From Our Corner

Free `GC2G' exhibit now cooler, with tablets!

Image Check out a cool new feature of our Grand Coulee to Grunge exhibit -- tablets! Bilingual translations, great archival photos, drilldown information and more add to the experience of the popular… Read more

Dia! Diversity in Action

From the desk of Kathryn Devine Image April 30 marks Día, the culmination of El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day). Dia is an initiative started by the American Library Association to “… Read more

Archives flood update: Building has reopened

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The Archives' research room, minus carpeting after a crew removed it Friday. (Photo courtesy of Benjamin Helle)

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: The State Archives building has reopened to the public. The main… Read more

Flood at State Archives; damaged records will be saved

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A cleanup crew member removes standing water from the research room in the State Archives building on the Capitol Campus Friday morning. (Photo courtesy of Benjamin Helle)

The main… Read more

Washington's State Flower

Image In 1892, there was a hotly contested election in Washington State…for a flower. [caption id="attachment_13343" align="alignright" width="170"]… Read more

New collection highlights Sno-Isle’s early days

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Tree fallers on Whidbey Island in 1887. (Photo courtesy of Sno-Isle Libraries)

A grant from the Washington Rural Heritage program has helped provide a spark resulting in a new collection of… Read more

Legacy Project's latest: profile on 7-term Auditor Bob Graham

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Bob Graham and his wife, Lloydine, hold up their wedding photo at their home earlier this spring. (Photo courtesy of Laura Mott)

The Legacy Project's latest offering, a profile and oral history on former seven-term State… Read more

Have you heard of the Extension Service?

Image In 1947, if you had never seen one before, who could help you learn how to choose and use a washing machine?… Read more

WSL Updates for April 24, 2014

Volume 10, April 24, 2014 for the WSL Updates mailing list – Expanded Edition Note: WSL Updates will be on hiatus next week because of the WLA Conference in Wenatchee. Topics include: 1) FIRST TUESDAYS – CREWSPACE 2) PRESERVATION WEEK 2014 AT THE UW 3) IMLS FUNDING PRIORITIES 2014 4) GET OUTSIDE THE BOX 5) PRESERVATION INFOGRAPHIC AND MORE 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES – APRIL 28 – MAY 9… Read more

State employee/manager award nom due

Image Do you know a state employee or manager who goes above and beyond the call of duty? You have until this Friday to nominate him or her for one of two state awards. The Extra Mile Award is given to individuals or groups of state… Read more

The Uncle of the Father of Earth Day: Washington's sort of Connection...

From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library: Several years ago I discovered an unusual Washington State connection to Earth Day while compiling biographical information about unsuccessful candidates for Governor. The election was 1936 and the subject was Union Party nominee Ove Malling Nelson.… Read more

Another Ellensburg teen wins state video contest

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Luke Pearsons (left) videotapes his sister, Grace, who won the state's 2014 Teen Video Challenge. (Photo courtesy of the Pearsons family)

This time of year, Mount Vernon is known for its tulips, Puyallup for its daffodils… Read more

7-term State Auditor Bob Graham dies at 93

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John Hughes (left) interviews former State Auditor Bob Graham at home in March. (Photo courtesy of Laura Mott.)

Robert V. Graham, elected seven times as Washington state auditor, died at his Olympia home… Read more

Linking the Past with the Present

Ever since the advent of Web 2.0 people are finding creative ways to harness the power of the web to learn about and share their passions. Resources are shared and discovered; connections are made between people. Here at the Washington State Library we have a mission to collect, preserve and make accessible materials about the history and culture of Washington State. This task is accomplished in a variety of ways, from scanning… Read more

WSL Updates for April 17, 2014

Volume 10, April 17, 2014 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) FREE WORKSHOP – LEADING WITHOUT AUTHORITY 2) CHANGE OF WSL LSTA GRANTS MANAGER 3) NATIONAL DIGITAL STEWARDSHIP RESIDENCY PROGRAMS 4) SOCIALIZE WITH SOUTH SOUND LIBRARIANS 5) FINDING FUNDING FOR PRESERVATION 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) FREE WORKSHOP – LEADING WITHOUT AUTHORITY Years ago… Read more

Celebrate Teen Literature Day!

From the desk of Kathryn Devine Image Every year, the Thursday of National Library Week, April 17th this year, is set aside as … Read more

A bloomin’ good time at Capitol

Image Rain or shine, the Capitol Campus is a great place to visit this time of the spring, thanks to the colorful outburst of flowers and tree blossoms. On the east side of the Legislative Building, flowers are starting to appear on the rhododendron bushes. Behind… Read more

Flags lowered as we remember Oso

Image As a lone bagpiper played a mournful "Amazing Grace" at the top of the Capitol steps, state troopers slowly lowered flags to half-staff in honor of those who lost their lives in the Oso landslide tragedy -- and the communities and responders who continue to… Read more

Farewell, Snoqualmie Pass snowshed

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(Photos courtesy of Washington State Archives)

Motorists using Interstate 90 to cross the Cascades this spring and summer will notice that a unique, classic feature of the freeway east of Snoqualmie Pass is no… Read more

Think of libraries this week!

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Gov. Albert Rosellini at opening of Washington State Library in 1959. (Photos courtesy of Washington State Archives)

If you haven’t been to a library in person or visited… 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.