From Our Corner

Signature check under way for I-1401; 1366 next

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A signature checker reviews I-1401 signatures at the Elections Division office.

Elections Division signature checkers are busily sifting through petitions signed for initiatives… Read more

2015 Primary begins! Ready to vote?

Image Washington voters soon will be receiving their ballots for the 2015 Primary, the eighth year in which the voter-approved Top 2 Primary system is being used to winnow down the number of candidates in races. WA voters should check their mail over the next few days for their Primary ballot. County elections officials are mailing ballots this week to registered voters. Military and overseas ballots were sent out weeks ago. This year’s Primary… Read more

75th anniversary for two famous Washington bridges

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Construction of the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge, which opened in July 1940. (Photos courtesy of Washington State Archives)

This is Washington’s tale of two bridges. Opening just one day apart in July 1940, 75 years ago… Read more

Digitization grants awarded for Washington Rural Heritage, 2015-2016

Image From the desk of Evan Robb Congratulations to the latest group of public libraries and heritage organizations recently awarded digitization grant through the Washington Rural Heritage program! Over the next year Washington State Library staff will be working with these organizations to digitize unique,… Read more

Secretary Wyman elected to national post

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Secretary of State Kim Wyman. (Photo courtesy of NASS)

Secretary of State Kim Wyman has been elected treasurer of the National Association of Secretaries of State by her peers. Traditionally that puts her in the line… Read more

Vote in July Archives Treasures poll!

What do an old boat, an old building and an 1886 U.S. flag have in common? They are the three Archives Treasures for July, and it’s time for you to vote on your favorite. Specifically, your choices are photos of the Greenwood Ark, which was docked in Olympia; photos of the Olympia Odd Fellows Lodge; and a 38-star U.S. flag from 1886. You can vote using our online poll, which closes July 15 at 5 p.m. Make sure to vote!… Read more

Archives Treasure #3: 38-star U.S. flag from 1886

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Members of the University of Washington ROTC deliver an 1886 U.S. flag to the State Archives in Olympia in 2011. (Photos courtesy of Washington State Archives)

Since many of us recently put up a U.S. flag in honor of Flag… Read more

WSL Updates for July 9, 2015

Volume 11, July 9, 2015 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) EXPLORING TECHNOLOGY: ET KITS GRANT CYCLE OPENS JULY 13 2) PACIFIC NORTHWEST DIGITAL COLLECTIONS SUMMIT FINAL REPORT AVAILABLE 3) COMMUNICATING IN THE MIDST OF CHANGE WORKSHOP 4) OUTSIDE THE LINES COMING IN SEPTEMBER 5) GREAT STORIES CLUB GRANTS AVAILABLE 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1)… Read more

Historical Zine Contest under way

Image Image Are you a Zinester or want to become one? Do you like history? Then take part in the first-ever… Read more

Archives Treasure #2: Odd Fellows Lodge photos

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Odd Fellows Lodge in Olympia in early 1900s. (Photos courtesy Washington State Digital Archives)

The second Archives… Read more

Washington State Library Co-hosts Pacific Northwest Digital Collections Summit

Image In March 2015, the Oregon and Washington State Libraries co-hosted a summit of approximately 50 library, archives, and museum professionals to explore avenues for increased collaborative digitization throughout the region. The one-day meeting, held at the Oregon State Library in Salem, Oregon, featured presentations by collaborative projects at local, state, regional, and national levels and allowed participants to discuss topics ranging from… Read more

July Archives Treasure #1: Greenwood Ark

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Greenwood Ark (Photo courtesy of Washington State Archives)

The first of our three July Archives Treasures is a collection of photos of an ark built by a man who… Read more

Zinesters! Now’s Your Chance to make Washington History Come Alive!

Image From the desk of Judy Pitchford Beginning today and running through August 31, 2015, the Washington State Library,… Read more

`Direct democracy' sponsors eye ballot spot

Image Two citizen initiative campaign submitted boxloads of petitions by the Friday deadline, and both appear to have an excellent shot at making the statewide ballot this fall. Tim Eyman, the state's most prominent use of the initiative process,… Read more

Celebrating Combined Fund Drive super-achievers

Image Secretary of State Kim Wyman did her first “Wyman Works for You” work day Thursday at the Washington Veterans’ Home at Retsil in Port Orchard. She described it as a heart-warming opportunity to serve lattes and have great conversations with… Read more

WSL Updates for July 2, 2015

Volume 11, July 2, 2015 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) SERVICE ANIMALS IN LIBRARIES: A FIRST TUESDAYS WEBINAR 2) COMMUNICATING IN THE MIDST OF CHANGE WORKSHOP 3) WASHINGTON STATE LIBRARY CLOSED JULY 3, 2015 4) AWC PUBLICATIONS 5) NEW POV DOCUMENTARIES AVAILABLE 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) SERVICE ANIMALS IN LIBRARIES: A FIRST TUESDAYS WEBINAR… Read more

Medical Lake Heritage project featured in Cheney Free Press

A June 18, 2015 article in the Cheney Free Press highlights the exciting new digitization project from the Medical Lake Library, Spokane County Library District. View the article here.

Secretary Wyman: `Voters win’ with 2016 Presidential Primary

Image OLYMPIA – Secretary of State Kim Wyman is praising lawmakers for ensuring that Washington voters will have a voice in the 2016 presidential nominating process. Lawmakers in both chambers and both parties joined in approving $11.5 million for the state to hold a Presidential Primary next winter. Wyman, the state’s chief elections officer, will advocate for a March 8 election, conducted by mail over an 18-day period. The Primary is a big… Read more

We have a budget! 2015-2017

From the desk of Rand Simmons, Washington State Librarian. Image Monday, June 29 the Legislature approved a compromise 2015-2017 Operating Budget. Governor Inslee signed it Tuesday, June 30, the final day of the fiscal year. This action avoided a government… Read more

We declare this to be Bridge week in Washington State– June 28 –July 4th

Image … Read more