This might be a very exclusive group, but nobody complains about its criteria to join or when its members gather. In fact, it’s cause for a big celebration when they do.

The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library last weekend hosted its annual Ten-Squared event celebrating its patrons who are 100 years or older. WTBBL currently has 61 patrons across the state who are at least 100. Last year there were 50 at this time.

Three centenarian patrons attended this year’s tea event, along with staff, patrons and volunteers from WTBBL, the Washington State Library, and the Office of Secretary of State. The photo shows in the front row, from left: Emma Harman, Isidore Starr  and Margaret Franzen, all age 100 .  In the back row are Acting State Librarian Rand Simmons, State Historian John Hughes (the tea’s keynote speaker, who spoke about the importance of oral history) and WTBBL Manager Danielle Miller.

The National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped-Library of Congress Ten-Squared Talking Book Club was created to recognize the accomplishments of centenarian patrons and promote the value of lifelong reading.

WTBBL is part of the Washington State Library, which is a division of the Office of Secretary of State.