Clippings, November 21, 2008

Background to the story of the Mid-Columbia Regional Library and its contract with Othello and Adams County Library District No. 1 and (higher) pricing for 2009. “Mid-Columbia Library cannot charge a different levy rate to an entity outside its legal boundaries less than the levy rate being charged to the contracted cities within their boundaries. In other words, the Othello Public Library either needs to pay the additional rate or look at additional solutions.” (The Outlook [Othello], 11-06-08) http://othellooutlook.com/cgi-bin/outlook/get_story.cgi?story=Story_1&dir=11062008

“Self-service pick-up for DVD’s at the Mid-Columbia Libraries has become so popular that patrons have helped themselves to nearly 550 movies at branches in Kennewick and Pasco without bothering to check them out. Worse than that: they’ve been slipping DVDs out of their cases and leaving the empties on the reserve shelves.”Security cameras have been installed in Pasco and will be installed in Kennewick. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 11-13-08)

Elections:

“City leaders in Castle Rock are keeping their fingers crossed that the library levy will still pass.” [But it did not.] (Daily News [Longview], 11-11-08)

http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/11/11/area_news/doc49194068b3e1c631442598.txt

Buildings:

“Expanding the Coupeville Public Library took a step forward when Sno-Isle Libraries named an architect to design the expansion. Bellevue-based Lewis Architects and Interior Design was named to design the building expansion, which will basically double the size of the current building.” (Whidbey News-Times, 11-12-08)

“Sixteen people spoke of a need for a new Quincy Public Library (North Central Regional Library) during the Quincy City Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 4.” Quincy Valley Post Register. 11-06-08)

Donors who donated blood to the Southwest Washington Blood Program were given tickets to a select screening of the new vampire movie, Twilight. For those who paid to attend the special midnight screening, half the value of the $9 ticket went to the Friends of the Battle Ground Library (FVRL), which is helping to build the town’s new library. (With color photo) (Columbian [Vancouver], 11-15-08)

Letters and Editorials:

Two letters and an editorial:“The Fort Vancouver Regional Library made some tough choices at its recent board meeting. It is never easy to decide to close branches and reduce hours. In this case, the library spared the Vancouver mall branch and made the decision to reduce hours at the other branches…The library deserves our support. It would be great if a community benefactor would step forward and create an endowment for times like these.” (Columbian [Vancouver], 11-13-08) “I am happy that FVRL and Westfield Vancouver mall management were able to arrive at a solution.” & “Cheers to officials at Westfield Vancouver mall and the FRVL for their compromise….If the economic slump continues, the mall library will remain vulnerable to closure. And we hate to see the library services recuded. But, for now, keeping the mall library open for another year is good news.” (Same, 11-15-08)

“The Winthrop (North Central Regional) Library’s bake sale at the MVSTA ski swap meet was a great success…So thanks to all the bakers….”, says the Winthrop librarian. (Methow Valley News [Twisp], 11-12-08)

People:

A reception was held at the Washougal Library (Fort Vancouver Regional Library) to honor longtime employee Nancy Sawrey, retiring after 16 ½ years of service. (With color photo) (Camas Washougal Post-Record, 11-11-08)

“A search committee announced three finalists Tuesday for the top position at the Seattle Public Library,” Susan Hildreth, state librarian of California [who was chosen], Jane L8ight of the San Jose, CA, Public Library, and Rivkah Sass, of the Omaha, NE, Public Library.(Seattle P-I, 11-19-08)

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/388413_librarian19.htm

Programs and Displays:

“Games will take center stage at the Camas Public Library Saturday. In celebration of National Gaming Day, the library will offer continuous games of ‘Pictureka’. The effort is part of a nationwide push to set a new Guinness Book record….If anyone has suggestions of other games to recommend, post a comment on the library’s blog ‘Game Day’ entry at www.camas.typepad.com/library .” (Camas Washougal post-Record, 11-11-08)

David Menard of the Camano Island Library (Sno-Isle Libraries) recommends some new mysteries. (Stanwood Camano News, 11-11-08)

“Singer/songwriter LaRae Wiley will perform at the Chewelah and at the Colville Libraries (Libraries of Stevens County)…Wiley is a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes..Her performances feature storytelling, song instruments, and even the opportunity to learn some Salish.” Statesman-Examiner [Colville], 11-12-08)

Keitha Owen and Laura Corder of the Sequim Library (North Olympic Library System) organized a Local Authors Book Fair, with more than 20 authors from the Dungeness Valley participating. (With photo) (Peninsula Daily News [Port Angeles], 11-07-08)

[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].]