Clippings, January 2, 2009, Part 1

[The Feb. 3 Timberland Regional Library levy lid lift election appears to be going down to defeat at 46%. Late votes are still being counted.]

As of Feb. 1 the Mount Vernon Public Library will be closed on Sundays, “the latest casualty in the city’s ongoing budget woes”. (Skagit Valley Herald[ Mount Vernon], 12-19-08) http://www.goskagit.com/home/article/mount_vernon_library_to_be_closed_sundays/

The Othello City Council is considering aspects of Adams County Library District # 1 continuing or ending its contract with the Mid-Columbia Library System. (The Outlook [Othello], 12-11-08) http://othellooutlook.com/cgi-bin/outlook/get_story.cgi?story=Story_1&dir=12112008

A suggestion that disappointed Castle Rock voters might contribute the amount to the library that they would have been taxed if nine more voters had approved the annual library levy vote. (Daily News [Longview], 12-13-08) http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/12/13/editorial/doc4942efd6e3a96470715540.txt

Whitman County libraries, the Neill Public Library in Pullman, and the Moscow Idaho Public Library, are all reporting increased demands for service in relation to the uncertain economy. For instance, last year on Dec. 23, in a walk-through count, Neill Public had four or five patrons, where this year it was 15 or 16. (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, 12-24-080

Beginning in January, inmates at the King County Jail will no longer have books distributed by a King County Library System librarian, but instead by inmates working under the supervision of a corrections officer. Ending the contract with KCLS will save the county’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention $240,000, (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 12-29-08) http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/393924_jailbooks29.html

Buildings:

Funding options for the new Heritage Center on the Capitol Campus are discussed. The governor “has proposed adding $27 million worth of construction bonds to the project.” (The Kitsap Sun [Bremerton], 12-23-08)

People:

Alex McGregor was named Whitman County Library’s Supporter of the Month during the library district’s annual winter luncheon at the Colfax Library. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 12-18-08) And a column by library director Kristie Kirkpatrick describes several recent awardees and says, “the residents of Whitman County pull together however they can to ensure quality library service for everyone.” (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, 12-20-08)

Programs and Displays:

Copies of the Whitman County Library’s new cookbook, More Recipes from Our Friends, have arrived in time for Christmas giving. Only 39 copies of the first cookbook remain. (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 12-18-08)

The holiday Food for Fines program at the Libraries of Stevens County provides food items to several area Food Banks. (The Independent [Chewelah], 12-18-08)

The Wenatchee (NCRL) Public Library’s Winter Reading Challenge, held from mid-December to the end of January, offers prizes to children for their hours of reading or being read to. Participants get to hang a paper mitten on the library’s “winter clothes line”. (The Wenatchee World, 12-19-08)

The Timberland Libraries in Aberdeen, Hoquiam, McCleary, and Raymond are offering various programs--adult computer classes, “Fireside Dickens”, book discussion groups, and “Make a Book”. TRL is also holding its 12^th annual Adult Winter Reading Program, with prizes including overnight stays at various area hotels. (The Daily World [Aberdeen], 12-16-08 & 12-13-08)

A Festive Fun holiday program at the Longview Public Library will include decorating gingerbread cookies and a bilingual story hour. (Daily News [Longview], 12-16-08) http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/12/18/area_news/doc4949c39f3a1ec570856468.txt

The Mountlake Terrace Arts Commission is presenting an exhibit of paintings by Jane Meyer at the Mountlake Terrace Library (Sno-Isle Libraries) through Dec. 31. (With color photo) (Millcreek Enterprise, Lynnwood/Mountlake Terrace Enterprise, Edmonds Enterprise, Shoreline/ Lake Forest Park Enterprise [Lynnwood], 12-17-08)

A Whatcom County Hanukah celebration and lighting of a public menorah was moved inside the Fairhaven Branch Library (Bellingham Public Library) because of the weather and the Lynden event might be moved to the Lynden Public Library (Whatcom County Library) for the same reason. (With photo) (Bellingham Herald, 12-23-08)

Many programs are taking place at the Orcas Island Library and the Lopez Island Library. Lopez is newly re-opened with renovated floors and interiors. At Orcas, heavy library use inspired by the faltering economy is keeping open the question of adding an addition to the building. ‘We have excellent prospects for private donations sufficient to pay for the project…The question is that even if increased operating costs are modest, will property owners be willing to pay for any increase in property taxes?” Library Director Phil Heikkinen is available for a Library Futures discussion with interested groups. (Island’s Weekly Newspaper )Lopez island0, 12-16-08)

The Puyallup Public Library Saturday afternoon movie was Wall-E, with a Winter Music series featuring a steel drums program The Pierce County Library begins its Big Read program featuring Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortensen and David Relin. Co-author Relin will give a free program on March 14. (The Herald [Puyallup], 12-18-08)

The San Juan Island Library’s One Book, One Community program will feature Folly by Laurie King, a mystery set in the San Juans, in which a woman “must face what happens when your worst fears aren’t all in your mind”. Programs will include a Sunday Evening Social, with local music, stories, songs, and poems, a Fireside Chat with Island Elders, a discussion with author Laurie King, and a discussion about and production of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. (Island’s Weekly Newspaper [Lopez Island], 12-16-08)

[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].]