From Our Corner

WSL and the "Declaration of Learning"

Image The Library of Congress, along with 12 other governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations, including the American Library Association and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, have… Read more

Fire Before Water at Fort Colvile

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From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library:

First there was Fort Colvile, the Hudson's Bay Fort in present day Stevens County. Later, at another location a few miles away,… Read more

WSL Updates for February 7, 2013

Volume 9, February 7, 2013 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) FREE BOOK DISCUSSION KITS 2) DIGITAL LITERACY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN 3) THERE’S STILL TIME TO ENTER THE TEEN VIDEO CHALLENGE 4) LIBRARY FRIENDS AND THE LAW 5) IMLS 2010 PUBLIC LIBRARY SURVEY RESULTS ANNOUNCED 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) FREE BOOK DISCUSSION KITS If your library could use… Read more

State employees pledge over $5.3 million through Combined Fund Drive

Image Despite yet another tough year, state employees in Washington proved once again that they could come together and help their community. The volunteers and donors of the Combined Fund Drive raised more than $5.3 million in… Read more

A howling good exhibit is at State Library

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Diamond Pack pups captured by wildlife camera in Pend Oreille County, 2009. Photo courtesy of Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Better warn Little Red Riding Hood: For the next two months, the State Library is going to the… Read more

Wyman helps welcome 3-2 Stryker Brigade home

Image A week after members of the “3-2 Stryker Brigade” returned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord following a one-year deployment to Afghanistan,… Read more

Clippings for the week of January 25, 2013

[caption id="attachment_4996" align="alignright" width="227"] Image Image courtesy North Pend Oreille Heritage collection[/caption] Washington State Library News The Paul G. Allen Foundation announced it will be granting $1.35 million to support Washington and Oregon library programs this year. Among the projects and organizations receiving grant funds is the Washington State… Read more

Lively Art @ the Ellensburg Public Library

Image Many libraries are embellished with significant pieces of art found in the building or on the immediate grounds, enhancing their attractiveness to patrons and visitors. Not too long ago I had the opportunity to visit the Ellensburg Public Library, where I encountered quite a remarkable collection of art works. If you're in Ellensburg, it's worth a… Read more

2013 Proposed Legislation Affecting Libraries 02/01/2013

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 to the WLA web site and we will also post it weekly on this blog. For information on the legislative process or becoming involved, see the WLA site referenced above.

Bill Title Sponsor… Read more

Last call to register to vote in Feb. 12 special election

Image If you‘re not currently registered to vote but want to vote in the Feb. 12 special election, Monday is your last day to register, but you have to do it in person since the online registration deadline has come and gone. You can register at your county elections office. To find the… Read more

February 2013 Washington State Library Training News

Discover free and inexpensive trainings available online and around the state; compiled by Jennifer Fenton, CE/Training Coordinator, Washington State Library

Featured Free Trainings: Registration information for the below trainings and webinars is available at: http://www.sos.wa.gov/library/libraries/training/trainingCalendar.aspx

Washington State Library is pleased to offer the following… Read more

Secretary Wyman certifies I-522 to lawmakers

Image The second of two initiatives to the 2013 Legislature has cleared the signature check process. The Secretary of State’s Election Division finished the review of Initiative 522 late Thursday afternoon. The official certification was then signed by… Read more

Hikin' Nell's Varied and Vivid Experiences

Image From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library: From 1909 to 1921, give or take a few years, there was a woman who created a local news stir wherever she went, but somehow evaded the radar of national media. She criss-crossed the United States on… Read more

WSL Updates for January 31, 2013

Volume 9, January 31, 2013 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) FIRST TUESDAYS – CONNECTING WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY 2) WOLVES IN WASHINGTON 3) $1,000 AWARD FOR STUDENT AUTHORS 4) LIBRARY SERVICES IN THE DIGITAL AGE 5) WEBWISE 2013 – GET GROUP RATES BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) FIRST TUESDAYS – CONNECTING WITH THE BUSINESS… Read more

Allen grant to help create smartphone app for libraries

Image The Washington State Library is a step closer to offering a smartphone application that will provide service to public library patrons thanks to a new grant provided by the Paul G. Allen Family… Read more

Special election ballots out, postage up

Image In 32 counties across Washington, voters are already casting ballots in the Feb. 12 special election in school districts and other jurisdictions. Secretary of State Kim Wyman is reminding voters of the new 46-cent stamp that is required for returning voted ballots by mail. Ballots for the special… Read more

Get a State Library card! It’s free!

Image Many people have a library card to use at their local library, but it’s also possible to acquire a Washington State Library card, which gives you access to many unique and interesting books and documents found at an important institution that… Read more

2013 Proposed Legislation Affecting Libraries 01/25/2013

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 to the WLA web site and we will also post it weekly on this blog. For information on the legislative process or becoming involved, see the WLA site referenced above.

Bill Title Sponsor… Read more

Clippings for the week of January 18, 2013

[caption id="attachment_4996" align="alignright" width="227"] Image Image courtesy North Pend Oreille Heritage collection[/caption] Washington State Library News Kim Wyman, the state’s new secretary of state, says she wants to revive the idea of a Heritage Center for the state’s Capitol campus. Wyman said that resuming planning for construction of the building that would house the… Read more

Better Digital Collections, Comment by Comment

From the Desk of Evan Robb Throughout 2012 we learned a great deal about how the unique resources in our Washington Rural Heritage collections are impacting end users--and we're learning directly from the users themselves. Since enabling the public commenting feature on our digital library software in January, 2012 we've received over 100 comments on items in more than 25 digital collections from throughout the state. Here are a few… Read more

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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.