Whatcom County Library System

The Washington State Library has awarded Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) a $50,000 grant to help public libraries enhance outreach services to their most needy residents during the economic downturn.

The Renew Washington grant program will assist the Whatcom County Library System in meeting needs in their local communities. WCLS will partner with Whatcom Community College along with other libraries, colleges, and local service agencies to help low income and non-English speaking residents learn basic computer skills, find and use job and career resources, file online job applications, and locate job and educational opportunities.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has provided the Washington State Library with $515,000 in grant funds.  The Washington State Library will combine the Gates Foundation grant with $400,000 in federal Library Services and Technology Act funds in awarding the grants.

“Thanks to the Washington State Library grant, Whatcom County Library System and local partners will be able to help county residents with the critical services they need during the economic downturn,” Library Director Joan Airoldi said. “The funding will help Whatcom County residents improve family literacy and focus on both employment and retooling during these tough times.”

Whatcom County libraries have experienced a 12.6 percent increase in new borrowers over the same period in 2008 and an 8.6 percent hike in circulation of library materials this year.

In this time of intensive usage, State Library Jan Walsh and Secretary of State Sam Reed noted that libraries’ budgets are shrinking and, as a result, staff and hours are being cut.

“The Gates Foundation’s generous support is wonderful news for libraries throughout Washington and the people who use them, especially as more and more people rely on their library for services during the recession,” Reed said.

Other libraries participating in the Renew Washington grant program include the Camas Public Library, Columbia County Rural Library District, Everett Public Library, Fort Vancouver Regional Library, King County Library System, Liberty Lake Municipal Library, Mount Vernon Public Library, Pierce County Library, Port Townsend Public Library, Puyallup Public Library, Seattle Public Library System, Sno-Isle Libraries, Spokane Public Library, Tacoma Public Library, Timberland Regional Library, and Whitman County Library.

The grant to the Washington State Library is one of 12 other grants just announced by the Gates Foundation to support various community organizations throughout Washington in their efforts to address the economic downturn.

“We are pleased to support the Washington State Library in its work to increase and enhance its invaluable work during these challenging times,” said Jill Nishi, deputy director of the Gates Foundation’s U.S. Libraries initiative. “Local public libraries are an important resource to thousands of individuals and families across the state seeking critical resources and services.”

Other information on the Renew Washington Grants:

• Seattle Times
• Gates Foundation
• Renew Washington Grants awarded

The Whatcom County Library System requests proposals for a planned server consolidation and disaster recovery project.  The goalsand details of the project are in a microsoft Word document which can be downloads at the following link:

 RFP:  Server Consolidation and Disaster Recovery Project (doc)

In 2009, a study committee comprised of representatives from Whatcom County Library System and Bellingham Public Library released a Report Regarding the Potential for Annexation.  They concluded that "current financial data shows that combining the two library systems would not result in achieving 'equal or better library service for less money if joined together as allowed by law.'"  While the committee recommended continued, proactive exploration of ways for the two library systems to work together, they did not recommend any further study of annexation at this time.  This recommendation was upheld by both libraries' Boards of Trustees.

Report Regarding the Potential for Annexation

• Attachment A: RCW 27.12.360 - RCW 27.12.395
• Attachment B: Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County Rural Library District
• Attachment C: Washington Libraries that have joined library systems since 1995
• Attachment D: Taxing District Levy Calculation

The report was presented to the WCLS Board of Trustees and the Bellingham Public Library Board of Trustees at their meetings on July 21st 2009.

If you have questions or comments about the Annexation Report, please email Joan Airoldi or call 384-3150.

The Lynden Library will offer the very successful Best Place to Begin 1st Grade Library Card Campaign again this fall. By the end of last year's campaign 359 kids, 93% of the Lynden service area first graders, had library cards, of which 256 new library cards were issued to eager beginning readers. In tough economic times, parents might find it harder than ever to make sure their children have everything they need for school. Luckily, the most important school supply of all does not cost a thing. It’s a library card.

September is Library Card Sign-up Month. A library card can give kids access to free homework help, materials to research their papers or a source for their next book report. It can also help make life after school more fun, with free access to music, DVDs, the Internet, books and more.

This year’s project is sponsored by the Friends of the Lynden Library in recognition of Serena and Bob Haugen, for over 30 years of dedicated service to the Lynden Library and the Friends' library book store. Additional funding is provided by a grant from the Whatcom County Library Foundation.

For more information, contact: Tina Bixby, Lynden Children’s Librarian 354-4883, ext 318 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) is pleased to announce they have received a grant for the 2009-2010 school year to support local elementary, middle, and high schools’ work with the state-mandated Social Studies Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs). This is the second year WCLS has received a grant for this program.

This year’s grant of $39,845 allows WCLS to distribute funds directly to school libraries in the public school districts in rural Whatcom County and the Lummi Tribal School to purchase books and materials related to civics, history, geography, and economics. During the 2008-2009 school year WCLS distributed $24,750 in grant funds.

In addition, WCLS researched and developed the CBA Portal, which provides authoritative web links, information, and recommended teaching resources to help teachers and students with Social Studies CBAs. Teachers take note: the web portal is now available at wcls.org. Just roll your mouse over Kids or Teens and follow the Teachers link to CBA Portal.

Catherine Sarette, Youth Services Coordinator at WCLS, is excited about the joint effort on the grant and CBA Portal. “In tough times like these, it makes sense for public libraries to partner with school libraries for students’ success,” said Sarette.

This project was funded in part under the provisions of the Library Services & Technology Act, from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Office of the Secretary of State, Washington State Library division.

Saving money by using the library is easy, and all you need is a library card.  How much can you save?  Try our Library Services Calculator and find out!

Here are more ways to save at your library:

• Get your free library card at any of our nine branch libraries or 5 bookmobile stops.
• Take a field trip and get to know your library. Explore! Be curious! Bring a friend!
• The library web page and all the online resources of the library are available to you, 24/7, with downloadable audiobooks, ResumeMaker software and magazines like Consumer Reports.
• Save time and gas; order online. A few key strokes and your request will be delivered to your local library.
• Try before you buy. Listen to new music CDs, browse the magazines, watch that movie on DVD before you purchase.
• Don’t see what you want? Ask!  The library wants to know what your interests are and how to meet your needs.
• Bring a teen to a game night.  Your public library is constantly finding new ways to encourage teens to experience libraries.
• Discover the library’s best kept secret: online resources. The Bellingham Herald archives, genealogy, car and small engine repair, full-text magazines, legal and medical info; all available at your local library or on your home computer via the internet.
• Learn a new language with courses available on CD as well as of magazines and books in Spanish and Russian.
• Connect to free Wi-Fi.  Bring your laptop and get online at any public library in Whatcom County.
• Thrill a child with pre-school story hour, toddler time, or a fun program. Programs are no-charge, and the chance to see the excitement of a child connecting to a book, whether it’s about silly birds, big trucks, or the wonder of the seasons, is priceless.

Did you know that 73% of public libraries report they provide the only free access to the Internet in their communities? This rises to 83 percent for rural libraries. Job seekers are using the public library to upgrade their skills, create and post their resumes and find jobs.

Watch Matt Lauer's Today Show segment on the important role libraries play during the recession, using data and resources provided by the ALA and public libraries.