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THE WASHINGTON STATE HERITAGE CENTER TRUST IS NOW THE ALL FOUNDATION OF WASHINGTON

In fall 2021 the Washington State Heritage Center Trust became the ALL Foundation of Washington (ALL Foundation). The Washington State Heritage Center Trust was established in 2008 as a 501(c)(3) to fund and support Washington State Library, Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL), Legacy Washington, and Washington State Archives programs and collections.

The ALL Foundation builds on the work of the trust to promote history, community, and preservation statewide, and serve as the fiduciary of funds raised specifically to support these programs.

The goals of the ALL Foundation include fostering a closer connection between libraries and their communities; enhancing the collection of vital state and government records, oral histories, and biographies; and providing greater access to educational materials that document and share Washington’s history and legacy.

Washington State Library

Donations to what is now the ALL Foundation have enabled Washington State Library to help improve and enhance collections to various Institutional Library Services (ILS) branches; provide prize money for winners of the Washington State Book Award; and bring a virtual reality (VR) program to libraries across the state.

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Teens experience virtual reality (VR) during a public-library event made possible by Washington State Library’s VR in Libraries project (Photo: Washington State Library).
Teens experience virtual reality (VR) during a public-library event made possible by Washington State Library’s VR in Libraries project (Photo: Washington State Library).

Thousands of dollars have come to Washington State Library from community members statewide. For example, read about the LaBrum family, who for years has donated to various prison and hospital libraries that comprise the ILS program.

ALL Foundation donors who wish to support Washington State Library have the option of choosing where their funds will go: Collection Development, Digitization of Collection Materials, Genealogical Collections & Research, Newspaper Preservation, Washington Digital Newspapers Program, Institutional Library Services, and/or Washington Center for the Book.

Washington Talking Book & Braille Library

The ALL Foundation’s support has enabled WTBBL to continue providing library services for Washingtonians unable to read standard print, as well innovate, enhance, and expand new library services.

WTBBL hired a full-time Youth Services Librarian and began offering new resources including summer reading programs, an accessible gaming lab, early literacy kits, and multisensory storytimes. In addition, WTBBL added a full-time Outreach Librarian to expand outreach to underserved populations, including older adults. Thanks to the ALL Foundation, WTBBL has been able to provide access to cutting-edge equipment and technology for both the audiobook and braille production departments, ensuring the library can continue to produce high-quality, northwest-focused books in alternate formats for print-disabled patrons in Washington and across the country.

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A WTBBL Audio Department volunteer recording an audiobook (Photo: Washington Talking Book & Braille Library)
A WTBBL Audio Department volunteer recording an audiobook (Photo: Washington Talking Book & Braille Library)
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Braille department volunteer working a KIC Bookeye 4 scanner, on which users can quickly and easily convert print books into digital text. The text files are then converted into electronic braille files and sent to braille transcribers, who then use them to create braille books (Photo: Washington Talking Book & Braille Library).
Braille department volunteer working a KIC Bookeye 4 scanner, on which users can quickly and easily convert print books into digital text. The text files are then converted into electronic braille files and sent to braille transcribers, who then use them to create braille books (Photo: Washington Talking Book & Braille Library).

More importantly, the ALL Foundation has enabled WTBBL to raise awareness of its services, grow its patron base, and cultivate a community of readers statewide.

Legacy Washington

Legacy Washington highlights historic people and events in exhibits and stories, available both physically and digitally. The historians at Legacy Washington work closely with Washington State Archives and Washington State Library to use their collections for its research.

The ALL Foundation helps drive Legacy projects from beginning to end. Donations to the foundation finance Legacy Washington exhibits as well as printing costs for its books. Book sales contribute directly to the foundation, generating funding for future projects.

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Legacy Washington celebrated the 2019 release of “1968: The Year That Rocked Washington” with a book-signing featuring several of the remarkable Washingtonians who were profiled in the book. Above, former U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks and a guest pose with his page and autograph (Photo: Legacy Washington).
Legacy Washington celebrated the 2019 release of “1968: The Year That Rocked Washington” with a book-signing featuring several of the remarkable Washingtonians who were profiled in the book. Above, former U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks and a guest pose with his page and autograph (Photo: Legacy Washington).

Washington State Library and WTBBL help share content by offering Legacy Washington books and profiles in their catalogs, including, in many cases, audio and braille copies. Legacy Washington’s works are also available online at no cost to the public. These include printed exhibit posters, books, profiles, lesson plans, videos, and much more.

“The ALL Foundation is crucial to the success of our innovative, nationally recognized oral history program,” said John C. Hughes, Legacy Washington’s Chief Historian. “Its generous support ensures we can continue presenting compelling stories from our shared history for years to come.”

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In September 2019, Legacy Washington opened its in-person and online Ahead of the Curve exhibit, which in 2020 celebrated the 100th anniversary of American women gaining the right to vote. A visitor to the Legislative Building in Olympia is reading the display panels that tell stories about some of Washington’s most amazing women (Photo: Legacy Washington).
In September 2019, Legacy Washington opened its in-person and online Ahead of the Curve exhibit, which in 2020 celebrated the 100th anniversary of American women gaining the right to vote. A visitor to the Legislative Building in Olympia is reading the display panels that tell stories about some of Washington’s most amazing women (Photo: Legacy Washington).

Washington State Archives

The ALL Foundation’s continued support has enabled Washington State Archives to collect, preserve, and make historical records accessible to people across Washington and throughout the country.

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Photograph of Dan Evans’ family. Washington State Archives’ Digital Archives. Governor Daniel J. Evans [Scrapbook 17], Sept. – Dec. 1968. 1968 (Photo: Washington State Archives).
Photograph of the Evans family. Washington State Archives’ Digital Archives. Governor Daniel J. Evans [Scrapbook 17], Sept. – Dec. 1968. 1968 (Photo: Washington State Archives).

“We are truly grateful for the support of the ALL Foundation, which helps us connect with students, genealogists, historians, tribes, educators, and many others,” said State Archivist Steve Excell.

“Washington State Archives, Legacy Washington, Washington State Library, and Washington Talking Book & Braille Library each play a critical role in documenting and preserving our state’s rich and unique history,” said Secretary of State Kim Wyman, who serves as an Ex Officio Trustee for the Foundation. “The ALL Foundation of Washington affirms our commitment to nourish a deeper understanding and appreciation of our heritage, and to advance our shared legacy and community that Washingtonians can enjoy for generations to come.”

The ALL Foundation is registered with the state’s Charities division and governed by an 18-member Board of Trustees composed primarily of current and former state and community leaders and executives. The board is responsible for ensuring that all gifts to the trust support Washington State Library, Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, Legacy Washington, Washington State Archives, and their programs as the trust’s benefactors intend.

For more information, visit www.sos.wa.gov/legacy/about-us.aspx. Write to ALL Foundation of Washington, P.O. Box 40222, Olympia, WA 98504, call 360-902-4171, or email [email protected]. Donations to the ALL Foundation of Washington are tax-deductible as allowed by law (Tax ID No. 26-3135760).


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