Summer Reading - Record #s

Summer Reading @ the Library is a big deal every year. By the end of June this year we had had over 3600 kids and teens sign up for summer reading with 6% of those already finishing their 15 books! Finishers get a free paperback book to keep (courtesy of the Friends of the Library) and a free pass to Mobius (for kids) or a 2 for 1 pass to IMAX (for teens). There are a ton of excellent programs going on right now.  For a full schedule check the summer reading website.  One of the next events is a special wizard rock concert featuring The Remus Lupins and The Whomping Willows with Pottercast so that you can catch the cast if you miss the concert.  Join us at the Downtown Library on Thursday, July 9 at 4:00 for the concert!

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Libraries story on Today Show

NBC’s Today Show aired a great spot about the importance of libraries in today’s economy.  Click here to watch it.  This is important information and Spokane Public Library has seen its share of increased usage because of the economy.  We are seeing the need for computers and computer skills increasing as well as requests that relate to job searching.  Stay tuned for upcoming programs related to the economy, skills building and saving money.

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2010 Library Budget - possible cuts

In the last few days there has been significant media attention regarding possible cuts to the library budget in 2010. (Here is a link to the story on KHQ) About a month ago the State Library sent out a survey to library directors asking us if we were facing any budget cuts. I responded that SPL might have to cut as much as 4% of the budget if other measures were not found to reduce the projected shortfall to the general fund in 2010. This is accurate information and is the number I was given by the City. 4% of our current budget is $316,188. The City asked all departments to do an exercise to determine what that would mean to us. The library runs a very lean department and we don’t have any fluff to cut so we would have to trim just about everything in order to obtain that dollar amount. The State Library sent out a news release yesterday with the survey information and that’s what prompted the media attention. Media attention can be a good thing and can help us get the message out that we have no more room for cuts.

The cost to operate a neighborhood branch (ES, HY, IT) in 2009 is in the vicinity of $176,000 so in talking to the City I used that as an example of what a cut that big could mean to the library. This is just a budget exercise so that the City can better understand what a 4% cut could mean to the various departments. Cuts will be inevitable in 2010 but exactly how big they are and how they are achieved is anyone’s guess. I believe that our Library Board will do everything in its power to make cuts without affecting public services, but it truly depends on the size of the cut whether that is possible or not.

Please know that no decisions have been made and it’s too early to know what the actual budget situation will be in 2010. What can you do to help?  Please contact the Mayor and the City Council to express your opinion, let them know how much you value the library and what you use it for. Your feedback is far more powerful than feedback from staff.

Thank you.

Pat Partovi, Library Director

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Downloadable Audiobooks!

The Library now has audiobooks available for download to your computer or portable listening device.  There are close to 2000 titles and more are being added every month. The easiest way to browse the titles is to download the NetLibrary Media Center (we subscribe to NetLibrary for these downloadable or eAudiobooks). More information about the service can be found on our website on this page.  You can also see a list of suggested titles on the Library’s Audio, Music & Movies! blog. Thanks in advance for checking out this new service!

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Green Collection at the Library

The Downtown Library is host to a new collection of books about sustainability and “green” living.  The Green Spokane Sustainability Collection is sponsored by a grant from the Washington State Office of Community, Trade, & Economic Development (CTED).  We’re grateful to Susanne Croft, the city of Spokane’s Sustainability Coordinator, who wrote the grant and also to Mayor Verner for her support of sustainability.  The collection continues the City’s effort to encourage “green” practices by giving citizens tools to educate themselves about environmental issues.  The collection items are labeled “Green Spokane” and are housed on the library’s second floor.  You can check them out for the same amount of time as regular items—three weeks for books, one week for DVDs.  If you’re looking for ways to go green, the library is a great place to start.

Here are some simple green living tips:

• Bring a reusable bag to the grocery store when you shop
• Take public transportation, carpool, walk or ride your bicycle once a week
• Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs (they last longer & burn less energy)
• Make sure your car’s tires are fully inflated for a more energy efficient ride
• Install a programmable thermostat for heating and cooling.  Each degree below 68°F saves 3-5% more heating energy
• Open up your dishwasher before the heat-drying cycle, pull out the shelves and air dry your dishes
• Install faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads that deliver a satisfying shower for thousands of gallons less annually
• Wash clothes in warm or cold water rather than hot, and rinse with cold water
• and of course…Use the library instead of buying books, CDs and DVDs.

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New Lights in Downtown Library Garage

We have just finished installing new, energy-efficient lighting in the Downtown Library’s parking garage. The lights that had been in the garage were dim and burned out frequently; the bulbs were expensive and they burned a lot of energy. The best part about the new lights is that the city paid for them out of their capital improvement fund so the cost did not come out of the library’s budget. It was a good investment for the city since the energy-efficient lights will save a lot of money in the long run. Mayor Verner has been very supportive of projects that help with long-term sustainability, saving energy and money for our city.  We’re very pleased with the new lights; the garage feels much brighter and we’ll look forward to seeing a change in our Avista bills!

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October events!

October is a very busy month at the library! It’s hard to believe it’s already October. We have several big events coming up. On October 16, Sherman Alexie, award-winning author of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, will give two free presentations: 1:00 at The Service Station and 7:00 at the Spokane Masonic Center.  This is part of the county-wide Spokane is Reading program that Spokane Public Library is a sponsor of.  We have over 100 copies of Alexie’s book and it’s a quick read so there’s still time to read it before the 16th. For more about Spokane is Reading, check www.spokaneisreading.org, there you’ll also find dates and times of book discussions at the libraries and showings of Alexie’s movie, Smoke Signals.

Less than two weeks after the Spokane is Reading events, the Library Foundation is putting on Spokane is Spelling, a fun fundraiser for the Foundation.  5th and 6th graders will spell off on Saturday, October 25 at 2:00 pm in the River Park Square atrium, please come cheer them on! On Sunday, October 26 at 4:00 pm at The Knitting Factory the adult spelling bee gets serious and it’s a blast to watch! $5 for spectators will get you in the door and not only will you see a great show but there will be snacks, a no-host bar and you’ll be supporting a good cause - join us!

Aside from those special events the libraries are chock full of other events, Monster Parties for kids, family movie at South Hill on October 4, computer classes, storytimes - all free.  Check our library calendar for specifics.

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Traveled someplace interesting this year?

SPL needs newer travel literature from anywhere in the world to supplement our Travel Vertical File, a collection of maps and brochures at Downtown that customers can check out.  Brochures, handouts, and maps should be newer (within the past two years) and in good condition to donate.  They can be from any city, state, or country. Calendars of events tend to become outdated too quickly, so we do not need those.  You can turn in your travel literature to any branch, as long as you indicate they are donations. Questions - call 444-5336. Thanks!

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Friends of the Library - Sizzling Summer Sale

The Friends of the Library are going to be in Harmon Park Saturday, August 2 from 10 am - 3pm as part of the Hillyard Days Festival.  Not only are they excited to be selling books at a great deal (3 for $1) but they’re looking forward to being out in a neighborhood and saying hello to people to help promote the library and the Friends of the Library. They’ll have fiction, paperbacks and children’s books and they are hoping to sell out so show up in the park and help them out.  Questions about the sale - 444-5307.

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Library Board adopts Strategic Plan 2008-2010

At the June meeting the Library Board adopted an ambitious strategic plan that will guide the work of the Spokane Public Library for the next two to three years.  Staff committees are working on finalizing the specific activities to accomplish the plan objectives and the timelines for completion.  The objectives are focused on increasing usage of the existing services and making them as convenient as possible for library customers.  The strategic plan objectives can be viewed here.  If you have any questions about the plan you can email the library director (director@spokanelibrary.org).

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