WA Secretary of State Blogs

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

Monday, August 5th, 2013 Posted in Institutional Library Services | Comments Off on 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 their hard work and the wonderful books they have donated to our patrons.
16210 NE 80th St
Redmond, WA 98052

Kim Wyman visits Airway Heights Corrections Center Library

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013 Posted in Articles, Institutional Library Services | Comments Off on Kim Wyman visits Airway Heights Corrections Center Library


Ken Raskey, Joyce Hanna, and Kim Wyman in the AHCC Library

Ken Raske, Joyce Hanna, and Kim Wyman in the AHCC Library

On Friday, May 31st the Airway Heights Corrections Center Branch of the Washington State Library had two special visitors: Secretary of State Kim Wyman and Assistant Secretary of State Ken Raske. The visit lasted around an hour and a half. AHCC Associate Superintendent Ron Haynes was also in attendance. On the way into the library, they got to see the inmates working with the dogs and Ron Haynes explained the program to them. The visit was very comfortable. Both Kim Wyman and Ken Raske were very interested in the library and what we are doing here. They asked lots of questions and toured the library. They were interested in our Re-entry Resources and our Library Reads Program. Both asked questions about our collection. I showed them the workroom, which is full of gift materials and explained how we go about deciding which items to add and which items to offer to other branch libraries. Then I explained that what is left over we offer to a list of other places. They were both very concerned about our safety and security and Ron Haynes explained the security side of the institution.  On the way out we stopped by the Law Library, which is run by DOC. They both showed an interest in what legal resources were available to the inmates. I introduced them to Rachael Shook who runs the Law Library here. Kim Wyman and Ken Raske are very personable people and I felt at ease with them. I was very impressed with both of them and I think Kim is going to make a fantastic Secretary of State and I am personally glad to have her in charge of the office. 

Ken Raskey and Kim Wyman in front of AHCC

Ken Raske and Kim Wyman in front of AHCC

 

Book Drive to Benefit Coyote Ridge Corrections Center

Friday, December 21st, 2012 Posted in Articles, Institutional Library Services | Comments Off on Book Drive to Benefit Coyote Ridge Corrections Center


Gayle Shonkwiler and Jerry McGuire

Gayle Shonkwiler and Jerry McGuire

8ft bed of the truck was full.

8ft bed of the truck was full

Jerry McGuire of the Richland Rotary Club held a book drive for The Washington State Library at Coyote Ridge Correction Center in Connell Wa.  We received 100’s of books, all in great condition.  We want to Thank them for the efforts they took to help out libraries.

Donation from Mr. Jamie Ford to Coyote Ridge Corrections Center Library

Thursday, June 7th, 2012 Posted in Articles, Institutional Library Services | Comments Off on Donation from Mr. Jamie Ford to Coyote Ridge Corrections Center Library


Coyote Ridge received a generous, and special, donation of new books from author Jamie Ford today. Mr. Ford visited the prison last March as part of a Community Read program hosted by Washington State Library. Shortly after his reading, Mr. Ford decided to donate the remainder of his speaking fee, after travel fees were paid, back to the library in the form of a book donation. He asked the library staff at Coyote Ridge to submit a wish list, which was (of course) completed almost immediately. Everything on the list, plus extra dictionaries, was sent. Thank you so much, Mr. Ford! 

Clallam Bay Library Goodwill in 2011

Thursday, March 15th, 2012 Posted in Articles, Institutional Library Services | Comments Off on Clallam Bay Library Goodwill in 2011


Clallam Bay Library

The two biggest highlights of 2011 for Clallam Bay Corrections Center were the ILS Library Snapshot Day and the donation of $1,000 to buy library materials.

The ILS Library Snapshot day was a huge hit at the CBCC branch library.  The turnout for each unit was great and many were disappointed when they could not attend due to lack of room.  Stacks of “What library services mean to me” forms were filled out with heartfelt statements, even by those who didn’t make it in for that day.  The guys really felt it was important to let someone – anyone – know how important their library is to them.  Of course the picture taking was a big hit because the pictures were going to be posted on Facebook and their family and friends would be able to see them.  It was a fun filled evening enjoyed by patrons, clerks and staff alike.

The second big event was the donation of $1,000 from the CBIT (Clallam Bay Improvement Team) which is a team of offenders with a staff sponsor.  Their goal is to do things in the institution that improves being incarcerated here. They held a fund raiser, selling pies and chicken purchased at a not so close by store, with a mark up to give the donation.  This is often done by offenders who only make $.34 an hour.  It was touching to me that when they found out that the budget for the library had been cut drastically they were all willing to spend their hard earned money so a good donation could be given and new books and music could be purchased for their library.

The theme for 2011 at the Western State Hospital Library was Re-New and Re-Use!

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012 Posted in Articles, Institutional Library Services | 1 Comment »


Western State Hosptial

To re-new interest in the WSH Library, we began the year by participating in ILS Snapshot Day 1-11-11 and all branches shared stories and pictures on the State Library website.  A month later, a WSH Library newsletter was introduced on campus to highlight the collection’s offerings.  Starting mid-year, classes at the hospital treatment centers were entertained with a weekly show-n-tell—poetry—storytelling format library programming.  District #28 Rep. Troy Kelley accepted an invitation to visit the library and WSH history museum.  The Library is a major supporter of the hospital’s historical heritage and hosted a WSH Museum open-house in September.

In the spirit of thrift,  Eastern and Western State Hospital staff wrote to certain publishers to seek in-kind donations.  The donations received were shared with all 12 ILS branches.  The Forest Institute donated good quality psych education videos to the WSH Library.  Branches shared equipment and materials to maximize shelf-life.  WSH Staff and patients donated books, DVDs, music CDs and artwork throughout the year.

$1000 Donation from inmates at WCCW

Friday, December 2nd, 2011 Posted in Articles, Institutional Library Services | 1 Comment »


Doug Gelis, one happy librarian with $1000 donation

When the inmates at Washington Corrections Center for Women heard that my book budget was frozen ( again ) , they asked me if there was anything that they could do. I informed them that I could take donations. Soon after this the tier reps approached me and said they were going to do a fundraiser for the library. Last week I sent a check to Laura Sherbo for $1000.00 which is earmarked for the purchase of books for WCCW Library. A very big thank you goes out to all of the inmates at WCCW.

WSL Updates for January 6, 2011

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 Posted in For Libraries, Grants and Funding, News, Training and Continuing Education, Updates | Comments Off on WSL Updates for January 6, 2011


Volume 7, January 6, 2011 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) GO TO THE WEB AND SAY AHH!

2) FIRST TUESDAYS – DISPLAYS THAT POP!

3) FREE EBOOKS FOR YOUR LIBRARY

4) GUIDE TO STATE AND LOCAL WORKFORCE DATA

5) CONNECTING DONORS AND SCHOOL LIBRARIES

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

Read the rest of this entry »