Gregory Peck films

We’re showing Gregory Peck films in association with the Library’s Big Read which highlights To Kill a Mockingbird.  Gregory Peck’s film career spanned six decades, and he is best known for playing characters that conveyed a quiet dignity—a trait for which he was known both on- and off-screen.  He debuted on the Broadway stage in 1942 and film roles soon followed, catapulting him quickly to stardom and critical notoriety.  The library’s series features six of Peck’s most famous films, including all of the five for which he received Academy Award nominations.  For more about the Big Read check out our website.

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To Kill a Mockingbird on the Radio

Spokane Public Library and Spokane County Library District are hosting another Big Read.  The Big Read is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts.  The program aims to address a decline in literary reading among all age groups, particularly young people. This year, The Big Read features Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and we have a large number of programs planned.  If you haven’t read To Kill a Mockingbird or it’s been a while you can refresh your memory by listening to it on KPBX.  Starting tonight Susan Creed, librarian extraordinaire and actress will be reading the book during KPBX’s show The Bookshelf - Mondays - Thursdays at 6:30 pm (91.1 on your FM dial).  Check it out and check our website for a full list of events.

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Monday Hours at the Downtown Library!

Starting January 25, 2010 the Downtown Library will be open on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.!  We’re very grateful to the Mayor and City Council for passing a budget that for approving a budget that lets us better serve the public especially at a time when more and more people are turning to the library as a way to save money.  The Downtown library has maintained the same schedule from 2006 through 2009. Severe budget cuts in 2005 forced the library to curb hours at all branches, including closing Downtown on Mondays.  While the limited hours disappointed both customers and library staff, the library began to gradually increase hours in 2006 thanks to a voter-approved levy lid lift.  In 2008, we re-opened Shadle and South Hill on Mondays, and now we’re following suit with the Downtown library.

You can help us celebrate this “grand opening” of sorts—stop by the Downtown library on a Monday.  For the first time in several years, we’ll see you there.   Please note that hours for the library’s Northwest Room will not change.  The Northwest Room will continue with a Tuesday - Saturday schedule. For their specific hours click here.

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Book Lover’s Calendars still on sale

The Friends of the Library are selling the page-a-day Book Lover’s Calendars again this year. Sales have been going great but we have about 50 calendars left to sell.  They’re only $5 per calendar - a substantial discount from the $14.99 retail price and they’re a lot of fun. Stop by any library to pick one up.  The money goes to support Summer Reading programs for kids, Spokane is Reading and equipment like self-checkout machines and microfilm readers.  We are very grateful for our Friends!

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Shopping Season

If this is shopping season for you then you might want to keep in mind that a portion of the Library’s funding comes from local sales tax dollars.  When you shop within the city limits your tax dollars go to help fund open hours at the libraries.  If you need an alternative to shopping then a trip to the library is great.  Make up certificates for your kids that are good for a trip to the library or check out our extensive collection of various d.i.y. (do it yourself) books for gift ideas that you can make yourself.  If you can’t find what you’re looking for, ask a staff person - they’re experts at finding books/magazines/information!

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Library Open Friday after Thanksgiving

If shopping isn’t your thing for the Friday after Thanksgiving then maybe check out the Library.  We are closed for Thanksgiving but open normal hours on Friday.  The South Hill Library will be showing The Wizard of Oz at 2:00 pm that day.  Join us.

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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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