For the Public

WA State Library News Washington State Librarian Jan Walsh announced she will retire August 31. Prior to being appointed State Librarian in 2002, Walsh worked in the State Library as Assistant Director for Customer Service from 1997. On Tuesday, August 17, a retirement celebration event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Legislative Building's Columbia Room, located on the first floor.

WA State Library News State librarian Jan Walsh is calling it quits on a long public library career, effective August 31. The Office of the Secretary of State, which has overseen the library since budget cuts earlier in the decade, put out a news release announcing the decision by Walsh, who has worked as a librarian for 38 years.

WA State Library News Since 2002, Jan Walsh has led the Washington State Library (WSL) through a turbulent period of budget and staff reductions while witnessing increased usage by the public, especially online. Her days as State Librarian and director of WSL are coming to an end soon. Walsh recently announced her retirement. Her last day on the job is August 31.

Library News A collection of self-published magazines, or zines, found a roost on the third floor of the Community Building last week. With a collection of 150 titles, the Bird's Nest Zine Library is Spokane's only zine lending library. The library was started by two Spokane women, Lindsae Williams and Allynn Carpenter.

Library News Odessa librarian Julie Jantz sought approval from the Town Council to submit an application for grant money to fund the purchase of new library computers and to provide users with basic computer skills such as writing cover letters, submitting job applications, etc. The Council approved the application. (Odessa Record, 6.24.10) The theft of more than 1,350 children's picture books from the Port Orchard Library has prompted the Kitsap Regional Library (KRL) system to review its security procedures.

Eastern Washington University was recently awarde

Library News Fines for overdue books and materials from the four public libraries in Clallam County will increase from 10 cents per day to 20 cents per day, effective Thursday, July 1, but a $5 limit on fines per item will not change. The fine increase was approved at a recent meeting of the board of North Olympic Library System, which oversees public libraries in Sequim, Port Angeles, Forks and Clallam Bay.

Washington State Library News The Washington State Library recently contributed another 50,000 historic newspaper pages from nine newspapers to Chronicling America, making Washington State's contribution to the program a total of 16 titles and 92,000 pages. Chronicling America is a project of the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP), a partnership between the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress.