Boxes of books are unloaded from the Judi and Gary Wutzke' truck to be taken into the Clearwater Memorial Public Library. The library received over 20 boxes of new books last week. Shown from left are library board member Betty Burnham; Judi Wutzke, who nominated the library for the program; Kiwanians, Evelyn Kaide, Jeff Wilson, Gary Wutzke, Jim McCall and library staff member, Calvin Main. In the background is Gary Wutzke, Lewiston Orchards Kiwanian who assisted with collecting and transporting the books.

Clearwater Memorial Public Library has received about $20,000 in new books as a Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Michael Pritiken Rural Library Project recipient, thanks to Judi Wutzke, who nominated them.

Wutzke is the owner of ...and Books, too! In Lewiston. She and her husband, Gary participated in the annual PNBA tradeshow and brought the generous donations from publishers back to the library with them. The approximately 20 boxes have books for children, young adults and adults and cover a wide variety of genres romance, science fiction, political books, biographies, parenting, history, cookbooks and money management. In addition to the books there are flashcards, Spanish language tapes and Atlases.

Library Director Ellen Tomlinson said they are excited to have all the new books and one could see her eyes sparkle with delight as she opened boxes. She said it will take awhile to get all the new books cataloged and they will share duplicate books with other libraries in the region

It was like an early Christmas at the library

It was like Christmas at the Clearwater Memorial Public Library Sept. 14 and boxes of new books were unloaded and carried inside.

A banner for the Michael Pritiken Rural Library Program is held in front of the boxes of books. Shown from left are Judi Wutzke, nominated the library; library board member Lynn Card; library director Ellen Tomlinson and board member Betty Burnham.

Kiwanis Club of Orofino members were at the library to help with unloading the books, including Police Chief Jeff Wilson who is a Kiwanian and Officer Tyler Carson. The Wutzkes are members of the Lewiston Orchards Kiwanis Club.

Michael Pritiken for whom the program is named, spent more than 29 years working in the bookstore at Washington State University in Pullman, WA. Shortly before his death in July of this year, he had taken a position at North Idaho College bookstore in Coeur d'Alene.

Stop by and check out the new selections that are being added a few at a time as they are ready for check-out.

Library Director Ellen Tomlinson (left) library board member Lynn Card and Judi Wutzke, who nominated the library for the program, open boxes to see what treasures are inside.