June 19, 2008

Summer brings more to library
Extended hours, new books, kid stuff begin

By ED COX
of The Dalles Chronicle

     Summer is coming at the The Dalles Wasco County Library, and that brings both fun and changes.
     Besides six Friday events for the summer “Catch the Reading Bug” program, which starts June 20, patrons will notice an expansion of hours as of next month.
     Starting July 7, the library will open on Mondays and stay open longer into the evenings and on Saturdays. Full new hours: 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10-6 Friday, 10-5 Saturday.
     Other changes are in the works or have already happened.
     A Wasco County Library Service District web site is coming soon, said county librarian Sheila Dooley, as is new software to help The Dalles library better schedule and monitor its on-site internet use.
     The library will also order 4,500 new books and audiovisual materials annually, three times as many as it has purchased in the past.
     Some library users may have noticed recent changes to the online Gorge LINK system, which connects libraries in Wasco, Sherman and Hood River counties. The Wasco County Library District has received a $50,000 grant to bring its Dufur and Maupin branches in the system.
     In addition to those branches, the district has stations at Shaniko and Tygh Valley. Their collections aren’t listed on the Gorge LINK system, but visitors can get online there and request books from Gorge LINK libraries.
     The district also hopes to receive a $49,500 federal grant for a van to be used for outreach to those unable to access a library branch. It would offer children’s programming and a small mobile collection of books.
     Dooley credits virtually all of the improvements to voter approval of the library service district almost two years ago. The county officially established the district last July 1.
     “It’s made all the difference,” she said. “I’m glad we’re finally being able to see some changes for this next [fiscal] year.”
     Meanwhile, Tthe Dalles Kiwanis are sponsoring the summer reading program, which encourages children to sign a reading pledge and offers storytime, games, crafts, food and special guests at the Friday, 11 a.m.-to-noon events:
June 20 - Local bug man Gary Reed
July 11 - Kurt Nelson: Slightly Illusional
July 25 - Local beekeeper Deb Morgan
Aug. 1 - Nana Banana Music Show
Aug. 15 - Bill Mitchell Bendmagic Show
Aug. 22 - Ronald McDonald & End of Summer Reading Party
     Preceding those special events is pre-school reading time every Friday from 10:30-11 a.m. (for 3-5 but all ages welcome). Toddler time is Wednesdays from 10:30-11 a.m.