Spring Break is Almost Here...Keep the Kids Entertained & Learning!

FUN & EDUCATIONAL Activity Packs for Kids! Stop by any Whitman County Library branch for coloring, toys, puzzles, ABC Mouse, activity backpacks, and books galore! 

Families can check out Bonnie Belle Backpacks & STEM Bags chock full of books, toys, crafts, costumes, and other goodies! Bags have themes including Robotics, Dinosaurs, All Around the World & more!

Forget checking out a book, checkout a whole BACKPACK!

Whitman County Library can help reduce screen time with fiction and non-fiction baby board books, beginning readers, picture books, STEM themed bags, Bonnie's Book Bags, playgroup, and library programs! We can also offer educational screen time with ABC Mouse and eReaders! 

Check out our collection of activity bags and backpacks for ALL AGES!

 Bonnie Belle Backpacks

 STEM Bag

 Family Exploration Packs

Harvest Heritage Presentation TONIGHT by Richard Scheuerman at the Colfax Library Center

 

Historian, author and local favorite, Richard Scheuerman will give an presentation on "Harvest Heritage" on Thursday, March 28 at 7 p.m.

Scheuerman is a Northwest historian, author, and professor emeritus of education at Seattle Pacific University. His honors include the Washington State Historical Society’s Robert Gray Medal for outstanding contributions to history education and the Washington Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Scheuerman was born and raised in the Endicott area and is a favorite of local audiences.

Richard Scheuerman's Exhibit "Harvest Heritage: The Story of Humanity in Twelve Farm Paintings" comes to the Libey Gallery in Colfax runs through March 28. 

The “Harvest Heritage” exhibit is a collection of 12 works includes originals, first editions, and reprints, depicting harvest and agrarian scenes of rural life from the sixteenth century to the present. This exhibit represents a small portion of what has been acquired by Scheuerman as research into his many books on the subject - Harvest Horizons: Essays on Gleaners, Reapers, and Threshers in Western Art and Literature, Hallowed Harvests: Agrarian Depiction from the Bible, Literature, and Art to Early Modern Times, and Harvest Hands: Reapers and Threshers in American and Modern European Art and Literature.

Ukuleles & Classes Available at Colfax Library

Want learn how to make music instead of just listening to it? Register now for “Introduction to Ukulele: Plus” with instructor, Scott Hallett. Classes at the Colfax Library begin on Wednesday April 10, 2019 and run through May 1st, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Scott’s classes are geared toward adults but provide lots of fun whether you are an absolute beginner or know how to play a few chords.

No Ukulele? No problem. Whitman County Library has a number of instruments to loan thanks to generous donations from the Ukulele Players of the Palouse (UPOP). Learn how to check out a ukulele by calling the library at 509-397-4366.

This four week, non-credit session is offered through the ACT 2 Program of the Community Colleges of Spokane and costs just $17 – less than the cost of a typical lesson. Early registration is encouraged to avoid cancellation. To register, please call Community Colleges of Spokane at (509) 279-6030.

Virtual Reality is now a Reality at Whitman County Library!

Thanks to support from Washington State Library, University of Washington, and Oculus community members, county schools, and teen groups can schedule appointments to experience this amazing, three-dimensional world!

Virtual Reality Wednesdays begin March 27 in the TEK Center at Colfax Library with two experiences, "Dreamdeck" and "First Contact." Additional experiences will be added weekly. Appointments run from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday, lasting about 20 minutes. To schedule, just stop in the Colfax Branch or call 509-397-4366.

Besides Wednesday appointments in Colfax, the library is offering Virtual Reality sessions in county classrooms, afterschool programs, and more. The library plans to expand Virtual Reality in other branch locations later this spring and summer.

Everyone is required to sign the health & safety warnings waiver. Must be 13 or older; teens need a signed parent waiver. For more info about school and teen VR programs, ask for our Teen & Technology Librarian, Nichole Kopp

Trivia Nights this Week!

It's Almost Whitman County Library Trivia Night!

WEDNESDAY March 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Colfax Hyde Out...See you there!

Having FUN isn't hard when you have a LIBRARY card! 

YOU ARE INVITED for an exciting trivia contest...featuring science, history, pop culture, geography, and just-for-fun questions PLUS music clips!

Answer questions, identify music clips, compete with friends, and see what you know! Bring your team of up to 8 people or join one on arrival. Extra points are awarded to team members who present their library card. For more information, contact Sarah Phelan at 397-4366 or sarahp@whitco.lib.wa.us!

Upcoming Trivia Nights:

St. John Rialto - Thursday, March 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Rosalia Brass Rail - Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m.

Food for Fines Drive a Huge Success!

THANK YOU to the nearly 100 residents who donated over $700 in food & household items!

Whitman County Library and area food pantries thank the 96 residents who donated hundreds of dollars in non-perishable food and toiletry items for our 19th annual Food for Fines drive. Donations came in throughout Whitman County with almost 30% of those not attached to the waiving of library fines. Food for Fines is held each February when area pantries report more people struggling with high heat bills and difficulty feeding their hungry families.

With your help, we were able to give back to our local food banks, friends, neighbors and community 

Harvest Heritage Farm Painting Exhibit & Presentation by Scheuerman

Grigory Myasoyedov’s "Harvest Time" was painted in 1887 and a part of Richard Scheuerman’s research on Agrarian themed art during a visit to The Russian Museum, of St. Petersburg

Richard Scheuerman's Exhibit "Harvest Heritage: The Story of Humanity in Twelve Farm Paintings" comes to the Libey Gallery in Colfax from March 9 - 28. 

The “Harvest Heritage” exhibit is a collection of 12 works includes originals, first editions, and reprints, depicting harvest and agrarian scenes of rural life from the sixteenth century to the present. This exhibit represents a small portion of what has been acquired by Scheuerman as research into his many books on the subject - Harvest Horizons: Essays on Gleaners, Reapers, and Threshers in Western Art and Literature, Hallowed Harvests: Agrarian Depiction from the Bible, Literature, and Art to Early Modern Times, and Harvest Hands: Reapers and Threshers in American and Modern European Art and Literature.

As a special treat, Scheuerman will give a presentation on the topic on the final day of the show, Thursday, March 28 at 7 p.m.

Scheuerman is a Northwest historian, author, and professor emeritus of education at Seattle Pacific University. His honors include the Washington State Historical Society’s Robert Gray Medal for outstanding contributions to history education and the Washington Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Scheuerman was born and raised in the Endicott area and is a favorite of local audiences.

The Libey Gallery is adjacent to the Colfax Library, open Mon. - Wed. 10 am to 8 pm, Thurs. & Fri. 10 am to 6 pm, Sat. & Sun. 1 to 5 pm

Discover your Family 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 is coordinated by the Whitman County Library (Colfax, WA), which works with local heritage organizations to digitize and provide enhanced access to historically significant materials documenting the history of Whitman County and communities throughout Eastern Washington's Palouse Region. In addition to working with institutional partners, Whitman County Library is committed to uncovering the wealth of unique historical materials residing in the private family collections of the communities within its service area. To view materials held in the private collections of more than 100 Whitman County residents, click here. To learn more about how you can contribute your historical materials to this community based digitization project, please contact the Whitman County Library at (509) 397-4366.

Heritage Quest is an online, comprehensive treasury of American genealogical sources—rich in unique primary sources, local and family histories, convenient research guides, interactive census maps, and more.

Click here for other genealogical resources accessible through the library's website!

Click here to view the entire Whitman County Rural Heritage Collection

Learn about Palouse Wildlife with a Local Expert!

On Monday, March 11 at 6 p.m. learn about wildlife on the Palouse with local Biologist, Brian Gaston at the TEK Center at Colfax Library! The talk will focus on the various wildlife found on the Palouse and the critters' behaviors and habitats.

This is part of a new partnership between Whitman County Library and Whitman Conservation District called Science on the Palouse. On the 2nd Monday of each month from 6-7 p.m., Science on the Palouse explores a topic that matters to our region; these engaging conversations will enlighten you about local issues and efforts.

These presentations are geared toward adults but youth 10 and older are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Brian Bell, Whitman Conservation District at 509-288-4644 or brianwhitmancd@gmail.com.

Open Computer Labs at the Colfax Library

Adults, do you need extra computer time to complete a project?  The computer lab is open in The TEK Center from 1 to 4 p.m. every Thursday in March.

Spend time in the computer lab to...

• Complete taxes
• Create a resume
• Search for a job
• Fill out FAFSA
• Learn a new language with Mango
• Certify in Microsoft Imagine Academy
• Research your Family History with Heritage Quest
• Explore library databases

The computer lab has 10 Windows 7/MS Office 2013 laptops available, first come first serve.  Printing services available, 15 cents per page. Call our TEK Center Coordinator, Nichole Kopp, or our Systems Administrator, James Morasch, for additional information at (509) 397-4366

Resources for Job Seekers & Businesses!

WorkSource Appointments available Thursday, March 7 & 21 from 12 to 2 p.m  by appointment only 

Tim Rubio, Worksource Specialist, will meet with businesses and job seekers at Colfax Library. For businesses, Tim can provide a wide variety of solutions including tax incentives, worker training, and improved recruitment strategies. For job seekers, Tim provides assistance in mastering the technology to improve your job search, helps you build your resume, and improves your interview skills. More information can be found at worksourcewa.com.

For questions or to set an appointment, please contact Tim Rubio, Worksource Specialist at 509-254-7357 or 509-758-1716

Community Action comes to Colfax Library All Saturdays in March!

Need help with home energy bills? Whitman County Library and Community Action Center are partnering together to bring energy assistance to Whitman County residents. Every Saturday in March, a caseworker will be available at the Colfax Library from 1- 5 p.m. to share information about all the Energy Assistance programs Community Action Center offers.

Drop-ins are welcome or contact Community Action toll free at (800) 482-3991 to schedule an appointment.

Households interested in attending should bring in the following:

• Social Security cards for everyone in the household
• Photo ID for all adults
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Eligible Immigration Status
• Proof of income for the past three months
• Proof of Whitman County residency
• Current utility bill or heating bill account number
• If applicable: a copy of your college financial aid letter
• If applicable: proof if you receive or pay child support

For more information, visit the library’s website www.whitco.lib.wa.us or call the Colfax Library at (509) 397-4366 or Community Action at (800) 482-3991