From Our Corner

This Post is Overdue

Image There's been a lot of buzz the past week about a new book that was just published. Marilyn Johnson's book, This Book is Overdue: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All, has been getting a lot of press (and that's a good thing for all of us). In the book, Johnson argues that librarians remain essential, even in the Google age (especially in the… Read more

Election bills staying alive

Image The Legislature is heading into the final weeks of the 2010 session, and election issues continue to move through the process. Bills that cleared the House by a Tuesday deadline include:
  • HB 2483 (which our office requested) allows military and overseas voters to send in their ballots via e-mail or fax. (96-0.)
  • SHB 1572 forces Pierce County, the lone county in Washington that still uses poll voting, to use all-mail voting. (… Read more

Library Legislation Tracker – February 22, 2010

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 involved… Read more

Database Trials Support WA Social Studies CBAs

I'm pleased to announce that the Statewide Database Trials for February – April 2010 are now available. Trials will run through April 30, providing about ten weeks to check out some interesting resources.

This batch of trials focuses on resources that… Read more

Clippings, February 19, 2010

Washington State Library News Editions of the Colfax Gazette from 1900 - 1912 are now accessible online at chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. The web site is free and can be word-searched. Sections of eight other Washington state papers have also been uploaded, said Laura Robinson, manager of the Washington State Library program. Washington State Library is among 15 state organizations joining the “Chronicling America” project which is funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and… Read more

Didyaknow...?

...taking a trek to the very top of the Capitol building is no longer possible?

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More than 10 years ago, the top of the dome (or as some refer to it, "the cupola") was closed off to the general public due to safety issues. The spiral staircase of more than 200 steps was deemed unsafe if someone was injured and needed medical attention. Maneuvering a stretcher was… Read more

From Our Corner turns 1

Image We started From Our Corner last winter and, after more than 600 posts, we’ve… Read more

'Coach' Quall dribbling off into the sunset

Image A popular member of the Legislature, House Education Chairman Dave Quall of Mount Vernon, is retiring at the end of his term. Quall, 74, is an 18-year veteran of the House from the… Read more

WSL Updates for February 18, 2010

Volume 6, February 18, 2010 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) FREE EARLY LITERACY TRAINING FROM WSL

2) EFFECTIVELY SERVING PATRONS WITH DISABILITIES

3) FREE WEBJUNCTION COURSES FOR ALL WA LIBRARY STAFF

4) R U REDY? NEW WESTPAS DISASTER PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOP

5) PUBLIC LIBRARIANS IN TECHNICAL SERVICES – E-FORUM DISCUSSION

6) CATALOGING ICKY THINGS – ALCTS WEBINAR

Read more

R-71 petitions: Supreme Court sets April hearing

The U.S. Supreme Court has set an April 28 hearing date for a nationally watched public records-elections case arising from Washington's practice of allow public release of initiative and referendum petitions under terms of the state's voter-approved Public Records Act.… Read more

Mixed signals from big Capitol rallies

Image Two of the largest public rallies were staged back-to-back on the WA Capitol steps today, rambunctuous but civil affairs that gave Governor Gregoire and the Legislature diametrically opposed messages on how to solve a $2.8 billion budget mess. The first, a sort of Tea Party sponsored by the conservative think tank called Evergreen Freedom Foundation, drew about 3,000 people, according to troopers. The "Push Back, No Tax" rally urged a hold-the… Read more

Library Legislation Tracker – February 15, 2010

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 involved see the… Read more

Clippings, February 12, 2010

Washington State Library News Whitman Library director Kristie Kirkpatrick visited with legislators from the 9th District in Olympia last Friday to discuss Governor Gregoire’s proposed budget for 2010. The budget proposal contains deep cuts to the Washington State Library that would impact many of the programs and services now offered by Whitman County Library. Kirkpatrick asked the legislators to support restoring $987,000 to Washington State Library’s budget in order to preserve federal… Read more

New WA revenue forecast: Up a bit

Image State revenue collections are "bumping along the bottom" and the expected economic recovery is still just around the corner, revenue experts said today in releasing a good news-bad news update. Bottom… Read more

Library Legislation Tracker – February 12, 2010

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 involved see the… Read more

WSL Updates for February 11, 2010

Volume 6, February 11, 2010 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) FIRST TUESDAYS – TOP WEBSITES FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING

2) DOWNLOADABLE AUDIOBOOKS OCLC ORDER FORM

3) TAX UPDATE – DIGITAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

4) WORLDCAT LOCAL QUICK START WEB INFORMATION SESSIONS

5) WEBINAR – LOOKING BEYOND LIBRARIES FOR INNOVATION AND INSPIRATION

6) LIBRARY LAWS FOR THE WEB ENVIRONMENT – THE MOBILE USER

Read more

Calling young artists: contest time!

Image Alright finger-painting geniuses and colored-pencil gurus, the Secretary of State's Office wants your doodles and your masterpieces alike. This year our Elections Division is holding an… 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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