Library closures for the holidays

Check the table below to find out when WCCLS member libraries will be closing over the holidays. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season! Remember that you can download e-books and audiobooks any time at Library2Go.

Library	Tuesday Dec. 24th	Wednesday Dec. 25th	Thursday Dec. 26th	Tuesday Dec. 31st	Wednesday Jan. 1st
Banks	Closed	Closed	Normal Hours	Closing at 3pm	Closed
Beaverton	Closing at 5pm	Closed	Closing at 6pm	Closing at 5pm	Closed
Beaverton Murray Scholls	Closing at 5pm	Closed	Closing at 6pm	Closing at 5pm	Closed
Cedar Mill	Closed	Closed	Normal Hours	Closing at 5pm	Closed
Cedar Mill at Bethany	Closed	Closed	Normal Hours	Closing at 5pm	Closed
Cornelius	Closing at 2pm	Closed	Normal Hours	Closing at 5pm	Closed
Forest Grove	Closing at 5pm	Closed	Normal Hours	Closing at 5pm	Closed
Garden Home	Closing at 3pm	Closed	Normal Hours	Closing at 3pm	Closed
Hillsboro	Closing at 6pm	Closed	Normal Hours	Closing at 6pm	Closed
North Plains	Open 11am - 3pm	Closed	Normal Hours	Open 11am -5:30pm	Closed
Oregon College of Art and Craft	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed
Sherwood	Closing at 2pm	Closed	Normal Hours	Closing at 5pm	Closed
Tigard	Closing at 5pm	Closed	Normal Hours	Closing at 5pm	Closed
Tualatin	Closing at 6pm	Closed	Normal Hours	Closing at 6pm	Closed
Tuality Health Resource Center *	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed
West Slope	Closing at 4pm	Closed	Normal Hours	Closing at 4pm	Closed

* Tuality Health Resource Center will be closed 12/24 through 12/27. Please call the library (503-681-1702) in advance if you have any questions about picking up your holds. They will be open on 12/30 and will resume normal hours on January 2nd.

Teen Summer Reading Art Contest

Hey teen artists: Submit a design to our Teen Summer Reading Artwork Contest!

The winning design will be used on 2014 Teen Summer Reading program materials across Washington Co., including posters, bookmarks, flyers and more.

The winner also receives a $150 gift certificate for Powell's Books. The second place winner receives a $50 gift certificate for Blick Art Materials, and the winner of honorable mention will get a $25 Blick gift certificate.

Submissions will be accepted starting January 2nd, and the last day to submit your entry is February 15th. Click here to get all of the contest details and the entry form. (PDF) Good luck!

Information for Library2Go users who have created an Adobe ID

As you may have heard, Adobe had a security breach of customer data on their servers. We have heard from OverDrive, the software company that powers the Library2Go service, about this issue.

Adobe is in the process of resetting passwords and notifying affected users. Here is what you need to know about your Adobe ID password and Library2Go.

Good news! If you already have an Adobe ID and have used it to authorize devices (e.g. the OverDrive app on your iPhone), you do not need to re-authorize your app or device, even if you reset your password with Adobe.

If you are authorizing a new device with your existing Adobe ID (e.g. you got a new tablet and want to authorize it with the same Adobe ID as you use on your iPhone), you will need to change your password with Adobe first. However, you will not need to reauthorize your existing devices that were authorized previously.

If you are new to Library2Go and are creating an Adobe ID for the first time, you can disregard this notice - nothing here applies to your situation.

If you would like the full details, you can read OverDrive's blog post. If you have questions, please contact your local library.

Library closures for Thanksgiving week

See the chart below for WCCLS member libraries hours during the week of Thanksgiving. Remember that you can download ebooks and audiobooks 24/7 using Library2Go!

Library	Wednesday Nov. 27th	Thursday Nov. 28th	Friday Nov. 29th	Saturday Nov. 30th	Sunday Dec. 1st
Banks	Closing at 5pm	Closed	Closed	Normal Hours	Usual Closure
Beaverton	Closing at 5pm	Closed	Closed	Normal Hours	Normal Hours
Beaverton Murray Scholls	Closing at 5pm	Closed	Closed	Normal Hours	Normal Hours
Cedar Mill	Normal Hours	Closed	Normal Hours	Normal Hours	Normal Hours
Cedar Mill at Bethany	Normal Hours	Closed	Normal Hours	Normal Hours	Normal Hours
Cornelius	Normal Hours	Closed	Closed	Normal Hours	Normal Hours
Forest Grove	Normal Hours	Closed	Closed	Closed	Usual Closure
Garden Home	Closing at 3pm	Closed	Normal Hours	Normal Hours	Usual Closure
Hillsboro Main Library	Closing at 6pm	Closed	Normal Hours	Normal Hours	Normal Hours
North Plains	Normal Hours	Closed	Closed	Normal Hours	Usual Closure
Oregon College of Art and Craft	Normal Hours	Closed	Closed	Usual Closure	Usual Closure
Sherwood	Closing at 6pm	Closed	Closed	Normal Hours	Normal Hours
Tigard	Normal Hours	Closed	Normal Hours	Normal Hours	Normal Hours
Tualatin	Closing at 6pm	Closed	Normal Hours	Normal Hours	Normal Hours
Tuality Health Resource Center	Normal Hours	Closed	Closed	Normal Hours	Normal Hours
West Slope	Normal Hours	Closed	Normal Hours	Normal Hours	Usual Closure

Website will be unavailable Tuesday, 11/26/2013

The WCCLS website will be unavailable from 9 pm to 11 pm on Tuesday, November 26th, to perform scheduled maintenance.

While the site is down, you can still access the following:

• WCCLS online catalog
• Your account
• Library2Go
• WCCLS events calendar

Thank you for your patience! If you have questions or comments, you can reach us at webmaster@wccls.org.

Website will be unavailable Tuesday, 11/12/2013

The WCCLS website will be unavailable from 9 pm to 11 pm on Tuesday, November 12th, to perform scheduled maintenance.

While the site is down, you can still access the following:

• WCCLS online catalog
• Your account
• Library2Go
• WCCLS events calendar

Thank you for your patience! If you have questions or comments, you can reach us at webmaster@wccls.org.

Genealogy Workshop at the Tualatin Public Library

On November 12, trained volunteers from the Tualatin Family History Center will help you learn how to explore your family's roots using Ancestry and HeritageQuest, genealogy databases available at the library.

Registration is required for this free workshop. If this class is full, we are repeating the workshop on Tuesday, November 19, 1-3pm. Please register for only one workshop.

Any questions? Contact the Tualatin Public Library.

Read and Splash! Library Card discount at Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum

The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is offering a Library Card discount on Thursdays & Fridays through November 15.  Here are the details:

Dates: Thursdays and Fridays: Nov. 7 & 8, and Nov. 14 & 15
Time: 3 pm – 8 pm (ONLY)
Cost: $15 per person, with valid Library Card

Please note: Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a supervising adult while in the Waterpark. Children under 10 years of age must be accompanied by a swimming adult while in the water. Swimming adults are required to pay admission. Adults may supervise a maximum of 4 children (1:4 adult to child ratio).

One library card per discount. If your family has a “family” library card, the discount can be applied to up to (4) people.

For more information: please contact the Museum at 503-434-4185 or events@sprucegoose.org

Library Closures for Veterans Day

Most, but not all, WCCLS member libraries will be closing in observance of Veterans Day.

Libraries closed on Monday, November 11th

• Banks Public Library
• Cedar Mill Community Library
• Cedar Mill Community Library at Bethany
• Cornelius Public Library
• Forest Grove City Library
• Garden Home Community Library
• North Plains Public Library
• Sherwood Public Library
• West Slope Community Library

Libraries open on Monday, November 11th

• Oregon College of Art and Craft
• Tualatin Public Library
• Tuality Health Resource Center

Find a complete list of library closures here. Find all WCCLS member libraries, their locations, and their contact information.  

School’s Out!- Henrik Bothe variety show at Tualatin Public Library

Join the Tualatin Public Library on Thursday, November 7 at 2:00pm for a School's Out! variety show with Henrik Bothe.
Henrik's show is a mix of circus skills an comedy.

Juggling, unicycling and plate spinning together with Henrik's wacky sense of humor makes for a concoction that is such a thrill, not only for the young ones but also for the young at heart.

The variety show is free and open to all ages.  Contact the Tualatin Public Library for more details.

Free presentations about Cover Oregon in Washington County

Do you have questions about Cover Oregon?  Come to a presentation or join a Question & Answer (Q&A) session and learn more. See below for currently scheduled sessions.

Cover Oregon is our state’s health insurance marketplace for citizens looking for affordable health insurance or help in finding insurance.

The North Plains Public Library is a Community Outreach Partner for Cover Oregon, and library staff member Donna Medica is trained to educate the public about Cover Oregon.  Donna will give presentations and Q&A sessions for the public at locations around the county. 

Learn more about Cover Oregon on our website.

Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos celebration at Tualatin Public Library

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is celebrated in Mexico on November 1 and 2. It is a tradition that varies from region to region and has its roots in ancient Aztec religion. Día de los Muertos is a festive occasion set aside to honor, remember, and celebrate the lives of departed loved ones.

Join the Tualatin Public Library for a Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos celebration on Saturday, November 2 from 2pm to 3:30pm in the Library Community Room.  Bring your family as we celebrate this holiday with special crafts, games, and food.

The celebration is free and all ages are welcome.  Contact the Tualatin Public Library for more information. 

Kindle format is back in Library2Go

Thank you for your patience today! The Kindle format was temporarily unavailable in Library2Go, but access has been restored. You should now be able to access and download Kindle titles as usual.

If you see any issues when checking out or downloading Kindle titles in Library2Go, please clear your browser's cache. We have instructions on how to do this.

Kindle format temporarily disabled in Library2Go

Due to an issue we reported earlier this morning, the Kindle ebook format has been temporarily disabled in Library2Go.

Users are not able to borrow, download or place holds on Kindle format ebooks at this time. OverDrive (the software company that powers Library2Go) is working with Amazon to correct the issue. Once the issue is resolve, we will update you here.

We apologize for the inconvenience! In the meantime, here are some alternatives to the Kindle format.

Kindle Fire and Fire HD users

• Download the OverDrive Media Console app to your tablet and check out the EPUB format for e-books. Download MP3 format audiobooks too! Find instructions.

Traditional Kindle e-reader users

• Wait until the issue is resolved before checking out more Kindle titles from Library2Go. In the meantime, try downloading a classic book in Kindle format from Project Gutenberg.

Attention Kindle readers who use Library2Go - watch those buttons!

If you use Library2Go to download Kindle format titles, please be aware of an issue this morning.

When you go to download your Kindle book via the Amazon website, the only button you see is to purchase, not borrow, the title. If you do not want to purchase the title, please do not click that button!

OverDrive is aware of the issue and is working to correct it. As we learn more, we will post updates.

In the meantime, what are some alternatives?

Kindle Fire and Fire HD users

• Download the OverDrive Media Console app to your tablet and check out the EPUB format for e-books. Download MP3 format audiobooks too! Find instructions.

Traditional Kindle e-reader users

• Wait until the issue is resolved before checking out more Kindle titles from Library2Go. In the meantime, try downloading a classic book in Kindle format from Project Gutenberg. 

If you do accidentally purchase a Kindle title, please contact Amazon customer service for assistance.

Teen Read week launches with a "Read and Release" project, #WCCLSteenreads

Seek the unknown, and join WCCLS Young Adult Librarians in celebrating national Teen Read Week with the countywide #WCCLSteenreads project.  The project kicks off on October 13th. The idea is that a reader enjoys a book and then leaves it someplace for another reader to discover – read – and release back into the community.

WCCLS member libraries will give away a limited number of books to interested teens. Stop by your local Washington County library during Teen Read Week to pick up a free teen book (while supplies last). Read and release it for another reader to discover. Just follow the instructions inside the book!   Teens are encouraged to list their name, date and the location where they found the book on the book card. They are also urged to take a photo of the book in a creative location and then share it with WCCLS via social media using the hashtag #WCCLSteenreads (@WCCLS on Twitter or www.facebook.com/wccls).

For the 2013 Teen Read Week celebration WCCLS has provided each member library 10 books to give away. The books include:

• Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer
• Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
• The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
• I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
• Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
• Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
• The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily Danforth
• The Night She Disappeared by April Henry
• Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt

“We hope to share the message that reading is a social experience,” said County Youth Services Librarian Rick Samuelson.  “We also want teens to see the library as a place where they can share their love of reading.”

WCCLS website, catalog and accounts will be down starting Sunday night until Monday morning 10/14

Starting at midnight on Sunday 10/13, the WCCLS website, catalog and accounts will be unavailable due to scheduled maintenance. The website, catalog and accounts will be available again at 6:00am on Monday, 10/14.

What does this mean?  During this time you will NOT be able to access these services:

• WCCLS website
• Your online account 
• The telephone renewal line
• WCCLS catalog (searching, placing holds, etc.)
• WCCLS events calendar

You will be able to access downloadable e-books and audiobooks via Library2Go as usual while the WCCLS website, catalog and accounts are down.

Thanks in advance for your patience!  We apologize for the inconvenience.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Ballet Folklorico Tlanese at the Tualatin Public Library

Annually since 1988, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central & South America.

Join the Tualatin Public Library on Saturday, September 28, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm for a free Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration featuring BalletFolklorico Tlanese. Free food, door prizes, and a piñata are also featured in this special event.

All ages are welcome.  Contact the Tualatin Public Library for more information.

OverDrive Media Console app update released for iOS 7 users

If you upgraded your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to iOS 7 this week, you may have noticed that the OverDrive app crashed when you tried to open it. OverDrive has released an app update (version 3.0.2) to resolve this issue. You can download it from the App Store. 

After you install this updated app, you may be prompted to re-authorize the app with your Adobe ID. Be sure to use the same Adobe ID you used before if you want to access the books you previously downloaded with that ID.

If you have not yet updated your device to iOS 7, please be sure to update the OverDrive app to this latest version before you install iOS 7.

If you have questions about iOS 7 and the OverDrive app, or anything else related to Library2Go, please contact your local library for assistance, or click here.

Do you use OverDrive Media Console on your iPhone or iPad? Read this before updating to iOS 7

If you use OverDrive Media Console on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch to download ebooks and audiobooks from Library2Go, you may find that the OverDrive app crashes after you update to iOS 7. (If you are new to Library2Go and download the OverDrive app after you update your device to iOS 7, you will not run into this issue.)

If your OverDrive app is crashing after you download iOS 7, you will need to uninstall and then reinstall the OverDrive app on your iOS device. (Find directions on this page.) You will need to then re-authorize the app with the same Adobe ID you originally used, if you would like to re-download the books you already checked out and downloaded. If you authorize the app with a new Adobe ID, you will not be able to re-download the books you have checked out, if you downloaded them before you updated to iOS 7.

To re-download titles to your app once you have re-installed and re-authorized it, log in to your Library2Go account and click on the Download button next to the books you currently have checked out.

We apologize for the inconvenience! OverDrive is the software company that powers the Library2Go service and the company that developed and maintain the OverDrive app. They are aware of this issue and are working to resolve it. If there are more developments related to iOS 7 and the OverDrive app, we will keep you posted.

We know this can be a little confusing, so if you have questions, please contact your local library for assistance, or ask us online. We'll be happy to help.

Planning for emergencies - be ready for a disaster

September is National Emergency Preparedness Month. Like our post on Facebook to be entered to win one of two emergency kits!*

Not all disasters come with warning labels. Don’t just think about the likelihood of the “big one” or a catastrophic event happening in our community. Think about the events that are most likely to happen in Washington County that present a certain risk that we all need to be prepared for - such as ice or wind storms with extended power outages, winter storms that bring flooding to area ponds, streams and rivers that may isolate your office or home and make roads impassable.

Making a personal emergency plan and kit does not need to be difficult. Take it in manageable bits - add to it each month until you have all of the components assembled. There are many easy items to add from the outset to pack in your kit, such as:

• A first aid kit
• Bottled water
• Photocopy important documents and secure in a water tight zip lock bag:
• Library card - makes it easy to contact friends/family or do business on-line at the library after an emergency
• Personal identification and/or driver’s license
• Insurance card
• Medical insurance and prescriptions

According to Sue Mohnkern, Public Health Preparedness Program Supervisor with the Washington County Dept. of Health and Human Services, “if you own camping equipment you have a great head-start to making your kit. Just remember to store your equipment in an easily accessible place—not buried in your attic. Store emergency kits in the corner of your garage or an outside shed for easy access.”

Learn how to build your emergency kit and get ready for  at ready.gov. Washington County's Emergency Preparedness site is a good resource for local information.

*Details on the emergency kit: Quakehold! Grab-'n-Go 3 Day Emergency Kit (for two people). WCCLS staff and member library staff are not eligible to win. Winners will be drawn randomly, and must have a valid WCCLS library card in good standing. Like our Facebook post up until 11:59 pm on October 31st to be entered to win.

Free financial education workshops at the Tualatin Library in October

Want to overcome stress about your finances? Are you interested in getting in control of your money? Come to one or all of the financial education classes at the Tualatin Library and take action! No registration is required and the workshops are free!

Part 1: Making Ends Meet
Saturday, October 5, 10:30am-12:30pm
Feel like you’re always struggling to make ends meet? In this class you will think about your values and priorities, decide how to juggle income to cover expenses and learn valuable tools and strategies to make an immediate, positive impact on your financial situation.

Part 2: Budgeting and Saving
Saturday, October 12, 10:30am-12:30pm
You may have heard that sticking to a budget and saving money will help you weather the shock of an unexpected expense, but it can seem impossible when time and money are limited. Learn the tools you need so that budgeting and saving is within your reach.

Part 3: Hands on Banking
Saturday, October 19, 10:30am-12:30pm
Do your current methods of managing income and paying bills not work for you? Do you frequently owe fees that you find confusing and expensive? Join us for this exploration of banks, credit unions and the services they offer. We’ll discuss various ways in which having an account at a bank or credit union can help—or hurt—your personal finances. You’ll come away with a clear picture of what services might be right for you.

Part 4: Building, Repairing & Protecting Credit
Saturday, October 26, 10:30am-12:30pm
Good credit is crucial for financial success, but what does it mean to have good credit? What can be done if you have poor credit or no credit history at all? We will explore the basic components of a credit report and discuss what you can do to address inaccurate or damaging items. Discover steps you can take when turned down for credit and information about your rights related to credit.

Beaverton libraries closed Thursday, Sept. 12th

Both branches of the Beaverton City Library will be closed all day on Thursday, September 12th for a staff in-service day. No items checked out from Beaverton will be due that day.

If you have any questions, please contact staff at your local library.

Lucas Duyck Drawings on Exhibit in North Plains

Local teen artist, Lucas Duyck, will be exhibiting his work at the Library through the months of August and September. He is a self-taught artist, who has been honing his skills at Glencoe High School. Much of his hand-drawn and computer-enhanced artwork is characterized by colorful graphics, lively characters, and imaginative themes inspired by his favorite anime and manga characters.

A reception will be held in Lucas' honor on Friday, August 30 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Library, and the public is invited to attend this free event.

Lucas is a volunteer at the North Plains Public Library and a staff member of the upcoming 2013 Kumoricon, an anime convention held in Vancouver, WA over the Labor Day weekend. He also enjoys reading, gaming, whittling, fishing, and hunting.

Libraries closed on Labor Day

All WCCLS member libraries will be closed on Monday, September 2nd in observance of Labor Day.

Image via PlaceIt

Want to check out a book but the library's closed? Visit Library2Go to download e-books and audiobooks to your smartphone, tablet and more - 24/7!

If you have any questions, please contact your local WCCLS library. 

WCCLS catalog and online accounts are back up!

Thank you for your patience while the WCCLS catalog and online accounts were unavailable for software updates! We are now back up and running as usual.

If you are seeing any odd behavior with the catalog or account, please clear your browser's cache. We aren't expecting any problems, but this should resolve any issues. We have information about clearing your browser's cache on your desktop computer and your mobile device on our website.

If your browser is not storing your WCCLS barcode and PIN when you log in to your account, clear your browser's cache (see above for info), and then adjust your browser's settings for saving login information. You'll find that at the bottom of this page on the WCCLS website.

Information if you use the desktop version of the catalog

You'll notice that the look of the desktop catalog has changed a bit. Searching works the same as it did before, but the buttons you're used to may be in a slightly different place.

Getting around your WCCLS patron account is a bit different. We have posted some very short videos on YouTube to help you with this change:

• Logging in to your account
• Getting around your account

If you want to get deeper into some features of the catalog, we have videos on creating saved searches in the desktop catalog (these alert you to new items added that match your search), as well as creating and managing lists of saved titles.

Information if you use the mobile version of the catalog

The look of the mobile catalog hasn't really changed. You'll notice more information about titles is now available when you search. What is exciting about the mobile catalog updates is that there is more functionality.

You can now update your password, email address, phone number and notification preferences using the mobile catalog. To do this, log in to your account, then tap on Update Account and Preferences, then on the Update Preferences link at the bottom of that page.

You can also now create saved searches using the mobile catalog. These alert you to new items added to the catalog that match your search. We have a YouTube video explaining how to do this.

If you'd like to create lists of saved titles in the mobile catalog, we have a video showing you this as well.

Questions?

If you have questions about your WCCLS account, please contact your local WCCLS library for assistance.

Catalog and account software will be down starting Sunday night until Tuesday

We will be posting more frequent updates about the catalog and account availability on Facebook and Twitter. 

Starting at 6:00 pm on Sunday, August 18th, the WCCLS catalog and accounts will be unavailable. This is because WCCLS will be performing software updates during this time. We anticipate that the catalog and accounts will become available sometime on Tuesday, August 20th.

Here's what you need to know:

• No library materials will be due on Sunday, August 18th, Monday, August 19th, or Tuesday, August 20th
• Follow WCCLS on Facebook and Twitter to get the most frequent updates about the downtime
• When the catalog and accounts are available again, we will also announce it on our News & Events blog

What will be available during the software updates?

• You will be able to access downloadable e-books and audiobooks via Library2Go as usual while the WCCLS catalog and accounts are down
• WCCLS online resources will be available
• The wccls.org website will also still be available, including the events calendar

What will be different when the WCCLS catalog and accounts are updated?

• You'll notice the appearance of the desktop catalog will be different, but the basic search will work the same
• The mobile catalog will look more or less the same, but with additional functionality
• We have videos showing some of the changes to features in your WCCLS account on the desktop and mobile catalogs - find them on the WCCLS website or on YouTube.

Thanks in advance for your patience while we work to upgrade our catalog and account software! We apologize for the inconvenience.

Improvements coming to the OverDrive app for iOS and Android on 8/20

Attention Library2Go users! We're excited to share that there are some big improvements coming to the OverDrive app on August 20th.

These updates include:

• Simplified menus in the app
• When you open the app, it will automatically take you to the last spot you were reading/listening to a downloaded book 
• On iOS devices - you can now vary the playback speed of audiobooks
• If you use multiple libraries (e.g. Library2Go and Multnomah County), it's easier to switch between libraries

To upgrade to OverDrive Media Console 3.0, you need to have iOS 6.0 or Android 4.0 on your device. Depending on your device settings, your app may update automatically, or you'll be prompted to install the update.

If you have an older device, the current app will still work. OverDrive reports they will roll out these improvements for the Blackberry app and Windows Phone in the future.
 
Check out the video preview for the new app:



After the updates next week, hopefully you'll never feel like this again!

Updates to WCCLS catalog & account August 18 - 20

Starting at 6:00 pm on Sunday, August 18th, the WCCLS catalog and accounts will be unavailable. This is because WCCLS will be performing software updates during this time. We anticipate that the catalog and accounts will become available sometime on Tuesday, August 20th.

Here's what you need to know:

• No library materials will be due on Sunday, August 18th, Monday, August 19th, or Tuesday, August 20th
• Follow WCCLS on Facebook and Twitter to get the most frequent updates about the downtime
• When the catalog and accounts are available again, we will also announce it on our News & Events blog

What will be available during the software updates?

• You will be able to access downloadable e-books and audiobooks via Library2Go as usual while the WCCLS catalog and accounts are down
• WCCLS online resources will be available
• The wccls.org website will also still be available, including the events calendar

What will be different when the WCCLS catalog and accounts are updated?

• You'll notice the appearance of the desktop catalog will be different, but the basic search will work the same
• The mobile catalog will look more or less the same, but with additional functionality
• We have videos showing some of the changes to features in your WCCLS account on the desktop and mobile catalogs - find them on the WCCLS website or on YouTube.
• We'll be sharing more info about the changes closer to the update

Thanks in advance for your patience while we work to upgrade our catalog and account software! We apologize for the inconvenience.

Survey says... WCCLS exceeds expectations for 9 out of 10 residents

A snapshot of the word cloud from survey comments.
See the whole word cloud.

In June, WCCLS did an online survey of Washington County residents. Over 2000 residents participated! What did we learn from the survey?

WCCLS member libraries exceed the expectations of 88% of Washington County residents - nearly 9 out of 10.

A strong majority of residents (73%) believe that their library does a good or excellent job of managing taxpayer dollars. 

The majority of those surveyed are increasing their use of e-books and e-resources, at 57%, while 75% of people are not decreasing their use of print materials. WCCLS' Director, Eva Calcagno, notes that "patrons seem to be diversifying how they access information, rather than replacing one format with another," which "mirrors national trends."

Want to learn more about the survey results? We have posted the PDF summary on the WCCLS website, and here is a direct link to the PDF of the summary.

WCCLS website and catalog operating normally

The WCCLS website and catalog are back to normal operation this morning. Thank you for your patience while we worked to resolve the issues yesterday!

Why we don't always have the e-books you want

One of the most common things we hear about our downloadable e-book and audiobook service (Library2Go) is "why don't you have the titles I want?" While there are a lot of great books in Library2Go, with more being added just for WCCLS cardholders all the time, there are certain titles we just can't get for you as an e-book.

This is because the digital book industry is in transition and book publishers have not yet decided how to handle digital library lending. In fact, a number of big publishers won't sell their e-books to libraries at all! Others choose not sell their e-books to OverDrive, the software vendor that powers the Library2Go service.

That's why we were excited to see a new initiative, called Authors for Library Ebooks. This is a campaign to get authors to encourage their publishers to make e-books available to libraries. Oregon's own Ursula K Le Guin, along with Cory Doctorow and Jodi Picoult were the first three authors to sign on to the campaign. We are especially pleased to see an Oregon author making a stand on this issue.

Ursula recently wrote a blog post on e-books and libraries, with some interesting factoids about the current state of the industry. It's a short and interesting read and provides a little more insight into why we can't always get the e-books you'd like to see in Library2Go.

WCCLS has signed on to ReadersFirst, a movement to improve e-book access and services to library users.

Contribute images from your daily life in Oregon - Oregon Project Dayshoot+30

On July 15, 1983, photographers captured images of daily life all around the state of Oregon. These were published in a book called One Average Day: Oregon Project Dayshoot Photographs, 15 July 1983.

On July 15th this year, 30 years later, the same thing will happen - photographers will capture images of daily life. This time, you can participate by contributing your own photos of life in Oregon. See the project FAQ for details.

To see some photos from the original project, and to learn more about the Dayshoot+30 project, visit the project website.

New! Online language learning for kids aged 0 to 6

You now have access to a new online resource through WCCLS - Little Pim. Little Pim is an online language learning system designed for kids aged birth to six.

Early language learning has been shown to enhance verbal development, as well as reading, writing and social skills. Little Pim introduces children to a foreign language in a way they can understand at even the youngest ages.

Kids don't even have to know how to read to learn with Little Pim! Lessons incorporate words and activities that are relevant to the child’s daily life, making the content more fun and usable from the get-go. Themes include mealtime, naptime and playtime. There are 10 languages offered through Little Pim, from Arabic to Russian.

Access Little Pim via the WCCLS website - you just need your library card to log in!

We also offer online language learning for adults with Mango Languages.

All libraries closed for the 4th of July

All WCCLS member libraries will be closed on Thursday, July 4th for Independence Day. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

Download ebooks and audiobooks 24/7 at Library2Go.

Website will be unavailable Tuesday evening, 7/2/13

The WCCLS website will be unavailable for approximately one hour, beginning on Tuesday, July 2nd at 9:00 pm. This is due to scheduled maintenance.

While the site is down, you can still access the following:

• WCCLS online catalog
• Your account
• Library2Go
• WCCLS events calendar

Thanks in advance for your patience! If you have questions or comments, you can reach us at webmaster@wccls.org.

Hillsboro Library extends its weeknight hours

Starting today, July 1st, the Hillsboro Main Library is extending its weeknight hours. The weekend hours
remain the same.

The new hours for the Hillsboro Library are:
Monday - Friday: 10 am - 9 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday: 12 pm - 6 pm

Questions? Please contact staff at the Hillsboro Library at 503-615-6500.

Temporary change in hours at the Tuality Health Resource Center

For the next few weeks, the hours at the Tuality Health Resource Center will be as follows:

Monday 6/24	11 am to 3 pm
Tuesday 6/25	11 am to 3 pm
Wednesday 6/26	1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Thursday 6/27	11 am to 3 pm
Friday 6/28	11 am to 3 pm
Monday 7/1	11 am to 3 pm
Tuesday 7/2	11 am to 3 pm

The Resource Center will be closed Wednesday 7/3 through Friday 7/5.

Normal hours will resume on Monday, July 8th.

WCCLS Invites You...

Your opinion matters to us! WCCLS wants to hear from you about your library experience and how we can continue to improve services to residents. Learn more about a short, 5 minute online survey we are doing to help us improve library services in your neighborhood.

At the North Plains Library - reception for author Kirstin Pulioff and illlustrator Sara Twitty

On Friday, June 14th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, at the North Plains LIbrary, North Plains resident and young adult fantasy author Kirstin Pulioff will be introducing the sequel to her popular book The Escape of Princess Madeline.

Sara Twitty did the illustrations for the book and she will be at the reception as well. Her work is being exhibited at the library until August 2nd.

Copies of the original book and of the sequel, The Battle for Princess Madeline, will be available for purchase at the event.

Cheryl Strayed is coming to Washington County!

Mark your calendars! On June 26th, Cheryl Strayed, the best-selling author of Wild, will be speaking, reading, and signing books part of WCCLS Adult Summer Reading.

When: Wednesday, June 26th at 7:30 pm, doors open at 7 pm
Where: Southridge High School Auditorium (map)

We are expecting there will be a large turnout for this event. Doors will open at 7:00 pm, and seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Plan ahead and arrive early.

Cheryl Strayed is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wild, a memorable account of her solo adventure along the Pacific Crest Trail. She is also the author of the New York Times bestseller Tiny Beautiful Things, and the novel Torch. Wild was chosen by Oprah's Book Club 2.0.

Love to read? 3 easy ways to find more books with NoveList

You know that feeling when you finish a great book, and are ready to dive into something else, but you don't know what that something else is yet?

If you ever get stuck looking for your next great read, try using NoveList. It is a fantastic tool that lets you browse or search for your next book. Not just for adults, NoveList also can help with book recommendations for kids and teens.

What can you do with NoveList?

Recommended Read Lists

1. Browse lists of recommended reads. When you first get to the main page, you'll see an area at the left of the screen called Recommended Reads. You can browse lists of good fiction or non-fiction books, grouped by age and category. Interested in what the experts at NoveList think are good science fiction or romance reads? You'll find those types of lists there.

2. See similar books to current bestsellers. While you're on the hold list for Khaled Hosseini's latest novel, And the Mountains Echoed, why not peruse some of the other similar books that NoveList thinks you'd be interested in? You'll find the bestseller read-alikes right in the center of the screen on NoveList.

3. Already devoured everything by one author? Find another author you'll enjoy. NoveList is great at giving you lists of authors that you might enjoy, based on authors you already like. Search for the author and you'll see a link to suggested read-alikes. What's great about the suggestions is that they tell you why you may enjoy those particular authors. You'll learn why this new author's style is similar or different from the one you've already read.

These are just three of the ways that you can use NoveList to find good books. Next time you're at the library, why not ask a librarian about their favorite NoveList tricks? You'll learn more ways to explore this amazing resource.

Use Library2Go on an Apple (iOS) device? This post is for you

If you use the OverDrive Media Console (OMC) app to download books from Library2Go on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, please read on.

Sometime on Tuesday, May 28th, OverDrive will be releasing an update for its app on iOS. When you update the OMC app on your device, it will de-authorize the app. (When you first set up the app to download ebooks, you created and entered an Adobe ID, which "authorized" the app. This is required to download ebooks to the app.)

When you update the app, this Adobe authorization will be removed. According to OverDrive, this is due to a change in Apple's privacy policies.

What does this mean? 
When you open the app after updating it, you will be prompted to re-authorize the app with your Adobe ID and password. (See screenshots of what this will look like.)

What if I don't remember my Adobe password?
If you forgot your password, there will be a link on the re-authorization page to reset your password. Just follow the prompts.

What if I don't remember my Adobe ID?
If you forgot your Adobe ID, you can create a new one - there will be a link on the screen to do this. However, if you authorize the app with a different Adobe ID than you had previously, any ebooks that you downloaded with the previous ID will not work once you authorize with a new ID.

How do I re-download my ebooks if I've authorized my app with a new Adobe ID?
Delete but do not return the books from your app. Tap on Get Books and log in to your Library2Go account. Click on the Download button next to the titles you want to re-download. They will download again to the app on your device.

Libraries closed on Memorial Day

All WCCLS member libraries will be closed on Monday, May 27th, in observance of Memorial Day.

You can still download audiobooks and ebooks at Library2Go, 24/7!

If you have any questions, please contact your local library.

Forest Grove Library opening late on May 23rd

The Forest Grove Library will be opening one hour later than usual on Thursday, May 23rd, due to staff training. They will open at 11:00 am instead of 10:00 am.

If you have questions, please contact the Forest Grove Library at  (503) 992-3247.

Big Library Read on Library2Go

Are you an ebook reader? Or, are you curious about ereading? From May 15th to June 1st, all of the readers who use Library2Go can check out the same book.

It's part of a pilot program called the Big Library Read. During the program, all readers can download the same book - "The Four Corners of the Sky" by Michael Malone - from Library2Go.

"The Four Corners of the Sky" is master storyteller Michael Malone’s novel of love, secrets, and the mysterious bonds of families. Malone brings characters to life as only he can, exploring the questions that defy easy answers: Is love a choice or a calling? Why do the ties of family bind so tightly? And is forgiveness a gift to others…or a gift we give ourselves? 

This is an opportunity to unite readers – and loyal library supporters – all over the world around a single ebook. Together with Sourcebooks, the independent publisher of this title, OverDrive and your library are providing a compelling novel for all to read – with a valid library card, of course.

We are proud of WCCLS' award-winning librarians!

Washington County is full of award-winning library staff! At the Oregon Library Association annual conference last week, four people who work at libraries in Washington County were honored with awards.

Left to right: Abigail Elder, Ed House, Laurie Mintz, Eva Calcagno

Eva Calcagno, director of Washington County Cooperative Library Services, won the Librarian of the Year award. She was recognized for her leadership in developing the new statewide Oregon Library Passport Program, which reduces barriers to library services statewide. Eva said "I’m honored to receive this award because it recognizes efforts to build cooperation and sharing among libraries for the improvement of public service. It’s what Washington County libraries have done for nearly 40 years." Congratulations Eva!

Laurie Mintz was awarded Library Employee of the Year! A Library Assistant at the Tualatin Library, Laurie was recognized for her generosity, mentoring and work with the Spanish-speaking community. Letters nominating Laurie mentioned her friendliness, creativity, excellent problem solving skills, and her ability to put people at ease. 

Abigail Elder, director of the Tualatin Library, won the OLA President's award for her leadership of the Association and her grace and selflessness in handling the Association’s leadership transition after the departure of the previous President.

Ed House, director of the Beaverton Library since 2001, was recognized for his successful career in Oregon libraries and years of outstanding service with an Honorary Lifetime Membership to the Oregon Library Association.

Congratulations to all the winners! We are proud to have such great staff serving the library patrons of Washington County.

Online test preparation and software tutorials through WCCLS

Did you know that you can prepare for exams and take practice tests online through WCCLS? We offer access to a product called LearningExpress.

Use it to prepare for many education-related exams like the SAT, ACT, AP, and GED.

Looking at taking a career-related exam? LearningExpress can help you prepare for the ASVAB exams, CDL, plus much more.

Have a career you're happy in, but need to learn more about a particular software program? Check to see if LearningExpress offers tutorials for it. Bone up on Excel, Photoshop, and more!

Know someone who needs some computer basics? LearningExpress also covers Windows and Macintosh basics. 

If you're looking at making some career or educational changes, check to see if LearningExpress offers resources to help make your learning journey a little smoother!

Fitness and nutrition fun and games for kids in North Plains

On Saturday, May 11th, kids can learn about fitness and nutrition with the North Plains Library. Join them at the Jessie Mays Community Hall (map) from 1:00 - 2:00 pm.

Kids will learn fun exercises and games to get them up and moving and amazing and useful facts about nutrition. This is the Library’s second annual fitness and nutrition event and is recommended for kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade.

Want to learn more about fitness for kids? Check the WCCLS catalog to see the great resources available at your local WCCLS library.

"Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder" - a program at the Cedar Mill Library

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

On Sunday, May 5, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Cedar Mill Library, author Julie Fast will present a 4-step plan for managing bipolar disorder and creating a life of wellness.

This free program will be held in the Cedar Mill Library’s upstairs community room. To reserve your seat, contact gayathri@myasha.org or the Cedar Mill Library's Adult Reference desk (503-644-0043 ext. 114).

Julie Fast is a leading mental health expert on the topics of bipolar disorder, depression, seasonal affective disorder and mood management. She is the bestselling author of Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder, Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder, and Get it Done When You’re Depressed.

This event is sponsored by the Cedar Mill Community Library Association in conjunction with ASHA International, a Portland based non-profit organization dedicated to promoting personal, organizational and community wellness through mental health education, training, and support.

North Plains events: "Garage Sale Madness" and plant sales throughout May

On Saturday, May 4th, it's Garage Sale Madness in North Plains - a city-wide garage sale from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Start the day with a sweet treat and a coffee - available for purchase from the North Plains Library from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Proceeds from the bake sale benefit the library. For all the details, visit the North Plains website.

For the next three Saturdays in May (the 11th, 18th and 25th), the North Plains Library staff and volunteers will be running a plant sale from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Purchase premium vegetables and landscape plants, and get your garden started at a fraction of the retail cost. The plants are donated, and the proceeds of the plant sale go to purchasing new books for the library.

Grow your garden and the North Plains Library's book collection!

Holds at the Hillsboro Shute Park Library

Do you use the Shute Park Library in Hillsboro to pick up your holds? This information is for you!

The Shute Park Library will be closing for renovations after May 11th. Here's what you need to know about the holds you pick up at Shute Park.

You cannot place new holds and set the pick-up location to Shute Park. Please choose a different WCCLS library to pick up your hold at. The closest library to Shute Park is the Hillsboro Main Library, on Brookwood.

If you have existing holds that will arrive at the Shute Park Library before May 11th, you can still pick them up at Shute Park.

Holds that will not arrive at the Shute Park Library before May 11th must be adjusted to have a different pick up library. This can't be done online in your WCCLS account - please phone staff at a WCCLS library to do this for you.

When the Shute Park Library closes for renovation at the end of the day on May 11th, you will not be able to pick up your holds or return materials there. The Shute Park Library will be closed for renovation until 2014.

Thank you for your patience! If you have questions about the Shute Park closure, please contact the Hillsboro Library at 503-615-6500. For assistance with your account, please contact staff at your local library.

Relevance sorting in the WCCLS catalog

If you search the full version of the WCCLS catalog today, you'll notice that the search results are displayed by relevance order, not alphabetically by title. This will make the full (desktop) catalog match our mobile catalog, which already displays your search results sorted by relevance.

This change will make it easier to find what you're looking for in the WCCLS catalog.

If you have any questions about the change, or need more information on searching the WCCLS catalog, please contact your local library.

Sustainability Fair at Garden Home Community Library

This Tuesday, April 30th, the Garden Home Community Library is hosting a Sustainability Fair from 4:00 - 6:00 pm. You'll find the fair in the gym at the THPRD Garden Home Recreation Center.

There will over 30 booths from vendors wanting to share information with you. The fair is free and open to everyone, and there will be crafts and games for kids.

See a Tesla electric vehicle and the THPRD Naturemobile! There are also door prizes, including a laptop from Ecobinary.

Learn more about the fair and see a list of some of the organizations that will be there in an article from the Portland Tribune.

We're adding more titles to Library2Go - log in before you search

WCCLS is adding more titles to Library2Go, Oregon's downloadable ebook and audiobook service! Most Oregon libraries participate in Library2Go and share the downloadable titles, but WCCLS is also purchasing ebook titles that are just for WCCLS cardholders. We are adding books that were not originally in Library2Go, and are also adding extra copies for books whose wait lists are really long.

To be sure you see the titles that WCCLS has purchased just for our cardholders, be sure to log in to Library2Go before you start searching for books.

You'll know a book has been added just for WCCLS cardholders if you see the seal at the top-left of the book jacket. You'll also notice that instead of Borrow or Place a Hold, the button will say Sign in for Availability.

Questions about using Library2Go? Ask staff at your local library, or browse our online help pages.

Hillsboro Library - upcoming change in hours

From April 29 through May 10, the Hillsboro Main Library (on Brookwood) will be closed until 3 pm weekdays. This is to accommodate moving adult fiction, nonfiction, magazines and shelving to the second floor of the library.

Hours at the Hillsboro Main Library from April 29th to May 10th
Monday - Friday: 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

The Hillsboro Shute Park Branch Library will be open through May 11, after which it will be closed for major renovations until March 2014.

Hours at the Hillsboro Shute Park Branch Library from now until May 11th
Monday - Wednesday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday - Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday closed

Learn about picking up holds at the Shute Park Library

Want to learn more about the changes at the Hillsboro Library? Visit their blog about the project!

WCCLS online services unavailable Sunday evening, April 21st

On Sunday, April 21st, all WCCLS-hosted online services will be unavailable from approximately 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

What does this mean? During this time, you will not be able to access these services:

• WCCLS website
• Your online account - online, as well as the telephone renewal line
• WCCLS catalog (searching, placing holds, etc.)
• WCCLS events calendar

Library2Go will still be available during this downtime. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience!

April is Fair Housing Month

National Fair Housing Month celebrates the passage of The Fair Housing Act of 1968, which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status in the sale or rental of housing. This Act was subsequently amended and revised by legislation in 1974 and 1988 to produce what is the Fair Housing Law of the United States.

Most agree discrimination in housing is much subtler today than in decades past, but it does persist. Every April, the nation celebrates the strides we've made, and the work that remains to be done. In honor of Fair Housing Month, in partnership with the Office of Community Development, we are highlighting a selection of books for adults, teens and children that highlight issues of fair housing and discrimination. For a more comprehensive list of titles, visit the Fair Housing Council of Oregon's website.

• Books for adults
• Books for teens
• Books for younger kids
• Books for older kids

In honor of Fair Housing Month, Washington County will be hosting a free public screening of the acclaimed documentary, Brick by Brick... A Civil Rights Story.

Monday, April 22nd, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Washington County Public Services Building Auditorium
155 N. 1st Ave., Hillsboro (map)

Watch a trailer for the documentary:

Event at the Cedar Mill Library: "From a Name to a Number – a Holocaust Survivor's Autobiography"

Alter Wiener's father was brutally murdered on September 11, 1939 by the German invaders of Poland. Alter was then a boy of 13. At the age of 15, he was deported to Blechhammer, a Forced Labor Camp for Jews, located in Germany. He survived five camps. Upon liberation by the Russian Army on May 9, 1945, Alter weighed 80 lbs., as reflected in the photo on the cover of his autobiography, 64735: From a Name to a Number.

Alter will be sharing his life story at the Cedar Mill Library on Saturday, April 20th at 2:00 pm. The program is free and open to everyone.

Alter is one of the very few Holocaust survivors still living in Portland. He moved to Oregon in 2000, and since then he has shared his life story with more than 800 audiences in universities, colleges, middle and high schools, churches, synagogues, prisons, and other organizations.

Oregon Book Award winners announced for 2013

The Oregon Book Award winners for 2013 were announced last night. Here's a rundown of the winners in some popular categories. Find a full list of the winners here.

	Ken Kesey Award for Fiction Shards by Ismet Prcic
	Frances Fuller Victor Award for General Nonfiction The Wrecking Crew by Kent Hartman
	Sarah Winnemucca Award for Creative Nonfiction Crazy Enough by Storm Large
	Eloise Jarvis McGraw Award for Children's Literature Drawing from Memory by Allen Say
	Leslie Bradshaw Award for Young Adult Literature Blue Thread by Ruth Tenzer Feldman
	Readers Choice Award Wild by Cheryl Strayed Also available as a downloadable e-book and audiobook in Library2Go!

Congratulations to all the winners!

Art of the Story Festival performer spotlight - Anne Rutherford

We're excited for the upcoming 9th annual storytelling festival - Art of the Story. There are some great performers coming to Washington County April 13th to 20th. We want to highlight all of the storytellers in turn, and next up is Anne Rutherford, a performer from Portland.

Anne tells smart, genuinely fun stories to audiences of all ages. Her specialties are original and vintage stories of humor and adventure, trickster tales, supernatural tales and Northwest folklore.

We found this video of Anne telling a story at an event, and had to share it, as it features a librarian and some animals who read.

Like what you see? Check out the Art of the Story performance schedule to get all the details.