From Our Corner

ALA’s take on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

The American Library Association Washington Office (ALA WO) recently announced a web site, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 101, www.ala.org/knowyourstimulus, to help librarians understand the application of the "stimulus package" to libraries.

From the ALA WO February 19 District… Read more

Friday Fun Fact: How many people does it take to change the light bulbs on the Capitol chandelier?

Image Image ... Just one. Well, at least that is what it took to change all 204 light bulbs in 1969 before any strict safety standards were set in place. Back then, a building worker would be strapped into… Read more

Yes, you count, Bucky ...

Image The 10-year national nose count of all America's people is still a year away, but state agencies are already thinking about how to help the Census find y'all. A roomful of agency representatives gathered near the Capitol to get details of the massive undertaking, and to brainstorm ways to help Uncle Sam make sure every one counts, literally. Regional Census offices have already opened in Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane and will eventually hire… Read more

The value of caring staff, past and present

By the late 1990’s Western State Hospital began to admit a number of Russian patients with limited English language skills. At the time the Library, a branch of the Washington State Library, had no Russian print material. When discussing this problem with one of the recreation therapists, the 2 of us suddenly realized that the Internet was an entirely new universe for Russian web sites as well as for other countries and in many languages. One day, probably around 2000 or 2001, a Russian… Read more

Rocker helps re-launch oral histories

Washington's new Legacy Project debuts at the Capitol Tuesday afternoon -- and on a computer screen near you. Image This is the re-launch of oral histories of some of the fascinating people who make this such a cool state. And it will be done in a fresh new way, breezy, readable and compelling, and will be published free and online. The first three will be unveiled Tuesday at 2 p.m. by… Read more

Who Loves You, Grandma? Washington sure does...

Image History buffs, genealogy fans, and those who just want to know who great-great Uncle Bill really married, can thank the family tree that they live in the Evergreen State. Because when it comes to searching family history online, Washington State Digital Archives is simply the best in the country. (And we didn’t just make that up…) Image… Read more

WSL Updates, Feb. 19, 2009

Volume 5: Feb. 19, 2009 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) CONTINUING EDUCATION GRANTS FROM WSL 2) SUMMER READING PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AVAILABLE SOON 3) DTV CONVERSION HELP FROM ALA 4) LIBRARY TECHNOLOGY TRAINING LIVE IN MARCH IN TUMWATER 5) A CALIFORNIA SUMMER READING WORKSHOP FOR VIEWING ONLINE 6) UPCOMING LIBRARY CONFERENCES --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Click below to see… Read more

From Your Corner of Washington

Image Seattle -Submitted by Mike Foley

Submit us your photo from your corner of Washington

Reed touts Top 2 legislation

Secretary of State Sam Reed, making in his first appearance of the session to a legislative committee, will urge lawmakers today to approve changes to strengthen Washington's popular Top 2 Primary. Image Reed, the state's chief elections official, will testify before the Senate Governmental Operations Committee at 3:30 p.m., on Senate Bill 5681. The measure would strengthen the state's voter-approved primary system, eliminating references to the… Read more

Newest state library now open for inmates at Coyote Ridge

Following the opening of the new Coyote Ridge Corrections Center near Connell earlier this month, the inmates there just this week gained access to the newest library in the Washington State Library system. The Coyote Ridge library features books, music CDs, and audio books; and a legal resources area where inmates can access legal resources such as case law, forms and court rules. The legal resources are now available on electronic files, which inmates can access from computers in the… Read more

Flashback: The first of many ...

[caption id="attachment_523" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="First general assembly of the Washington House of Representatives,1889"] Image [/caption]

See what great stuff you can find online at the Digital Archives.

Ask-WA: Quality Tips of the Week

Some tips of the week for staffing Ask-WA: Washington's Statewide Virtual Reference Cooperative. Tip #1: No such thing as anonymous follow-up Please make sure that there is a way for the patron’s library (even if that is you) to follow-up before you close a session and before you code for follow-up. Even when patrons submit an email address with their question… Read more

Former Librarian at ESH Reminisces About a Favorite Library Patron

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="265" caption="Bird Watching Book"][/caption] One favorite patron was a person you might describe as a "naive offender". He was a regular library visitor, and he shared an interest in the natural world with us. He was illiterate, but he was frequently bringing to the library things he had found outside on his walks. Birds eggs that had fallen to the ground… Read more

Money: How can we save it?

Image With the state operating budget in serious trouble and Gov. Gregoire and the Legislature looking for ways to reduce spending and streamline programs, it only makes sense to encourage state workers to offer ideas on how to save money. That's exactly… Read more

RE: RE: Stalking the wily Millennials …

In response to the ongoing conversation about the youth vote turnout (here,… Read more

From Your Corner of Washington

Image Watching snow geese – Skagit County -Submitted by Brian and Dee

Submit us your photo from your corner of Washington

Love ya, Benji

As Washington joined the rest of the USA in celebrating Presidents' Day, we noted the cool C-SPAN ranking of our former presidents by 65 presidential scholars. No surprises among the All-Stars -- Honest Abe, George, FDR, TR, Give-'em-hell Harry; JFK, Jefferson, Ike, Wilson an Image d Reagan were your Top 10. The Bottom 10: Hayes, Hoover, Tyler, Dubya,… Read more

RE: Stalking the wily Millennials

Lindsay from our Elections Division, who works with young voters year-round, offers her perspective on the 2008 voter turnout and why those 18-24 year olds turn in fewer ballots than the older crowd: Image

“As a Millennial myself, I’ve got to say that I’m not fussed about the turnout. It’s not a new problem. It seems to correct itself with age. The Gen Xers weren’t any better. In fact, the worst youth turnout on record was the 1996… Read more

The Art of the Deal

There is a great article in the January 2009 issue of Searcher: The Magazine for Database Professionals, titled “The Art of the Deal: Negotiation Advice from Library Leaders and Vendors.” I would go so far as to call it essential reading for anyone who negotiates library licenses and database subscriptions.… Read more

Sunnyside ...up

Image That would be Republican lawmaker Dan Newhouse of Sunnyside. He's Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire's pick for state ag director. Crossing the political aisle for a top cabinet appointment is pretty unusual for a governor, but the early buzz about Newhouse was that it was an excellent move by Gregoire and that Newhouse will easily be confirmed by the state… Read more