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Month: June 2013

The Northwestern Industrial Army and the Battle at Sprague

The Northwestern Industrial Army and the Battle at Sprague

From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library: In the midst of one of the worst economic depressions of the 19th century, thousands of unemployed workers were called upon nationwide to march in protest at Washington D.C. in 1894. They gained the nickname “Coxey’s Army” after their Ohio-based leader, Jacob Coxey. The Coxeyites in the Pacific Northwest were among the most radical followers, and dubbed themselves the Northwest Industrial Army. If you consider…

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WSL Updates for June 13, 2013

WSL Updates for June 13, 2013

Volume 9, June 13, 2013 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) GRADUATE STUDY SCHOLARSHIPS 2) HEALTHY LIVING GRANT PROGRAM 3) COMMUNITY GRANTS HELP TEENS BUILD 21ST CENTURY SKILLS 4) US CENSUS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES 5) SURVEY FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE INSTITUTIONS 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

Washington’s Second Library is Also the First

Washington’s Second Library is Also the First

From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library: Although the Washington Territorial/State Library was formed in 1853, making it the first library and indeed cultural institution in Washington to be supported by public funds, the distinction of becoming the very first community library belongs to Steilacoom. In our Rare Vault, WSL has two copies of the Constitution, by-laws, and rules and orders of the Steilacoom Library Association, Washington Territory : organized in March,…

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Quilts of Valor exhibit on display in July

Quilts of Valor exhibit on display in July

The Secretary of State’s next office exhibit will feature quilts that salute American combat troops. Thirteen beautiful handmade quilts created by volunteer quilters from around Washington will be on display in the Secretary of State’s front lobby during the month of July. The office is on the second floor of the Legislative Building in Olympia. The office is open Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The quilts are part of the national Quilts of Valor program….

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WA lawmakers head into third session

WA lawmakers head into third session

Washington legislators are headed into an unusual second special session, still hoping to bridge stark partisan differences and avoid a June 30 deadline for averting a partial government shutdown. Dejected and weary lawmakers were closing out their 30-day special session Tuesday with little to show for their labors.  Gov. Jay Inslee, a freshman Democrat who once served in the state House himself, called a special session to convene at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. At a Capitol news conference, Inslee sought…

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Gun-control advocates file initiative to Legislature

Gun-control advocates file initiative to Legislature

Paul Benz and Cheryl Stumbo talk to the media after filing their initiative to the Legislature. Continuing the debate that began in the Legislature after the Newtown shootings, gun-control advocates have filed an initiative to the Legislature to require universal background checks on gun purchases. The measure was filed with the Secretary of State on Tuesday by Faith Action Network, including Cheryl Stumbo, who was gravely wounded by a gunman at the Seattle Jewish Center, and Paul Benz, a longtime…

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Clippings for the week of June 7, 2013

Clippings for the week of June 7, 2013

Library News Bothell Police are currently investigating two reported incidents of voyeurism that occurred at the King County Library’s Bothell branch. In both cases, library staff and witnesses saw a male suspect entering the women’s restroom and taking significant steps to view and/or record females using the toilets. (Bothell-Kenmore Reporter, 4.19.13) http://www.bothell-reporter.com/news/202370121.html In the Barge-Chestnut neighborhood, Mary MacKintosh has established Yakima’s first registered Little Free Library in her front yard. There’s also a Little Free Library at the Unity Spiritual…

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Clippings for the week of May 17, 2013

Clippings for the week of May 17, 2013

*There will be no Clippings the week of May 31st. Also, starting in June the Clippings will be sent out Monday afternoons instead of Friday afternoons. Therefore, the Clippings for the week of June 7th will be sent on Monday, June 10th. * Library News Renton is still part of the King County Library System – for now. After a 90-minute Committee of the Whole discussion and nine comments from the public, the Renton City Council essentially rejected a de-annexation…

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“Sensation John” Brings the Confederate Cause to Washington Territory

“Sensation John” Brings the Confederate Cause to Washington Territory

From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library: The fun part about murky plots and conspiracies is that they are just that– murky, leaving a mystery for historians to argue about for decades. Even at the time the daring plan of Confederate agents in Victoria B.C. to capture a Port Townsend-based Revenue Cutter was exposed, rival newspapers could not agree on the facts of the case. The following article was found in the…

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WSL Updates for June 6, 2013

WSL Updates for June 6, 2013

Volume 9, June 6, 2013 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) LOCAL HISTORIAN SOLVES TERRITORIAL LIBRARY PUZZLE! 2) IPAD TABLET LAB GRANT CYCLE NOW OPEN 3) TURNING THE PAGE – LIBRARIES BUILDING COMMUNITIES 4) SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NW ILL CONFERENCE 5) FREE WORKSHOP – FUNDING PRESERVATION PROJECTS 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK