What is a Black Hole? Come find out!

Learn about BLACK HOLES with Washington State University Astronomy Professor, Matthew Duez on Monday, July 8 at 6 p.m. at the Colfax Library

April 2019 marked the first EVER photo taken of a black hole, hear the new observational science! What exactly is a black hole? How are they formed? How big can one get? Are there any near Earth? Where do things that get sucked in end up? Learn all about this astronomical phenomenon that no particle, not even light can escape!

 More about this recent discovery! 

“Science on the Palouse” series continues on the 2nd Monday of each month with regional experts exploring new topics each month. Sponsored by Whitman Conservation District, these presentations are geared toward adults but youth 10+ are welcome to attend. For more info, contact Colfax Library at 509-397-4366 or Brian Bell at Whitman Conservation District at 509-288-4644.

Scientists have obtained the first image of a black hole, using Event Horizon Telescope observations of the center of the galaxy M87. The image shows a bright ring formed as light bends in the intense gravity around a black hole that is 6.5 billion times more massive than the Sun. (Image credit: Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration)

Get FIT at your LIBRARY!

BIG LIBRARY READ

A Dangerous Act of Kindness

by LP Fergusson

What would you risk for a complete stranger?

When widow Millie Sanger finds injured enemy pilot Lukas Schiller on her farm, the distant war is suddenly at her doorstep. Compassionate Millie knows he'll be killed if discovered, and makes the dangerous decision to offer him shelter...read more

 Use #BigLibraryRead on social media from June 17 - July 1 for a chance to win a Kobo Aura H2O from OverDrive

Get your copy today!

Big Library Read is an international reading program that connects millions of readers around the world with an ebook through public libraries. To join the discussion, learn about past Big Library Read ebooks and download Libby, visit biglibraryread.com

Need to Unwind? Learn to Knit!

Lynda: The Tutor is in!

The tutor is in 24/7! Free online training with your Whitman County Library Card! What would you like to learn today? Basic PC Skills Microsoft Office Suite Photography Adobe Creative Studio How to Code 3D Animation Build a Website Start a Business Create prototypes Video/ Audio Editing Design a Logo Cloud Computing ...and much, much more! Choose from 12,000+ expert led courses designed for any skill level Lynda.com offers thousands of professional, self-paced courses covering business skills, marketing, design, photography, programming, and more. Access Lynda from the library's website, or click here. You'll need your library card number and a PIN (the last four digits of your phone number). Call us at 397-4366 with any questions.

Ice Age Flood Museum in the Opens in LaCrosse

Volunteers Jeff Andrus & Jeff Johnson during restoration of the Rock Bunkhouse

The Ice Age Flood Museum in the Historic Rock Bunkhouse makes its public debut on Saturday, June 22 from 10-2:30 p.m., as part of The Farmer’s Festival Celebration in LaCrosse, Washington, June 21-23.

The Ice Age Flood Museum features an interpretive film, photographic displays and artifacts depicting the significant geographic history of the land and the remarkable people who’ve called it home. 

Historically significant in its own right, the Rock Bunkhouse was meticulously restored by LaCrosse Community Pride in 2017. The Bunkhouse was one of a group of rock structures originally built by local businessman Clint Dobson in the mid-1930s. Dobson used basalt stones collected from the surrounding fields as it was a readily available and affordable building material during the Great Depression.

The entire group of structures was listed on Washington’s Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of Most Endangered Historic Places in 2015. The museum is the first of the structures to be renovated and put into public use thanks to a partnership between LaCrosse Community Pride, Whitman County Library and the Ice Age Flood Institute. Funding was provided by a Whitman County .09 Economic Development grant. 

For more information about the Ice Age Flood Museum and Rock Bunkhouses, contact Alex McGregor at 509-397-4355. For more information about Farmer’s Festival, call 509-549-3498. Learn more about the Ice Age Floods Institute!

Let's Be Friends!

Friends of the Library at Whitman Hospital for a tour

Thank you to Laurie Gronning and the friendly staff at Whitman Hospital for being so welcoming and giving the Friends of the Library a great tour last week. Our community is so lucky to have such great care! The Friends enjoyed their interesting tour followed by a delicious lunch in the cafeteria.

MRI Waiting Room, Harvey Olson, Imaging Services Manager
taking the Friends on a tour

The Wellness Fair at the hospital is Wednesday, June 19 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. along with the silent auction to benefit "Paint the Town Pink." The library will have a table there, come see us! Contact Laurie Laurie.Gronning@whmc.org if you have any questions.

Laurie Gronning & Sue Hallett

The Friends having FUN on the elevator!

Our next Friends of the Library event, a fun road trip adventure!

On Wednesday, July 10 at 10 a.m. we’ll tour artist Nona Hengen’s restored historic barn which is filled with her stunning artwork. Following the tour, the group will visit the Rosalia Branch Library and finish with a no-host lunch in Rosalia.

If you’d like to carpool from Colfax, we’ll be leaving the library at 9 a.m. For more information about this or other Friends activities, carpooling details, or directions, please contact Kristie or Shirley at kirkpatr@colfax.com or shirleyc@whitco.lib.wa.us or call us at (509) 397-4366.

Small preview of the Nona Hengen's extensive historic gallery

Summer Reading for ALL ages

Residents of all ages are invited to participate in Whitman County Library Summer Reading programs called “A Universe of Stories.”  Across the county, there will be family events, children’s programs, Virtual Reality, Maker Labs, Lego contests, and of course, reading challenges.

Our theme this year is "A Universe of Stories," celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. We have lots of fun activities and prizes for children, teens, and adults! It's going to be OUT OF THIS WORLD! More about Summer Reading!

Special thanks goes out to generous community support for funding guest entertainers, reading incentives, and grand prizes. See last year's sponsors.

To complete the reading portion, children must read, (or be read) 10 books or 10 hours while teens need to complete a Bingo. Adults will work from a checklist of reading options. Signups and more information is available at the library’s website or by visiting any branch location.

Lots of amazing programs are scheduled in all 14 library locations. The Mobius Planetarium, Traveling Lantern Theater, Joshua J. Superstar, Presto the Magician and L-Bow the Clown are just a few of the special entertainers set for summer. Check out our countywide calendar for more FUN upcoming events!

Teens countywide are also invited for Space Trivia on Tuesday, June 12 from 6-8 p.m. in the Center at Colfax Library.  Pizza, soda and yummy snacks will be served.

SEE ALL THE READING CHALLENGES AND WIN A PRIZE! 

Thank you Diane Nebel!

Diane Nebel of Rosalia was honored as Library Supporter of the Month during a surprise visit to her gallery by Whitman County Library staffers Marcy Campbell & Kathy Buccholtz

Diane has been a resident of Rosalia since 1986 and a major supporter of art and education in the community. She and her husband Jim established a local art gallery that features student artwork from the Rosalia schools and provide an art scholarship for a graduating senior each year. Diane has written several books and donated them to the library. She has come in to do several Storytimes in Rosalia sharing her love for learning with our young kids. This summer, Diane will do a program for all ages where she will talk about a dinosaur exploration she has experienced. When Jim passed away, Diane donated his coin collection to support Summer Reading in Rosalia.

Diane Nebel consistently supports the library through her generous donations of time and resources. Librarian Marcy Campbell says, "Our library would not be the same without Diane!"

The Staff, Friends and Board of Whitman County Library present this monthly award as a way of recognizing the generous donors and volunteers who make an important impact in their libraries and communities. To see the complete list of those recognized to date, click here.

Penny Drive Raises $1,665 in Coins and Dollars!

Children from Vicki's Daycare in Colfax celebrate with the Reading Bear

Thank you to all the groups, classrooms, daycares, and individuals who donated this year in celebration of National Library Week. Each library branch designated a special project for the money collected, with funds used for everything from Summer Reading goodies to library projects.

Vicki Hatley's Daycare was the overall winner with over $290; they were rewarded with prizes and a party! Endicott Library brought in over six pounds of coins for a whopping $232 and Rosalia Library gained $124. 

Jennings Elementary School had nine classrooms participate with Mrs. Fulfs 6th grade students collecting nearly $131. One teacher commented that they enjoyed participating in the Penny Drive because they know the library makes every penny count!

K-12 LEGO CONTEST

Calling all LEGO architects....construct an original space related LEGO project and incorporate the Summer Reading theme "A Universe of Stories" by June 11

Submit one project no larger than 11"x11"x11" in size to the Colfax Library on Tuesday, June 11. Projects will be displayed in the library until Tuesday, July 2 (pick up by 5 p.m.)

Submitted projects will be judged on creativity, originality, and relation to theme. A prize will be awarded to the creator of the winning project in the following grade categories: K-3, 4-6, 7-12


Awards announced on July 2 during summer reading program at 4 p.m. Questions??? Call Nichole 397-4366. Sponsored by Friends of Whitman County Library.

Take a look at last years LEGO Contest Winners...Summer Reading theme "Libraries ROCK!"

K-3 Grade Winner: Isaiah Vantrease

4-6 Grade Winner: Caleb Lustig 

7-12 Grade Winner: Bradyn Heilsberg

Palouse Pollinators on June 10

Bumblebee on an Azalea
outside of Moscow

The community is invited to “Pollinators on the Palouse” on Monday, June 10 at 6 p.m. in the Center at Colfax Library. Presenter Charlene Purtee provides valuable information about bees including their habitat, why we need pollinators and how we can assist them in this critical time of declining bee populations.

Purtee points out her Queen Bee

Elizabeth, marked with a green dot

Purtee is a hobby Beekeeper from Pullman and her presentation is a part of the “Science on the Palouse” series scheduled the 2nd Monday of each month. Sponsored by The Whitman Conservation District, these programs feature regional experts exploring important topics each month.  For more information, contact the Colfax Library at 509-397-4366 or Brian Bell, Whitman Conservation District at 509-288-4644 or brianwhitmancd@gmail.com.