Become a friend of the Newcastle Library
May 6, 2011
Excited for the completion of the Newcastle Library at the end of the year? You may consider joining the group Friends of the Newcastle Library, which will raise funds and volunteer to support the new facility.
King County Library System officials will hold a meeting at 9 a.m. May 21 at the Newport Way Library, 14250 S.E. Newport Way in Bellevue, for those interested in joining the group. The meeting will be in the library’s meeting room.
“Library friends groups really play a vital and dynamic role, not just in King County or across the state, but across the country,” KCLS spokeswoman Julie Brand said. “It’s hard to imagine libraries functioning without them.”
Each Friends of the Library group is autonomous, raising funds for and spreading awareness of a given library in its own ways. Some groups hold book sales and attend street fairs and parades.
The library system has 37 Friends of the Library groups across the county, and together they raised nearly $400,000 in 2010, Brand said.
The Newcastle Library will be KCLS’ 47th library, and the Friends of the Newcastle Library will be the system’s 38th friends group. More than 100 people already expressed interest in joining Friends of the Newcastle Library, Brand said.
“That’s definitely a record response,” she said.
Newport Way Library to reopen with celebration
April 28, 2011
NEW — 6 a.m. April 28, 2011
The Newport Library, 14250 S.E. Newport Way, Bellevue, will reopen with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. April 30.
The library closed for renovations March 3.
The renovations — which cost $2.5 million — expanded the library by 790 square feet. A $172 million bond approved by voters in 2004 funded the project.
The visible changes to the library’s exterior include a new covered entryway with a cedar shake roof. Automated book drops were also installed.
Inside, a “reading porch” provides views of the surrounding wooded area and a cushioned seat for children. The meeting room was also enlarged, and it now has a sliding glass door with art designed by glass artists Stuart Keeler and Michael Machnic.
Library is cleared for construction
January 7, 2011
The Newcastle Library is cleared for construction.
Library officials submitted its final payment and paperwork to the city during the first week of January, City Manager Rob Wyman said. King County Library System Director of Facilities Development Kay Johnson said she is waiting to receive a schedule from contractor Synergy Construction for details as to when construction will begin.
Go to Newcastle News’ website, www.newcastle-news.com, for updates about the library construction schedule.
City awaits paperwork for Newcastle Library
December 2, 2010
The city is waiting for the King County Library System to submit updated versions of its site plan and engineering review permit applications for the Newcastle Library, and after KCLS submits the documents, construction can begin.
City Manager Rob Wyman said approving the updated documents should be quick, and construction could start about a week after the city’s approval.
KCLS prepares for Newcastle Library groundbreaking ceremony
October 4, 2010
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Newcastle Library will be at 3:45 p.m. Oct. 20 at the corner of 129th Avenue Southeast and Newcastle Way.
Those who attend will be treated to free food and drinks, and likely music from a local band, said Julie Brand, King County Library System community relations and marketing director.
“We make it as much as a celebration as we possibly can,” she said.
KCLS prepares for Newcastle Library groundbreaking ceremony
September 22, 2010
NEW — 11:55 a.m. Sept. 22, 2010
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Newcastle Library will be at 3:45 p.m. Oct. 20 at the corner of 129th Avenue Southeast and Newcastle Way.
Those who attend will be treated to free food and drinks, and most likely music from a local band, said Julie Brand, King County Library System community relations and marketing director.
“We make it as much as a celebration as we possibly can,” she said.
Issaquah school levies, King County library measure lead in latest election results
February 11, 2010
NEW — 10:40 a.m. Feb. 11, 2010
Celebration was in the air as Issaquah School District officials gathered to welcome election results Tuesday.
The celebration continued Wednesday: Results released at 4:30 p.m. showed district ballot measures leading with 64 percent for a maintenance and operations levy, 63 percent for a transportation levy and 64 percent for a technology and repairs levy.
If the measures pass as expected, taxpayers would pay $4.81 for every $1,000 of assessed property for the levies and the remainder of the 2006 bond.
Levy supporters gathered Tuesday night to await early results. As the numbers appeared on the King County Elections Web site just after 8 p.m., sighs of relief, high fives and victory cries erupted from partygoers.
Superintendent Steve Rasmussen thanked voters for their support.
