From Our Corner

Hot off the press: New book on Governor John Spellman

Image A new book about former Washington's last Republican governor, “John Spellman: Politics Never Broke His Heart,” is being launched by The Legacy Project in the… Read more

Elections - How libraries fared in 2012

[caption id="attachment_10101" align="alignright" width="300"] Image Spokane Public Library. Photo by Andrea Parrish-Geyer.[/caption] Spokane voters handily approved raising taxes for library services in a February 12, 2013 election to preserve smaller branch libraries of the Spokane Public Library from closure. Now these branches will increase their hours of service. Generally… Read more

WSL Updates for February 21, 2013

Volume 9, February 21, 2013 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) FIRST TUESDAYS – BENEFITS OF COLLABORATION AND COOPERATION 2) FREE BOOKS FOR DISCUSSION KITS OR COMMUNITY READS 3) 2013 LSTA GRANT CYCLES OPEN MARCH 1 4) WSL OFFERS LSSC ASSISTANCE AWARDS 5) OCLC WORLDSHARE ILL TRAINING 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) FIRST TUESDAYS – BENEFITS OF… Read more

Looking back with pride: Naval ships in Elliott Bay

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(Photos courtesy of Washington State Digital Archives)

The U.S. Navy has had a long presence in the Puget Sound region. In fact, the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard was established in 1891, just two… Read more

Pacific Northwest Collection New Arrivals: February 2012

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recently added to the circulating Pacific Northwest collection...

Stories from Jewish Portland. By Polina Olsen.

Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2011.

http://cals.evergreen.edu/search~S2/o723142763

Read more

Photos of presidents visiting our state!

In honor of Presidents Day, we’re taking a look back at those occasions when a U.S. president has left the White House to visit our own Washington. Our Digital Archives has several photos showing presidents in The Evergreen State over the years. Image… Read more

Clippings for the week of February 8, 2013

[caption id="attachment_4996" align="alignright" width="227"] Image Image courtesy North Pend Oreille Heritage collection[/caption] Library News Friends of the Port Townsend Public Library received a grant from Humanities Washington (HW) during the inaugural round of HW’s new Spark Grants program. The grant supports the Port Townsend Community Reads program. (The Leader [Port… Read more

2013 Proposed Legislation Affecting Libraries 02/15/2013

Courtesy of the Legislative Planning Committee, Washington Library Association Library Related Legislation. 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 WLA site referenced above.

Library 2-15-2013… Read more

Reminder to businesses: Review your filing docs

Image Secretary of State Kim Wyman is reminding businesses to look carefully at their corporation and limited liability company (LLC) filing documents, which are processed through her agency’s Corporations and Charities… Read more

New video looks at initiative process

Image The Office of Secretary of State has released an educational video entitled "A Look at the Washington State Initiative Process." It gives an inside look at the journey of an initiative from conception to certification by our… Read more

Poetry, anyone?

Image From the desk of Sean Lanksbury. PNW & Special Collections Librarian Today being Valentine's Day, your thoughts might float off on wings of poesy. You might even wish you had a good line or two of local poetry to quote. Well, the Pacific Northwest has long been renowned for its lyric lineage, from… Read more

"A Perpetual Ovation" in Port Townsend for Major Morris

Image From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library:

The very first issue of The… Read more

Staff Spotlight: Martha Shinners

Image In June 2001, Martha Shinners started her work to develop and implement a youth services program at the Washington State Library. Prior to that date no individual on the State Library’s staff was specifically charged with these duties. Some work was just beginning in the area of early learning and in… Read more

WSL Updates for February 14, 2013

Volume 9, February 14, 2013 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) FIRST TUESDAYS: SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES THROUGH COLLABORATION 2) TAKE THE YALSA 2013 READING CHALLENGE 3) 25th ANNUAL EZRA JACK KEATS MINIGRANTS 4) TEEN TECH WEEK 5) GRANTS FOR CATALOGING HIDDEN SPECIAL COLLECTIONS 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) FIRST TUESDAYS: SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES THROUGH… Read more

Elections Division will seek probe of initiative fraud

Image The Washington Elections Division probe has confirmed apparent initiative fraud involving three paid signature-gatherers for two Initiatives to the Legislature recently certified for legislative consideration. The three collected over 8,000… Read more

Sid Snyder book launch draws Olympia movers & shakers

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Bette Snyder receives a standing ovation during book launch event honoring her husband, Sid.

As a state senator, he was known for bringing together people from both parties and earning their respect and admiration. A launch event for a new book about Sid… Read more

Last day to vote in Feb. special election

Image Are you forgetting to do something this week? No, we're not talking about ordering flowers or another gift for that special someone for Valentine's Day (although, if you did forget that as well, you're welcome for the reminder). No, we're checking to see if you remembered to vote. If you’re… Read more

Clippings for the week of February 1, 2013

[caption id="attachment_4996" align="alignright" width="227"] Image Image courtesy North Pend Oreille Heritage collection[/caption] Washington State Library News The State Library will host an exhibit entitled Wolves in Washington State, from February 2 to April 14 showcasing the unique history of wolves in Washington. The traveling exhibit is on loan from the Burke Museum of… Read more

From Your Corner: Vashon Island

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Photo courtesy Nancy Raume Carr

Vashon Island is a romantic isle in the heart of Puget Sound, located north of Tacoma. No farther than a short ferry trip from away from Ruston or West Seattle, Vashon boasts breathtaking views of water and mountains that can be seen from many parts of it.… 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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The comments and opinions expressed by users of this blog are theirs alone and do not reflect the opinions of the Secretary of State’s Office or its employees. The agency screens all comments in accordance with the Secretary of State’s blog use policy, and only those that comply with that policy will be approved and posted. Outside comments will not be edited by the agency.