From Our Corner

Initiative filing season under way

Image Around here, January’s arrival doesn’t mean just a new year, it also means the start of another initiative filing season. Filing for Initiatives to the People opened Jan. 3. Registered voters can file initiatives… Read more

Support for the State Library has poured in from all over Washington

Image Several months ago in light of a potential budget shortfall the Washington State Library held an "Essential Needs Survey". We were amazed and touched as support came in from all over the state. Someone from every district in Washington State told us how valuable the services of the State Library was to them in their work and in their life. It would be impossible to share them all so we came up with this method to show you the broad impact of… Read more

2015 Proposed Legislation Affecting Libraries 01/16/2015

Image Courtesy of the Legislative Planning Committee, Washington Library Association Library Related Legislation. The Washington Library Association (WLA) tracks state legislative activity that will potentially affect Washington Libraries. Their tracker is posted weekly on this blog. For information on the legislative process or becoming involved, see the WLA site referenced above. … Read more

Vote for your favorite “Archives Treasure”

Nowadays, we have opinion polls on just about everything. Not wanting to miss the poll train, we’re offering you a chance to sound off on some of our State Archives’ many interesting documents, collections, photos and other historical gems. Starting this month, we’re featuring various “Archives Treasures.” Over the past few days, we’ve showcased three of these treasures for viewing. The first “contestant” is the state boxing license applications… Read more

“Archives Treasures” item #3: territorial seal

Image Earlier this week, we started our new blog series that highlights some of the millions of documents, images, maps and other historical goodies housed in our State… Read more

The fugitive vanished into history.....

From the desk of Steve Willis, Former Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library: The dry humor of this reporter is fun to read in the January 18, 1895 issue of The Wilbur Register. The random article found this week relates a drama that took place in northwest Lincoln County:

… Read more

WSL Updates for January 15, 2015

Volume 11, January 15, 2015 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) 10 TECHNOLOGIES TO MAKE LIBRARY LIFE EASIER 2) BOOK YOUR BANK PILOT PROGRAM OPPORTUNITY 3) 2015 LIBRARY LEGISLATIVE DAY 4) WLA AWARD NOMINATIONS OPEN 5) GOT MOOC? 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) 10 TECHNOLOGIES TO MAKE LIBRARY LIFE EASIER Plan to relax after learning “10 Technologies to… Read more

50 years after his first inaugural, Oly honors Dan Evans

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Dan Evans receives an ovation in the House chamber when he is sworn in as governor in January 1965. (Photos courtesy of Washington State Archives)

Fifty years after his first inaugural, Dan Evans received a warm welcome Wednesday… Read more

“Archives treasures” item #2: Capitol construction

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(Photo courtesy of Washington State Archives)

On Tuesday, we began our new blog series that highlights some of the many incredible documents, images, maps and other historical goodies that our… Read more

Happy 100th birthday, Dolliver Building!

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The Dolliver Building soon after opening in 1915. (Image courtesy of Washington State Archives)

The Dolliver Building, home to our Corporations and Charities Division, opened 100… Read more

Looking for historic NW images? State Library has 'em!

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"Hidden from Sight" collection includes this image of Mount Rainier from the Puyallup River. (Image courtesy of Washington State Library)

One of the great things about the… Read more

Boxing legend opens “Archives Treasures” poll

Image Former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali’s boxing license application for our state is just one of millions of documents or other items housed in our Washington State Archives. If you… Read more

The WSL has a new Master.

Image By now I think most of you have heard about the Microsoft IT Academy (ITA) program which is offered through the Washington State Library. The ITA is a collection of over… Read more

WA Legislature convenes with Senate drama

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Secretary of State Wyman (left) and Supreme Court Justice Barbara Madsen smile as Sen. Pam Roach signals to her colleagues after being sworn in. (Photos courtesy of Benjamin Helle)

Washington's 64th Legislature… Read more

From the Archives: the day before Dan Evans became governor

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This 1965 photo shows Secretary of State-elect Lud Kramer, Gov.-elect Dan Evans, and Evans' assistant, James Dolliver. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Digital Archives)

Hard to believe it… Read more

Clippings January 9, 2015

[caption id="attachment_4996" align="alignright" width="227"] Image Image courtesy North Pend Oreille Heritage collection[/caption] Library Clippings for the week of January 9, 2015 Library News Library shortens loan period on DVDs The loan period for DVDs from the Mill Creek Library will be reduced to seven days. Children’s DVDs, educational DVDs and multi-part TV shows… Read more

SEA...HAWKS! 12th Man rally draws Capitol throng

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Seahawks linebacker Heath Farwell addresses the crowd at the 12th Man rally at the Capitol, with Gov. Inslee, first lady Trudi Inslee and Secretary Wyman in the background.

In what is becoming an annual tradition, Seattle Seahawk-mania came to the… Read more

WSL Updates for January 8, 2015

Volume 11, January 08, 2015 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) PRIMARY DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE ON WSL WEBSITE 2) WLA MENTORING PROGRAM 3) BUILDING BRIDGES TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE 4) IMLS ANNOUNCES SPARKS! IGNITION LIBRARY GRANTS 5) APPLY TO HOST STORYCORPS 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) PRIMARY DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE ON WSL WEBSITE Washington State Library… Read more

Jan. 12 online reg deadline for February Special Election

Image To have a voice in your local election next month, you must be a registered voter. To register or update your address in time for the February Special Election, go to MyVote or mail a… Read more

Junior Maker Faire – Lego style

Looking for a way to keep those minds and fingers busy during the dark days of winter? Well look no more! Thanks to a partnership with the Timberland Regional Library, the Youth Services team at the Washington State Library has a “toolkit” which contains 10,000 Lego® bricks, and an activity guide full of programming ideas which can be sent to your library to provide a free STEM program for kids. Just imagine what a wonderful time grade school kids (and their parents) will have building with… Read more