There is a new library data table in the Statistical Abstract of the US, which just came out this week.  The new table is in Section 24, the Information and Communication section.  It lists the number of library service outlets and library services by state.  A PDF copy of the table can be found at:

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s1116.pdf

Volume 6, March 18, 2010 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) WASHINGTON WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE CENTENNIAL PROGRAM

2) SIZZLING SUMMER READING – PROGRAMMING TIPS AND TITLES

3) ALL EXPENSES PAID – TRANSFORMING LIFE AFTER 50 FELLOWSHIPS

4) THIS IS FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK

5) WASHINGTON HISTORY DAY NEEDS YOU

6) SAVING AMERICA’S TREASURES

7) TARGET GRANTS SUPPORT EARLY CHILDHOOD READING

8) WMLA 2010 ANNUAL MEETING

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Evidently neither OCLC nor EBSCO have any problems with secrets leaking out from their companies, because this comes as a huge shock (and us just getting our big statewide NetLibrary thing going)! Basically it looks as though OCLC is moving away from owning/reselling content, and instead focusing more on providing access to other people’s content (a good move, I think).

Library Journal has a good paragraph regarding OCLC’s position in this:

“It’s a strategic repositioning from hosting and reselling content to building WorldCat out as a platform that libraries can use to manage and provide access to their entire collection,” including ebooks and articles, said OCLC VP Chip Nilges in an interview with LJ. It’s also “part of a broader effort to “provide comprehensive coverage” of ebooks in WorldCat,” said Nilges. “We have an agreement with Google Book Search to link to books in WorldCat; we have a similar agreement with Hathi Trust. We’re in hot pursuit of many different providers.”

EBSCO, meanwhile, has furthered their attempt at domination of the content market, also buying 15 vendor-owned databases that were once a part of FirstSearch.

Lots more info via the press release on PRWeb.

A recent issue of the Blue Mountain News includes this delightful picture of young library patrons at the Columbia County Rural Library District library in Dayton, WA, along with CCRLD director Janet Lyon, and Will James Society member Don Britain, who presented eleven books written and illustrated by the well-known 20th-century cowboy author Will James to the library.

Congratulations to CCRLD on applying for and receiving this gift, and a thank-you to the Will James Society for providing the books. As a reminder, other libraries can apply for and receive these books as well. We have announced the availability of these grants in the past. For more information, visit the Will James Society’s Book Gifting Program page. And thanks to the Blue Mountain News for giving us permission to repost their picture.

Anyone who works in libraries in Washington State knows that there is a whole lot of moving and shaking going on. I can’t think of a library staff-person I’ve met in my work who hasn’t been completely dedicated to their jobs and offering 150% to provide their users the best possible service.

So when Library Journal takes the time to honor two of these individuals in the ranks of their 2010 Movers and Shakers, it’s a tribute to the hard work that all of us do every day. Keep up the good work, and remember that it’s never too early to start nominating your library’s superstar staff for the 2011 Movers and Shakers list.

In the meantime, congratulations (and well-deserved!) to Washington’s newest Movers and Shakers!

Georgia Lomax, Deputy Director @ Pierce County Library System

Bernadette Salgado, Children’s Section Supervisor @ King County Library System

Washington State Library News

 The Office of the Secretary of State said this week’s $84 million federal grant for high technology is a boon to 57 public libraries statewide that have limited broadband connections.  The agency, which oversees the Washington State Library and assists libraries around the state, put out a news release saying it will help “bring high-speed broadband to rural libraries in the state.” (The Olympian Online, 3.5.10) http://www.theolympian.com/2010/03/05/1161198/under-the-dome-for-march-5.html

Library News

The Pierce County Library System drew record numbers in 2009, surpassing the attendance of the Tacoma Dome, which hosted concerts headlined by Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears. Pierce County library visits were pegged at more than 2.6 million, up from 15 percent in 2008.  The Tacoma Dome averages around 700,000 to 800,000 guests each year. (Bonney Lake Sumner Courier-Herald [Kent], 2.24.10) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/pierce/bch/news/84990507.html
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Volume 6, March 11, 2010 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) OCLC DOWNLOADABLE AUDIOBOOKS TRAINING

2) 2010 RENEW WASHINGTON GRANT CYCLE NOW OPEN

3) OCLC CLASSES AT NISQUALLY TRIBAL CENTER

4) TRANSFORMING LIFE AFTER 50 – FELLOWSHIP DEADLINE APPROACHES

5) GRANTS FOR ARTS PRESENTATION PROGRAMS IN THE WEST

6) ARE YOU UPNEXT?

7) AROUND THE TWITTER WORLD IN 60 MINUTES

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Courtesy Legislative Planning Committee, Washington Library Association State Bills of Interest.

The Washington Library Association(WLA) tracks state legislative activity that will potentially affect Washington Libraries. Their tracker is posted to the WLA web site and we will also post it weekly on this blog.  For information on the legislative process or becoming involved see the WLA site referenced above.

Click below to view the tracker.
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News Release

The Washington State Library and the library community are celebrating the approval of an $84 million grant award that will provide high-speed broadband Internet access to 57 public libraries where broadband connections are limited.

“Washingtonians turn to their libraries for information, particularly during hard times,” said Washington State Librarian Jan Walsh. “We are delighted to partner in this grant to bring high-speed broadband to rural libraries in the state. Libraries are in need of increased broadband capacity to provide the programs and services needed to better serve the people of Washington.”

Secretary of State Sam Reed was especially pleased with the grant’s impact on libraries in small, rural communities.

“Broadband stimulus funding will help bridge the digital divide in rural communities by providing people access to the resources and information they need,” Reed said.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved the award, which was announced Monday. The State Library is a partner in a Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant application in Washington. Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet) is the lead applicant for the broadband grant project.

The project plans to provide speeds of at least 100 megabytes per second (Mbps) to 57 libraries, 22 government facilities, 38 medical centers, two tribal service centers and four community colleges.

Libraries benefiting from the broadband grant include those in:

• Castle Rock, Cathlamet, Clarkston, Davenport, Dayton, Deming, Harrington, Kahlotus, Kalama, Longview, Odessa, Pomeroy, Pullman, Reardan, Ritzville, Waitsburg, Walla Walla and Wilbur;
• Fort Vancouver Regional Library District branches in Goldendale, North Bonneville, Ridgefield, Stevenson, White Salmon and Woodland;
• Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Library in Blyn;
• Kitsap Regional Library branches in downtown Bremerton, Sylvan Way and Poulsbo;
• Mid-Columbia Library System branches in Connell, Eltopia and Othello;
• North Olympic Library System branches in Forks and Sequim;
• Timberland Regional Library branches in Centralia, Chehalis, Ilwaco, McCleary, Naselle, Randle, Raymond, Salkum and South Bend;
• Whitman County Rural Library District branches in Albion, Colfax, Colton, Endicott, Garfield, Oakesdale, Palouse, Rosalia, Tekoa and Uniontown, and;
• Yakima Valley Libraries in Moxee, Sunnyside, White Swan and Yakima.

The State Library is partnering with NoaNet and the state Department of Information Services on a second BTOP application that will be submitted later in March.

The State Library, a division of the Office of Secretary of State, provides leadership and coordination of services to all libraries throughout Washington.

NoaNet, a nonprofit mutual corporation based in Tacoma, provides wholesale telecommunications transport. It operates a public open-access broadband communication network totaling more than 1,500 fiber miles that provides rural areas with access to broadband services. NoaNet has been serving wholesale customers in Washington since 2000.

See this and other news releases on the OSOS “About the Office” page.

Courtesy Legislative Planning Committee, Washington Library Association State Bills of Interest.

The Washington Library Association(WLA) tracks state legislative activity that will potentially affect Washington Libraries. Their tracker is posted to the WLA web site and we will also post it weekly on this blog.  For information on the legislative process or becoming involved see the WLA site referenced above.

Click below to view the tracker.
Read the rest of this entry »