Summer 2011 

Port Townsend Public Library
Port Townsend Public Library
Campus Expansion Project - Phase I 

Plans to renovate the Charles Pink House have been given the go-ahead by the city government. The design will allow the Pink House to become a more functional space for the many library programs hosted there while still maintaining the house's unique exterior. The renovation will remove the fireplace on the first floor, allowing several rooms to be combined with the main room to increase occupancy. The exterior chimney will be replaced.

Historic Pink House

 

Since the library's acquisition of the Pink House in 2007, it has housed library programs such as Transition Yourself, the library's job placement program, Teen reading groups, and Book Lover's Cafe, the library-sponsored book club. The renovated Pink House will allow for more distraction-free programming in a space with greatly increased seating capacity.  

 

On August 27th from 1-4 p.m., the library will host a celebration to kick-off the renovation. As part of the event, local performer Joey Pipia will be presenting a magic show at 3:00 at the main library.  Please come join in the festivities!  Learn more about event

In This Issue
Campus Expansion Project Begins
Historical Leader Project
Transition Yourself
Summer Reading Recap
KPTZ Radio Show
New Catalog Coming
Find Us Online
Historical Leader Project
  

First published in 1889, the Port Townsend and Jefferson County Leader is the longest-running news publication in Port Townsend. While the Port Townsend Register began publishing first, it lacked the staying power of the Leader.Leader

 

In the past, the Port Townsend Public Library and Jefferson County Historical Society worked together to enable library patrons to access digitized newspaper content dating from 1903-1915. The effort begun over a decade ago has recently renewed, through a partnership with the University of Washington, to upload papers from 1915-1923. This work is aided by innovative software at UW that can scan images and extract large amounts of text, converting the entire newspaper page by page into a searchable database.

 

With over 7,000 articles, the collection is a treasure trove of information regarding the formative years of Port Townsend. When the current scanning is complete, the database will double in size. Patrons will have access to an easily navigable collection that reflects the times that formed our town in the words of the people who were there.  To learn more or search the database, visit the library's Historical Leader web-page.

TRANSITION YOURSELF JOB WORKSHOPS
 

Transition Yourself Workshops help job seekers learn to use current strategies to market themselves to employers seeking to hire. Job search involves more than completing applications online; the most common approach despite only a 20% success rate.

With high competition for the number of jobs available, job seekers can improve their chances for success by knowing how to promote themselves and how to show a potential employer they are the "best fit" for the job. The workshops also help individuals assess their current skills and abilities to develop a career plan and goals that can make them aware of other opportunities; even considering if starting a small business is right for them. 

Beginning again on September 6th is the Transition Yourself Network Discussion Group; a group of individuals supporting each other to work on job search, business startup and developing solutions. It meets every Tuesday morning from 9-11 a.m. in its new location at the First Baptist Church, 1202 Lawrence Street, Port Townsend. Those interested in signing-up for this group should email [email protected].

Looking for a new job or another job? Is starting a business right for you? Participate in upcoming sessions of the Port Townsend Public Library's Workforce Program. September workshops will be held at the library September 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2011 from 7 - 9 p.m. Email [email protected] to register (required) for this series of workshops.

SUMMER READING RECAP
  
Thanks to the generous support of our wonderful Friends of the Library, youth services has held another successful summer reading program. During the month of July, over 850 youth participated in our summer programs and we gave away over 300 book prizes! This summer we have offered 12 weekly programs plus special events for kids of all ages. Seattle "Zaniac" Alex Zerbe got us off to a "Zany" start in our opening celebration and Seattle Magician Jeff Evans amazed us with his incredible magic and wit. We were very fortunate this summer to have the Museum of Flight and the Pacific Science Center offer special science workshops for all ages. Of course, all of our programing is FREE, making the library the best summer deal in town for kids. Make sure to check our website for upcoming events!

Your youth services team, Jean-Marie, Jody and Jeanne
 

LIBRARY & KPTZ RADIO STATION CONNECTION

 

The Port Townsend Public Library has partnered with the new community radio staion KPTZ 91.9 FM to produce a radio show of book reviews and interviews. It is called Book Lover's Cafe and is hosted by Collections and Programs librarian Cris Wilson. It is produced and edited by long-time library volunteer and friend Colleen McCaffrey. The first show aired on opening weekend May 15 and featured an interview with author Jay Asher. The June show discussed Historical Fiction and featured an interview with Susan Vreeland, author of Clara and Mr. Tiffany. In July, Cris interviewed five local residents as well as local author and garden educator Mary Robson. These interviews are saved as podcasts on the library website. As well as interviews, Cris lets everyone in on the hot new releases and what is high on the bestseller lists.The radio station has not developed a program schedule so the program is aired after the 12:00 Community Calendar sometime during the 2nd week of the month! The Community calendar does announce library events at 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. We are also planning a program with library architect Jim Cary, director Theresa Percy and Historical Preservation Committee member Gee Heckscher to discuss the Port Townsend Library Expansion project and the renovation of the Pink House.
 

NEW C.L.A.N CATALOG COMING THIS FALL 

 

This fall, the library will be moving to a new automation system which will include changes to the C.L.A.N catalog interface. Some new and exciting features include better searching, including relevancy ranking, auto suggestions when typing a search and a mobile web interface designed for use on phones and other smart devices. Patron account information will also be improved. Reading histories can be saved and viewed. Searches can be saved and run on a weekly or monthly basis. Two other great features include the ability to receive text messages for notices and an option to receive pre-overdue notices by email or text. More information about the new catalog system will be announced in the next month.