From Our Corner

Minimum wage hike first initiative to submit sigs

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I-1433 sponsor Ariana Davis addresses the media after initiative signatures were delivered to the Elections Division Wednesday morning.

If last week was “Shark Week” on TV, this must be “Initiative Week” for our… Read more

Classics in Washington History- Bigelow Family mementos

From the Desk of Jeff Martin Image The Bigelow Family mementos are a marvelous collection of memorabilia of an early Thurston County family. The… Read more

July 4 is online voter registration deadline for Primary

Image Independence Day (happy birthday, America!) is this Monday. Here's wishing everyone a fun and safe Fourth of July weekend. July 4 is also the deadline to register online or make updates to your existing voter… Read more

Olympics of the Mind and Body - July 2016

From the desk of Shirley Lewis Image July 1 Explore historic forts: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and… Read more

Governors' executive orders over the years

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Gov. Dixy Lee Ray issued several executive orders in 1980 that related to the Mount St. Helens eruption. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Archives)

They might lack the authority and consensus of legislatively approved state laws, but executive orders are a… Read more

WSL Updates for June 30, 2016

Volume 12, June 30, 2016 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) FREE BOOKS FOR WASHINGTON LIBRARIES 2) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) FREE BOOKS FOR WASHINGTON LIBRARIES Thanks to the generosity of Bellingham Public Library and the Seattle Public Library Foundation, Washington State Library has the following titles to distribute for reading club kits or as a… Read more

Key deadlines and dates for 2016 WA Primary

Image Washington voters soon will have the chance to have their voices heard by voting in the 2016 state Primary. County elections officials will be mailing Primary ballots to registered voters around July 15. Military and overseas ballots were sent out June 18. If you’re… Read more

Bet you didn't know!... Special Collections in Washington State Libraries - #1 The Virginia Woolf Library

Image In May the Library Council of Washington held their quarterly meeting in Pullman at Washington State University’s… Read more

From the Archives: ferries from yesteryear

Image A “must-do” activity for Puget Sound visitors (and residents, too) is riding one of the ferries that cross its waters. Besides serving an important transportation purpose, the state’s ferry fleet offers riders a great way to enjoy the scenic views of the sound and the Cascades… Read more

State agencies honored for food, book donations

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Secretary Wyman with representatives of state agencies honored at Well Fed Well Read recognition ceremony. (Photo courtesy Philip Kerrigan)

Several state agencies, including our very own Office of Secretary of State, have been honored for their generosity… Read more

From the Archives: Paradise Ice Caves

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Paradise Ice Caves in 1920s. (Photo courtesy Washington State Digital Archives)

For decades until their disappearance in the early 1990s, the Paradise Ice Caves were perhaps the most popular attraction for visitors to… Read more

WSL Updates for June 23, 2016

Volume 12, June 23, 2016 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) STATEWIDE DATABASE LICENSING PROJECT VENDOR SELECTED 2) ARSL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE JULY 1 3) MINECRAFT® PROGRAM FOR KIDS WEBINAR 4) THE UNCONFERENCE RETURNS 5) PNLA REGISTRATION OPEN 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) STATEWIDE DATABASE LICENSING PROJECT VENDOR SELECTED The… Read more

Summer Reading in Washington

Image From the desk of Carolyn Petersen Schools are out and kids are signing up in droves to participate in their public library's summer reading program. Research has shown that children who continue to read over the summer maintain their… Read more

Unattended Death, by Victoria Jenkins.

Image An Unattended Death. By Victoria Jenkins. (Sag Harbor, NY: The Permanent Press, c2012. 214 pp.) Recommendation submitted by:… Read more

Classic WA maps: 1889 Puget Sound & Olympic Peninsula

Image Anyone who looks at a current map of Puget Sound will spot large cities like Seattle and Tacoma and familiar geographic features like Point Defiance and Elliott Bay. But when you look at old maps of the sound, you realize that some names… Read more

Mountain miniature golf, anyone?

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People play miniature golf with Mount Shuksan in the background. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Digital Archives)

Admit it, there are worse places to play miniature golf than here. This… Read more

Classic WA photos: fire lookouts

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A 1917 photo of the Kiona Peak lookout in Lewis County. (Photos courtesy of State Digital Archives)

They are enduring and rustic symbols of Washington's forests, standing sentry atop high peaks and ridges. They're Washington's fire lookout towers and cabins. These historic structures… Read more

The Statewide Database Licensing Project has selected a vendor.

Image The Washington State Library and the Statewide Database Licensing Project Advisory Committee are pleased to announce that ProQuest has again been selected to… Read more

WSL Updates for June 16, 2016

Volume 12, June 16, 2016 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) NEW WASHINGTON STATE LIBRARIAN APPOINTED 2) KATHLEEN BENOUN MARKS 35 YEARS OF SERVICE 3) ARSL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE JULY 1 4) WSL EMAIL LISTS – FREE, FAST, FULFILLING 5) IMLS SEEKS NATION’S TOP MUSEUMS AND LIBRARIES 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) NEW WASHINGTON STATE LIBRARIAN… Read more

Bellevue students win 2016 Teen Video Challenge

Image This year’s Teen Video Challenge asked contestants to make a short video that ties into the 2016 summer reading slogan, “Get in the Game – READ.” The winning entry, created by a group… Read more