From Our Corner

WSL Updates for October 15, 2015

Volume 11, October 8, 2015 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE CONTEST OPEN 2) THE FUTURE STEMS FROM READING GRANT CYCLE - APPLY NOW 3) HEALTH INFORMATION CLASSES 4) PROTECTING CULTURAL COLLECTIONS WORKSHOP 5) WASHINGTON EDUCATORS’ CONFERENCE 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE CONTEST OPEN The annual… Read more

WA 2015 election is under way

Image It's finally here: Washington’s 2015 election period is under way as the 39 counties mail out 4 million ballots and Voters’ Pamphlets begin arriving. Secretary of State Kim Wyman says the emphasis is on important local races and issues that… Read more

Wyman, Veterans Affairs launch `Vote in Honor of a Vet’

Image Secretary of State Kim Wyman has teamed up with the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs to launch “Vote in Honor of a Vet” to encourage both voting and celebrating the contributions of our 600,000 veterans, 60,… Read more

‘Chronicling’ America reaches 10 million pages

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Front page of Seattle P-I's Jan. 3, 1897, edition. (Image courtesy Washington State Library)

Chronicling America, a free, online searchable database of historic U.S. newspapers… Read more

Ray Charles doc tops “WTBBL Jewels” poll

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(Image courtesy of WTBBL)

Legendary singer Ray Charles remains a beloved figure years after his death. That even carried over to our recent Library Jewels blog series featuring items of the Washington… Read more

October Archives Treasure #1: Columbus Day Storm docs

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One of many Western Washington roads covered by fallen trees caused by the 1962 Columbus Day Storm. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Archives)

Mid-October weather around here typically means a cloudy or rainy day, mild… Read more

Seattle Public Librarians Wow Teens in SE Washington.

Image Believing that a good way to reach teenagers is through that tool they all so dearly love (their phone), in late September, Ask WA Coordinator Nono Burling headed to SE Washington. With the start of the new school year she hoped to spread the word about… Read more

WSL Updates for October 8, 2015

Volume 11, October 8, 2015 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) THE FUTURE STEMS FROM READING GRANT CYCLE - APPLY NOW 2) WALE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION DEADLINE 3) ADA AT 25: STORIES OF INCLUSION 4) WLMA CONFERENCE OCTOBER 15-17 5) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) THE FUTURE STEMS FROM READING GRANT CYCLE - APPLY NOW The Washington State Library (WSL) wants… Read more

Time to pick your favorite WTBBL 'Jewel'

One of the most beloved services of our Washington State Library is the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library in Seattle. We’ve featured three interesting WTBBL-related items for our September “Library Jewels” blog series, and now it’s time for you, our dear blog reader, to choose your favorite. Just go to the online poll below to vote. You have until this Friday at 5 p.m. to select your fave.… Read more

Library Jewel #3: WTBBL's Ray Charles connection

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(Photo courtesy of Washington Talking Book & Braille Library)

During its long history, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library in Seattle has had thousands of patrons. In fact, a handwritten ledger kept track of WTBBL patrons registered from 1919 to 1984. One name will grab your attention once you know his stage name. On page 54 (above) is a… Read more

2015 Archives Month celebrates WA bridges

Image When you’re a state that has as many rivers, lakes and other waterways as Washington, you need a lot of bridges. In fact, according to the state Department of Transportation, WA has nearly 10,000 state and local bridges. Some of Washington’s earlier bridges are famous (or infamous): “Galloping Gertie,” which collapsed into the Tacoma Narrows in 1940, just months after opening; the replacement Narrows… Read more

Mack Strong says register and then vote strong!

Image As Washington bears down on a Monday, Oct. 5, voter deadline to register online or by mail, Secretary Wyman enlisted a little Seahawks star power to help spread the message. Two-time Pro Bowler Mack Strong, the Hawks' popular and talented fullback for many years, graciously taped a 30-second video urging all eligible Washingtonians to get registered and then to vote. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVMbvRUXvig&feature=youtu.be… Read more

Library Jewel #2: WTBBL’s Pratt sculpture

Image As you approach the front entrance of the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library in Seattle, you notice a beautiful, unique wooden sculpture. The wooden art was created by artist Dudley Pratt, commissioned in memory of University District bookseller… Read more

September Library Jewel #1: WTBBL’s “turntable” room

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(Photos courtesy Washington Talking Book & Braille Library)

This month, we’re devoting all three of September’s Library Jewels to the amazing Washington Talking Book & Braille Library in… Read more

Letters About Literature contest has begun!

Image One of our office’s favorite contests for schoolkids is under way. The Letters About Literature competition encourages students to write letters to their favorite authors, living or dead, and explain how a particular book by the author changed their view of the world or themselves. The contest, co-sponsored by the Washington State Library, is for schoolchildren and homeschooled students in grades 4… Read more

WSL Updates for September 24, 2015

Volume 11, September 24, 2015 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) HR – LOOKING OUT FOR RED FLAGS 2) STEM LSTA GRANT CYCLE OPENS 3) IMPLEMENTING WIOA IN RURAL AREAS 4) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) HR – LOOKING OUT FOR RED FLAGS Most supervisors are surprised at the amount of time they spend on human resource issues. Do you have questions about Family… Read more

WA Elections Division contacting 218k potential voters

Image Washington election officials are sending out postcards this week to about 218,000 state residents who appear eligible to vote, but haven’t registered. The mailing has a simple message that online registration is easy: “3 minutes… Read more

Tenino Oregon Trail marker photo tops Sept. Archives poll

Image September’s Archives Treasures could have been renamed the battle of Tenino Treasures, as a photo of the… Read more

It’s National Voter Registration Day!

Image Need a reason to register to vote in time for this fall’s General Election? How about this: It's National Voter Registration Day! The National Association of Secretaries of State, in which Washington Secretary of… Read more

Con Artists take note, you've got nothing on J. A. Fallgatter!

From the desk of Steve Willis, Former Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library: Stories about con artists were a regular feature of early Washington newspapers. Some, like this article from the August 22, 1902 issue of The Lind Leader, are more amusing than others: J.A. FALLGATTER HAS SKIPPED OUT. Proved to be a Grafter from… Read more