From Our Corner

From Your Corner of Washington: The State Capitol

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Photo courtesy of Patrick McDonald

The Washington State Capitol in late August with the clouds rolling in during a breezy afternoon.

We invite you to e-mail your photos and stories to us as part of an ongoing feature called “From Your Corner of… Read more

Countdown to the November 8th Day of Jubilation - Part 5

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Feds’ OK of waiver request will help state’s military voters

Image We’ve received word from the Federal Voting Assistance Program, the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice that they approved our state’s request for a waiver of a federal law’s “45-day rule” in which… Read more

Clippings, August 20, 2010

WA State Library News The 2010 Washington Rural Heritage project to digitize fragile, historically significant objects/information will take place at the Odessa Public Library with the help of its partners. The original grant applied for was denied by the Washington State Library, citing a lack of funding. However, the application was re-evaluated and found to have some interesting possibilities. (Odessa Record, 8.12.10) Nineteen librarians across Washington have been selected as Fellows in… Read more

Here is this year’s Voters’ Pamphlet cover

Image Even though voters won’t be receiving their copy for several weeks, we thought you’d like to see the cover for the State Voters’ Pamphlet for the 2010 General Election. The cover honors the centennial of women’s suffrage in Washington. Our office is planning an… Read more

From Your Corner of Washington: Mt. Rainier

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Photo submitted by Ken Camp

Pictured is beautiful Mt. Rainier taken on a clear day from the ridge above Sunrise.

WSL Updates for August 26, 2010

Volume 6, August 26, 2010 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) ELLUMINATE TRAINING FOR MODERATORS

2) EARLY LEARNING SYMPOSIUM

3) GOING TO YOUR CUSTOMER - OUTREACH AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

4) I LOVE MY LIBRARIAN NOMINATIONS OPEN

5) BEST SMALL LIBRARY IN AMERICA AWARD NOMINATIONS

6) YALSA RESEARCH GRANT

7) K-12 FIELD TRIPS GRANTS

8) FREE COLLEGE OF DUPAGE TELECONFERENCES

… Read more

Check out our new Business Gives Back program!

Image You might own or work at a business that cares about your community and gives back to it, or wants to give back. Or maybe you know of such a business. Either way, you’ll be interested to know that we’ve started a new Business Gives Back program that focuses on… Read more

Primary turnout breaks modern record

Image If you voted in last week's Primary, pat yourself on the back. The word from the State Elections Division is that voter turnout for last week’s Primary Election cracked the 40 percent mark today, exceeding the 38 percent turnout that… Read more

From Your Corner of Washington: Alki Beach

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Photograph courtesy of Paul Santosuosso

The 2.5 mile stretch of beach at Alki in Seattle makes a perfect summertime stroll.

We invite you to e-mail your photos and stories to us as part of an ongoing feature called “From Your… Read more

We've got your ballot measure info online

Image If you’re looking for a one-stop place to read up on the six statewide initiatives and the three other ballot measures that will be on this November’s ballot, you’re in luck. Our State Elections Division has posted a… Read more

Top 2 system produces some all-in-the-family races

Image Washington's voter-approved Top 2 Primary says the two voter favorites for each office move forward to the November General Election, without regard to party preference of the candidates. As in the two previous years we used the new system, this week's winnowing of… Read more

Clippings, August 13, 2010

WA State Library News "Smart phone" users can now install a new app featuring the Washington State Library's Ask-WA virtual reference service. Ask-WA provides access to a live librarian, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Ask-WA app, the first one offered by the State Library, is available for both Android and iDevice users. (North Lake News & Woodinville Weekly, 8.9.10)… Read more

Clippings, August 6, 2010

WA State Library News Washington State Librarian Jan Walsh announced she will retire August 31. Prior to being appointed State Librarian in 2002, Walsh worked in the State Library as Assistant Director for Customer Service from 1997. On Tuesday, August 17, a retirement celebration event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Legislative Building's Columbia Room, located on the first floor. (Photo) (Tacoma Daily Index, 7.30.10)… Read more

From Your Corner of Washington: Lake Chelan

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Photo courtesy of Martin Schiaffino

A beautiful shot of Lake Chelan at sunset just a few weeks ago when temperatures soared to nearly 100 degrees.

We invite you to e-mail your photos and stories to us as part of an ongoing feature… Read more

WSL Updates for August 19, 2010

Volume 6, August 19, 2010 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) JAN'S FINAL WASHINGTON READS

2) APPLY FOR A POSITION ON THE LIBRARY COUNCIL OF WASHINGTON

3) HISTORICAL PORT TOWNSEND PAPER GOES ONLINE

4) BOOKS FOR BABIES MATCHING GRANTS

5) ARE YOU READY? COMES TO SPOKANE

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

7) LSSC OFFERS COURSE SUBSIDIES

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Saluting State Librarian Jan Walsh

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Photograph courtesy of Ben Helle

Secretary of State Sam Reed led more than 150 people in giving a standing ovation to retiring State Librarian Jan Walsh yesterday during an event celebrating her 37-year career… Read more

9th Circuit will re-open WA felon voting case

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has agreed to a Sept. 21 re-hearing of a challenge of Washington’s longstanding ban on voting by felons. The nationally prominent case could be decided by the appeals judges or end up in the U.S. Supreme Court to set a nationwide policy. Image… Read more

Thoughts on Innovation in Reference Services

Last Friday I had the pleasure of [virtually] being part of a panel at the WLA / PNLA conference in Victoria. The panel was called “Reference Service Innovations: Present and Future”, and my fellow panelists and I were given some excellent questions to consider. Since I wasn’t sure how the technology would play out (I was a virtual presenter on a panel that was otherwise physically present AT the conference), I recorded the questions with my answers and sent them along so that I could be… Read more

Sizzling turnout for WA primary

Image Washington primary voters may have set a new modern record for participation. As of this morning, over 950,000 ballots have been counted -- or nearly 27 percent of the state's 3.6 million registered voters… Read more