September 2012

Community Liaison Contact: Carol Van Baalen  

LOCAL NEWS

Book Sales!

September is the month for used book sales.  Don’t miss the bargains at these annual sales in our community libraries:

Friends of the Des Moines Library    

Friday & Saturday, September 14-15

10am-5pm

Friends of the Kent Library

Friday & Saturday, September 21-22

10am-5pm

Sunday, September 23

1-3pm

Book Sale profits support children’s programs at our libraries.

Fall Programs Return

Story Times – for babies, preschoolers, and families, in English, or sometimes in Spanish.  Get a complete schedule at your community library, or click on the link in this newsletter.  Story times begin the week of September 10 at Woodmont; September 17 at Des Moines; and September 24 at Kent.

ESL classes at Kent, registration begins September 12, classes begin September 24.

Talk Time, an informal English conversation class, at Des Moines on Monday at 5pm, Woodmont on Monday at 6:30pm, Kent on Tuesday at 5pm.

 

Study Zone, an after school homework help program for grades K-12.  Volunteer tutors will be available at Des Moines on Tuesdays, 6-8pm; at Kent on Sundays, 1:30-3:30pm and Monday – Thursday, 3:30-7:30pm; at Woodmont Monday & Wednesday, 6-8pm, and Tuesday & Thursday, 4-6pm.  Begins the week of September 9.

For a complete list of programs at your library, see the attachments with this newsletter or click on this link:  http://www.kcls.org/programs/library_programs.cfm

Upcoming Meetings:

The Des Moines Library Advisory Board will meet Wednesday, September 12, 7:00pm at the Des Moines Library.  Special guests will be Pam Riess, from the KCLS Collection Management Department, and Barbara McMichael, former board member and now newsletter editor for SoCoCulture.  Board meetings are open to the public.

 

Take advantage of free computer training sessions offered at many community libraries. Increase your skills by learning how to use the Internet, popular software and online library resources.

SYSTEM HIGHLIGHTS

FROM THE AUGUST DIRECTOR’S REPORT

OPERATIONS

It is a sign of the times that the government documents collection was weeded at the Bellevue Library. All of the materials have been replaced with more accessible and searchable online resources. At the same time, the weeding freed up enough space on the third floor of the Library to add tables and seating for fifteen. Staff did a great job of shifting over 2,000 shelves to open up the space.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

The Kirkland Library staff has been working in partnership with the City of Kirkland to gather public input regarding the use of a portion of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail corridor that runs through the City. Through a KCLS civic engagement initiative called “Convey,” the Library has fielded about 600 comments and suggestions. The project culminated with a public event at the Kirkland Performing Arts Center, which included presentations and discussion about the various possibilities.  Kirkland Mayor Joan McBride commented that it was one of the best public meetings she has ever attended.

Perkins+Will Architects and KCLS staff have been working closely with the Tukwila Village developer to determine the property lines for the new Tukwila Library. The first public meeting to present design plans was held on August 23. The KCLS Foundation is raising approximately $1 million to fund a portion of the building and Foundation Board members are hoping to enlist elected officials and City staff to serve on the campaign advisory committee.

OTHER

In early August, KCLS was contacted by the Sammamish Reporter Newspaper about a tip they had received about one of KCLS’ outreach vehicles being placed out of service due to a recent change in the law that now requires KCLS drivers to have a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) to operate the vehicle. KCLS was in the process of appealing the licensing requirement based on the vehicle’s weight and passenger limits or exploring other options for the vehicle. KOMO radio picked up the story and characterized it as a decision by the Washington State Department of Licensing that ultimately curtailed library services. Based on subsequent publicity, the Washington State Patrol reviewed KCLS’ request for reconsideration of the licensing requirement and ultimately agreed that it does not require a CDL.

KCLS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN PROJECTS

View all at http://www.kcls.org/bond/or sign up here to receive automatic updates on the KCLS Capital Improvement Projects!

Upcoming Dates

The next Planning Committee Meeting takes place on Thursday, September 6, 12pm at the Burien Library.

The next Finance Committee Meeting takes place on Tuesday, September 18, 4pm at the Kenmore Library.

The next KCLS Board of Trustees Meeting takes place on Tuesday, September 18, 5pm at the Kenmore Library.