From Our Corner

From Digital Archives: Classic photos of Washington trails

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(Photos courtesy of Washington State Digital Archives)

Over the years, thousands of intrepid day-hikers, backpackers and horseback riders have headed outdoors to traverse Washington’s many miles of trails. The state's vast… Read more

White stuff gets Governor's son in trouble

Image From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library It was a criminal story bound to generate headlines. Federal agents storm a mansion in Seattle, the home of a former Governor's son. In the course of… Read more

OCLC ILL Migration Reminder

Image It’s that time again! Summer is coming to a close and summer reading programs are winding down. With the conclusion of summer programming, this is the perfect time to start thinking about your library’s transition from WorldCat® Resource Sharing to… Read more

WSL Updates for August 15, 2013

Volume 9, August 15, 2013 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) NORTHWEST CENTRAL SEEKS VOLUNTEERS 2) LOOKING FOR THE BEST SMALL LIBRARY IN AMERICA 3) BECHTEL FELLOWSHIP FOR CHILDREN’S LIBRARIAN 4) LIBRARIES TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES 5) GOT TEENS? THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) NORTHWEST CENTRAL SEEKS VOLUNTEERS Northwest… Read more

Profiles of Washington Territorial Librarians - James Clark Head, 1860 - 1861, 1863, 1865

From the Desks of the Central Library Staff (Head served three nonconsecutive terms as Territorial Librarian.) J.C. Head was born in Washington County, Ky. in 1810. His family apparently lived in Illinois before their arrival in Olympia, Aug. 18, 1853. A carpenter by trade, Head also was made a Justice of the Peace and in 1856 presided over the case of the accused murderer of Leschi's brother, Quiemuth.… Read more

Announcing North Olympic Heritage, a new digital collection!

Image The Washington Rural Heritage initiative is pleased to announce a new digital collection: North Olympic Heritage. A project of the… Read more

Time running out for Corporations for Communities noms

Image Do you know a Washington corporation or business that does good things in your community? It could be providing volunteer help on projects, or donating money or supplies, or something else that makes a positive difference. If such a company comes to mind… Read more

What's our next exhibit? Funny you ask

Image Our month-ling Quilts of Valor exhibit was taken down earlier this week, so the walls in our office's front lobby are unusually bare. But that won't last for long. The Office of Secretary of State is… Read more

From Digital Archives: mountain fishing photos

Image Fishing is a favorite outdoor activity for many Washingtonians, whether casting from a riverbank or dock, or from a boat bobbling on a river or off the coast. If you’re looking for some nostalgic… Read more

Seattle's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

[caption id="attachment_11535" align="alignleft" width="280"] Image E. F. Boucke[/caption] From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library By day he was a respectable insurance salesman, a churchgoing man… Read more

WSL Updates for August 8, 2013

Volume 9, August 8, 2013 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) REGISTRATION CLOSING FOR PNLA 2013 CONFERENCE 2) HELP END VETERAN HOMELESSNESS 3) YOUTH SERVICES STAFF – SHARE YOUR SUCCESSES 4) NEW MENTORING PROGRAM FROM ALSC 5) MOBILE DEVICES – GATEWAY TO YOUR LIBRARY 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) REGISTRATION CLOSING FOR PNLA 2013 CONFERENCE… Read more

WA voters pick their Primary favorites

Image Washington voters have narrowed the field for the General Election, including the hotly contested race for Seattle Mayor, three special state Senate races and literally hundreds of important… Read more

Profiles of Washington Territorial Librarians - Andrew Jackson Moses, 1859

From the Desks of the Central Library Staff Called "a family of rascals" by one historian, the Moses brothers (Simpson, A.B., and Andrew, a native of South Carolina) along with Elwood Evans, came from Ohio to Olympia 1851 via the Nicaragua route. Simpson had been appointed the Collector and Andrew became a merchant on Main Street (Capitol Way). He had the instincts of an information professional when he ran this notice in the Feb. 5… Read more

SecWyman promotes county election drop boxes for 11th-hour voters

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(Photo courtesy of Stephanie Horn)

With just hours to go until Washington's 2013 Primary wraps up, Secretary of State Kim Wyman hit the airwaves doing TV and radio interviews to talk up the election and remind… Read more

Primary ends Tuesday; have you voted?

Image Washington’s 2013 Primary ends Tuesday at 8 p.m., so do it before it’s too late. If you’re waiting until the last minute to return your… Read more

McDonald's Book Exchange Comes Through in Our Time of Need

This is a long overdue post about the wonderful staff of McDonald’s Book Exchange in Redmond. As our budgets have been cut over the last several years we have looked for alternative sources of material and the staff at McDonald’s Book Exchange have really come through with 1000's of books donated to the Institutional Libraries. These books have ranged from bestsellers to old favorites, fiction and nonfiction filling many empty spaces on our shelves. I want to personally thank them for all… Read more

State Library now key resource on Access Washington page

Image For years, the Washington State Library has been a top go-to place for researchers, students, history buffs and others seeking information online, particularly about Washington. Now, the State Library will be… Read more

WSL Updates for August 1, 2013

Volume 9, August 1, 2013 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) BLOGGING BEYOND BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS 2) OCLC ILL MIGRATION REMINDER 3) WALE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN 4) WANTED – IDEAS FOR FIRST ANNUAL DPLAFEST 5) FILM FORWARD NEEDS PROGRAM COLLABORATORS 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) BLOGGING BEYOND BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS Most library blogs deliver excellent… Read more

Secretary Wyman: Leadership tips & encouragement

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(Photo courtesy of Lindsay Pryor.)

Secretary of State Kim Wyman enjoyed leading a seminar at the Youth Leadership Institute this week, encouraging students with… Read more

Profiles of Washington Territorial Librarians - Urban East Hicks, 1858

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Urban Hicks[/caption] From the Desks of the Central Library Staff Urban Hicks, the man… Read more