From Our Corner

From Your Corner of Washington: Bellingham

The Whatcom County seat and home of Western Washington University is located on Bellingham Bay between Mount Baker and the San Juans.

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Our featured town also had lots of names before it was finally called… Read more

Yet another loss for the Capitol Press Corps

Image Spokesman-Review reporter Rich Roesler just announced on his blog that he’s leaving the newspaper biz to take a public-affairs job with the state… Read more

WSL Updates for July 9, 2009

Volume 5, July 9, 2009 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) EASY WAY TO FIND STATE LIBRARY, SECRETARY OF STATE BLOGS

2) NANCY PEARL READER’S ADVISORY WORKSHOPS

3) CE GRANT UPDATE – LESS MATCH REQUIRED

4) WASHINGTON READS GOES PDF

5) STATEWIDE DB TRIALS FINISH FOR MAY – JUNE

6) LIBRARY EXEMPTION FROM DIGITAL PRODUCTS TAX

7) UPDATED PRESERVATION GRANTS RESOURCE

Read more

Resources for Broadband Junkies

Image Today the Washington State Library (WSL) released a new Broadband Stimulus Funding Resource page at http://www.sos.wa.gov/library/libraries/projects/broadband/resources.aspx.

The page describes the role that… Read more

Got a question? Try Ask-WA!

Image When you think of libraries, you might just think of books, magazines and free Internet access. You might not be aware that libraries have powerful information experts eagerly waiting for you to ask them your toughest questions.

Getting the best… Read more

Got a question? Try Ask-WA!

Image When you think of libraries, I bet you think of books. Don’t worry, everyone does. If you’re a library power-user, you might be aware of free internet access, computer use, and some fun programs. What you might not be aware of is that libraries have powerful information experts eagerly waiting for you to ask them your toughest questions.

Getting the best… Read more

LIBRARY EXEMPTION FROM DIGITAL PRODUCTS TAX

In the recently completed session, the Washington legislature passed, and the governor has signed a bill, ESHB 2075, which imposes a tax on digital products and services. The bill takes effect on July 26. Fortunately, due to the work of the WLA Legislative Planning Committee (Mike Wirt, co-chair) and Legislative Liaison Steve Duncan, libraries have been exempted from the… Read more

Recyling is here to stay

[caption id="attachment_1481" align="alignleft" width="384" caption="SCCC Greenhouse"] Image [/caption] Sustainability has become a major buzz word here at Stafford Creek Corrections Center. By partnering with Evergreen Community College a lot of programs have been started at Stafford Creek that have been a benefit to the inmates as well as to the environment. Prairie grass from Fort Lewis is being reseeded in greenhouses, honey is being… Read more

Kick start your ‘One Thing’ tonight!

Image Remember all that talk around our office about… Read more

What is and isn’t a vote? That is the question…

Image What is – and isn’t – a vote in Washington? What happens if a voter incorrectly marks a ballot ... is that vote lost? To tackle these questions, our Elections Division recently released “Statewide Standards on What is a Vote,” a guide to a voter's… Read more

From Your Corner of Washington: Anacortes’ name

Many people think of Anacortes as the place where hordes of vacationers and islanders flock to catch a ferry to the San Juans during the summer. But how many of you know how this beautiful town of nearly 17,000 on the northern tip of Fidalgo Island secured its name?

Image… Read more

Serve.gov: Your Online Resource for Finding and Posting Volunteer Opportunities

Image The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is working in partnership with the Corporation for National & Community Service, to get museums and libraries involved in this national volunteer initiative. I encourage libraries and museums throughout the country to use this initiative to engage new volunteers and to encourage new projects.

How can you get involved? Post your local volunteer opportunities online at… Read more

ALA Webinar on Federal Broadband Stimulus Programs and Application Process

Image John Windhausen from Telepoly, Chris McLean (former Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service) and Greg Rhode (former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information… Read more

IMLS Report: Libraries are a Vital Community Resource

From the IMLS Press Release:

The character of library services has changed dramatically with the advent of new information technologies, the continuous development of locally-tailored services, and the expectations of the 21st century library user, according to the first analysis of the Grants to States program by the Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS). The report, “Catalyst for Change: LSTA Grants to State Program and… Read more

Didyaknow...?

... that if you count the steps leading up to the entrance of the capitol building, you’ll find out in what order Washington joined the union?

Image That’s right – but the secret is counting the steps correctly. Start at ground zero and count each step. Just make sure you don’t count the landings and remember that the last step into the building is at the front door. If you count properly, you should get to 42 steps. In 1889, Washington… Read more

Clippings, July 3, 2009

Clippings, July 3, 2009 Library News The Puyallup Public Library began using a procedure known as “Code Adam” to help locate children who are lost or abducted in the library. This procedure allows parents of a lost child to contact any library staff member who will then make an announcement over the library’s intercom system describing the child. From there, library staff are sent to pre-established positions inside and outside the building. If the child cannot be found within 10 minutes,… Read more

From Grunge icon to involved citizen

Former Nirvana bassist-turned-political activist Krist Novoselic regaled a Capitol audience today with stories of how he went from being a member of arguably the most influential rock band in the 1990s to his current involvement with politics and the Grange.

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Eyman's latest: The Tim Machine kicks in

Image Tim Eyman, the robo-sponsor of initiatives for smaller, cheaper government, and his partners have turned in what they estimate as over 314,000 voter signatures in support of the latest measure, I-1033. That would appear to be enough to earn a place on the… Read more

Rural Landscapes

At first glance, this post may seem to have nothing to do with prison librarianship. The rural, conservative, and isolated location of most prisons is something people outside the profession may not always think about. Most jails, and a few of the smaller or minimum security prisons are located in or near bigger cities, but most of the bigger,… Read more

More red ink ...

Image It shouldn't be any great surprise, but state government caseloads are… Read more

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Steve Hobbs

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The Washington Office of the Secretary of State’s blog provides from-the-source information about important state news and public services.

This space acts as a bridge between the public and Secretary Steve Hobbs and his staff, and we invite you to contribute often to the conversation here.

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The comments and opinions expressed by users of this blog are theirs alone and do not reflect the opinions of the Secretary of State’s Office or its employees. The agency screens all comments in accordance with the Secretary of State’s blog use policy, and only those that comply with that policy will be approved and posted. Outside comments will not be edited by the agency.