Secretary Wyman (center) takes part at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Chinese braille exhibit at WTBBL this week. The ribbon cutting ceremony was led by Guo Weimin (right), deputy minister of State Council Information Office, People’s Republic of China, Wyman, and President Zhang Wei (left) of the China Braille Press.

Secretary of State Kim Wyman joined Chinese officials in formally opening a free exhibit on Chinese braille at the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library in Seattle Monday morning.

Wyman, Deputy Secretary of State Greg Lane,  and  WTBBL Manager Danielle Miller took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony following addresses by Wyman and Zhang Wei, president of the China Braille Press. Ceremony moderator was Zhang Hongbin, deputy director-general of International Affairs Bureau of State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China.

Part of Wyman’s speech during the ceremony:

“WTBBL has been recognized nationally as a leader for library services for the blind. You will find them always innovating, always actively building partnerships.

“It is equally clear from this amazing exhibit and the braille you have donated to the library, that China Braille press and the China Library for the Blind are also great leaders and innovators. What a wonderful new partnership! This is a great beginning and I know Danielle and her staff are excited to continue finding ways to work together in the future.”

The weeklong event coincides with a visit by Chinese President Xi to Seattle, Everett, Tacoma and Redmond.

The exhibit is available for viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Wednesday. Saturday’s exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Staff from the China Braille Press and China Library for the Blind will be on hand to share the exhibit and discuss their programs. Tours of the library also will be available.

The WTBBL display is part of a series of Chinese and American Braille Publications Exchange exhibitions that allow attendees to explore through touch, sound and sight.

The library is located at 2021 – 9th Ave. in downtown Seattle. WTBBL is part of the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of Secretary of State. Some parking is available in the WTBBL garage.

For more information about the exhibition or WTBBL, contact Miller at (206) 615-0400 or [email protected]. Or visit WTBBL online at www.wtbbl.org.