Making the change to email notifications

Beginning January 4, 2010, you may see a difference in the way your Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) notifies you about holds or overdue items.

Some libraries will be updating all patron accounts that have email addresses to email notification. (Not sure if your library has your email address? You can check your account online by going to your Patron Account, which lists your email address and phone number of record).

This means that patrons will receive holds and overdue notices by email rather than by phone or U.S. mail. The change will be done library by library, and each library will determine the date that their patron registration records will be handled.

Some libraries have decided not to change the notification method for patron accounts issued or renewed after a particular date. Some libraries have decided not to do the update in the next few months.

If you wish to update your account to email notification now, you can opt-in online, or visit your library where staff can make the necessary switch. Bring your library card or a valid piece of identification (in addition to your library barcode number), email address and phone number.

WCCLS realizes that not all patrons have email accounts, nor will they all prefer the electronic mail notification method, so WCCLS will continue to use the phone notification system for those patrons who want to receive hold and overdue notices using that method. WCCLS will continue to use U. S. mail for those patrons who want to receive hold and overdue notices using that method.

For all patrons, regarding of the notification method chosen, WCCLS will continue to use U.S. mail to notify patrons about fines and billing.

For more information about email notifications and your library, please contact your library.

1/19: Tualatin hosts My Abandonment author

Not too long ago a man and his daughter were found living in Forest Park. Authorities recognized the care the father gave to his daughter and located a safe place for them to live. After just a few days, they disappeared, and no one knows where they went.

Portland author Peter Rock wrote a novel, My Abandonment, which takes this story and gives it completion. A book that will remain in your thoughts for a long time, My Abandonment will be discussed on January 19th at 7 pm at Tualatin Public Library. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear how an author takes a story and makes it into an unforgettable book. The evening is sponsored by The Tualatin Library Foundation.

Publishers Weekly wrote, “This is a tale of survival, of love and attachment, of mystery and alienation. It is an utterly entrancing book, a bow to Thoreau and a nod to the detective story. Every step of this narrative … rings true.”

Tualatin Public Library is located at 18878 SW Martinazzi Ave, just south of Boones Ferry, and just north of Nyberg Road.

In Tigard on Monday, MLK Jr. Day...

Tigard Public Library is encouraging people to celebrate MLK Day by volunteering at the library. For more information, contact Trish Stormont at trish@tigard-or.gov or (503) 718-2516.

Tigard is also hosting award-winning journalist and author Naseem Rakha on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Day. Rakha's critically acclaimed novel, The Crying Tree, deals with justice, compassion and forgiveness in the face of violent tragedy.

Rakha will read selections from the novel and participate in a discussion of the book.

The reading begins at 7pm in the Community Room. Tigard Public Library is located at 13500 SW Hall Blvd.

1/18: Tigard & Tualatin Libraries will be open.

Most WCCLS libraries will be closed Monday, January 18 for Martin Luther King Jr's Day. But two WCCLS libraries will be open for your convenience: Tigard and Tualatin.

But both Tigard Public Library and Tualatin Public Library will be open on January 18.

Tigard Public Library, 13500 SW Hall Blvd, will be open 10 AM–9 PM.

Tualatin Public Library, 18878 SW Martinazzi Ave, will be open from 1–9pm.

Our 10 Millionth Check-out... for 2009!

On Friday, December 11th Washington County readers reached their 10 millionth check-out in a single calendar year. It's a milestone in the Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) thirty-three year history.

Judy Stuebe, a life-long resident of Hillsboro and frequent library user, made the crucial 10 millionth check-out.

She remembers attending summer reading programs as a child at the old Hillsboro (Carnegie) Library on Lincoln Street in downtown Hillsboro. After raising four children to be library users — she is now instilling a love of reading in her four young granddaughters.

Eva Calcagno, Cooperative Library Services Director, notes, “10,000,000 checkouts is an incredible milestone, but it’s just one of many indicators of increased community use of libraries. Circulation, visitors, program attendance have all increased at double-digit rates over the last five years.”

In 2008, patrons checked out or renewed just over 9 million items. And with two weeks in 2009 still to go, WCCLS is projecting that the number of check-outs and renewals will surpass 10.5 million by the end of year!

Please join WCCLS in saluting Ms. Stuebe and the other 280,000+ Washington County library patrons for continuing to make reading and libraries an important part of their lives.

And for more information about the tremendous increase in circulation and program attendance, and how public libraries help families and individuals in hard times, please see Congratulations Washington County Readers on Hitting Your 10,000,000 Check-Out in 2009!

Teen Art Contest! for Summer Reading!

WCCLS is holding its first annual Teen Summer Reading Artwork Contest.

If you're a teen and you live in Washington County, Oregon, submit your entries between Monday, January 4, 2010 and Friday, February 26, 2010.

Designs must be the original work of the entrant and the 2010 Teen Summer Reading slogan "Make Waves @ Your Library" must be part of the artwork.

The winning artwork will be used for all countywide 2010 WCCLS Teen Summer Reading Program materials, such as posters, bookmarks, forms, and flyers. In addition, winning artwork may be showcased on the WCCLS.org website for up to one year.

Details and entry form are online for your convenience.

Severe Weather Shelters

If you find yourself needing shelter in severe (freezing) weather, please see Washington County's Severe Weather Shelters listings. They are kept updated weekly.

You can also dial 211Info by dialling 211 or (503) 222-5555.

Saturday, 1/9: Garden Home is closed

Garden Home Community Library, 7475 SW Oleson Rd, will be closed Saturday, January 9. The entire Recrecreation Center building will be closed for maintenance.

The Garden Home Library will resume normal business hours on Monday, January 11.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Feeling Crafty?

Feeling a bit crafty, are we? Well, the WCCLS libraries know that feeling and want to encourage it …

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Craft Circle, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Garden Home Community Library, 7475 SW Oleson Road, just north of Garden Home Road. 503 245-9932

Bring your own project or work on the one provided. We will be making gift tags.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Crochet and Knitting Night, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

West Slope Community Library, 3678 SW 78th Avenue.

503-292-6416

Do you like to knit or crochet, but can't seem to find time for it? Well then, dust off that languishing project and drop in on our crochet and knitting group!

This is a casual group—our goal is to provide an opportunity to share ideas and to draw on your neighbors' expertise. Drop in anytime and stay as long as you like. Please bring your own yarn, needles and hooks. For ages 16 and older.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Thursday Night Knitting, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Sherwood Public Library, 22560 SW Pine Street.

503-625-6688

You've heard of Monday Night Football? Now there's Thursday Night Knitting! Every Thursday (except Christmas & New Years Eves) from 6–8:00 p.m. knitters of all ages and skill levels are invited to gather at the Shewood Library for lively conversation, knitting tips, and fun!

No sign-up is required and participation is free of charge.

Looking for more crafty ideas? We might have a few resources for you involving gifts, knitting or knitting patterns, crochet or crochet patterns, beadwork, cross-stitch …

Or, perhaps you'd prefer fiction about knitting or crochet, or knitting humor?

Christmas & New Years Schedules for your Libraries

Thursday, December 24 — Closed

• Banks Public Library
• Cedar Mill Community Library
• Cedar Mill Community Library Bethany
• Forest Grove City Library
• North Plains Public Library

Thursday, December 24 — Closing Early

• Beaverton City Library: closing at 5pm.
• Cornelius Public Library: closing at 2pm.
• Garden Home Community Library: closing at 3pm.
• Hillsboro Main Library: closing at 6pm.
• Hillsboro Shute Park Branch: closing at 6pm.
• Sherwood Public Library: closing at 2pm.
• Tigard Public Library: closing at 5pm.
• Tualatin Public Library: closing at 6pm.
• West Slope Community Library: closing at 4pm.

Friday, December 25 — Closed

• All Libraries

Saturday, December 26 — Closed

• Forest Grove City Library

Thursday, December 31st — Closing early

• Banks Public Library: closing at 5 pm.
• Beaverton City Library: closing at 5pm.
• Cedar Mill Community Library: closing at 5 pm.
• Cedar Mill Community Library Bethany: closing at 5 pm.
• Cornelius Public Library: closing at 2pm.
• Garden Home Community Library: closing at 3pm.
• Hillsboro Main Library: closing at 6pm.
• Hillsboro Shute Park Branch: closing at 6pm.
• Sherwood Public Library: closing at 5pm.
• Tigard Public Library: closing at 5pm.
• Tualatin Public Library: closing at 6pm.
• West Slope Community Library: closing at 4pm.

Friday, January 1st — Closed

• All Libraries

Featured Resource - Standard & Poors Net Advantage

Standard & Poor's Net Advantage is an ideal online tool to help you review your finances, plan for the future, and pick the best places to direct your money.

It provides company and mutual fund profiles, data on corporate bonds, facts, figures, analysis and projections for publicly held U.S. corporations. Look here for S&P's independent research, data and commentary.

And if you're a beginning investor, be sure to read the articles in the Financial Education section for expert advice.

Check out the Standard & Poors with your WCCLS library card handy.

12/22: Bells of the Cascades at Cedar Mill

The Cedar Mill Community Library Association is once again celebrating the rich cultural diversity in their community with the third annual Winter Reading & Arts Festival.

Bells of the Cascades will open the festival on Tuesday, December 22, 7:30 PM in the upstairs meeting room at the Cedar Mill Library.

Bells of the Cascades is a community handbell ensemble. It was formed in 1990 by a group of ringers and directors who recognized that handbells and handbell music were rapidly changing, growing and, in many ways, being reinvented as an instrument. Their desire was to bring this rich repertoire and unique sound beyond the church walls, where they are commonly heard, and to the community at large.

They are dedicated to the advancement of handbell ringing through performance and education, conducting workshops and holding events for ringers.

All ages welcome. Although this concert is free and open to the public, complimentary tickets are required for admittance. Tickets are available at the Cedar Mill Library Adult Reference desk.

The Winter Reading & Arts Festival runs from 12/22/09 to 2/28/10. For more information, visit our website or call the reference desk at 503 644-0043 Ext 114.

Cedar Mill Community Library is located at 12505 NW Cornell Road, just off Saltzman Rd.

12/15: Late opening at Sherwood

Sherwood Public Library will be opening at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, December 15 so that staff may attend the City’s All-Staff Year-End celebration. We appreciate your understanding.

Storytimes will be held, as regularly scheduled, in the Community Meeting Room.

12/16: Early Literacy Parent Workshop at Garden Home

Books Are Fun! Early Literacy Parent Workshop

Wednesday, 12/16/2009, 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM

Garden Home Community Library, 7475 SW Oleson Road, just north of Garden Home Rd. (503) 245-9932.

Learn about Early Literacy and the Six Early Literacy skills your child should know to be ready to read. We will also discuss Print Motivation, one of the Six Skills, and will have lots of fun reading stories and singing songs!

This workshop is for parents and caregivers of children ages 0-5.

Please feel free to bring your children with you! Snacks will be provided. All library programs are free!

12/14-18: Beaverton offers World Language Storytimes

The Beaverton City Library will host World Language Storytimes next week, December 14–18. This program takes place at 10:30 AM in the Storytime Room and is for preschoolers. Storytimes will be presented in several different languages:

• Monday, December 14, 2009 - Stories in Japanese


• Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - Stories in Russian


• Thursday, December 17, 2009 - Stories in Arabic


• Friday, December 18, 2009 - Stories in German

Beaverton City Library is located at 12375 SW Fifth St. in Beaverton.

Sunday, 12/20: Family Holiday Singalong at Hillsboro

It's a Hillsboro tradition to ring in the holidays with the Family Holiday Singalong. Local favorites 4-PAX will perform at the Hillsboro Main Library.

4-PAX will perform old chestnuts as well as new songs.

Best of all, lyric sheets will be provided. So come singalong on Sunday, December 20th, from 2-3:30 PM.

Hillsboro Main Library is located at 2850 NE Brookwood Parkway, just north of Airport Rd.

12/11, 12/16 & 12/18: Dawn Prochovnic signs & rhymes

Local children's author, Dawn Prochovnic, will be making three appearances at WCCLS Libraries in the next week.

Prochovnic, creator of Small Talk Workshops, is a certified Sign2Me presenter. Her programs are known for being lively and interactive. Be prepared to participate by singing and signing along!

She'll be reading selections from her eight picture books in the Story Time With Signs & Rhymes series.

Cornelius Public Library hosts Prochovnic on Friday, December 11 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Prochovnic will be their guest storyteller that morning and will be available after the program to answer questions and sign copies of her books (which will be available for purchase). Children are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Cornelius Public Library is at 1355 N Barlow Street in downtown Cornelius.

Tualatin Public Library hosts Prochovnic on Wednesday, December 16, from 11 to 11:30 AM. She will be a special guest, reading from one of her books. She will have her books available for purchase, and she'll be available to autograph them and to answer questions as well.

Tualatin Public Library can be found at 18878 SW Martinazzi Ave, just north of Nyberg Rd.

Beaverton City Library hosts Prochovnic on Friday, December 18, 3:30–4:30 in Meeting Room B.

Kick off your winter break with Dawn Prochovnic as she shares her new book about learning sign language. This program is for children ages 4 to 10 that have an interest in learning ASL. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Please join us for this exciting author visit.

Beaverton City Library is located at 12375 SW Fifth St. at Hall Blvd.