Volume 12, January 7, 2016 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) REFERENCE TRIAGE WEBINAR

2) GAINING STEAM WITH LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3®

3) FREE RESOURCES FOR WASHINGTON EDUCATORS

4) LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE CONTEST

5) LATEST WORKSOURCEWA.COM NEWS

6) FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNTIES

7) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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“I truly believe that without your book, I wouldn’t be here writing this letter to you today.”

Teresa Zhan 2014 Level 3 winner

“The moment I started reading your books it changed me! “

Emily Cordero, 2014 Level 2 winner

“Pastwatch showed me that to be the person I want to be, I must face my fears and voice my beliefs – even if they are different from the beliefs of people around me.”

Owen Bernstein, 2013 Level 2 winner

Every year powerful statements such as these are written by students from all over Washington State.  The Letters About Literature contest encourages young readers in grades 4-12 to read a book and write a letter to the author about how the book changed their view of the world or themselves.  2016 marks the eleventh year that the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, has sponsored the contest as part of Washington Reads.  Washington is a strong state in the contest routinely receiving over 3000 entries every year.

The contest has a tremendous impact on students and their appreciation for the books they read.  Here’s what last year’s winners had to say about the contest.

Would you like to learn more about the contest or read letters of past winners?  Here’s where to find the information.

The 23rd annual writing contest for young readers is made possible by a generous grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, with additional support from gifts to the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, which promotes the contest through its affiliate Centers for the Book, state libraries and other organizations.

Volume 11, October 8, 2015 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE CONTEST OPEN

2) THE FUTURE STEMS FROM READING GRANT CYCLE – APPLY NOW

3) HEALTH INFORMATION CLASSES

4) PROTECTING CULTURAL COLLECTIONS WORKSHOP

5) WASHINGTON EDUCATORS’ CONFERENCE

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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Volume 11, September 17, 2015 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE CONTEST OPEN

2) TRUSTEE TRAINING INFO REQUEST

3) TECHNOLOGY VACANCY ON LIBRARY COUNCIL OF WASHINGTON

4) LEADING FROM ANY POSITION: CREATING LEARNING LIBRARIES IN 5 EASY LESSONS

5) MRSC SEPTEMBER WEBINAR

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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Volume 11, January 1, 2015 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) FIRST TUESDAYS WEBINAR

2) LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE 2015

3) INVITATION TO E-RATE PROGRAM WEBINARS

4) 2015 LIBRARY LEGISLATIVE DAY

5) HAPPY NEW YEAR!

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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Volume 10, September 25, 2014 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) HIDDEN VOICES: AUDIO ARCHAEOLOGY AT MADIGAN ARMY HOSPITAL

2) LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE 2015

3) FREE BOOKS FOR WASHINGTON LIBRARIES

4) GEOSCIENCE LIBRARIANSHIP 101 – FREE SEMINAR

5) WALE CONFERENCE EARLY REGISTRATION ENDS OCTOBER 1

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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Volume 9, December 12, 2013 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE – DEADLINE APPROACHING

2) CALL FOR SPEAKERS – BIG TALK FROM SMALL LIBRARIES

3) OPPORTUNITY FOR NOVICE RESEARCHERS

4) WORLD BOOK NIGHT 2014

5) FRIENDS – EVERYONE NEEDS THEM

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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From the desk of Mary Paynton Schaff

Washington’s 2013 Letters About Literature Champions have been announced by the Washington State Library!

Cora Tessaro, a fifth grader at Daniel Bagley Elementary School in Seattle, is the Level 1 champion.  Julia Batson, a seventh grader at Woodward Middle School on Bainbridge Island, is the Level 2 champion.  Jordyn Tonkinson, a ninth grader at Hockinson High School in Brush Prairie, is the Level 3 champion.  Click here to see their letters and learn more about the 2013 contest.

There were approximately 3,400 Washington students whose letters made it to round 1 judging in the 2013 contest.  325 semifinalists advanced to round 3 state judging.  All state semifinalists will receive an award certificate in the mail.

From the 325 Washington semifinalists, the state judges selected three champions, three second place runners up, and twenty-one honorable mentions.  The three champions’ letters have been sent to the Library of Congress for the national competition.  The results of the national judging will be released in late April.

There will be a ceremony in the Columbia Room at the State Capitol in Olympia on May 24^th at 1:30 in the afternoon to recognize the state champions, second place runners up, and honorable mentions.

Thank you to all the students, teachers, librarians, and families who participate in Washington’s Letters About Literature program.  Keep reading and writing!

Volume 9, April 4, 2013 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE WINNERS ANNOUNCED

2) CONNECT WITH YOUR LIBRARY – A MOBILE APP FOR WASHINGTON

3) GRANT CYCLE FOR EARLY LEARNING EXTENDED

4) FREE WESTPAS WORKSHOP COMES TO OLYMPIA

5) SNEAK PREVIEW OF WASHINGTON LIBRARY TRUSTEE WIKI

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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Volume 8, December 6, 2012 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) FREE GENEALOGY WORKSHOP

2) LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE 2013 DEADLINE APPROACHING

3) GATES MILLENNIUM SCHOLARS PROGRAM

4) AWARDS FOR AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

5) GRANTS FOR AMERICA’S HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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