From Our Corner

WSL Updates for November 14, 2013

Volume 9, November 14, 2013 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) GREAT BOOKS GIVEAWAY COMPETITION 2) NEED HELP WITH EASY READERS? 3) AWARDS FOR YALSA MEMBERS 4) CONFERENCE SUPPORT FOR PLA MEMBERS 5) AWARDING INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) GREAT BOOKS GIVEAWAY COMPETITION Each year, YALSA (Young Adult Library Services… Read more

Philippines typhoon relief: Give wisely!

Image The widespread devastation caused by typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines last weekend has left an… Read more

IT Academy program launches in WA libraries, and it’s free!

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Washington State Librarian Rand Simmons discusses the IT Academy partnership between Microsoft and the State Library during a launch event in Bellevue.

Washington residents needing to learn new information technology skills for their current job, a… Read more

Capsule Keepers meet again, 24 years later

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Capsule Keepers gather for a photo near the Centennial Time Capsule in the Legislative Building. (Photos courtesy of Benjamin Helle)

The original Capsule Keepers from 1989… Read more

Office of the Secretary of State and WSL launch Microsoft IT Academy

Tuesday, November 12, the Office of the Secretary of State and its division, the Washington State Library, joined Microsoft in launching a joint adventure, the Washington State Library / Microsoft IT Academy with an event at the KCLS - Bellevue Library. This online technology training program will be offered in more than 385 Washington libraries, free of charge, thanks to… Read more

Remembering World War I soldiers

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(Photo courtesy of Washington State Library)

This Veterans Day, take a minute to explore the lives of the courageous soldiers who fought for our country nearly 100 years ago.

The … Read more

WTBBL reaches out to veterans

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(Photo courtesy of Washington Talking Book & Braille Library)

The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library in Seattle is… Read more

A Mephitis Mephitica in Vancouver

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Major Enoch Adams[/caption] From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library: Although I suspect what we are reading here is a private… Read more

WSL Updates for November 7, 2013

Volume 9, November 7, 2013 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) GIVING KIDS A FOUNDATION FOR LIFETIME SUCCESS 2) NEED MORE ROMANCE? 3) LAURA BUSH FOUNDATION SCHOOL LIBRARY GRANTS 4) FRANCES HENNE/YALSA/VOYA RESEARCH GRANT 5) REWARDING INNOVATIVE ELECTRONIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) GIVING KIDS A FOUNDATION FOR LIFETIME… Read more

Washington 2013 votes are tallied

Image Washington voters were rejecting both statewide initiatives on the 2013 ballot, the nationally-watched I-522 dealing with GMO labeling on some food products and I-517 dealing with additional rights for initiative signature-gatherers. Seattle voters also chose their first openly gay mayor, Senate Democratic Leader Ed Murray… Read more

Secretary Wyman hits airwaves, reminding folks to vote

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Secretary of State Wyman is interviewed by KOMO-TV's Kelly Koopmans. (Photos courtesy of Cheri Kennedy)

It's the last day for the… Read more

Need election results? We have an app for that

Image If you have a smartphone and want to keep up with the General Election results, download our free election results mobile app. Go here to download it.) We’ve had this app for the past couple of… Read more

Yule memories: National holiday tree came from WA 52 years ago

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(Photos courtesy of Washington State Archives)

The folks in the other Washington are getting ready to decorate the National Mall for the holidays, and a key part of the decorations is appropriately coming… Read more

The Brief Life of Stanley, Washington

Ever hear of the town of Stanley, Washington? No? Well, don't feel bad. It had a lifespan of only six years but in that brief time was the springboard for ambitious plans. The following article was found at random in The Chehalis Nugget, June 4, 1897: STANLEY TOWNSITE SOLD City of Boom Days to be Converted Into a Chicken Ranch "… Read more

See Secretary Wyman’s General Election video

Image Haven’t returned your General Election ballot yet? Still deciding whether it’s even worth it to vote? Check out this short video in which Secretary of State… Read more

Students 'vote' on I-517, I-522 & Seattle mayoral race

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These students at Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma voted in the Mock Election Friday morning. (Photo courtesy Lindsay Pryor)

If the results for this year's… Read more

Happy Halloween from the Secretary of Rock

Image Nearly all of the Executive Division staffers in our office are dressed up for Halloween, including Secretary of Rock, er, State Wyman, who is channeling her inner rocker chick today by dressing up apparently as an '80s-era… Read more

WSL Updates for October 31, 2013

Volume 9, October 31, 2013 for the WSL Updates mailing list Remember to Fall Back! Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 3. Topics include: 1) FIRST TUESDAYS – BRINGING UP BABY 2) DON’T MISS THE 2013 ELPLP SYMPOSIUM 3) BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND – GETTING SCHOOL READY! 4) AUDIO MUSIC/VIDEO COLLECTION AWARD 5) SUSTAINING CULTURAL HERITAGE COLLECTIONS GRANTS 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK… Read more

Can’t mask this: CFD ball a big hit

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Secretary Wyman (left) and others pose during the Masquerade Ball. (Photo courtesy of Stephanie Horn)

The second annual Masquerade Ball at the Capitol last Saturday evening was a huge success. The Office of Secretary of State, the… Read more

Just in time for Halloween: State Archives' chilling exhibit!

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Dr. Linda Hazzard's State Penitentiary mug shots. (Photos courtesy of Washington State Archives)

With Halloween here, the State Archives has just the thing to put a little scare… Read more