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Category: Public Services

The Tale of the Washington State Bird, Volume 1: Meadowlarks, Goldfinches, and Mugwumps

The Tale of the Washington State Bird, Volume 1: Meadowlarks, Goldfinches, and Mugwumps

From the desk of Mary Paynton Schaff Every school child knows that the willow goldfinch is the official State Bird of Washington.  But less well known is the fact that the willow goldfinch had a long and controversial road to approval – 23 years of bickering and grandstanding, all of which culminated in a dramatic and highly amusing floor debate in the state’s House of Representatives. But first, let’s go back to 1928 when Washington’s school children were given the…

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National Parks Service in Washington State (parks, reserves, historic sites, etc.)

National Parks Service in Washington State (parks, reserves, historic sites, etc.)

Selected Resources National Park Service 2016 marks the centennial anniversary of the National Park Service. “That’s 100 years of protecting America’s natural, historical and cultural treasures from all over the United States. These more than 400 beautiful, historic and exquisite sites cover over 80 million acres consisting of approximately 18,000 miles of trails, more than 75,000 archaeological sites and at least 247 species of threatened or endangered plants and animals.” (Text from http://bit.ly/2allmnJ.) Interior Department National Park System. National Park System…

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National Park Service – One Hundred Years

National Park Service – One Hundred Years

From the desk of Rand Simmons This August 25th the National Parks Service (NPS) celebrates one hundred years of service to the nation and, indeed, to the world. The year was 1916, but national parks, designated by various federal agencies, have existed far longer than the NPS.  The first was the District of Columbia, authorized on July 16, 1790. It included the National Capital Parks, National Mall and the White House. My personal relationship with National Parks was shaped by where I was born…

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Newly Received Federal Publications — January – March 2016

Newly Received Federal Publications — January – March 2016

A selected list of resources received at the Washington State Library through the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). The State Library is the Regional Depository Library for the states of Washington and Alaska and has a comprehensive collection of FDLP publications. Did you know? Each year thousands of federal electronic publications are added to the Washington State Library’s comprehensive federal publications collection? During the first 3 months of 2016 2,136 electronic publications were listed in our online catalog and are…

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WSL Updates for March 17, 2016

WSL Updates for March 17, 2016

Volume 12, March 17, 2016 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) TEEN VIDEO CHALLENGE 2) ASK A LIBRARIAN SERVICE AT WSL 3) CIVICS EDUCATION RESOURCES 4) CONFERENCE PROPOSALS WANTED 5) ARSL 2016 CONFERENCE SEEKS PRESENTATION PROPOSALS 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

Washington State Library Staff Helps Decipher the Writing on the Wall

Washington State Library Staff Helps Decipher the Writing on the Wall

Recently the Seattle Times published an article about handwriting and about one lawmaker’s efforts to mandate cursive writing instruction in our public schools. Does anyone write  in cursive in the 21st Century?  It’s an interesting question to be sure but the reason it caught our eyes is that Mary Schaff, one of the State Library’s reference librarians is quoted in the article. As a librarian who specializes in issues pertaining to Washington State, Mary contributed research as to whether or…

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WSL Updates for February 11, 2016

WSL Updates for February 11, 2016

Volume 12, February 11, 2016 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) 2016 WASHINGTON VIRTUAL REFERENCE CONFERENCE 2) ASK A LIBRARIAN SERVICE AT WSL 3) NONPROFIT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES 4) FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN LIBRARIES 5) SPRING HAPPENINGS 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

Black History Month 2016

Black History Month 2016

 Federal Publications United States. Congress. House. Committee on House Administration. United States. Congress. House. Office of History and Preservation. (2008). Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007. Washington: U.S. G.P.O. The most comprehensive history available on the 121 African Americans who have served in Congress.Citation: United States., & United States. (2008). Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007. Washington: U.S. G.P.O. Available at WSL! (Call ahead) Y 1.1/2:SERIAL 14904; Online http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS106070 African American history. Library of Congress. National Digital Library Program, compiler. (1990). Available at WSL! Sudoc…

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Martin Luther King Day 2016

Martin Luther King Day 2016

A great place to start learning more about Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is at the Corporation for National & Community Service website. This organization oversees AmeriCorp and SeniorCorp. You will find many resources at their MLK Day site including videos, lesson plans and photos. Did you know that in addition to the focus on Dr. King there is also a focus on a day of service? For resources for kids and teens see kids.gov, a safe place for kids to…

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Malheur Wildlife Refuge

Malheur Wildlife Refuge

From the desk of Rand Simmons The conflict between the Bureau of Land Management and protesters and ranchers has received widespread attention from the media. The site of the protest is the Malheur Nation Wildlife Reserve located in rural Oregon near the small town of Burns. What do you know about this beautiful but remote area of Oregon? Want to know more? That’s where a library comes in handy. The Washington State Library is a great place to begin. Because…

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