• Smartphone apps headed to Whitman County and other libraries in Washington State!

  
  

  “Libraries want to connect to their customers in every possible way,” said State Librarian Rand Simmons. For this reason the Washington State Library is delighted to receive a $200,000 grant from Paul G. Allen Family Foundation which in combination with federal Library Service and Technology (LSTA) funds will develop a Smartphone application to connect patrons to their public libraries. Once downloaded this application will allow Smartphone users to locate their local public library and then access its library services.”
  
  Simmons explained, “Examples of services available through the Smartphone app would library hours, library calendar of events, and access by library patrons to their library accounts. Easy access to online library resources such as downloadable eBooks and audiobooks, library subscription databases, library social media platforms, and the like would also be provided”.

  

  
  

Washington Rural Heritage

Whitman County Heritage is a project of Washington Rural Heritage, a collection of historically significant materials residing in libraries, heritage institutions, and private collections throughout Washington State. The collection includes photographs, documents, and artifacts which tell the stories of Washington's small and rural communities.
Whitman County Heritage documents the early culture, industry, and community life of Whitman County, Washington and locations throughout Washington’s Palouse Region.  The collection is a project of the Whitman County Library and local partners, funded by a grant from the Washington State Library.

What's happening at the Whitman County Library
for the week of January 31, 2013

Wednesday, Jan 30

Tekoa – 2 to 4:30 p.m. – Ladies Craft Circle – Bring your project to work on while sharing and visiting with friends every Wednesday.

Thursday, Jan 31

Colfax & LaCrosse – Storytime - Fun stories, finger plays, rhymes, songs and crafts every Thursday. Check the calendar for times and themes.
Rosalia – 5 to 7 p.m. – Ladies Night at the Library! – Bring your favorite book, arts and crafts, and enjoy some down time in the library.

Friday, Feb. 1

It’s Food For Fines time at Whitman County Library. The thirteenth annual “Food for Fines” drive begins Friday, Feb. 1, and continues through Thursday, Feb 28 at all 14 library branches.

Saturday, Feb. 2

Rosalia – 10 a.m. to Noon – Downloadable Open House – Learn how to download e-books and audiobooks from the library’s website to your device.

Monday, Feb. 4

Garfield – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Teen Wii Party – Teens are invited to a Wii Party.
St. John – 5 p.m. – Family Storytime – Come as you are, pearls or pajamas, and enjoy stories and activities for the whole family.
Colfax – 5:30 to 7 p.m. – County Art Reception – The entire community is invited to celebrate with art students from across rural Whitman County. View incredible artwork illustrating the talents of area high schoolers.

Tuesday, Feb. 5

Palouse – 6 p.m. – Writers Group – The Palouse Library hosts a Writer Group for anyone interested in writing. This is an informal group and all are welcome.

Wednesday, Feb. 6

Oakesdale & Malden – Storytime – Fun stories, finger plays, rhymes, songs and crafts every Wednesday. Check the calendar for times and themes.

Thursday, Feb. 7

Palouse – 4 pm. – After School Recycle Program – Special guest Judi Grey from Whitman Recycling will teach kids how to make a “green” cleaning product.
Colfax – 7 p.m. – Meet the Student Artists from Rural Whitman County – The community is invited as one student, from each participating high school, shares their artwork, dreams, inspiration and plans for the future.

Hundreds of community programs for preschoolers, children, teens and adults are schedules at Whitman County Library’s 14 branches. For a complete list and details, visit the library's events calendar, like the library on Facebook or call (509) 397-4366.

Colfax Library Hosts INBC Blood Drives

Every day people like you need blood: family, friends, and students. Help give the gift of life at the Colfax Library on January 25, March 25, May 23, July 23, September 24, and November 19 anytime from 2:30-5:30pm. A mobile collection unit from the Inland Northwest Blood Center (INBC) will be on hand to screen applicants and accept donations of blood.

When blood is needed, blood must be available. It cannot be manufactured; generous volunteer donors like you are the only source. Appointments are being taken by calling the library at 509-397-4366 or online at www.inbcsaves.org. Priority will be given to those with pre-scheduled appointments. Walk-ins will be seen on a first come, first serve basis with photo I.D. required. Donors should drink plenty of fluids and eat a meal at least two hours prior to arrival. You must be 18 years old or have an INBC permission form signed

by a parent or guardian. The entire list of eligibility criteria can be found by contacting INBC at www.inbc2.org or call toll-free at 800-423-0151. Visit the Whitman County Library online calendar at www.whitco.lib.wa.us for a complete listing of programs and events.

Food For Fines

            It’s Food for Fines time at the Whitman County Library. The thirteenth annual “Food for Fines” drive begins Friday, Feb.1, and continues through Thursday, Feb. 29, at all 14 library branches. In February, library users can exchange non-perishable food items for up to $10 in outstanding library fines. All food will be distributed to the food bank used in the community where it is collected.
            Last year, the Whitman County Library collected $977.00 worth of non-perishable foods. “The special part of last year’s success was that we received over one third more food than was needed to clear fines.” said Kristie Kirkpatrick, WCL director. Many of the food bank clients receive large heating bills in February and it is wonderful that the library’s food drive allows local agencies to put something extra in their grocery box.

            Non-perishable food may be donated at library branches in Albion, Colfax, Colton, Endicott, Farmington, Garfield, LaCrosse, Malden, Oakesdale, Palouse, Rosalia, St. John, Tekoa and Uniontown. Those patrons whose accounts have been sent to collection do not qualify for this waiver. For further details, contact the Colfax library branch, 397-4366 or toll-free at 1-877-733-3375.

Library appreciates your book donations!

Volunteer Becky Lawhead oversees Troll's Corner Book Store, the Friends of the library book sale in the Colfax Branch 

Do you have DVD’s you no longer watch or books in great condition that you have finished reading? Do you have older books that might be valuable and want their proceeds to benefit a good cause?

We are seeking donations of lightly used DVDs, newer books in good condition or historic books to benefit countywide programs and services of the library. Donated items benefit the library system in a number of ways.

Last year, we were able to expand the cataloged materials collection with 661 donated items that had an estimated value of over $8000. In addition, thousands of donated paperbacks helped boost the collection of items that don’t require a library card to borrow. According to Library Director Kristie Kirkpatrick, “The WCL materials budget was extended by 16% thanks to these quality donations.”  

Book sales coordinated by The Friends of the Library are another way Whitman County Library users benefit from community donations. Last year $2584 was added to the Friends account and used to sponsor library programs. Friends sell items in Troll’s Corner at the Colfax Library, online at sites like Amazon and Once Sold Tales and in a variety of branch locations.

The library does have some restrictions on donated materials. DVD’s and CD’s must be playable and donated in their original case. Books must be clean and generally printed within the last 5 years unless you believe they may have some historic or monetary value. Condensed or abridged books and encyclopedias are not accepted. Some branches accept current issues of magazines or magazine subscriptions, depending on space available for periodicals.

If you would like to donate items to Whitman County Library, call 1-877-733-3375 or email Clancy Pool at cpool@whitco.lib.wa.us. 

Family concert comes to the Colfax Library on Saturday,  March 2 at 3pm.

Jim Gill, an award-winning musician and author, offers more than a show to watch.  Each concert is an opportunity for family play!

In concert, Jim strums energetic rhythms on his banjo while everyone claps, sings, dances and even sneezes along to the silly and inspiring musical games that he creates.

Jim Gill’s distinctive music play creates a family room in the concert hall.  Come and join in the fun! 

Friday Play & Learn is today at the Colfax Library. It's a playgroup for kids, but a great adult social time
with friends too. Everyone is welcome anytime from 10-11:30 am.
Play & Learn is sponsored by the Department of Early Learning distributed through Child Care Aware of Eastern Washington. WCL has the awesome opportunity to host two playgroups in rural Whitman County areas, Colfax and Tekoa. It's very well attended especially during the cold winter months. While helping to clean up after a recent program, a little 4-year-old boy was chanting, "So sad, so sad!" He was having so much fun and was not ready to leave. His mom brings her little boy back to Play & Learn every Friday.

WSU student designs now on display in the Colfax Library

The Colfax Branch of Whitman County Library is currently displaying interior design plans for the Community Enrichment Center from students in Washington State University’s Interior Design program. Led by WSU Professor Bob Krikac of Colfax, the students collaborated with the library as part of the Rural Communities Design Initiative (RCDI).

During the collaboration, student designers Marissa Rosati Cool, Amanda Billberg, Lauren Bruan and Shaleesa Mielke led community focus groups to explore the needs of the community and how the Center might respond. From these meetings, each student took prospective building uses and developed designs that will be extremely useful to library officials at they move forward with the Center.

RCDI is a collaborative effort between Washington State University’s School of Design and Construction and WSU Extension who partner with small, rural communities to offer an innovative, cross-disciplinary approach to rebuilding and promoting a sustainable local economy. Basically students in these programs get to work on real projects while residents of rural communities get to reap the benefits.

PHOTO: Student historic interpretation of the Center’s front

Student Art Exhibit coming to Colfax Library ...

Including this amazing illustration is from Oakesdale senior, Zack Conklin. Come see the talented works of Whitman County youth as the Colfax Library hosts a student art exhibit Feb. 3-14, a Community Reception on Monday, Feb. 4 from 5:30-7  and featuring a student from each of the five participating high schools on Thursday, Feb 7 at 7  pm. For more information, contact Oakesdale art teacher Patty Mills at pmills@gonighthawks.net

Get your Barn calendar soon!

The popular Barns of Whitman County 2013 calendars are going fast at just $6.00. It includes 11 never seen images photographed by Steve Van Vleet, along with images from Washington State University’s Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections and the Whitman County Rural Heritage have also contributed a number of historic images to the calendar.

Calendars are available in Colfax at Rosauers, Ace Hardware, Cottage Gate, the Chamber office, in Pullman at Dissmore's and the Chamber office along with any Branch of Whitman County Library.  All proceeds benefit the valuable projects of the Friends of Whitman County Library. For more information, contact the library at 509-397-4366.