*update below
It is cold outside, and rainy. I am at Batdorf and Bronson, where I just a few minutes ago witnessed someone get removed by two police officers. It appears that the reason for removal was due to lack of patronage. I heard one of the police officers say that the library is open and suggested that the person go there. Modern day society: library as de facto shelter system.
*update: After speaking with an employee, it turns out that the subject may have some serious health issues. At one point they approached the service counter and angrily demanded to be told where the bathroom key was, and then promptly urinated in their pants. Whereafter, they were helped to the bathroom, and then found sometime later laying on the floor, asleep. Which leads me to wonder whether the library has the necessary services for this person's (and society's) well-being.

(April 2007 photo from downtown Olympia is of Cisco {rest in peace} sitting on the sidewalk to eat while being asked to move by two police officers.)
During October, everyone is an artist who practices the Art of letter writing! Share what you love about Olympia and place it in a symbol of love located at a place everyone loves! Dear Olympia: Love Letters to Our City is a community-wide event that invites all Olympia area residents to write a love letter to the city sharing stories about favorite places, events and memories of growing up/living in/visiting Olympia. Letters from the heart will be "posted" in a Heart sculpture created by Olympia artists Margo Westfall and Don Lovett and located in the "heart" of Olympia: the Library. Letters will be collected throughout October and selected letters will be shared publicly.

The Washington State Library is pleased to announce its new "Hard Times Resource Guide." Any comments, ideas, or suggestions for content are very welcome.
For the past few months, staff at the Washington State Library have been working hard, exhaustively scouring the web and compiling quality resources to help library users across Washington State. The result? A thorough guide detailed resources and techniques to help you navigate this tough economy. We’ve covered numerous subjects, including health and nutrition, family and parenting, finances, job-seeking, and a whole lot more.
Check it out now at http://www.secstate.wa.gov/library/hardtimes/
All Seattle Public Library locations will be closed Monday, Aug. 31 through Sunday, Sept. 6 due to citywide budget cuts.
This includes no online library catalog, no available book drops (no materials are due and no fines accrue during this week).
Library Closure News .pdf
Wow. This is mind boggling to me, which shows how into libraries I am. I want there to be more libraries - not less. I also want state libraries and archives to be well funded - not struggling.
The debate over how we read, perpetuated largely by media insiders, is starting to seem like little more than a distraction from the real problem: We have access to more information than ever, yet we do not know what to do with it. We are desperately information-illiterate.
Shelf Life: Information Overload is an excellent article with a magnificent solution to info-illiteracy: Talk with a public librarian. In our area talk with one in person or through the Timberland Regional Library Ask A Librarian service.
If you've never or rarely used a public library, don't fret, the staff is friendly and skilled. Ask questions.