6
in other words
january18
2018
On the Shelves
By Shannon Romtvedt
One of the most frequently asked
questions at the Library relates to
our Out of City Limit fee. Why would
I need to pay for a library member-
ship if my address says Vernonia? It’s
a good question and I want to take
some time here to answer it.
Shouldn’t Libraries be Free?
In general, libraries are funded by a
mix of local, county, state, and federal
taxes, but the mix is unique for every
library. Anyone who uses a specific
library is contributing funds to keep
that particular building open, staffed,
books on the shelves, and providing
services. There is no cost to borrow
books, dvds, and other items, but
only because members pre-pay for
the service through their taxes or a
membership fee.
How is the Vernonia Library
Funded?
The Vernonia Library is funded spe-
cifically by City property taxes. If
you live inside of the City limits, you
are paying every year for the Library,
whether or not you use it. If you live
outside the City limits, you pay only if
you are interested in a membership.
The fee to use the Vernonia Public
Library is currently $25 per year, per
household. It was reduced from $40
back in March 2016, with approval
from City Council, to make the Library
more accessible for people who live
outside of the city limits.
I have never been asked to pay for
a Library Membership.
If you have moved from out of the
area and feel like you have never had
to pay for a library before, it’s because
a library doesn’t ask for a member-
ship fee if the money is coming out of
your taxes based on where you live.
If you lived anywhere in Washington
County for example, you were paying
for the library system through your
property taxes.
The fee is not there to dis-
courage people from using the Li-
brary. We love welcoming new
members. But out of fairness to the
people in Vernonia who pay for the
Library, we require a membership fee
from households outside of the City
boundaries.
Sponsorship Program and Free
Cards for Children
For people who have a tight budget
and the $25 fee is problematic, the
Friends of the Library offer a sponsor-
ship program. If you contribute $5 to
your membership, the Friends kick in
the rest. Just ask staff for a sponsor-
ship application when you apply for a
card.
Youth, under the age of 18,
who live within the boundaries of the
Vernonia School District are eligible
for a free card, with a checkout limit
of 1 movie and 10 total items.
Oregon Passport Program
Being a member of the Vernonia Li-
brary means you are also eligible to
get a free card at other Libraries that
are part of the Oregon Passport pro-
gram. If you live outside of the City
limits, and the $25 fee applies, you
will be able to use that membership
to get a free card at the St. Helens Li-
brary, Scappoose Library, Washington
County Libraries, Multnomah County
Libraries, and other Passport libraries.
Being a Member of the Vernonia
Library
As a member of the Vernonia Library
you have access to our books, dvds,
audiobooks, board games, member-
ship passes (OMSI, Hillsboro Aquatic
Center, Rice Rock Center, Oregon His-
torical Society Museum) and more.
Friends of the Vernonia Library
The Vernonia Library is supported by
a 501(c)(3) organization called the
Friends of the Vernonia Library. While
taxes go toward Library building,
operations, materials, and staffing,
the Friends of the Library fund spe-
cial projects, programs, services, and
equipment. If interested in support-
ing the Library outside of a Library
membership, consider joining the
Friends. More information and mem-
bership applications are available at
the Library.
Questions or Concerns?
If you want to know whether or not
the membership fee applies to you or
if you have any concerns regarding
the Out of City Limit fee, please con-
tact Shannon Romtvedt shannonr@
vernonia-or.gov. I look forward to
talking to you.
Upcoming Events
Family Movie Night
Tuesday, January 23, 6-7:30 pm
Featuring: My Neighbor Totoro (G, 88
min.) Free movie and popcorn.
Author Night: Brian K. Friesen
Thursday, January 25, 6:30 pm
Portland author of At the Waterline:
Stories from the Columbia River will
be coming to the Vernonia Library
for a reading, Q & A about his book,
and book signing. Sponsored by the
Friends of the Vernonia Library. Light
refreshments served.
Jugglemania! with Rhys Thomas
Saturday, February 10, 1 pm
Rhys taught himself juggling, comedy,
and physics and went from a Seattle
street performer to performing inter-
nationally. He has opened shows for
James Taylor and Weird Al Yankovich
and performed at NBA half times. He
is also a favorite juggler for libraries in
the Pacific Northwest. Program spon-
sored by the Vernonia Lions Club.
Puppetry Workshop
Tuesdays, 4-5 pm
January 16-February 27
Students will make their own pup-
pets, learn puppetry skills, and work
towards a performance of Pete the
Cat and His Magic Sunglasses. Pup-
pet show is tentatively scheduled for
Tuesday, February 27, 6:30 pm. For
a successful performance, students
must plan on attending as many Tues-
day classes as possible. Registration is
now full for this class. Please contact
the Library (503) 429-1818 or shann-
onr@vernonia-or.gov if interested in
future opportunities.
Ongoing Programs
Kids Book Group
Friday, February 9, 4:30-5:30 pm
February Selection: Quinny & Hopper
by Adriana Brad Schanen. Meetings
once a month, second Friday at 4:30
pm. For kids and families with children
grades 3-5, or thereabouts. Copies of
books will be available following the
meeting. If interested in the book
group and want to be on a contact
list, email shannonr@vernonia-or.gov
or contact the library (503) 429-1818.
Book Discussion Group
Last Monday of every month,
5:30 pm. Discussion for January 29:
Astoria by Peter Stark.
Knitting Group
Saturday, January 20, 10 am-Noon
For knitters with all levels of experi-
ence. Contact Caitlin at boylandknit-
works@gmail.com if you are new to
knitting and need materials or more
information.
Writer’s Group
Thursday, January 18, 6-7:30 pm
Third Thursday of the month. For all
levels of writing experience. New
members always welcome.
Storytimes
Baby and Toddler Time
Mondays, 10:30-11:15 am
Songs, short stories, toys, and bub-
bles for 0-3.
Preschool Storytime
Fridays, 10:30-11:15 am (through the
end of January)
Stories and a craft/activity for up to
age 5. Older siblings welcome!
February-March the Library will have
a Family Storytime on Thursdays, 6:30
pm
Did You Know?
Ballot Drop Location
The Vernonia Library is an official bal-
lot drop location. Oregon Special
Election Day is Tuesday, January 23.
To be counted, ballots are due by 8
pm on Election Day. The Library will
be open extra hours on Tuesday, Jan-
uary 23, 9 am-8 pm. The Ballot box is
just inside the lobby doors of the Li-
brary.
Featured Titles:
Adopt-A-Book Fundraiser
The following are a few highlighted
titles added to the Library collec-
tion through the Adopt-a-Book fun-
draiser, sponsored by the Friends of
the Library. Thank you to 16 Library
patrons for purchasing a book for the
children’s collection through this fun-
draiser.
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow
by Jessica Townsend
The Elements Book: A Visual Encyclope-
dia of the Periodic Table by DK
The Whiz Mob and the Grenadine Kid
by Colin Meloy (Portland Author, lead
singer of The Decemberists)
Peaceable Kingdom Cauldron Quest
Cooperative Potions and Spells Game
for kids
Awesome LEGO Creations with Bricks
You Already Have by Sarah Dees
How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen:
A Survival Guide to Life with Children
Ages 2-7 by Joanna Faber
A Boy, a Mouse, and a Spider – The Story
of E.B. White by Barbara Herkert
Library Closures
Monday, February 19
for Presidents’ Day
Hours & Contact Info
Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am - 5 pm
Tues & Thurs 1 pm - 7pm
Sat 10 am - 4 pm
Closed Sundays
Phone: (503) 429-1818
E-mail: library@vernonia-or.gov
Report Hunt Results by January 31
and hunting seasons,” said ODFW Game
Program Manager Tom Thornton. “We
really appreciate hunters taking a few
minutes of their time to complete the
report, even if they did not hunt or were
not successful.”
ODFW used to get this data
through phone surveys but these became
more difficult and expensive as hunt-
ers moved or screened their calls. The
mandatory reporting program was put in
place in 2007.
A penalty of $25 was added
several years ago because even after
several years promoting the program
and providing incentives to report, only
about 40 percent of tags were being re-
ported on time. This rate was too low for
ODFW to even use the data.
After the penalty was imple-
mented for 2012 tags, reporting rates
jumped to 80 percent or more. This has
continued from page 4
allowed ODFW to phase out big game
survey calls; the agency no longer makes
these calls.
Information from the mandatory
surveys about how many hunters went
hunting, how many big game animals
were taken, antler points and success
rates is available at ODFW’s Big Game
Hunting Harvest Statistics page, https://
myodfw.com/big-game-hunting-har-
vest-statistics.
Chance to win special big game tag
Hunters that report on time are
entered into a drawing to win a spe-
cial big game tag. ODFW selects three
names each year and the winners can
choose a deer, elk, or pronghorn tag.
Hunters who win get an expanded hunt
area and extended season, similar to auc-
tion and raffle tags that hunters can pay
thousands for.