Whatcom Information Network

by Jane Lowrey
Community Resources Librarian at the Bellingham Public Library

The Whatcom Information Network is a service provided to the community by the Bellingham Public Library in conjunction with The Opportunity Council and Whatcom Crisis Services. WIN is a database of information about agencies, organizations, and clubs serving the people of Whatcom County. The database contains over 2,000 entries and is available at the Bellingham Public Library, the Fairhaven Library or any branch of the Whatcom County Library System. The information is available Online through the Library's home page at http://www.cob.org/bplhome.htm or by dialing directly from your computer to 360-738-7323.

The WIN database currently is accessible through the Online Catalog. Here are the steps to locate it: You may need to read and follow the information for telnet software usage if you are unfamiliar with this. Go to the Bellingham Public Library website and follow the link to the Online Catalog. Login with the word "library" or "public" Press return when it asks for terminal type Select 2 "Community Resources" Select a terminal type. (Try ANSI or VT100 or guess and test) Select 18 "Whatcom Information Network" (You can also browse the library catalog or the Bellingham Herald Index from here) You may then search the database with key words, subject, or name of the organization

The WIN database includes information about everything from human services agencies to governmental services to hiking clubs. It includes schools, senior centers, support groups, and special interest clubs. For more information about WIN, to add information about a group, or to reserve a copy of the print directory, contact Jane Lowrey at the Bellingham Public Library.
Phone: 360-647-6365, Ext. 230; FAX: 360-676-7795; Mail: P.O. Box 1197, Bellingham WA 98227.

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At the October 28 forum on "Building the Capacity of the Nonprofit Sector in Whatcom County" three questions were asked on the Interest Survey having to do with expanding the current collection of resource materials useful to nonprofit organizations in the Bellingham Public Library. The questions were: What topics would you like to see added to the library's collection, what specific titles would you like to see added and what are your suggestions for funding these additions?

The topics requested included: board development, nonprofit organizational management, fund development, grant writing, retirement and benefit plans for nonprofits, cause related marketing, and quality improvement standards. Some material on these topics is currently available in the library, while additional material will be added as funding allows. Check future issues of this newsletter for information about specific titles.

Of the specific titles named in the survey, the library currently owns The Foundation Directory, the Washington Foundation Directory, Getting to Yes, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, the AP Stylebook, Mom's House, Dad's House, and many copies of the Bible. The Library does not currently carry any of the journals requested. This would require additional, specific funding. The journals requested were, Chronicle of Philanthropy, Development Assets, Family Mediation Quarterly, and Board Member's Journal. The Library does have most of both Bellingham's and Whatcom County's planning documents, many videos for public use, and will have Census data for the year 2000 when it is available.

The suggestions for funding were good ones ranging from the usual City and County funds to specific proposals and foundations. These will be explored further by the committee working on this project. Additional suggestions for titles and topics can be sent to Jane Lowrey at the Bellingham Library.

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