar. (The Reflector [Battle Ground], 11-12-08)

The Ellensburg Public Library is offering a Food for Fines campaign, with $1 off for each food item. Those without fines are also welcome to donate. All donations will go to the Community Christmas Baskets. (Daily Record [Ellensburg], 11-18-08)

A first annual celebration of National Gaming Day was held at the Puyallup Public Library, where monthly teen gaming days can also be found. (The Herald [Puyallup], 11-13-08)

“The Kennewick Library (Mid-Columbia Libraries) will celebrate Native American Month with a free public program about Native American culture and activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday,” (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 11-17-08)

Among holiday events at the Whitman County Library, a Tree of Lights and Remembrance, where loved ones are named and an ornament placed on the tree in their honor, and on another day, a visit from Santa, “an important stop for Santa because local children don’t have easy access to malls or the North Pole where he usually hangs out.” (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, 11-22-08)

Book Sales:

The Friends of the Vancouver Community Library made $10,000 on their holiday book sale. (With color photos) (Columbian [Vancouver], 11-24-08)

The Quincy Library (North Central Regional Library), Nov. 15 and 16. (Columbia Basin Herald [Moses Lake], 11-14-08)

The Chelan (NCRL) Friends of the Library annual fall book sale was held Oct. 11, with a continuing “store” also available inside the library. (With photo) (Lake Chelan Mirror, [Chelan], 11-12-08)

[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] .