Wednesday, January 31, 2018

THANK YOU to these recent honorees...

Whitman County Library developed the Supporter of the Month award a decade ago to recognize individuals, groups, and businesses for their invaluable contributions. It is our honor to name the most recent recipients:

Frank and Billie Watson (Jan 2018) are long time members of the St. John Friends of the Library and supporters of library programs. Frank has also been an advocate for the library as a member of the city council and school board.

Grammy G’s (Dec 2017) plays an invaluable role at the Palouse Library. Grammy’s owner, Debbie Goetz, donates books, contributes prizes for adult summer reading, and finished the colorful wall hangings in the library promoting reading to the community.

Mikki Tague (Nov 2017) is a longtime Friends of the Library member, working steadily and quietly to improve library services for the entire community. From providing snacks for afterschool programs to supporting senior citizens in their health and wellness, Mikki does more than people will ever know!

Keith and Marcy Campbell (Oct 2017) have so impacted library service within the Rosalia community. Marcy provides caring, creative, innovative programming for all ages. Keith works as her right hand man, building, fixing, and supporting anything that Marcy needs.

Please click here to see a list of all recognized supporters

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

💕 Galentine's Day Thursday, Feb. 1 💕

Celebrate Valentine's with your gal pals!


Ladies bring a friend (or two) to enjoy an evening of Valentine's Day crafting, food, drink and fun Thursday, February 1 at 7 pm! Create festive decorations for your home and bling to add to your arm party. A $25 fee covers supply cost and a donation to The Center's new roof.



Space is limited, call Nichole at 397-4366 to register for ladies night out!

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Have tech questions? We have answers...

Drop-in Tech Help Tuesdays & Saturdays at the TEK Center

Drop-in Tech Help is typically held the last Tuesday of the month as well as the first & last Saturdays of the month.


January 27 & 30 @ 2 to 4 pm - Drop-in Tech Help Need technology help? It's Drop-in Tech Tuesday (and Saturday)! 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 Tuesdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4 pm.

For more information about Tech Tuesdays, TEK Center, technology classes, or volunteer opportunities, contact Nichole, Library TEK Center Coordinator at 397-4366.

Friday, January 26, 2018

Money Management: Identifying Issues & Opportunities


The community is invited to Money Management with Bill Skavdahl, a financial adviser with Waddell & Reed, on Tuesday, February 6 from 5:30-7 p.m. in Colfax Library's the Center. Learn how money management provides a blueprint for your financial future and how it can help you achieve your future goals. This event is free to the public with light refreshments and pizza being served.

Money Management  Colfax Branch Library Tuesday, Feb. 6, 5:30 - 7 pm

Please RSVP to Dan Neuenfeldt by Friday, February 2 at (509) 332-2543 or via email at dneuenfeldt@wradvisors.com 

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Whitman County Library cuts budget for 2018 and seeks levy renewal this February

As trustees of your public library, the Whitman County Board and its director, Kristie Kirkpatrick want to raise the community’s awareness to the challenges being faced by the library district and also, share the details of the upcoming levy reset election that asks voters to restore 4 cents in funding to library coffers. Click here to learn specifics about the library's levy restoration.
Kirkpatrick reports that over the past ten years attendance at library classes and programs for the county’s 14 branch system has risen by 40% and that doesn’t even consider door-counts of people using the libraries to check out materials or use the library’s free Wi-Fi and computers. Coupled with popular new services like downloadable eBooks, databases like ABC Mouse and the Whitman County Rural Heritage collection, library business is booming.

“If we were a business, we’d be rich” comments Kirkpatrick as related to the rising use of libraries. “The problem is, as more people use the library, we must work to stretch every dime. And our dimes are turning into 9 cent pieces.

The need to reset the library’s levy rate is a result of tax initiatives that limit library funding growth to 1% each year and result in the levy rate falling over time. With library usage and costs rising at a greater pace than tax revenues, it is vital that voters occasionally return the tax levy rate back to its standard level of $.50 cents of $1000 of assessed property value.

Library director Kristie Kirkpatrick says, “For a small library like ours, this drop of just 4 cents accounts for almost 10% of the tax budget or approximately $90,000. For WCL, that is the operational equivalent of 2-3 branch locations.

Kirkpatrick hopes taxpayers will see the value of restoring the library levy rate from the current 46 cents back to 50 cents. For the level of service county residents receive from the library, Kirkpatrick believes restoring the rate is justified. A Whitman County home valued at $150,000 would see a rise of about $6 per year, or 50 cents per month.

To cover funding shortfalls in 2018, the library has frozen staff wages, trimmed book and online materials by 20% and, eliminated costs in every place possible. Kirkpatrick adds, “This year, our goal was to cut the budget areas that least affected our library users. Frankly, there are no good choices if further cuts are required.”

WCL trustees encourage you to visit the library’s website ontact your local branch for more information about the upcoming levy reset election. You can also direct any comments or questions to board members Andrea Miller, Suzanne Schmick, Bob Bates, Steve Balzarini and Heather Lustig, or library director Kristie Kirkpatrick at 509-397-4366, kirkpatr@colfax.com or online at www.whitco.lib.wa.us.

Please VOTE February 13!

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Calling all History Buffs...

Rachelle's Recommended Reads

12 Strong by Doug Stanton
Now a major motion picture, this book tells the now declassified, post 9/11, true story of the mission of a small band of Special Forces soldiers who captured the strategic city of Mazer-e Sharif as part of the effort to defeat the Taliban.  



In the Footsteps of Band of Brothers by Larry Alexander
Part travelogue, part historical perspective this book is an inspiring walk through the history of WWII battlefields as would have been seen through the eyes of Easy Company.  



The Invention of Russia by Arkady Ostrovsky
This important and timely book tells how the end of communism and the defeat of the Soviet Union didn’t lead to peace and prosperity but took an even darker turn and instead led to the rise of Putin and an ominous autocratic police state.  

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

ZUMBA is coming to the Colfax Library!

Zumba Thursday, February 8, 6-7 PM
  
Join certified Zumba instructor, Jenna Miller, for a cardio workout similar to dance aerobics but without the complicated step routines! Zumba is a Latin inspired workout that combines simple to follow movements with Latin rhythms and offers an exciting hour of calorie-burning, body energizing fun.


This FREE class will be held in The Center.

Questions call Nichole 397-4366

Monday, January 22, 2018

Are you ready for tax season?

Tax Resources with Shirley Cornelius
Ready to tackle your taxes but need to know how to find the best tax resources?   Bring your lunch to the free “Tax Resources” overview during Tech Tuesday at the Colfax Library TEK Center January 23 12-1 pm.   Accountant Shirley Cornelius will provide information on how to find filing software, state and federal tax forms, filing deadlines, and free or reduced cost help with tax preparation.

For more information on Tech Tuesdays, call Nichole at 397-4366 or view January's Tech Tuesday schedule!

Friday, January 19, 2018

Community Art Reception Tomorrow Evening!

Molly Rice Art Exhibit Opening Reception at The Center at Whitman County Library Saturday, Jan. 20, 5-7 pm

The community is invited to an Opening reception on Saturday, January 20 in conjunction with a stunning exhibit of mixed media artwork by local artist Molly Rice. Light refreshments will be served and the artist will be on hand to discuss her work. The exhibit is on display from January 20 through March 31 at The Center at Colfax Library. For more information, contact Kristie Kirkpatrick at 509-397-4366.

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Voter Forum - Jan. 23

Voter Forum at the Center at Colfax Library

Please join the League of Women Voters for this informational forum on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 7 pm. Learn more about important issues on the February ballot including the Whitman County Library levy restoration measure, Colfax School levy, and Colfax School bond.

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Celebrate Galentine's Day at the Library


💕 Galentine's Day Thursday, Feb. 1 💕

Ladies bring a friend (or two) to enjoy an evening of Valentine's Day crafting, food, drink and fun Thursday, February 1 at 7 pm! Create festive decorations for your home and bling to add to your arm party. A $25 fee covers supply cost and a donation to The Center's new roof.

Space is limited, call Nichole at 397-4366 by Jan. 26 to register for ladies night out!



Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Colfax Library has tons of fun events for kids this week

Crazy 8s Math Club Wednesdays, January 17 - March 7, 3 to 4 pm



Kids, sign-up for MATH GONE WILD! Crazy 8s is a fun, frenzied, and FREE afterschool program which is guaranteed to knock your socks off! Call (509) 397-4366 to register! 

Third Thursday: Money Smart Kids Thursday, Jan. 18, 3:30-4:30 pm


It's 3rd Thursday FUN at the Colfax Library! Kids in grades 1-4 are invited to the library for STEM engagement activities with stories, games, crafts & more! Call Sheri or Nichole at 397-4366 for details. Special guest, Shanna Larson from US Bank talks money with the kids! 

Storytime Thursday Mornings, 10 -11:30 am


Early Learning Storytime is a FREE program that offers a valuable listening and pre-reading experience for children birth to age 5. Children, parents/caregivers will enjoy engaging stories and participate in imaginative activities that include songs, fingerplays, action activities, crafts, puppets, and more!

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 Friday Mornings, 10-11:30 am

Join WCL for family, friends, and neighbors playgroup each Friday from September through June. Parents/caregivers bring your children for free play and socialization.



Call Sheri Miller or Nichole Kopp at 397-4366 for details on children's programs.

Monday, January 15, 2018

Diverse Recommended Reads

All 14 branches of Whitman County Library are closed January 15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Access to the library’s catalog, downloadable audio and eBooks, and other online resources including Rural Heritage are available by visiting our website at www.whitco.lib.wa.us

Celebrate our differences!
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Whitman County Library shares with you this collection of powerful novels by African American authors!


The Color Purple is a classic. It is hailed as one of the all-time 'greats' of literature, inspiring generations of readers. Set in the deep American South between the wars, it is the tale of Celie, a young black girl born into poverty and segregation. Abused by the man she calls 'father', she has two children taken away from her, is separated from her beloved sister, Nettie, and is trapped into an ugly marriage. But then she meets the glamorous Shug Avery, singer and magic-maker - a woman who has taken charge of her own destiny. Gradually, Celie discovers the power and joy of her own spirit, freeing her from her past and reuniting her with those she loves. 

A novel of breathtaking sweep and emotional power that traces three hundred years in Ghana and along the way also becomes a truly great American novel. Two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, are born into different villages in 18th century Ghana. Effia is married off to an Englishman and lives in comfort in Cape Coast Castle. Unbeknownst to Effia, her sister, Esi, is imprisoned beneath her in the castle's dungeons, sold with thousands of others into the Gold Coast's booming slave trade, and shipped off to America, where her children and grandchildren will be raised in slavery. One thread follows Effia's descendants through centuries of warfare in Ghana; the other follows Esi and her children into the American South and Civil War.


As Whitehead brilliantly re-creates the unique terrors for pre-Civil War Blacks, his narrative seamlessly weaves the saga of America. Cora is a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. Life is hellish for all the slaves but especially bad for Cora; an outcast even among her fellow Africans, she is coming into womanhood - where even greater pain awaits. In Whitehead's ingenious conception, the Underground Railroad is no mere metaphor - engineers and conductors operate a secret network of tracks and tunnels beneath the Southern soil. Cora and Caesar's first stop is South Carolina, in a city that initially seems like a haven - but masks an insidious scheme. Even worse: Ridgeway, the relentless slave catcher, is on the hunt.


The unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it, To Kill A Mockingbird became both an instant bestseller and a critical success. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize and was later made into an Academy Award-winning film. Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, To Kill A Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior - to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, humor and pathos. Now with over 18 million copies in print and translated into forty languages, this regional story by a young Alabama woman claims universal appeal. Harper Lee always considered her book to be a simple love story. Today it is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature.


*book descriptions provided by goodreads.com

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Library closed...but Libby is OPEN!

WCL is closed in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 14 & 15...but not to worry, we have ebooks & audiobooks available for download 24/7!!!

Downloading books from the library has never been easier thanks to Libby & OverdriveWhitman County Library cardholders can borrow best-selling and classic titles free of charge on almost any device! Simply download the Libby or Overdrive App from your app store, enter your card number, and then start browsing your favorite titles and authors! Books automatically expire at the end of the lending period so there are no late fees

Start reading (or listening) with Libby today!


OverDrive is currently compatible with eBook and audio/video devices including PC, Mac, Kindle, Android, iPad and Nook. Libby is compatible with mobile devices, such as smartphones and most tablets. For more information please contact the Colfax Library at 397-4366 on Drop-In Tech Help.


eBook help is available! Drop-in Tech Help is typically held the first and last Saturday of the month from 2-4 pm as well as the last Tuesday from 2-4 pm. Check our Tech Tuesday schedule! 

Saturday, January 13, 2018

What will you do to give back in 2018?

INBC Community Blood Drive Thursday, Jan. 18, 2:15 to 5:15 pm at the Colfax Library

This is your opportunity to save lives by donating blood. Registration is directly on the Inland Northwest Blood Center (INBC) mobile bus at the Whitman County Library or visit inbcsaves.org to make your preferred appointment time to avoid the wait!
As the only provider of blood to local hospitals, INBC needs 200 donors per day to supply the community with the components needed for Chemotherapy, Transfusions, and Major Surgeries. Call INBC toll free 800-423-0151 for details.


Friday, January 12, 2018

Math Gone Wild!

Join Bedtime Math's Crazy 8s, where you'll build stuff, run and jump, make music, and make a mess...it's a totally new kind of math club!

With Crazy 8s Math Club kids will build glow-in-the-dark structures, crack secret spy codes, and play games like Toilet Paper Olympics! This recreational after-school math club that helps kids enjoy the math behind their favorite activities! 
  • Math Gone Wild
  • Bouncy Dice Explosion
  • Glow in the Dark Geometry
  • Toilet Paper 
    Olympics


Crazy 8s invited students in grades 3-5 to the Colfax Library Wednesdays January 17 through March 7, from 3 to 4 pm for FREE!

Be ahead of the curve! Space is limited, so be sure to sign up by calling Sheri Miller (509) 397-4366.

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

FAKE NEWS

Fake News: How to Know What to Know


Is this news or fake news??? Distinguishing between fact and fiction has become increasingly challenging. Climate scientist and former journalist, Peter Haug, will lead a discussion on what fake news is and how to identify it. 

For more information, please contact TEK Center Coordinator, Nichole Kopp at the Library (509) 397-4366

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

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 in Colfax

*Special Local History Category* 

Thursday, Jan. 11, 6:30 p.m. @ Colfax Hyde Out 

Categories will also include Harry Potter & other YA/ Juvenile novels, and music!  

Monday, January 8, 2018

High School Art Show Reception Tonight!

The Rural Alliance Art Show returns to The Center at Colfax Library Jan. 6-12



This exhibit showcases paintings, drawings, pottery, collage, and sculpture created by 90 talented local middle and high school students. Students participating from Colfax, Garfield-Palouse, Oakesdale, Rosalia, and St. John-Endicott schools.

Community Reception & Meet the Artists Monday, Jan. 8 from 5 - 6 p.m. Please join us to help celebrate the teens and their accomplishments! Come browse this marvelous exhibit and visit with artists while enjoying refreshments. 

Patty Mills, Oakesdale art teacher, is excited to have student work on display, “The art show is a valuable learning experience for the students and a unique opportunity to bring their creative efforts out of the classroom and into the community allowing students to embrace the honor of sharing selected work with the public. The students take pride in seeing their work on display in a formal setting.”


The exhibit and reception are free to the public. The exhibit is open during regular library hours. For more information, contact Patty Mills at Oakesdale School, 285-5296 or Nichole Kopp at the Library, 397-4366. 



Saturday, January 6, 2018

Book Club in a Box!

Have you always wanted to be in a book club???
HOW TO START YOUR BOOK CLUB IN 2018

1. Pick a group of friends: Invite friends or family to join you on your reading adventure! People with different points of view can create great discussions!
2. Check out "Book Club in a Box" from Whitman County Library: Host picks the book! This gives everyone a chance to read they are interested in as well as something new or a title outside of their usual genre. 
3. Assign each member a month: Choose a day of the month, for example: the third Thursday, allowing members time to finish the novel chosen and the host to prepare. 
4. Hosting the event: Along with choosing the month's book, the host provides beverages and a light appetizer or dessert.    
5. Discuss the book, giving everyone a chance to share"Book clubs in a Box" include discussion questions to get you started! Additionally, if your group selects a book not offered as a book club in a box discussion questions may be found online. 


Friday, January 5, 2018

Ring in 2018 with your library card!

What is your New Year's Resolution?


All this and more FREE with your library card!

The Top 10 New Year's Resolutions
Exercise More and Get into Shape
Eat Healthier/ Lose Weight
Learn Something New (Skill, Hobby, etc)
Save Money or Get out of Debt
Be Less Stressed/ Live Life to the Fullest
Spend Time with Friends & Family
Travel More
Quit Smoking, etc
Get Organized
Read More

Whitman County Library can help with this entire list! Colfax library offers multiple fitness classes, while all branches provide workout DVDs and health/ diet books. Take a knitting, technology, art, or ukulele class with a friend! Checkout a book dealing with finances, addiction, or a travel guide. De-stress with adult coloring or weekly yoga practice! Did you know only 8% of people keep their New Year's Resolutions? Keep yours this year with your library card!!!