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Tag: State Librarian Rand Simmons

100 reasons to like this event

100 reasons to like this event

Ten-Squared Talking Book Club members Isidore Starr, Vivian Knutson and Emma Harman (left to right). In the back row are (left to right) Secretary of State Kim Wyman, State Librarian Rand Simmons and WTBBL Manager Danielle Miller. (Photo courtesy of John Pai)  For years, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library has been nationally renowned for offering outstanding service and programs for people of all ages who have trouble reading standard print. It also knows how to throw a party…

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Showing the power of books to think, inspire

Showing the power of books to think, inspire

From left: State Librarian Rand Simmons, first lady Trudi Inslee, Level 2 champion Owen Bernstein, Level 1 champion Peter Baumer, Level 3 champion Cindy Kuang and Secretary Wyman.  One focused on the challenges of living on a farm in the past, including the lack of computers and other electronics. Another dealt with summoning the courage to take a stand for what is right, even when it’s unpopular with others. The third compared a brother’s accident with that of a character…

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State Library’s past, future celebrated

State Library’s past, future celebrated

Central Library Services Manager Steve Willis holds up the new booklet about the Washington Territorial Library during his talk at Tuesday’s celebration event. Political turf battles. Unsavory characters. Nepotism. You normally wouldn’t associate these terms with a library. But they help describe the turbulent, ever-changing  era of the Washington Territorial Library, which was established in 1853 in Olympia and remains Washington’s oldest cultural institution. The Washington State Library hosted a public celebration of the Library’s 160th anniversary at its Tumwater…

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Checking out the Governor’s library collection

Checking out the Governor’s library collection

Secretary of State Wyman and State Librarian Rand Simmons (left) visited the Governor’s Mansion Wednesday morning for a photo shoot with Gov. Inslee in the mansion library to help celebrate the upcoming 160th anniversary of the creation of the Washington Territorial Library, now the Washington State Library. During the visit, the guv showed Wyman and Simmons a rare literary item, Territorial Gov. Isaac Stevens’ poetry collection. A celebration of the big anniversary is taking place Oct. 15 from 2 to…

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Honoring our outstanding volunteers

Honoring our outstanding volunteers

Secretary Wyman presents the Roger Easton Award of Excellence to Megan Zimmerman on behalf of her grandmother, Terri Huntley, who died last March. Terri was in charge of the Historical Records Project for several years. Also in the photo are Terri’s husband, Mike Huntley, and Southwest Regional Branch Archivist Lanny Weaver. (Photo courtesy of Benjamin Helle) For many years, the Office of Secretary of State has relied on volunteers from all over Washington to perform a variety of tasks that…

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Evelyn Arnold joins Secretary Wyman’s team

Evelyn Arnold joins Secretary Wyman’s team

Evelyn Arnold shares a story as Secretary Wyman (middle) and Elections Director Lori Augino (right) listen. Evelyn Arnold, former Chelan County Auditor and King County elections official, has joined the Office of Secretary of State as financial services manager. Monday was her first day on the job and it was “old home week” at a Capitol reception in her honor.  She and Secretary of State Kim Wyman are old friends, dating back to 1991, when Arnold was a new county…

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Allen grant to help create smartphone app for libraries

Allen grant to help create smartphone app for libraries

The Washington State Library is a step closer to offering a smartphone application that will provide service to public library patrons thanks to a new grant provided by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. The foundation has announced it will support local libraries in Washington and Oregon with $1.35 million in funding this year as part of its newest grant cycle. The library grants will help improve library services and technological capabilities. The foundation grant will provide the State Library…

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