What are your ideas and dreams when you envision a new library building in Olympia? Last year the Friends of the Olympia Library launched the ongoing effort to raise funds for a new library.

Recently, staff at the Olympia Timberland Library were asked what they'd like included in a new library building. This is part of their suggestions.

Share your thoughts by joining the Friends of the Olympia Library for an interactive discussion. Cheryl Heywood, public services director for Timberland Regional Library will kick-off the program and Mary Belz, President of the Olympia Friends group, will moderate the discussion.

So far the Friends have dedicated 10 percent of the proceeds from the on-going book sale shelves in the library, plus the entire proceeds of a paperback book sale, to the fund.

More than 15 years ago the majority of voters in and around Olympia approved the building of a new larger and more modern downtown library. Unfortunately, the measure to fund the new library needed 60 percent and the goal of a new library has been on the back burner since.

In 2007 a survey funded by the Timberland Library District found broad support for a new library in. Sixty percent agreed that the current library would outgrow its current location in 10 years. Also, more than 75 percent of respondents said they supported a new downtown library along with a westside branch.

WHAT
Ideas for a new library forum
Hosted by the Friends of the Olympia Library

WHERE
Olympia Timberland Library
313 8th Avenue SE, Olympia

WHEN
Thursday, June 7
7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Additional Resources

Results from the 2007 survey on options for a new library in Olympia

Staff suggestions for what would be included in a new Olympia Timberland Library

Emmett O’Connell bring us his suggestion, The Big Burn by Timothy Egan.
“What struck me most about this book was the discussion of the political debate at the time. This will sound as more naive than I am, but nothing has changed in terms of how political debate happens.

Towards the end of the book, Egan points out that Pinchot understands how events need to have a narrative, and the side that succeeds in creating the most compelling narrative wins.

My only criticism would be that the end of the book seems a bit disjointed when he tries to tie up lose ends. Otherwise, great book.”

Emmett’s recommendation has a part two, check it out.

“On second thought: I think this book missed some major points of view. Well, maybe not missed them, but I think Egan messed up by focusing too much on Roosevelt and Pinchot and not enough on Ed Pulaski.

In the book, the constant coming back to Roosevelt and Pinchot took away from the history of the fire itself and made it more about their personal history. If Egan had focused more on Pulaski, I think he could have a much more fruitful narrative on the relationship between East Coast and Mountain West. Pulaski seems to embody the well meaning but frustrated attitude towards the East that almost embodies the Mountain West. By making too much of Roosevelt and Pinchot, Egan makes Pulaski seem unreasonable. Even, when in the actual history, he is the most reasonable of all the players.”

That’s it this week folks, check back next week and leave your thoughts and comments, letting us know what types of books you’re reading. See you next week!!

The Friends of the Olympia Library will be at the Artists’ Garage Sale on May 19, from 10am to 3pm. Organized by the Patrons of South Sound Cultural Arts, the Garage Sale is a unique event that gives Olympia’s artists and lovers of the arts the opportunity to meet, shop and connect.

The Friends will have a table with a special collection of art books. More information on the garage sale can be found here.

5/11/2012 through 5/17/2012

As we are getting ready for the $.50 Paperback Sale this Saturday, everyone is busy getting organized and ready. We still have a few new recommendations you should take a look at.

Our first pick is a great classic children’s book, but as many children’s stories go, it’s suitable for adults too. “I don’t know how this book, The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, has slipped past a lot of people.” writes Karin. “It’s simple, fun and can mean so much more than the surface read. For me this was a great book to read over and over. Plus, I’ve also found it to be very easy to read aloud to others. If you have a need for a new bedtime book this could be a good (but exciting!) pick for kids or young-at-heart adults.”

Olympia Library staff member Emily suggests If I Stay by Gayle Forman. Her review is classic hook, line and sinker! “A review would belittle the experience of reading this gem. AMAZING.” It’s hard to not try a book that gets that kind of review.

Another pick that we’re including is from TWO Olympia Library staff members, Beth and Sara,  about a local fiction book, Jimmy James Blood by Missy Anne.

“This is a beautifully written work of fiction by a local author who lives in Shelton and publishes independently. It’s narrated by a teen, Vera, who grows up in poverty in the fictitious town of David, WA on Cota Street. The ‘Cota Street Kids’ were a group of teenagers who hung out together and weathered childhood with little support from families and schools and were always on the lookout for the law. This novel reveals a side of the timber industry, and the cycle of poverty, drugs and abandonment felt by some caught in the decline of that industry. Characters from the book will haunt you and your understanding of ecologists versus the loggers will be broadened. “ -Beth C

“Shelton-based author Missy Anne’s first novel is about a group of teens growing up poor in a small town scene in the Pacific Northwest. The writing is incredible and the book is very hard to put down. Look for neatly tied up happy endings elsewhere.” -Sara P

For this week we’ll keep it short but sweet. We look forward to hearing YOUR reads, and just maybe, we’ll include your review in next week’s write up so don’t be shy!

Remember too that this Saturday 5/12, we’re having our $.50 Paperback Sale at the Olympia Library. Come check out all the books, say hello and join us if you aren’t already a member. You’ll have the perk of coming to book sales before the general public!

See you at the sale, and see you here next week for another set of recommended reads.

5/4/2012 through 5/10/2012

This week we’re starting off with Victoria’s suggestion, Decoding Reality: The Universe as Quantum Information by Vlatko Vedra.  When asking her about this pick she replied, “I love that it’s a different perspective.  The author brings quantum theory and information theory and makes the concepts easily understood.”

With the season’s change we’re also including Karin’s pick of The Sibley field guide to Birds of Western North America, by David Allen Sibley. “I can’t begin to tell you the number of hikes and car trips this book has come in handy for. As a matter of fact, there are two copies I own – one fro the house and one for the backpack. This book has thorough descriptions, pictures and is easy to use. Further,  it’s also also fun in the hands of kids, playing an afternoon game of ‘what’s that bird?’. Highly recommended for all ages!”

From the staff at the Olympia Library we’re also including I am Maru, by Mugumogu. This pick came from Emily. “AMAZING. I wasn’t sure how much I could get out of this, having already viewed a ridiculous number of Maru YouTube videos, an embarrassing number of times… but nay! From the multi-page “Funny Face” gallery, to the diary entries, to the A-DORABLE Maru kitten pictures, this book is amazing. Probably in my top five cat books of all time (no shame).” If you don’t know about Maru, prepare for cuteness overload!

With that, we’ll close this week’s picks. Be sure to check back with us next week for new titles!

Also, if you haven’t done so yet, be sure to mark your calender for our one day $.50 paperback sale, May 12th. We look forward to seeing you there and hearing about your recent reads in the comments!

The paperback sale is ONE DAY only, Saturday May 12th, 10am – 4pm

ALL paperbacks will be $.50 – that’s right, FIFTY CENTS per book!

Come by and see us, and don’t forget to join the Friends of the Olympia Library when you come by so that when the GIANT July sale rolls around you can have early access to the sale and all future book sales with us for a YEAR!

We look forward to seeing you there!

And, of course, libraries provide a wide range of services, including reference. So, in addition to actual photos, the Olympia library also took note of the reference questions it fielded on Snapshot Day:

Helped a patron who was having difficulties printing a recipe for pot brownies

Lots of questions related to late fees, back dating, and after-hours returns (from circ)

Wants book on edible plant identification because she is living out in the middle of nowhere and sometimes gets stranded with no food

Books about knights

Books about cobras

Comic books with animals

Books about superman

Wants to know how food becomes poo

Club penguin and poptropica books

Mysteries like Indiana Jones

Book about observing one square foot of ground in nature

Books about taking your first airplane trip

Helped a patron format a list of submitted grant requests using Microsoft Word

Helped a patron find local secretarial services

Traveler picking up free books from the Friends from the back hallway left very happy

Program with Beth Howard:  “Making Piece: A Memoir of Love, Loss & Pie.”  A combo of bakers and people who were dealing with loss.  Cathartic, several women were crying and hugging at the program’s end.  Plus Amy made several award-winning pies that were shared at the program!

Helped a patron (using Spanish) print his tax forms from his email

question about researching an industry – I showed him the Business & Company Resource Center and Reference USA.  I told him he could research not only industries but also information on demographics in Reference USA and he was very impressed.

Stamped a poster for the SCA and talked with the woman about history and dressing up.  I told her about Carole Estby Dagg’s visit tomorrow and she seemed excited.

Received flowers from a patron who didn’t even know it was National Library Workers Day!

4/27/2012 through 5/4/2012

This week’s list of suggestions includes Beth’s fiction suggestion, The Next Queen of Heaven by Gregory Maguire.  From Beth. this book is ..”A gently humorous look at Catholic/Protestant rivalry, a young woman’s coming of age, and the joys and rigors of small town life in upstate New York.”

Charity, a soon to be Mommy, wanted to add in a recommendation for all you expectant families out there; Pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn : the complete guide by Penny Simkin. Charity adds, “The book is a wealth of knowledge about pregnancy.  The information is easy to understand and provides food for thought.  If a pregnant woman reads one book, and I’ve read this one and another to remain nameless, and not recommended, this is the one!”

Our Board Secretary, Lila, has TWO recommendation to pass on to you: Dissolution by C. J. Samson; “Set during the reign of Henry VIII when he was shutting down monasteries and selling the contents to the highest bidder, hunchback lawyer Matthew Shardlake is sent by Thomas Cromwell to investigate a murder in a monastery. The novel draws an absorbing picture of life in Tudor England, beset with corruption and greed, with an unlikely hero solving the mystery.” AND Between Summer’s Longing and Winter’s End: The Story of a Crime by Leif G. W. Persson; “This dark novel contains the fictionalized story of the bungling and corruption in the Swedish police and secret services which led to the unsolved murder of Prime Minister Olof Palme in 1986. Could things really be that bad in the Swedish police and intelligence forces?” Both books can be found in the Fiction section, or requested using your library card details.

Well Folks, that’s it for this week, a new list will be out next week. Be sure to let us know what you were reading this week, we want to hear from you!

Also, if you aren’t yet a member of the Friends of the Olympia Library, be sure to join us the next time you stop through the Olympia Timberland Library Branch and talk to one of the friendly staff about joining us. We’re also working on accepting payment for membership online so that soon you can become a Friend of the Olympia Library from the comfort of your favorite chair.

See you next week, and don’t forget to leave your thoughts on the books!

Why not take a look at some of this week’s suggestions from our board members? There’s always a new book around the corner and you can trust us to pull out the good ones! Be sure to check back next Friday for new suggestions in a variety of categories. You can also submit your picks in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!

Friends of the Library Board Member Suggestions

4/20/2012 through 4/27/2012

Patti wanted to pass along her favorite book, The Narrows by Michael Connelly. A Mystery read.

“I liked this book because I admire the male protagonist named Harry Bosch.
Despite continually wrestling with inner demons and the hypocrisy of the bureaucracy is dedicated to doing his job to the best of his ability to see justice done. He is an u who always comes out on top because, as he says, “Everybody counts or nobody Michael Connelly is an excellent storyteller who keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering how Harry Bosch will survive his thirst for truth. This story has intrigue romance, violence, suspense, and great human drama.”

A great non-fiction addition is Emmett’s suggestion of How the West was Once. This book was written by Larry Smith’s 8th Grade class [c. 1974] at the Jefferson Junior High.

“This is a local history book that really shows how great local history
can be. Its a collection of essays written by middle school students,
but it presents a more precise and clearer history of a neighborhood
than many professionally produced local histories.”

Karin suggests Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

(Light) Science Fiction

“I loved reading this book because while I can’t play games all day for a living, reading about it, and the nostalgia of some of the greatest early computer games, are a close second. Highly recommended for those who would love to have a reclining game console and enjoy a bit of cyber reality escapism!”

We also have a staff recommendation from the Olympia Library that may intrigue you. Elaine had some great things to say about  Everything is its Own Reward, a graphic novel by Paul Madonna.

“Last week I fell in love with a new graphic novel, Everything Is Its Own Reward by Paul Madonna. The art, the words, the ideas, the dialogues, the verbal
vignettes, the poetry… everything in this book is thought-provoking and a delight to the eye. Once in hand, I found I couldn’t bear the thought of giving it
up, so instead of incurring fines I bought a copy for myself.”  I think we can all relate to finding that one book we borrowed that’s hard to give back..

That’s it for this week, we’ll be posting new reads weekly so check back next Friday and be sure to share your reads in the comments.

Libraries are just as essential in our changing world of technology as they were 116 years ago when the Women’s Club of Olympia began what would become the Olympia Library in 1909. We will hear from speakers on how to advocate for library services in a world in which people’s perceptions of libraries are changing.

Here is the slate of candidates nominated by the Friends board at a previous meeting. Nominations will be accepted at the annual meeting as well.

President Mary Belz
Treasurer Beth Dubey
Board members:
Ross Lasater
Mary Applen
Emmett O’Connell

Annual Meeting and Board Elections

Tuesday, May 15, 12 pm to 1:30 pm
Olympia Timberland Library Meeting Room
313 8th Ave SE, Olympia