Come on down to the Colfax Library's Reading Obstacle Course!

Spin, jump, skip, and more! If you happen to stop by after it rains, be sure to try again as we will keep our reading obstacle course going for the community!

Feel free to post photos or videos on our Facebook page of you completing the course. Be sure to social distance and be safe.

STEM Kits - Email to WIN by June 1st

Whitman County Students Liam & Jovie Dawson show off their STEM kit creation

Thank You to Our Community for Providing Masks

WCL is accepting donations of handmade masks to be used by staff and patrons. Thank you to Dana Hogan and Gloria Lauhoff for sending dozens our way!

Give Audiobooks A Shot to Help Pass the Time

Library Column by Rachelle Marshall, Whitman County Library Assistant, Weekly Booklist columnist for Moscow Pullman Daily News, read the full article here


A while back my husband and I were traveling to California and as we started our trip, I started a new book, “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman.

In my own little world, earbuds in place I couldn’t control my giggles and gasps. My husband repeatedly ask, “What?”

Fed up, I finally said, “Either we are going to listen together or you’re going to let me do so in peace.”

He chose the former and that began one of the best road trips of our marriage with a lot a laughing, a little crying and what turned out to be a great book.  

Which brings me to my point, my love of audiobooks.  Most of us started our childhoods being read to and loving every second of it.

Now that we are grown, should that pleasure no longer be enjoyed?

If you don’t enjoy reading books or you like to read but have never tried an audiobook here are my reasons why you should give them a try: multitasking, happy commute, quick reading, narrator accents, tune out, chillax, and more!

Your library offers you many ways to score a great audiobook. You can download the “Libby app,” to access thousands of titles, visit the website for links to free eBook collections or request books on CD that can be mailed to you if you live in the Whitman County Library District.

If you don’t know your library card number you can email us at info@whitco.lib.wa.us and we can email your library card number to you.  Stay healthy and happy listening. 

Happy 75th Anniversary to WCL: History, Legend and Progress

With 75 years now in the books, a rural library district quietly celebrates
By Anthony Kuipers, Daily News staff writer May 16, 2020 

"Shortly after the birth of the Whitman County Rural Library District in 1945, a library headquarters was established in a Colfax building that formerly housed a saloon.

According to current WCL Director Kristie Kirkpatrick, legend has it that drunken visitors would sometimes stumble in looking for a drink but leave with books instead..."

Read the full article by Moscow-Pullman Daily News

The library was in the same building as the post office in Riparia, WA, until the post office
closed in 1963. Riparia was a small town next to the Snake River in Whitman County*

Children pose with a pony while attending story hour in 1945 at the Pine City
Branch of the Whitman County Rural Library District*

Gladys Bowles, Whitman County Librarian, presents reading club certificates to children for
participation in the summer reading program called World Friendship Vacation Reading Club in 1947,
Bowles was the director of the Whitman County Rural Library District when it was formed in 1945.*

Amy Ferguson checks-in returned books after they were quarantined for three days on Thursday
at the library in Colfax. The Whitman County Rural Library District is celebrating its 75th anniversary
this year. Ferguson is the branch manager of the Albion Library, and also works in the Colfax Library.

*Photos courtesy of Washington Rural Heritage

Now Through May 31 @ WCL: Online Trivia, Book Club, Senior Yoga, Medicare 101, Blood Drive & More!

Watch Movies Free with Your Library Card!

Thoughtful Entertainment with Kanopy Streaming, FREE with your Library Card

"Listening to a Kanopy program-what a gift to the community-thank you!" one WCL patron said

Start Streaming Today!

Try Kanopy Kids!

Special eCollections on Libby & OverDrive

Your Information Professional, Whitman County Library

A Place of Information by Hillary Langlois

“Wash your hands frequently.” How many times have I heard this? 

Most recently, I read the phrase in a “ProQuest,” article by Chuck Mobley that compares our current pandemic to the Spanish flu of 1918. The article contained quotes from a 1918 pamphlet that echoed many of the same precautions we practice today. Including hand-washing and social distancing, people at the time were scrambling for ways to slow and stop the spread of the flu.

Just like the past, people today wonder, are we doing enough? Too much? What is fact? What is fiction?

That’s where the trusted and reliable resources from Whitman County Library’s website can help. 

Through “NewsBank,” you have access to local and global newspapers. There, you can search for your favorite paper or choose your topic of interest.

With “ProQuest,” you will find a broad range of opinions on many topics using cited information from magazines and newspapers.

Interested in learning more about how past pandemics may have affected your family? Start digging with “HeritageQuest,” where you will find interactive census maps, obituaries, books with family history, and much more.

Even our eBook collection tells us that pandemics are nothing new. “The Pandemic Century” by Mark Honigsbaum examines past pandemics and their effect on society. You can download this and other eBooks on Libby and Overdrive.

Young minds can keep busy with research using “SIRS Discover.” Current topics on this website help develop the ability to discover and process various complexities of information.

If you are looking for everything related to the Coronavirus, a great news page on our website provides you with up-to-date, accurate information from the local area, the country and around the world; click here.

Access these library services here!

Get in touch with us at whitco.lib.wa.us, email info@whitco.lib.wa.us or call 877-733-3375.

Brown Bag STEM Kits Being Delivered to Students Across Whitman County

Student, Alyse Nebe, shows off her project

New STEM Kits for 7 Additional County Schools

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories has provided additional funding for the Brown Bag STEM program created in collaboration with Whitman County Library.  The additional funding will expand the program to include students attending Whitman County Library District schools in Colton, Garfield, LaCrosse, Oakesdale, Palouse, Rosalia, and Tekoa.

“It’s been so fun working with the Whitman County Library team on this project,” said John Cassleman, manager SEL’s K-12 Outreach program. “With all the virtual learning happening right now, we wanted to provide kids with a fun educational opportunity that doesn’t involve a screen.  These activities give students a chance to explore a variety of fundamental scientific principles and, at the same time, discover that learning and innovation can take place anywhere, by anyone, at any time.”

Students (L to R) Ashley Morgan, Landon Little, and Haylee Paulsen receive their STEM Bags

Combined with the STEM Kits previously supplied to St. John, Endicott, Steptoe and Colfax, over a 1000 public school students in grades K-6 will have received hands-on activity bags by the end of May.

If you live in Whitman County Library’s service district and your child falls into this age group but doesn’t attend public school call the library at 1-877-733-3375 or email nichole@whitco.lib.wa.us to receive their STEM Bag.

Library Book Drops Are Now Open!

Whitman County Library book drops are open for the return of materials in all 14 branch locations.

WCL staff will be emptying the drops regularly but with nearly 4000 items checked out they ask your assistance in continuing to hold items should you encounter a full book-drop.   

The library has also resumed taking requests and mailing books, movies, and other materials directly to resident’s homes. Request items on our catalog, by emailing info@whitco.lib.wa.us, or by calling 509-397-4366 or toll-free to 877-733-3375. Phones will be manned Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. but callers are asked to leave a voicemail as needed.

The governor’s timeline for reopening library facilities falls in phase 3 of the statewide plan, meaning it could be weeks before WCL can reopen. In the meantime, the library encourages you to follow their Facebook pages, subscribe to their weekly newsletter or visit the library’s website for the latest updates in services and programs.

Library Programming and Resources While You Stay at Home

NO WAIT TIME FOR CLASSIC EBOOKS!

Now is the perfect time to get around to those literacy works you have always meant to read!

Colfax staffer, Hillary Langlois, encourages people to read those classics they always meant to read, but never had time to. Hillary went on to say she loves classic literature and just couldn't pick a favorite. Classics are always available now on Libby/OverDrive.