From Our Corner

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Remembering Governor Spellman

The Jan. 16 death of former Gov. John D. Spellman at 91 prompted personal reminiscences from several staffers in the Office of the Secretary of State who knew Spellman during and after his 1981-85 time in state office. State Archivist Steve Excell, who served as Gov. Spellman’s chief of staff, said in a television interview with KING-5 that Spellman had changed his life, as… Read more

Keeping our library workforce well trained.

Image One of the roles we take very seriously at the State Library is making sure that the library workforce in Washington is kept up to date with the latest, and greatest information about the skills needed to be a success in the 21st century. We do this in a variety of ways, First Tuesdays webinars,… Read more
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Archives Spotlight: Washington's official state monster

Just over 50 years ago, Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin unleashed their Bigfoot video, better known as the Patterson-Gimlin film, on the world. The 59.5 seconds of original footage were met mostly with criticism and accusations—and not much has changed.… Read more

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Territorial Sundial returns to Capitol Campus

The iconic Territorial Sundial, housed between the Legislative Building and the Joel Pritchard Library, returned to its original location in Olympia after being in Seattle for repairs during the past 6 months. Workers took the aging timepiece to Seattle in July 2017 for its first major overhaul in 59 years. In need of serious repair, the weathered sundial became inaccurate at telling time. Image The restoration work done on the sundial included… Read more

State Library's Annual Report Showcases Successes.

From the desk of Jeff Martin Every year, the Washington State Library (WSL) reports on its use of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding to the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). On December 21, 2017, the LSTA State… Read more
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State Library's annual report showcases successes

Image Every year, the Washington State Library (WSL) reports on its use of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding to the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). On December 21, 2017, Read more
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Searching old newspapers is easier thanks to Gordon

Meet Gordon Russ. He won the Washington State Digital Archives' 200 million contest, making the closest guess of December 5th for the day Digital Archives would make its 200 millionth entry into its database. There was no science behind this guess. He picked it simply because of the fact that it was his birthday. Gordon took home an Ancestry DNA kit, a fitting gift for… Read more

WSL Updates for December 21, 2017

Volume 13, December 21, 2017 for the WSL Updates mailing list WSL Updates will take next week off and will resume publication in January. On behalf of the Washington State Library and its staff, holiday greetings and best wishes for the New Year to all WSL Updates readers! Topics include: 1) STATE OF STATE LIBRARIES 2) LIS ONLINE PROGRAM 3) HONDA STEM GRANTS 4) REVISITING THE FOUNDING ERA 5)… Read more

WSL Updates for December 14, 2017

Volume 13, December 14, 2017 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) TEEN VIDEO CHALLENGE 2) GOING DEEPER WITH SOCIAL MEDIA 3) MLA TECH CAMP 4) PRECISION MEDICINE FOR ALL OF US 5) MUSEUMS EMPOWERED 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Corporations for Communities Awards 2017

The Corporations for Communities Award honors extraordinary Washington businesses that give their best efforts in helping their communities. On Monday, December 4th, Secretary Wyman presented five businesses with a National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion Award during a ceremony honoring the businesses for the exceptional work they have done for their communities. Honorable… Read more

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State Library's Teen Video Challenge has begun

Interested in creating video content? Love your local public library? You're in luck, because the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Teen Video Challenge (TVC) is underway! Use your imagination and create a video promoting summer reading at the public library that includes the 2018 CSLP TVC teen slogan "Libraries Rock!," and you could win $100 for yourself and a $50 award… Read more

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Making the Season Bright

It's the giving season and the Holiday Kids' Tree symbolizes it in the best way.

Image Each year, the Association of Washington Business (AWB) hosts the Holiday Kids' Tree lighting marking… Read more
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'Tis the season!

The holiday season is officially here and the smell of evergreen fills the Legislative Building with the arrival of this year’s Holiday Kids' Tree! [caption id="attachment_23713" align="alignright" width="300"] Image… Read more

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On the road again

Over the past few months, Secretary Wyman has been traveling around Washington on a number of multi-purpose trips. As she is the Secretary OF State, we've been calling these community visits her Secretary IN State tour. Since August, she's visited Kelso and Longview in Cowlitz County; Vancouver and Camas in Clark County; Aberdeen in Grays Harbor County; Pasco, Richland and Kennewick in Benton and Franklin Counties; Walla Walla in Walla Walla County; Bellingham and Fairview in Whatcom County… Read more

WSL Updates for November 16, 2017

Volume 13, November 16, 2017 for the WSL Updates mailing list Note: WSL Updates will take next week off in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday. You will find the following week’s schedule of CE events in this week’s edition. Topics include: 1) KEEPING IT PRIVATE 2) SUPERCHARGED STORYTIMES 3) SOCIAL MEDIA ANALYTICS 4) ECLIPSE PROJECT RESULTS 5) DISCOVER EXOPLANETS 6)… 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.