WCLS

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