From Our Corner

BC quilters send special gifts for Oso

Image After learning about the tragic landslide in Oso, the Whistler Valley Quilters' Guild north of Vancouver, B.C., contacted our Combined Fund Drive, wanting to help. The big-hearted quilters sent a large box of… Read more

Have you read a poem lately?

If you haven't read poetry in a while, now is the perfect time to start again - April is National Poetry Month. In his National Poetry Month proclamation, Governor Inslee called on “…all the people of Washington to observe National Poetry Month in a more meaningful, personal way…as a means to offer comfort and solace to those who… Read more

WSL Updates for April 10, 2014

Volume 10, April 10, 2014 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) DISASTER RELIEF GRANTS 2) SENIORS – ANOTHER KIND OF DIGITAL DIVIDE 3) DÍA! DIVERSITY IN ACTION 4) CELEBRATE NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK 5) 2014 TEENS’ TOP TEN GIVEAWAY 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) DISASTER RELIEF GRANTS The Libri Foundation is offering a limited number of special non-matching… Read more

The Historic Background of the Oso Mudslide

[caption id="attachment_13146" align="alignleft" width="300"] Image 2014 Oso mudslide[/caption] The story of the Oso mudslide is being followed around the nation. What many people don’t realize however is that this area was hit by a similar mud… Read more

What can you find in a city directory?

Image Do you know what you can find in a city directory? If you want to research your home, your family history, or local history you’ll want to use city directories. They are similar to telephone books in that they were published every year, and they… Read more

WSL Updates for April 3, 2014

Volume 10, April 3, 2014 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) APPLY FOR DIGITAL LITERACY GRANTS 2) OPEN GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES 3) CALL FOR SPEAKERS FOR INTERNET@SCHOOLS 4) MAYDAY! MAYDAY! 5) BOOKS FOR CHILDREN GRANTS 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) APPLY FOR DIGITAL LITERACY GRANTS Are you ready to innovate in your community? Would your… Read more

A day for honoring heroes

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Secretary of State Wyman stands with (from left) SFC Leroy Petry, Capt. William Swenson and SSG Ty Carter in front of the Medal of Honor Monument on the Capitol Campus. (Photo courtesy of Benjamin Helle… Read more

Double Trouble in Walla Walla

Image Double Trouble in Walla Walla. The Adventure on Klickitat Island What do these titles have in common? Well, they contain two of Washington State’s very unique place names. Walla Walla and Klickitat are just fun to say. They are also part of our collection of children’s books here at the Washington State Library. We don’t just have history books and microfilm here at the… Read more

April election ballots being sent to voters

Image Nearly 1.6 million Washington voters in 21 counties will receive a ballot this week for the April special election, which ends April 22. Some 35 ballot measures will be considered by voters in these counties. The most publicized… Read more

WSL Updates for March 27, 2014

Volume 10, March 27, 2014 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) SECURITY IN THE LIBRARY IS NO APRIL FOOLS JOKE 2) SCHOOL LIBRARIANS – SHARE YOUR STORIES! 3) LEMONY SNICKET ADVERSITY AWARD 4) ACRL CONFERENCE PROPOSALS SOLICITED 5) ALA DIVERSITY RESEARCH GRANTS 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) SECURITY IN THE LIBRARY IS NO APRIL FOOLS JOKE How safe is… Read more

Preserving the History and Culture of Washington State

From the desk of Brian Frisina Washingtonians know the importance of preserving the history and culture of our great state. [caption id="attachment_12856" align="alignright" width="229"] Image Mr. Jackson is shown in the Illustrated History of Mason County, by Susan Olsen and Mary Randlette (1978) Additional information on Dick Jackson can be found in the rise and decline of the Olympia oyster… Read more

Pioneer Talcott family donates State Seal tools

Image Three Secretaries of State, Kim Wyman, Ralph Munro and Sam Reed, headlined a reception at the Capitol to receive a cool heritage gift for the state: the original set of tools used by pioneer jewelers Charles, George and Grant Talcott to design the State Seal back in 1889 -- 125 years ago. The Secretary is designated in the state Constitution as the keeper of the seal, which is affixed to state documents, governor's proclamations, and other… Read more

Mercy Thompson Series

From the desk of Kim Smeenk [caption id="attachment_13010" align="alignright" width="167"] Image Frost Burned[/caption] There is a bestselling fantasy series about werewolves and vampires in Washington State, and it isn’t the one you’re thinking of. Instead of the rain, mountains and misty forests that most people think of when they picture… Read more

A history of landslides in Washington

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Part of the neighborhood damaged by a slow-moving landslide in Kelso in 1998-99. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Archives)

Last weekend’s massive… Read more

Women’s History Month – Josephine Corliss Preston

Image From the desk of Judy Pitchford Another treasure for Women’s History in the Manuscript Collection of the State Library is the newspaper clipping scrapbook of Josephine Corliss Preston, which has been digitized and added to our… Read more

Kalama Public Library has a new website

Image From the desk of Evelyn Lindberg: The Kalama Public Library has a new web address and a brand new website at: http://www.kalamalibrary.com/. It is the twelfth public library to launch as part of… Read more

Registration deadline nears for April special election

Image The April 22 special election is coming soon, primarily for school measures. If you’re not registered and want to vote in it, you need to register first. Monday (March 24) is the deadline to… Read more

Spring is here!

Image Spring has sprung! As if on cue, the weather is beautiful at the Capitol as spring makes its debut, making the cherry blossoms on campus even more impressive. We invite you to e-mail your photos and stories to us as part of an ongoing feature called “From… Read more

WSL Updates for March 20, 2014

Volume 10, March 20, 2014 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) OCLC ILL TRANSITION DEADLINES 2) 2014 RECORDED BOOKS RENEWAL 3) FREE BOOKS FOR WASHINGTON LIBRARIES 4) LIBRI BEST STUDENT PAPER AWARD 5) ENTER THE BEST OF SHOW COMPETITION 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) OCLC ILL TRANSITION DEADLINES Libraries need to complete their transition to OCLC… Read more

Mt Constitution on San Juan Island up for sale and not at Five Thousand Feet

From the desk of Shawn Shollmeyer Image Today, March 19, 2014, marks the 101st Anniversary of the Washington State Park System. You can read a little about the history of one of our state parks and follow links to historic newspaper articles. Dr. J Hilton of Seattle owned 80 acres of land that included Mt. Constitution on Orcas Island. A… Read more