From Our Corner
Capitol Kibbles
Image Budget-cutting, tax revolt and deeper unemployment -- Happy Days Aren't Here Again. A few updates: --The Senate Ways and Means Committee plans to crank out the Democrats' latest draft of a new two-year state budget Wednesday evening. The House counterparts have approved their own plan as House Bill 1244 and sometime next week, we should see a negotiated plan to deal with a $9 billion spending gap. One easy tracker for the budget plans is… Read moreWSL Updates, April 16, 2009
Volume 5: April 16, 2009 for the WSL Updates mailing list
This week’s early release of WSL Updates is due to the WLA Conference in Spokane April 15-17. We hope to see some of you there!
Topics include:
1) WAYFINDER LAUNCHES ON WORLDCAT.ORG
2) OCLC ANNOUNCES ZERO PRICE INCREASE
3) GOVERNOR SIGNS HB 1291—CHANGING LIBRARY DISTRICT ANNEXATIONS
4) CONSUMER REPORTS GROUP PURCHASE
5) HEALTH REFERENCE BASICS WEBINAR
… Read moreWhen our state flag becomes personal...
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(Photo courtesy of House of Representatives)
When Governor Gregoire yesterday signed into law a bill (here is the bill report on it) creating the Washington state flag account, it was a meaningful and special moment for anyone… Read more
It’s Our Week and We’ll Ssssshhhh If We Want To!
We'd be remiss if we didn't wish you a happy National Library Week! I imagine that many of you will celebrate by heading to Spokane for WLA this week, but maybe you're initiating some other festivities in your library as well.
Entertainment Weekly was kind enough to mention National… Read more
Partnership Offers Free Technology Training Opportunities
Image If your patrons are looking to learn new skills or get some job training, you might point them to the nearest WorkSource training center. Gov. Gregoire announced yesterday a partnership with Microsoft to provide 30,000 vouchers for free… Read more
Find Your One Thing: Day 1
Image From the road: Day 1 of College Civics was yesterday as we headed south as part of our new statewide effort “Find Your One Thing." Sam visited four campuses yesterday – Centralia Community, Clark College, WSU-Vancouver and Lower Columbia College. At each stop, students were concerned about the state economy and budget cuts – and what that meant for them. But all the uncertainty is really hitting home the fact that this is the time to give… Read moreLibrary Legislation Tracker – April 14, 2009
Courtesy Legislative Planning Committee, Washington Library Association State Bills of Interest. 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… Read moreSea of red ink, despite `cautious optimism'
Image State economists express "cautious optimism" about the national and state economy, but the red ink is still running. A new report Monday from the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council here says the Wall Street rally, an uptick in housing, and other positive signs seem to point to the recession starting to turn around this fall. But the report says the national data aren't showing up… Read more“Tee-Party” in Sam’s Office
Image Legislators and staff members took a swing for foster kids by participating in the June Leonard Memorial Mini-Golf Tournament today. The 18th hole putting green was placed in Sam’s office where we heard cheers and applause for several hole in ones this afternoon. The “19th Hole” reception and auction will be at the Governor’s Mansion this evening. All proceeds from the event benefit foster kids … Read moreSir Brad-a-lot ventures out with the wailers ...
Image Our lieutenant governor, Brad Owen, is quite the stickler for decorum as he presides over the state Senate. But the bearded one, who was knighted by Spain last year, can really cut loose when his inner rocker comes out to play. Over the weekend, he jammed with the Ventures and the Fabulous Wailers at the Moore Theater in Seattle, playing sax on "Surf Rider." When the Legislature isn't in session, Owen is known for doing rock-based school… Read moreOlympia 2.0: Web talkback
Image Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown and the Senate Democrats are among the new breed of lawmakers Twittering and Facebooking and blogging and podcasting. Now they're adding a Web-based feature called "Open for Questions" for people who want to sound off about the budget and Democrats' thoughts on a tax referendum, bonds for school rehab, and an income tax on high-wage earners. It includes… Read moreThe long and short of it ...
Image Gettin' out of Dodge? Not so easy for lawmakers this year. The calendar says we're about two weeks from the adjournment deadline (April 26) for the Washington Legislature's grueling 15-week regular session. In recent years, lawmakers have prided themselves on their on-time adjournment. But we've begun to catch rumblings from discouraged legislators that their high-centered budget-and-tax talks just might force overtime -- or even "rolling… Read moreA Peep into the Past
Image Ahh, it's that time of year. Tulips are blooming, trees are beginning to bud and the occasional sunny day breaks through the Pacific Northwest's endless, wintry rain. But most importantly, shelves are stocked with my all-time favorite treat: PEEPS! This sugary springtime staple makes my stomach queasy, my teeth ache and my head pound, but every year I go back for more. Though these… Read moreHonoring Our Customers
Image Whitman County Rural Library District honors a library supporter every month! "It's been awesome," reports Director, Kristie Kirkpatrick. "Whitman County has been doing this for about 3 years. We get great press from it, can choose winners from all around the county and people really seem to appreciate the honor. It has also given us the opportunity to thank every level of support, from major donors to people who have simply paid their… Read more
Clippings, April 10, 2009
Clippings, April 10, 2009
The White Swan library branch (Yakima Valley Libraries) seeks the artist of an original pencil drawing brought to the library after it was found in the small, one-room building that formerly housed the facility, directly across the street from its current location on First Street. (Photo) (Review Independent [Toppenish & Wapato], 4.11.09.
Buildings:
More than 8,000 surveys were mailed to Vashon voters this week, asking where they think the… Read more
WWI veterans' records now available at Digital Archives
Do you have a grandfather or some other relative who served in World War I? Do you want to learn more about him while he served in that war? Our state Digital Archives has a new program that can help you do that.
The World War I Service Statement Cards, which were recently indexed by Washington Historical Records Project volunteers, are now available and searchable online… Read moreMedia Clips: Libraries – April 10, 2009
Image These media mentions are compiled by Brian Zylstra, Deputy Communications Director for the Office of the Secretary of State, and passed along to us.
The following links cover Media Clips provided April 1, 2009 - April 10, 2009.
Didyaknow…
Image ... Our capitol dome nearly had a bell on top rather than a lantern? That’s right, in 1926 the State Capitol Committee, chaired by Governor Roland Hartley, decided against a bell in the dome and told architects… Read more
Library Legislation Tracker – April 9, 2009
Courtesy Legislative Planning Committee, Washington Library Association State Bills of Interest. 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… Read moreSecretary of State
Steve Hobbs
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