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Month: January 2010

2010 initiative season underway

2010 initiative season underway

It looks like 2010 could be a busy year for ballot measures. We’re getting word that initiative activist Tim Eyman is already in the field with his anti-tax I-1053, after picking up the unusually early endorsement of the state GOP over the weekend.   This follows the recent filing of two controversial initiatives by well-connected groups – legalizing marijuana and privatizing the state-run worker’s comp insurance program. Eyman’s latest plan presumes the Democrats will suspend his previously approved I-960 and raise…

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Library Legislation Tracker – January 22, 2010

Library Legislation Tracker – January 22, 2010

Courtesy Legislative Planning Committee, Washington Library Association State Bills of Interest. 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. Click below to view the tracker.

April Storytime Workshop with Jane Cobb

April Storytime Workshop with Jane Cobb

Presenting Storytime with Jane Cobb Washington State Library is proud to bring Jane Cobb, author of I’m a Little Teapot! Presenting Preschool Storytime and What’ll I do with the Baby-O? Nursery Rhymes, Songs, and Stories for Babies, This full day workshop is funded with LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) funds from IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services.) Youth services library staff (and those who conduct storytimes at the library) are invited to attend this free workshop at one…

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Free Training Opportunities in February

Free Training Opportunities in February

Register at http://www.secstate.wa.gov/library/libraries/training/trainingCalendar.aspx From WSL (in person) Serving Patrons who have Physical/Mental Disabilities Effectively February 24, 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Burlington Public Library Ensuring the library experience is a positive one for patrons who have physical and mental disabilities is important. This workshop will provide communication and interaction best practices as well as practical techniques and strategies to enhance the patron’s library experience and ensure the best service provided. Presenter Nancie Payne is from Payne & Associates, Inc. in Olympia, WA…

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Free Online Grant-Writing Workshops

Free Online Grant-Writing Workshops

Staff at the Washington State Library (WSL) will host two sessions of a free online grant-writing workshop on January 27. The one-hour presentation with time following for questions will give attendees an insider’s look at several of our grant cycles, including Washington Rural Heritage, Supporting Student Success, and Hard Times. WSL staff will discuss project requirements as well as tips and helpful advice for successful grant applications. This presentation is perfect for anyone considering a grant-funded project with the State…

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Oregonians to decide fate of income tax hikes

Oregonians to decide fate of income tax hikes

While Washington lawmakers cogitate over how to close a $2.6 billion budget gap, our neighbors to the south are deciding whether to go along with the Oregon Legislature’s decision last year to boost income taxes to fill a $733 million hole. Oregonians, voting by mail over the last couple of weeks, get final say on two referenda.  One raises the personal income tax rate for the richest taxpayers and the other would boost the state’s minimum corporate inc0me tax, now…

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Mahre family poster just in time for Olympics!

Mahre family poster just in time for Olympics!

With the Winter Olympics set to begin up in Vancouver and Whistler in a few weeks, the State Library has a new Washington Reads poster featuring two Olympics heroes from our state: the Mahre twins. At the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, Phil and Steve Mahre captured the gold and silver medals in the men’s slalom. The Mahres, who honed their skiing skills at White Pass, were among several Washingtonians who medaled at those Olympics. Others included gold medalist…

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Unraveling the “Ruddell Riddle”

Unraveling the “Ruddell Riddle”

UPDATE: Sorry! Due to a large number of RSVPs for the event, we are now at capacity and no longer accepting registrations. Please e-mail our development team if you would like to be part of events like these in the future.  If you live in the Olympia area, chances are you’ve driven on Ruddell Road. But do you know the history behind the Ruddell name? On Saturday, January 30, you can find out. Come to the “Ruddell Riddle,” a free event that sheds light…

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State employee furlough plan clears Senate

State employee furlough plan clears Senate

The Washington Senate has approved a “furlough” bill that would require state agencies to cut employee costs by over $69 million through temporary layoffs and other actions over the coming months. The move would affect over 110,000 state government and higher education employees. The Senate vote was 27 to 17, with only Democrats in favor, despite the vehement opposition of the labor unions.  House Speaker Frank Chopp spoke favorably of a furlough plan this week. The plan that passed the…

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Clippings, January 22, 2010

Clippings, January 22, 2010

Library News As little as seven years ago, borrowers at the North Central Regional Library had to list, in long hand, all the books and videos they were checking out.  Today library users are downloading digital books and the software to use them on a variety of devices, from iPhones and BlackBerrys to the Sony Reader.   Downloadable audio books, which have been available in the system for about three years, have become extremely popular.  (Photo)  (Methow Valley News [Twisp], 1.13.10)…

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