Seniors Meals, Food Pantries, & Free Transportation in Whitman County

Council on Aging & Human Services in Whitman County

Senior Meals “To Go” in Palouse, Colfax, LaCrosse, Endicott, and Pullman are open as usual with all meals “to-go.” Please take extra meals for friends or family who need them. For more info and hours, click here

Food Pantries are Open regular dates and times. Pantries offer low-interaction distribution with pre-bagged items, ready for pickup. For countywide locations and hours, click here

COAST is still running with reduced operations at this time, offering essential transportation. Call to schedule a ride and they will do their best to accommodate, read more

To schedule a ride or for details on these services, call 509-397-4305. Food delivery options available!

Big Library Read - Digital Book Club

"Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic"
A Comedian’s Guide to Life on the Spectrum by Michael McCreary

Big Library Read, Digital Book Club: March 23 – April 13

Visit Whitman County Library's digital collection with Libby or OverDrive to borrow the featured title "Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic" by Michael McCreary with no waitlists or holds! Available as an ebook and eaudiobook. Join the discussion!

Use #BigLibraryRead on social media for a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Tablet from OverDrive!

Like many others on the autism spectrum, 20-something stand-up comic Michael McCreary has been told by more than a few well-meaning folks that he doesn’t “look” autistic. But, as he’s quick to point out in this memoir, autism “looks” different for just about everyone with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Read more about this and past Big Library Reads: https://biglibraryread.com/

Library no longer accepting requests for materials

Due to Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s “Stay at Home” order, Whitman County Library’s online catalog can no longer accept requests for materials. Library staff will mail the items that patrons have already requested through Wednesday, March 25.  After that time, all non-essential staff will stay at home in compliance with the Governor’s order.

Website services like downloadable eBooks and audio books will remain available, as will valuable electronic resources like Lynda.com, Mango Language Instruction, NewsBank Newspapers, Microsoft Coursework, and more. In addition, the library has gathered a variety of website resources to assist the community during this difficult time. See all of our electronic resources!

To access these resources or find the most current information , visit www.whitco.lib.wa.us where you’ll also find link to Whitman County Library’s Facebook, blog and newsletter.

Thank You Fonk's for all You've Done for our Community

Whitman County Library is so thankful for the support Fonk's Coffeehouse has shown for library programs, events, and kid's technology...

To Amy and your crew, please know we are thinking of you

Last year, Washington State Librarian Cindy Aden visited WCL followed by lunch at Fonk's. Cindy LOVED it and so did we. Thanks to Amy and the crew, we miss you!

Book Drops Close Across Whitman County

WCL Board of Trustees Meeting practicing social distancing

Whitman County Library is closing book drops countywide and asking residents to keep any materials they have checked out in their homes until the library re-opens. The decision was announced at last night’s public board meeting where trustees practiced safe social distancing and addressed concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak and public safety.

Top priority for the Board is protecting community members by keeping all 14 branch libraries closed until it is safe for them to reopen. The library serves patrons of all ages so elderly and high-risk patrons would be especially vulnerable in such a busy, public setting.

While library doors are closed, free Wi-Fi access surrounding the libraries remain available. Residents using this service should stay in their vehicles or practice social distancing if outside.

Our website services like eBooks, database subscriptions and requests for materials from the library’s catalog are still available. Library staff will mail requested items directly to patron’s homes so long as it remains safe for them to do so. Currently, all items are sanitized at check-in and staff are following safety precautions.

The library will continue to respond to state and federal requirements which are changing quickly. For the most current library services and information, visit www.whitco.lib.wa.us, Facebook, or call 877-733-3375.

Online learning resources for parents during school closure

Preschool:

https://beanstalk.co/

https://www.education.com/games/preschool/

https://www.abcmouse.com/

Elementary: PK-5th

http://bedtimemath.org/fun-math-at-home/

http://bedtimemath.org/bedtimemath-app/

https://www.coolmath.com/ 

https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html

https://www.starfall.com/h/

https://pbskids.org/

Ages 4-18:

https://www.khanacademy.org/about/blog/post/611770255064350720/remote-learning-with-khan-academy-during-school

https://www.teachstarter.com/au/blog/covid-19-teach-starters-support-for-schools-teachers-parents-students-affected/

Math:

https://www.mathplayground.com/

Spelling:

https://brainbox.games/

Art:

https://markkistler.com/?fbclid=IwAR37pyxPHEoYo1NYOcbMBnlpFKacPFIc2hH67dMg83CxvycKsITEDS7IAZk   (free daily lessons)

https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems/

Music:

https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/Experiments  (add to kid computers???)

Reading:

https://readaskchat.net/get-the-app/

https://noveleffect.com/  (app, add sound effects, music to stories as you read them outloud)

STEAM:

https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/things-to-do-with-kids-at-home/

https://www.create-learn.us/  (free sessions, coding)

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities

Skype a Scientist: for families

https://www.skypeascientist.com/for-families.html

Virtual trip to the farm:

https://virtualfarmtrips.com/free-virtual-farm-trip-recordings-available-for-students-teachers-affected-by-covid-19/

Virtual fieldtrip:

https://www.virtualfieldtrips.org/  (60 days free)

Teens:

https://collegeprep.uworld.com/psat/

https://parents.inventingheron.com/newsletter  (career info tweens/teens)

https://www.nytimes.com/section/learning

https://ksps.pbslearningmedia.org/grades/high-school/

Exercise:

https://littletwistersyoga.com/online-store/

https://family.gonoodle.com/

Families:

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/resources-for-families-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic

Library Closure Due to COVID-19

UPCOMING LIBRARY CLOSURE Monday, March 16 - Tuesday, March 31

All 14 branches of Whitman County Library will be closed March 16-31 due to the Covid19 outbreak. All programs have been cancelled. Due dates for library materials have been extended through April 10 in anticipation of the closure and drop boxes will remain open at all locations. Access to the library’s web resources including the catalog, audio and eBooks, NewsBank newspapers, Lynda courses and Mango Language Learning remain available 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.

It's Almost Trivia Night!

WCL Hosts Trivia Nights at local businesses near you! 

> St. John Rialto
Thursday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. Chosen Category: National Parks

> Colfax Hyde Out
Thursday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m. Chosen Category: U.S. Navy

Come out for an evening of historical, scientific, pop culture, and just-for-fun questions, clips from your favorite songs, and friendly competition! Remember, everyone is an expert at something.

Library column for March 7 by Sarah Phelan, Public Services Assistant, Whitman County Library

If a recipe calls for allspice and you don’t have any, what three spices can use as a substitute?

For which film did John Wayne win his one and only Academy Award?

What is the largest natural lake in Washington State?

In Boston in 1919, a storage tank burst causing a flood of over two million gallons of a certain food that killed and/or injured over 150 people. It swamped the streets, crushed buildings, and buckled railroad tracks. Name that food?

How many total syllables are in a haiku, a type of Japanese poem?

If you like answering, or guessing at random questions like these, Whitman County Library Trivia Contests are for you.

Trivia Contests are a great way to test your knowledge, learn random facts and meet new people over a little fun and friendly competition.

Generally, I host a couple of competitions each month and we really have a great time. These happen in towns, libraries and businesses throughout Whitman County.

For March, Trivia Contests are set for the Rialto Tavern in St. John on Thursday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. and at the Colfax Hyde Out on Thursday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m. Because alcohol is served in these venues, you must be 21 to participate.

WCL Trivia Contests feature questions about random subjects, including history, pop culture, science and just-for-fun questions. We’ll also play audio clips from your favorite songs and video clips from the library’s movie vault.

Another fun twist is that the losing team gets to choose one of the categories for the next contest. This means that National Parks are a category in St. John and the U.S. Navy a category in Colfax.

If all of this sounds like fun, I hope you will join us. You can bring your own team of up to eight people or we can help you find a team when you arrive. If all team members show their library cards, an extra point is gained for the team as well.

If your team has the smarts to win, you’ll earn a free dinner or other great prizes courtesy of the business or community group sponsoring the event.

Need even more encouragement to attend. See how you did answering the questions above. (Nutmeg, Cloves, Cinnamon; True Grit; Lake Chelan; Molasses; 17 syllables)

For more information or to schedule a trivia night in your community, please contact me, Sarah Phelan at (509) 397-4366 or sarahp@whitco.lib.wa.us

Public Health & Safety at WCL

At Whitman County Library, the safety of our public and staff are of utmost concern. With the outbreak and deaths from COVID-19 (coronavirus), our libraries are taking extra precautions and staying abreast the most current recommendations for public facilities. Click here for additional information and resources for the public provided from our website.

Should you need to renew items as a result of health concerns or if you have other questions “please don't hesitate to call us 509-397-4366 or toll-free 1-877-733-3375.

Sincerely, Kristie Kirkpatrick, WCL Director

A Washington State Dept. of Health phone line is also available for questions at 1-800-525-0127.

Mt. St. Helens Presentation April 25

Mt. St. Helens – Then & Now at Colfax Library, Saturday, April 25 at 10 a.m.

Volcanic hazards, eruptions, and volcanology 

Where were you 40 years ago on May 18th? Join Geologist Sheila Alfsen of Dallas, Oregon, as she takes a look at Mount St. Helens' volcanic hazards with examples from other volcanoes and a comparison of their relative sizes. In addition, the presentation will include the advances in volcanology made as a result of the eruption and how they are used around the world to gain prediction and offer disaster mitigation.

Sheila teaches geology at Portland State University, Chemeketa Community College, and Linn Benton Community College. She is a National Association of Geoscience Teachers Lecturer, serves as President of the Geologic Society of the Oregon Country, is a member of the Geologic Society of America and the Association for Women Geoscientist Distinguished Lecturer.

For more information, please visit iafi.org. Both presentations are free and open to the public.

Thank You to Everyone Who Donated to Food for Fines This Year!

Thank you to the 36 patrons who donated $259 in food and household items for the 2020 Food for Fines drive at the Colfax Library!

Almost $120 library fines were waived

New exhibit by Gabriella Ball comes to Colfax Gallery

Fire and Water, a colorful exhibit of acrylic pours by Moscow artist Gabriella Ball is showing in The Libey Gallery in The Center at Colfax Library through April 30. 

Ball’s images are professionally framed archival prints of works originally produced on canvas. In this technique, Ball mixes acrylic paints with mediums that allow the paint to move easily on canvas. Then, silicone is also added to produce a lacy, cellular effects. Some popular artists working with this same technique are Nilda Rodriguez, Rick Cheadle, Annemarie Ridderhof and Caren Goodrich.

Gabriella Ball grew up in Boise and moved to the Palouse in 1969. She worked at both Washington State University and University of Idaho before retiring in 2011. Though living in Moscow, Ball has family ties to Colfax and also volunteers at the Thrifty Grandmothers’ Shop.

Ball began painting about ten years ago, and enjoys working in watercolor, oil and acrylic. She is active in the Palouse Watercolor Socius and other regional art organizations and she exhibits her work regularly at Avenue West Gallery in Spokane. Images of some of her other paintings are posted at www.palousewatercolorsocius.com.

Libey Gallery is open Mondays – Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursdays – Fridays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 1 to 5 p.m. For more information about The Libey Gallery, contact the Colfax Branch of Whitman County Library at 509-397-4366 or visit 102 S. Main Street, Colfax. 

LYNDA: THE TUTOR IS IN 24/7!

Free online training with your library card with Lynda

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, photography, programming, design, and more: access Lynda now! You'll need your library card number and a PIN (the last four digits of your phone number).