Library Levy Restoration Election, Feb. 2018

Are we voting for a new tax and what will it cost?

No, this is not a new tax. This vote restores .4 cents in funding, returning the library tax rate to .50 cents per $1000 of assessed property value.

Why does the library need to restore its levy rate?

The Library’s tax levy rate has dropped causing the library’s budget to lose pace with operational costs. As a result, levy restoration is needed to sustain library services.

What will happen if the levy rate is not restored?

For 2019, large cuts to open hours, staffing, materials and/or public programs will occur.

What do I get for my money?

Award-winning library services and dedicated staff in 14 countywide locations providing programs for all ages, books, movies, music, eBooks, Internet and Wi-Fi hotspots, online products, computer instruction, Robotics, Internet Safety, literacy, programs to schools, services to daycares, senior facilities, homebound residents, and so much more!

WCL services are popular!

WCL loaned 163,467 books, movies and music 33% more than state average*

WCL children/ teen programs drew 23,475 attendees 68% above state average*

WCL adult program attendance was 15,471  83% above average*

*When compared with WA State libraries of similar population.

If approved, what will the levy lid lift cost the average taxpayer?

The owner of a $150,000 home will increase approximately $6 per year, with the overall tax rising from $69 to $75. Farmland will increase from 0-.5 cents per acre.

Will this levy fund The Center or branch library renovations?

No. This levy funds services and operations. The Center at Colfax Library, along with upgrades to other branches were funded through grants, donations, and volunteers.

How much will the levy add and what will it provide?

The levy should add about $90,000 to the annual budget. That would cover 2-3 branch locations, 20% of the staff, or all of the library materials, catalog and Internet access.

Who will vote?

All residents living within the unincorporated Whitman County and within the cities of Albion, Colfax, Endicott, Farmington, Garfield, Lacrosse, Lamont, Malden, Oakesdale, Palouse, St. John and Tekoa will vote. (Towns not voting but paying the same rate through contract fees are; Colton, Rosalia, Uniontown.)

For more information, contact Kristie Kirkpatrick, WCL Director at 509-397-4366.

Festival of Trees

 This December, the Colfax Library has created a book tree! View all the entries in the Center!

  

View creative community trees in a variety of themes with traditional and eclectic designs beginning December 1st. Visitors are invited to vote for the most beautiful, creative, and crazy tree along with a special children's choice. Winner is announced December 20th!

'Tis the Season at the Whitman County Library

Math Games & FUN-tivities

Math Games for Kids - Colfax Library

Wednesday, Nov. 29, 3-4 PM

Kids in grades 3-5 are invited to FREE FUN-TIVITIES & MATH GAMES at the Colfax Library on Wednesday, Nov. 29 & Tuesday, Dec. 5 afterschool. Come learn with the WSU students! 

Call 397-4366 for more information. Sponsored by Friends of WCL.

Thank You to Every Who Competed in November's WCL Trivia Contests

Bring your team, test your knowledge, and compete with friends to WIN!!!

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

Bring your team of up to 8 individuals or join one upon arrival. Extra points will be awarded for teams that bring their library cards! Answer questions, enjoy friendly competition, and see what you know! All donations go to Friends of the Library for local library programs and projects. For more information, contact our WCL Trivia Coordinator, Sarah Phelan, at 509-397-4366 or sarahp@whitco.lib.wa.us

Upcoming WCL Trivia Nights 

Thursday, Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m. 

@ St. John Rialto 

*Special Christmas Category*

Thursday, Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m. @ 

Colfax Hyde Out 

*Special Christmas Category*

Monday, December 18, 5:30 p.m. @ Endicott Food Supply *FAMILY Trivia Night*

Saturday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m. @ 

Rosalia Brass Rail

Books We Are Thankful For...

If Your Holiday Could Use A Little Magic Read "The Rules of Magic" by Alice Hoffman

In this sparkling sequel you'll meet Franny with her skin as pale as milk and blood red hair, who could commune with birds; Jet as shy as she is beautiful, who knows what others are thinking, and Vincent so charismatic that he was built for trouble. Susanna needed to set some rules of magic: no walking in the moonlight, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles and certainly, absolutely, no books about magic…

Why we recommend it: Halloween might be over, but you can still have a little magic in your holiday. This spellbinding story from Hoffman is about a family of witches determined to break a centuries-long curse.


If You’ll Be Busy in the Kitchen Read "The Comfort Food Diaries" by Emily Nunn

Emily Nunn chronicles her journey to heal old wounds and find comfort in the face of loss through home-cooked food and friendship. One life-changing night, reeling from her beloved brother’s sudden death, a devastating breakup with her handsome engineer fiancé; and eviction from the apartment they shared, Emily had lost all sense of family, home, and financial security. Heartbroken, and unmoored, Emily — an avid cook — poured her heart and discovered she had more friends than she knew!

Why we recommend it: If you’ve got comfort food on your mind, you’ll love sinking your teeth into this inspirational real-life story of one foodie’s quest to come to terms with life, loss, and heartbreak.

If You’re Looking for a Heartwarming Read Try "Love & Other Consolation Prizes" by Jamie Ford

For 12-year-old Ernest Young, a charity student at a boarding school, the chance to go to the World’s Fair feels like a gift. But only once he’s there, amid the exotic exhibits, fireworks, and Ferris wheels, does he discover that he is the one who is actually the prize. The half-Chinese orphan is astounded to learn he will be raffled off — a healthy boy “to a good home.” Fifty years later, in the shadow of Seattle’s second World’s Fair, Ernest struggles to help his ailing wife reconcile who she once was with who she wanted to be, while trying to keep family secrets hidden.

Why we recommend it: Set in historical Seattle, this sprawling novel is inspired by a true story focuses on love, devotion, and family bonds.

book descriptions from https://media.bookbub.com/blog/2017/11/20/books-to-read-over-thanksgiving-break-2017/

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

All 14 branches of Whitman County Library will close Thursday and Friday, November 23 and 24 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Due dates for library materials have been extended in anticipation of the closure and no late fines will be charged for that day. Drop boxes will remain open at all locations for returned items. Access to the library’s catalog, downloadable audio and eBooks, Consumer Reports, A to Z Business Database, Heritage Quest, Rural Heritage, and Events Calendar remains available by visiting the library’s website at www.whitco.lib.wa.us.

Libraries affected by the closure are: Albion, Colfax, Colton, Endicott, Farmington, Garfield, LaCrosse, Malden, Oakesdale, Palouse, Rosalia, St. John, Tekoa, and Uniontown. Residents may call the library at 397-4366 or toll-free at 1-877-733-3375 for information, details regarding the closure or renewal of materials. 

Yoga Classes at Whitman County Library

Color Me Crafty

Creativity Meets Relaxation

Adults of ALL AGES are invited to the Whitman County Library's meeting room to enjoy coffee, cookies and coloring from 2 - 4 pm on the 1st, 3rd, & 5th Tuesdays of each month. A variety of coloring sheets and bookmarks are provided, but feel free to bring your own and share too! 

For more information please contact Molly Overby at 397-4366.

Tech Tuesday: Computer Basics

Basic Computer Skills Class at the Colfax Library
Tuesday, Nov. 21, Noon-1pm

Are you new to using a computer or looking to refresh your skills?  Theresa Kusznir with Colfax Computer will guide students through basic computer skills on Tuesday, November 21 from 12-1 p.m. at the Colfax Library TEK Center.  During this free hands-on class students will familiarize themselves with the computer, review common MS Windows features, setup email, and explore the internet.

For additional information on this event or other Tech Tuesday events click here or call the Colfax Library 397-4366

Join Palouse Library at the 13th Annual Turkey Leg Fun Run Thanksgiving Morning

Thank You S. M. Hulse!!!

Thank you to Sarah Hulse​ from Spokane for her fantastic Everybody Reads presentation on her novel, "Black River," and giving us a peek into what it takes to write and publish a book. 

 ***Get a head start on the 2018 Everybody Reads selection, "Idaho" by Emily Ruskovich***

"Fall" into a good read!!!

Click here to visit our online calendar or call (509) 397-4366 

Trivia in Colfax Tomorrow Night!!!

Whitman County Trivia Night Thursday, Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m. at the Hyde Out

*Special Music Category*

Bring your team, compete with friends, test your knowledge, & WIN!!! 

Remember your library card for a bonus point!!!

Upcoming Whitman County Library Trivia Nights

Thursday, Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m. @ Colfax Hyde Out

Saturday, Nov. 18, 7:00 p.m. @ Rosalia Brass Rail
Thursday, Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m. @ St. John Rialto 

Have your Own Trivia night! Click here to learn more.

For more information, contact: Sarah Phelan at 509-397-4366 or sarahp@whitco.lib.wa.us

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

Who's Who in Colfax?

Small Business Showcase - Colfax Library

Where: The Center, adjacent to Colfax Library

When: Wednesday, November 15, 5-7 pm

Special Guest: Pavlo Rudenko, Ph.D, Founder & (CTO), TriboTEX- Colfax based company

For: Entrepreneurs, Business Owners & Public, refreshments served!

Sponsored by: SEWEDA In Honor of Global Entrepreneurship Week Nov. 13-17, 2017

Movember: Whitman County Library is Changing the Face of Men's Health

What is Movember?

The Movember Foundation is a global charity that advocates for men, raising funds and awareness for men's health issues, such as prostate cancer and testicular cancer. The annual event involves the growing of mustaches during the month of November to "change the face of men's health."

How is Whitman County Library Participating?

There are "mustached" books on display by the front desk and hidden around the library for individuals to check out. Patrons are also invited to encouraged to take a selfie or group photo with the hashtag #WCLMovember and post it on social media.

Check Out A "Mustached" Book from our display or library shelves and be entered to WIN!!!

What Can You Do to Help?

You can help raise awareness by getting people interested and talking about Movember. The Colfax Library has set up a mustache photo booth where patrons can take pictures and are encouraged to post them with hashtag #WCLMovember. If you are camera shy, you can also check out a "mustached" book  from our display or find one hidden throughout the library. The goal is for the community to see the photos or the books you have checked out and ask, "What are all the mustaches about?" and you can share the Movemeber message!

Water, Wind, & Fire

Water, Wind and Fire: Saving our farms, forests and fish while strengthening the economy

This unique presentation comes to our area in two local libraries Tuesday, November 14!

The first presentation is at 12-1:30 p.m. at the Palouse Community Center with a complimentary lunch and the next is 6-7:30 p.m. at the Colfax Library with refreshments being served. 

The presentation and community conversation explore how we can strengthen the economy in Eastern Washington and sustain our farms, forests and fish amid a changing climate. Additional presentation locations and info can be found at tinyurl.com/waterwindfiretour.

Sponsored by the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and Audubon Washington.

Whitman County Libraries are Closed in Honor of Veterans Day

All 14 branches of Whitman County Library​ will close Saturday & Sunday, November 11 - 12, in honor of Veterans Day. 

Thank you to all in our community who have served.

Due dates for library materials have been extended in anticipation of the closure and no late fines will be charged for that day. Drop boxes will remain open. Access to the library’s catalog, downloadable audio and eBooks, Consumer Reports, A to Z Business Database, Rural Heritage and the library’s website are available.

Whitman County Library recommends these patriotic reads to inspire in honor of the holiday! Click here to visit our online catalog.

"Tough as They Come" by Travis Mills

Thousands have been wounded in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Five have survived quadruple amputee injuries ...this is one soldier’s story.

"Fields of Battle" by Brian Curtis

In the wake of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Duke University  played Oregon State in the 1942 Rose Bowl. This is the story of the war, the game, and the boys who played the game then went to war. 

"Vietnam: A History of the War" by Russell Freedman

In honor of our veterans, we invite you to go online to Washington Anytime library and check out this enthralling eBook which chronicles the unfolding events in Vietnam as our young men were sent into the jungles to fight.

FREE Medicare Help

Want to save money on your Medicare supplement or related costs? Open enrollment for health insurance and Medicare supplement is October 15 through December 7 and volunteers, Daniel and Joyce Leonard, are coming to all Whitman County communities to help meet the individual needs of current and future Medicare recipients. To receive the best assistance, participants should bring a list of current medications. Drop-in anytime during the scheduled hours for assistance.

FREE Drop-in Medicare Help

Wednesday, Nov. 15 @ Colfax Library 10 am - 2 pm

Pearl Bouchard, Navigator for WA State's HealthPlanFinder will also be available to assist in Colfax

Monday, Nov. 13 @ Garfield Library 1 - 3 pm

Whitman County Library is partnering again this year with SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) to offer free, unbiased, confidential help in making this important decision. Supplement policies need an annual review as they change in cost and coverage every year. SHIBA is a free, unbiased service of the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner and sponsored locally by Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington. Dan and Joyce Leonard were awarded the Washington AARP Andrus Award, the highest award for volunteer service in the state earlier this year.

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT BEGINS OCTOBER 15 – START REVIEWING YOUR PLAN NOW

For further details including additional dates, contact the Colfax Library toll free at (877) 733-3375 or visit library's events calendar.

Whitman County Library Upcoming Trivia

Thursday, Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m. @ Colfax Hyde Out

Saturday, Nov. 18, 7:00 p.m. @ Rosalia Brass Rail

Thursday, Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m. @ St. John Rialto 

*Special Music Category*

Contests over the past few months have been extremely popular! Participants often come in groups or are placed in groups upon arrival. They answer a wide variety of questions as a fun way to improve their knowledge, support local business, and interact with other members of the community.

Whitman County Library provides the information expert while the hosting group provides the prizes. The library schedules multiple contests each month so interested parties are encouraged to contact Sarah Phelan at Whitman County Library

Have your Own Trivia night! Click here to learn more.

For more information, contact: Sarah Phelan at 509-397-4366 or sarahp@whitco.lib.wa.us

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

November Children's Programs at the Colfax Library

'G' Movie - Wednesday, Nov. 8, 12:45-2:30 pm

You're invited to the Colfax Library to see, "CARS 3."  Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez (voice of Cristela Alonzo), with her own plan to win. Rated G for General Audience. Children 7 and under need an adult present, kids ages 8-12 need parent permission.

Storytime - Thursdays 10:10 -11:30 am

Early Learning Storytime at the Colfax Library is a FREE program that offers a valuable listening and early literacy experience for children birth to age 5. Children, parents, and caregivers will enjoy engaging stories and participate in imaginative activities that include songs, fingerplays, action activities, crafts, puppets, and more each Thursday September through June.

Baby Time, Ages 0-2, 10:10-10:30 am

Toddler Time, Ages 2-3, 10:30-11:00 am

Preschool Time, Ages 4 and up, 11:00-11:30 am

Play & Learn - Fridays 10:00-11:30 am

Join WCL for Friends, Family, & Neighbors Play & Learn (playgroup) each Friday from September through June. Parents and caregivers bring your children from 10:00-11:30 a.m. for free play and socialization!

Afterschool FUN - Thursday, Nov. 16, 3:30-4:30 pm

It's 3rd Thursday fun & learning at the Colfax Library. Kids in grades 1-4 are invited to the library for STEM engagement activities with stories, games, crafts & more! This 3rd Thursday its Thanksgiving themed crafts, BINGO, games, and more!!! *Every 3rd Thursday of the school calendar months* 

Game Day - Wednesday, Nov. 29, 3:00-4:00 pm

Third through fifth graders are invited for FUN-tivities and math games! It will be more than just fun and games...come learn with WSU students! Snacks will be provided. JES kids may take bus 8 with a parent note.

Rising Stars Dance - Fridays 4:15-6:45 pm

Children's dance classes through Rising Stars Dance Studios are available at the Colfax Library Center on Fridays. Classes are geared towards children 2 years and older and introduces them to a variety of genres including ballet, tap, tumble and jazz. For additional information, cost and registration, please contact Keri Oldroyd at (509) 432-6961 or visit http://www.risingstarsstudio.com/. *please note this week, dance is on Wed. Nov. 8th*

4:30 to 5   - Pre Dance - Ages 2-4

5 to 5:45 - Dance Level - Ages 5-6

5:45 to 6:45 - Dance Level 2 - Placement

6:15 to 7:15 - Dance Level 3 - Placement

Call Sheri Miller or Nichole Kopp at the Colfax Library 397-4366 for details or view our online calendar.

Everybody Reads author, S.M. Hulse, visits Colfax Library Today at Noon!!!

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. 

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
Click here to learn more about the author!

Upcoming Levy

Whitman County Libraries Prepare for Levy Increase

Library needs more funding to meet community demands

Yasmeen Wafai, Evergreen reporter November  1, 2017

Whitman County Library is anticipating a vote that would restore its maintenance and operations levy rate to 50 cents, an approximate $6-per-year increase for taxpayers.

Director Kristie Kirkpatrick said the libraries need this levy restoration because their expenses have outweighed their costs. She said usage of library services as well as program attendance has gone up, and the amount of costs is rising. “We are suffering a budget shortfall,” Kirkpatrick said.

The levy restoration would add about $90,000 to the annual budget, according to a fact sheet made by Kirkpatrick. Most library systems put $1 million toward one location, while the Whitman County Library has 14 locations that would be using this money, according to the fact sheet.

The vote would increase the levy to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.

A local example of one location with a bigger budget than multiple locations would be the Neill Public Library in Pullman, which has a city-funded budget of $1.6 million, while the tax-funded budget for Whitman County’s 14 locations is $1.1 million, Kirkpatrick said via email. “I think these numbers clearly demonstrate the struggle we face,” she said.

She said the levy will go to a vote in Whitman County and will affect all of the Whitman County libraries outside of the Neill Public Library. She explained that if the libraries were to get this money, it would go toward operations, materials, programs and technology. “We wouldn’t ask for money if we didn’t need it,” Kirkpatrick said.

She said the levy is vital. The fact sheet listed cuts to staff, open hours, materials, online resources and public programs if the levy rate is not restored. “People have no idea the reach of the library,” Kirkpatrick said. “Cutting back would be difficult and terrible.”

However, the library receives both financial and general support from the Friends of Whitman County Library, a private non-profit group that helps libraries in the county.

Friends of the Whitman County Library President Sue Hallett said the group plans to educate the community, send out mailings and talk to media outlets to promote the levy and get people to vote.

Hallett fully supports the passing of the levy and knows the impact libraries can have, both on individuals and the community. She said the increase is worth it, considering everything the library provides. “The library does a lot for the community,” Hallett said, “and they’re asking for a tiny increase.”

Kirkpatrick said she hopes the community will continue to support the libraries and that the levy will be restored so the libraries can continue to provide services. “We’ll do everything we can to get the word out for people and make ourselves available for questions and concerns,” she said.

The levy will be voted on in the Feb. 13 election.

Ice Age Floods Institute Presents "Flaked Stone Tool Production in Ice Age America"

Ice Ages Floods Institute's Palouse Falls Chapter presents Flaked Stone Tool Production in Ice Age America on Wednesday, November 8 at 7 p.m. at the Colfax Library. 

After learning how to make and use flaked stone tools to better understand observed artifacts, James Payne, Executive Director of the Fort Walla Walla Museum, undertook an investigation into tool production techniques refitting some of the 11,000 pieces of stone debris from a workshop in northern Maine, which revealed both a technology with parallels to the Upper Paleolithic of Europe and a caution on interpretations derived from experimental archaeology.

For more information, visit http://iafi.org, email iafipf@gmail.com, or call the Whitman County Library at (509) 397-4366.