Ice Age Floods Institute's Palouse Falls Chapter Presents "Washington's Channeled Scablands"

Free IAFI Presentation comes to the Colfax Library Wed. May 3, 6:30 p.m.

The Ice Age Floods Institute is partnering with Whitman County Library to bring you a talk by author John Soennichsen, who has literally written the book on J Harlen Bretz, the “rebel geologist” who answered the riddle of how the dramatic coulees, gullies, and deserts between Idaho and the Cascade Mountains in Eastern Washington came to be. -Our guest lecturer received his Bachelor’s degree in journalism University of Oregon and his Masters in Fine Arts, Creative Writing from Eastern Washington University. He has authored six books, including “Washington’s Channeled Scablands Guide,” which is a comprehensive guide to explore Washington’s Ice Age canyons of wonder, great trails, stunning scenery, and amazing history.

Join us as we cover a brief history of J Harlen Bretz and his scabland research, followed by an audiovisual presentation offering a photographic tour of Washington’s scablands and learn about the significance of our region's geology!

An Introduction to the Ice Age Floods

The Ice Age Floods Institute explains that during the last Ice Age (18,000 to 12,000 years ago), and in multiple previous Ice Ages, cataclysmic floods inundated portions of the PNW from Glacial Lake Missoula, pluvial Lake Bonneville, and perhaps from subglacial outbursts. Glacial Lake Missoula was a body of water as large as some of the USA’s Great Lakes. This lake formed from glacial meltwater that was dammed by a lobe of the Canadian ice sheet. Episodically, perhaps every 40 to 140 years, the waters of this huge lake forced its way past the ice dam, submerging parts of the PNW. Eventually, the ice receded northward far enough that the dam did not reform, and the flooding episodes ceased. These floods are a remarkable part of N. American natural heritage. They have profoundly affected the geography and ways of life in the region, but have until recently remained largely unknown to the general public.

For more information on the program contact the Whitman County Library at 509-397-4366, visit our events calendar or contact Lloyd Stoess from Ice Age Floods Institute at 509-954-3927 or visit iafi.org

SEL's Donation to Whitman County Library helps fund Colfax's new Community Enrichment Center!

Sara Olsen and McKenzie Brumet of Schweitzer Engineering (right) present an  $8000

donation to Whitman County Library Director Kristie Kirkpatrick and Catalina Flores, 

Branch Services Coordinator benefiting the Center at Colfax Library.

Thanks to a donation of $8000 from Schweitzer Engineering, The Bettie Steiger Community Enrichment Center at Colfax Library is one step closer to reaching its fundraising goal for adding restrooms and completing a technology lab. Currently $21,500 has been raised toward this $60,000 phase of the project. To date, $280,000 in renovations at the Center have finished the two main community rooms, infrastructure and a connecting vestibule to the library. The Hamilton Drug building was donated to the library district in 2009 and all renovations have been funded by grants and donations for this well utilized community center. For more information about the Center, contact Kristie Kirkpatrick at 509-397-4366 or click here!

Yoga for a Cause May 2, 5:30 - 7 pm benefits the Center Restroom Project

If you want to help support the project or to improve your heath and fitness, Suzy McNeilly Yoga presents Yoga for a Cause Tuesday, May 2 from 5:30 to 7 pm - in lieu of class fees, all donations benefit the Center Restroom Project! Yoga for a Cause benefits local non-profit groups in Whitman County on the first Tuesday of every month from 5:30 - 7 p.m. in the Colfax Library. Ideal for both beginners and experienced yoga practitioners, the class will begin with a Vinyasa flow, take a quick break at 6:30, then move into the Restorative phase. Participants are welcome to stay for the entire class or use the break to come and go. 

For questions or for more information about Yoga for a Cause, contact 

Suzy McNeilly  at 509-397-4709 or Crystn Guenthner at 208-305-0057

Author, S.M. Hulse visits Colfax Library in November!

The Everybody Reads 2017 book is "Black River" by S.M. Hulse. The author visits Colfax, Tues. November 7 at noon at the Whitman County Library. Come to listen, ask questions, bring a lunch or reserve lunch for $13 by calling 509-397-4366.

As part of the Everybody Reads Program, citizens from across the Palouse, Lewiston and Clarkston Valley have been reading Black River in anticipation for the author's visit in November multiple presentations by the author.

Black River by S.M. Hulse 

"A tense Western and an assured debut, Black River tells the story of a man marked by a prison riot as he returns to the town, and the convict, who shaped him." 

When Wes Carver returns to Black River, he carries two things in the cab of his truck: his wife’s ashes and a letter from the prison parole board. The convict who held him hostage during a riot, twenty years ago, is being considered for release.

Wes has been away from Black River ever since the riot. He grew up in this small Montana town, encircled by mountains, and, like his father before him and most of the men there, he made his living as a Corrections Officer. A talented, natural fiddler, he found solace and joy in his music. But during that riot Bobby Williams changed everything for Wes — undermining his faith and taking away his ability to play.
How can a man who once embodied evil ever come to good? How can he pay for such crimes with anything but his life? As Wes considers his own choices and grieves for all he’s lost, he must decide what he believes and whether he can let Williams walk away.
With spare prose and stunning detail, S. M. Hulse drops us deep into the heart and darkness of an American town.

Reviews
"Black River is such a vivid, compelling debut novel. S. M. Hulse is an astute guide to an implacable western landscape of grief, violence and redemption." —Jess Walter, NYT bestselling author of Beautiful Ruins, The Financial Lives of the Poets, and others

"This powerful, character-driven novel of family, suffering, mistakes, forgiveness, and atonement begs you to put on a classic bluegrass album and savor the very real world that Hulse has captured on the page. This is a new Montana story, a story of the West that eschews romantic imaginings and instead lives in the grit and complexity of the modern West." —Ariana Paliobagis, Country Bookshelf (Bozeman, MT)

"A lovely austerity infuses this story of damage and redemption, and makes it glow. Hulse is a wise and compassionate writer who understands the tricky and heartbreaking borders between principle and rigidity, justice and revenge. Her debut novel is provoking and memorable." —Deirdre McNamer, author of Red Rover and My Russian

Awards

Winner of the 2015 Reading the West Book Award

A 2016 PEN/Hemingway Finalist

An ABA 2015 Indies Introduce Title

An Amazon Best Book of the Month for January 2015

A February 2015 Indie Next List Pick

Long-listed for the 2015 Center for Fiction First Novel Prize

​A 2016 ALA Notable Book

A 2015 Montana Book Award Honor Book

May 2017 Tech Tuesdays

Technology Tuesdays are tech-driven events available EVERY TUESDAY at the Colfax Library's NEW TEK Center!!!

May 2 - Engineering, Let's Build! Kids grades 4 and up bring a friend to the TEK Center on Tuesday, May 2 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. to practice engineering skills! Come and experiment with different materials to build structure, electronic circuits, and more!

May 9 & May 30 - Overdrive Learn how to access thousands of ebooks & audiobooks on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or other device! All you need is your library card! Learn how to install the library's Overdrive App and get started today! Tuesday, May 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. & Tuesday, May 30 from 12 to 1 p.m.

May 16 - Cybersecurity Questions about how to safely navigate through our tech savvy world? Mike McCully, Information Systems Security Officer at NOAA provides valuable cybersecurity tips and techniques Tuesday, May 16 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

May 23 - Drop in Tech Help Need technology help? It's Drop-in Tech Tuesday! Stop by the TEK Center to get hands on help with basic computer skills, internet, email, Microsoft Imagine Academy, and more! Bring your device and questions to our tech librarian Tuesday, May 23 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Technology driven events to follow every Tuesday at the TEK Center. For more information about Technology Tuesdays, TEK Center, school technology classes or volunteer opportunities, contact Nichole Kopp, Whitman County Library Teen Services Director and TEK Center Coordinator at 509-397-4366.

TEK Center currently provides free WiFi, 8 laptops, projection capabilities, tables, chairs and access to a wide variety of library resources including experienced instructors, educational software, coding kits, Lego learning, online instructional programs and more.

WCL Trivia Nights are a Countywide Hit!

WCL Trivia Nights are the most fun you can have while learning! 

If you enjoy playing games, fun facts, and competing with friends then try out Whitman County Library's new Trivia Nights! The library currently hosts Trivia Nights all over Whitman County including Colfax, Rosalia, St. John, Palouse and we are expanding into more locations all the time!

First WCL Trivia Night at the Brass Rail in Rosalia

Having fun isn't hard when you have a library card!
Trivia teams that remember to bring their library cards will receive an extra point! Answer questions, spend time with friends, and see what you know! Bring your team of up to 8 people or join one upon arrival. All donations go to Friends of the Library for local programs and projects. For more information, contact Sarah Phelan at 509-397-4366.

"The Rolling Stones" competing at the Colfax Hyde Out 

Upcoming WCL Trivia Nights

• Palouse Caboose Wed. April 26 at 6:30
• Rosalia Brass Rail Sat. May 13 at 7:00 
• Colfax Hyde Out Thurs. May 18 at 6:30
• Palouse Caboose Wed. May 24 at 6:30
• St. John Rialto Sat. June 3 at 6:30 

WCL Trivia Night at Palouse Caboose hosts over 75 people!

WCL Receives Technology Grant

Residents across Whitman County will benefit from a $15,455 technology grant recently announced by The Washington State Library. The grant is designed to help residents of all ages improve their digital skills by providing laptops, tablets and equipment that will be used in digital learning classes featuring Microsoft Imagine Academy and Coding Camp curriculum.

Inspecting new tablets and laptops as part of  grant are James Morasch
technology systems administratorand Marcy Campbell, Rosalia Branch manager

While this equipment was awarded to the Endicott, Lacrosse, Malden, Rosalia, and St. John branch libraries, it benefits all residents of Whitman County Library District by alleviating some of the scheduling pressure on the library’s existing laptop lab. That lab is currently being shared among all of the branch locations and  for outreach instruction to area schools.

Programing begins as a part of the 2017 Imagine Academy Grant

As a part of a recent technology grant, Whitman County Library announces events that encourage digital learning for personal and professional growth. Public programs kick off on Friday, April 28 at the St. John Fair with library staff demonstrating Microsoft Imagination Academy along with other online and technology related services.  In early May libraries in Endicott, LaCrosse and St. John will hold Tech open houses with all attendees receiving a set of earbuds. At the Rosalia Senior Lunch on Tuesday, May 9, Branch Manager Marcy Campbell will demonstrate the basic digital literacy program along with other aspects of the Imagination Academy.

Teen Library Nichole Kopp leads a coding class in the St. John Library.

For more information about digital classes or Microsoft Office certification, contact Clancy Pool, project coordinator at cpool@whitco.lib.wa.us, the branch locations listed above or Whitman County Library at 877-733-3375.   Visit the Events Calendar at www.whitco.lib.wa.us, your branch Facebook pages and local media for upcoming classes.

Funding for this project is made possible through a legislative appropriation that provides free access to Microsoft Imagine Academy for all residents of Washington State along with MOS certification testing and support, administered through The Washington State Library

AudioSync for Teens

What is SYNC?

SYNC is a free summer audiobook program for teens 13+. Returning April 27, 2017 SYNC will give away two complete audiobook downloads a week - pairs of high interest titles, based on weekly themes that teens can keep on their device forever! In partnering with AudioSync we are giving away 30 audiobooks this summer!

For more info visit http://www.audiobooksync.com/ or call Nichole at the Whitman County Library 509-397-4366

Why? SYNC is dedicated to introducing the listening experience to the teen audience and demonstrates that Required Reading can be completed by listening. 

Who? SYNC is sponsored by AudioFile Magazine and titles are delivered through the OverDrive app. Download the app in advance to whichever device you anticipate listening on and be ready to go!

How? Simply sign-up to get notifications when the FREE audiobook downloads are available. You can receive alerts by text message, email newsletter, or by visiting www.audiobooksync.com. Titles change every Thursday at 7am ET when the program is running.

List of titles available for download in upcoming weeks

Download Details

• Downloads are in MP3 format, hosted by OverDrive, and are Mac and Windows compatible.
• Downloads will operate through the OverDrive app.
• Most listening devices are supported.
• Each SYNC audiobook will be available for download for a period of 7 days (only).
• Titles, once downloaded, are yours to keep.

New line-up of exercise classes for all ages and fitness levels

WCL Fitness Instructors:
Nancy Stanard, Carissa Little,
Crystn Guenthner, and Suzy McNeilly

If you are looking to get into better shape or improve your overall health & happiness just head down to the Whitman County Library!

WCL Fitness Classes:

Fit & Fun - 10 am Mondays & Wednesdays

Fit & Fun - Mondays & Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m. Low impact, gentle aerobic exercise with old time dance moves that improve mobility and balance. 

Boot Camp - Mondays & Wednesdays 6-7 p.m. High intensity workouts focused on cardio, muscle building, and coordination.

Potpourri Yoga - Tuesdays 12:05 - 12:55 p.m. Fifty minute yoga class designed to energize your day.

Balance & Aging - 9:30 am Thursdays 

Align & Refine - Tuesdays 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Alignment based class with yoga pose progression.

Yoga for Balance & Aging -  Thursdays 9:30-10:30 a.m. Gentler approach to yoga that can be  tailored to meet the participant’s fitness, balance or rehabilitation needs. 

Flex & Flow - Thursdays, 12:05 - 12:55 pm. Poses focus on foundation, alignment, strength and flexibility. 

Yoga for a Cause - 5:30 pm
1st Tuesday of every month

Yin Yoga - Thursdays, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. End your day feeling calm and grounded, increase circulation and become more focused.

Yoga for a Cause - First Tuesdays of each month 5:30 - 7 p.m. In lieu of class fees, all donations will benefit local non-profit groups. This class is ideal for both beginners and those with experience. The class begins with a vinyasa flow, then a quick break at 6:30, and finally we move into the restorative phase. Participants are welcome to stay for the entire class or use the break to come and go.

WCL Fitness classes vary in price from ~$5 to $10 per class, with punch cards and other incentives available. Exercise classes at the library are currently free to Whitman County seniors 65+ thanks to a local donor. For more information about Yoga contact Suzy McNeilly (509) 397-4709 or Crystn Guenthner (208) 305-0057, email Carissa Little at purefitpersonaltraining@gmail.com about Boot Camp, or call Nancy Stanard at (509) 288 -1117 if you are interested in Fit & Fun. View our complete list of events at www.whitco.lib.wa.us.

May 2017 Yoga for a Cause

Yoga for a Cause benefiting the CENTER RESTROOM PROJECT  

What is the Center? The Center is an annex to the Colfax Branch of Whitman County Library. It is an education, social, cultural, and business hub for Whitman County featuring classes for all ages, gallery space, business incubation opportunities, historic information, and other potential uses.The Bettie Steiger Community Enrichment Center was recently renovated but is in need of funding to complete the final steps of construction. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET INVOLVED!

Current programs at the center include senior exercise and yoga classes, Technology Tuesdays (Rural Heritage, eBook & audiobook tutorials, general computer and tech help, and more), Children and Teen instruction for coding and robotics, Act 2 Community Colleges of Spokane partner with the library to offer classes, various Humanities Washington speakers as well as local presenters, and Tom Mohr's 'Why I Moved to Colfax' Photography Exhibit is on display right now!

“Yoga for a Cause” presented on Tuesday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Colfax Library

Yoga for a Cause benefits local non-profit groups in Whitman County on the first Tuesday of every month from 5:30 - 7 p.m in the Colfax Library. Ideal for both beginners and experienced yoga practitioners, the class will begin with a Vinyasa flow and take a quick break at 6:30 to move into the Restorative phase. Participants are welcome to stay for the entire class or use the break to come and go. In lieu of class fees, donations are being accepted to benefit this important project.

For more information on the Center, call Kristie Kirkpatrick at 397-4366. For questions about yoga, you can reach Suzy McNeilly at 509-397-4709 or Crystn Guenthner at 208-305-0057. The Colfax Branch of Whitman County Library is located at 102 S. Main.

WCL Tech Tuesdays

Rural Heritage TODAY 12 - 1 pm!

Photo courtesy of the Whitman County Library Rural Heritage collection.

What did Whitman County look like 50 years ago, 100 years ago? Whitman County’s Rural Heritage collection contains photos and information on local families, farms, communities and more. Join us from noon – 1 p.m. in TEK Center at Colfax Library as library staff demonstrates hands on use of this online collection and answers your questions about accessing or participating in the project!

Photo courtesy of the Whitman County Library
Rural Heritage collection.

Whitman County’s Rural Heritage contains almost 5000 photos and is one of the most popular collections in the statewide project. Locally, Rural Heritage averages 3500 monthly visits from web users all around the world.

Technology driven events to follow every Tuesday at the TEK Center. For more information about Technology Tuesdays, TEK Center, school technology classes or volunteer opportunities, contact Nichole Kopp, Whitman County Library Teen Services and TEK Center Coordinator at 397-4366.

Whitman County Seed Library

WCL's Seed Library is Open for Gardening Season!

Come learn about the seed library at our open house on Tuesday April 18, 2017 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Spring is here so it's time to plant your garden. The Colfax Library invites you to visit our Seed Library anytime the library is open or to stop by an open house introduction to the Seed Library tomorrow, Tuesday, April 18!

The Concept of the Seed Library is simple. Residents borrow seeds from the library, plant their gardens, harvest their crops and then return some of the harvested seeds to The Seed Library for use the following growing season. The Seed Library welcomes and shares a variety of seeds that are organic certified, open pollinated, or heirloom seeds. This ensures that our library is doing its best to provide seed that is high quality and can produce a plant true to its variety.

Check out our extensive collection of gardening books from roses to rutabagas!

For more information about Whitman County Library’s Seed Library or the Open House, contact Kristie Korslund at 509-397-4366. Colfax Library Hours are Monday-Wednesday, 10-8, Thursday-Friday 10-6 and Saturdays-Sundays 1-5.

Borrow, Harvest, Share

Reminder: WCL Penny Drive is Underway!

Wanted: Pennies, Dimes, and Dollars Too! The Whitman County Library System holds its annual Penny Drive now through April 26!

Each of the 14 library branches collects money to fund educational programs or projects that are vital to their location. The WCL Penny Drive is held in honor of National Library Week (April 9 - 15). First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is an observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country. Whitman County Library celebrates the contributions of its loyal customers and dedicated staff during this special annual event. Many school classrooms and local daycares help to gather coins and compete for an ice cream party. The celebration is hosted by the Friends of Whitman County Library featuring games, treats and the ever popular, Reading Bear.

Thank you for donating to our kids' programs!

For more information about the Penny Drive please contact: Sheri Miller at 509-397-4366

For a complete list of events and programs happening in all fourteen Whitman County Library branches, visit the Whitman County Library website or the library's events calendar or call the library at 397-4366 or 877-733-3375 toll-free.

Sarah's eBook & Audiobook Recommendations

WCL's Science Fiction Selection is on Overdrive!!!

The Andromeda Strain – Michael Crichton

From author of Jurassic Park comes a captivating biological thriller about noxious extraterrestrial microorganisms threatening to annihilate the human race. A cohort of biophysicists has warned the government that re-entry of space probes into our atmosphere presents a threat on the cellular level but no one listened. Now terror is being unleased and there is no telling where it will end. Available as an eBook for smartphones, kindles, tablets, desktop, and other devices on the Overdrive app – all you need is a library card! 

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams

Join this dynamic duo on a whimsical odyssey through space. Arthur Dent is rescued seconds before the planet Earth is scheduled to be demolished in order to make way for a galactic freeway. Dent along with his pal, Ford Prefect, researcher for the revised edition of ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,’ set off on an interstellar misadventure, meeting a few interesting fellows along the way such as Zaphod Beeblebrox – the two-headed, three-armed, ex-hippie president of the galaxy and his girlfriend, Trillian, Marvin, a brilliant, but chronically depressed robot, and Veet Voojagig, a former grad student obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens. Available on eBook and audiobook with Overdrive.

Revan – Drew Karpyshyn

“There is something out there: a juggernaut of evil bearing down to crush the Republic – unless one lone Jedi, shunned and reviled, can stop it.”  Follow Revan, the traitor turned savior, the Jedi turned Sith, turned Jedi again on an epic journey through the cosmos from the Galactic Republic to the Outer Rim. This quest is brimming with fast paced, hard packed action such as the search for Mandalore’s Mask and an unspeakable evil, waiting just beyond the horizon. Revan is the first book of The Old Republic Series. *Complete with light saber sound effects and original music* Available as an eBook or audiobook on the Overdrive App! 

Colfax Librarian, Rachelle Ledbetter, sharing her love of Sci-Fi Books!