The Friends of the Port Townsend Public Library's summer used book sale is June 11th, 9 a.m. at the Port Townsend Community Center (across from Aldrich's market). Come and choose from thousands of used fiction and nonfiction books, CDs, DVDs and VHS tapes. All proceeds go toward Friends sponsored library events and programs.    

The library will soon be celebrating its 100th year of operation serving the community of Port Townsend. While this is a time for reflection, it is also a time to look to the future and to how the library can better meet patron needs in a time of evolving media and ever increasing information volume.

The library is beginning a campaign to expand both its collection and the building that houses that collection. We have begun raising funds for the Capital Building Project, a $9 million dollar project that will restore the Carnegie Building, renovate the Pink House and add a new three story wing that will double the capacity of a library that has been consistently number one in circulation per capita in Washington.

With the explosion of information acquisition in the past two decades, the library's collection has doubled, circulation has increased by 167%, the number of programs offered has quadrupled and library card holders are now 90% of the local population. This growth of information and usage has created a need for more growth on the physical level. With this project, we can ensure that the library maintains that high level of performance for the next 100 years.

Details on the project can be found on the library's website.

The library has implemented a system allowing users of popular e-book readers, such as the Barnes & Noble Nook, Sony Reader and soon Amazon's Kindle to check out and download books onto their devices from anywhere with Internet access. Using their library card and the proper free software, patrons can access a broad spectrum of available e-books on their PCs or e-book readers. There are also audio books available, including many compatable with the popular iPod digital music player.

Detailed insructions regarding software requirements and available e-books can be found here, at the Library's website.

  

On June 24th at 2 p.m., the children's summer reading program will begin with an all ages reading by Alex Zerbe, juggler, magician and Guinness World Record holder. This will kick-off a three month program with the intent to foster a love of literacy and the arts in children.

June 1st marks the beginning of a new year for membership in the Friends of the Port Townsend Public Library. This wonderful organization works tirelessly to improve the library, providing it with additional funding for programs, organizing donations and book sales and providing many guest speakers for library events. With the new membership year, the time has come for you to join, or renew your membership, so that you too can be a Friend of the Library.

 

Membership dues run as low as $10 annually for individual membership. The dues, in addition to any other donations made to the Friends of the Library, are tax deductible. As with any group, membership has its advantages. Friends of the Library receive early admission to library book sales, a newsletter to keep you up-to-date on the latest events at the library and admission to gatherings with local authors and other distinguished guest speakers.

 

The strength of the Friends of the Library serves as a testament to the community's support for its library. You can show your support by picking up a brochure at the library or printing a copy from the Friends' webpage, completing it and returning it to the library.