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“Who are we?” exhibit speakers offer wise words

“Who are we?” exhibit speakers offer wise words

We’re still aglow from last week’s launch of the “Who are we?” exhibit created by our terrific Legacy Washington team. At the launch, we were thrilled to hear moving speeches by three of the Washingtonians featured in the exhibit. Here are excerpts: “We are in an era in which it’s almost sinful to defend government. And that is a real shame, because government is a necessary institution in a free society in order for it to work. And government will…

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State agencies honored for food, book donations

State agencies honored for food, book donations

Secretary Wyman with representatives of state agencies honored at Well Fed Well Read recognition ceremony. (Photo courtesy Philip Kerrigan) Several state agencies, including our very own Office of Secretary of State, have been honored for their generosity in donating food and children’s books. Secretary of State Kim Wyman recognized these agencies’ contributions to the Well Fed Well Read donation drive this spring during a ceremony in her office Friday. The following agencies were honored for bringing in the most food:…

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Olympics of the Mind & Body – Summer of 2016

Olympics of the Mind & Body – Summer of 2016

From the desk of Shirley Lewis This year’s summer reading theme is “Get in the Game – Read”.  Why should the kids have all the fun? Washington State Library presents suggested activities to help adults get fit, learn, and try something new.  So, exercise your brain and your body throughout the summer – try these “Olympics of the Mind & Body” ideas. June 1 Learn to play Pickleball; a game invented by the late Joel Pritchard, Washington’s Lieutenant Governor from 1989…

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Protecting the treasures of Washington State, or a peek into the vault.

Protecting the treasures of Washington State, or a peek into the vault.

The Washington State Library has a collection of very special books we keep in our “vault”.  This includes the Territorial Library Collection, as well as many other beautiful and rare books.  These books are old and fragile and special considerations need to be used to view them.  If you make an appointment and travel to Olympia during the library’s open hours, we would love to help you view these rare books. However thanks to the wonders of modern digitization many of…

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OCLC features Washington Rural Heritage maps and timelines

OCLC features Washington Rural Heritage maps and timelines

From the desk of Evan Robb The Washington Rural Heritage project was recently featured in a piece by OCLC—the company behind CONTENTdm.  The piece highlights our use of interactive maps, geo-referenced digital objects, and timelines, using free tools from Northwestern University’s Knight Labs. Read more here: http://www.oclc.org/en-US/news/announcements/2016/CONTENTdm-news-item-January-2016.html

WSL Updates for December 10, 2015

WSL Updates for December 10, 2015

Volume 11, December 10, 2015 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) VIRTUAL REFERENCE CONFERENCE 2) TEEN VIDEO CHALLENGE 3) BUILDING BRIDGES CONFERENCE 4) DECEMBER PNR RENDEZVOUS 5) EARLY LEARNING PLAN UPDATE 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK ————————————————————————————————————— 1) VIRTUAL REFERENCE CONFERENCE Does your library have a VR program? Have you considered adding virtual reference to your library’s toolkit? Washington State Library plans to hold WA’s first conference on the topic of Virtual Reference. We’ve lined up…

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Clippings November 13, 2015 (published December 2, 2015)

Clippings November 13, 2015 (published December 2, 2015)

Library Clippings for the week of November 13, 2015 Library News Forks Transit Center to host Tiny Library (Forks Forum, Forks, 10/15/15) Which of these shapes found on the ground should be the Library’s new logo? (The Stranger, Seattle, 10/21/15) City to vote on new contract with Mid-Columbia Libraries (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, 10/23/15) Public libraries are a place for families to connect (Daily Record, Ellensburg, 10/24/15) Library board rejects new name, logo after public resistance (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle, 10/28/15)

Dispatches from the Newport Miner, 1907-08

Dispatches from the Newport Miner, 1907-08

From the Desk of Marlys Rudeen – Former Washington Deputy State Librarian Let’s take a look at Newport in the early part of the 20th century through the lens of the local newspaper.  Front page news articles focus on the shipping, mining and lumber industries that provide the life blood for Newport and its surrounding areas, and on the railroads that allow that lifeblood to flow freely. The lives of the residents are usually chronicled further back in the paper. …

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Clippings November 6, 2015 (published November 10, 2015)

Clippings November 6, 2015 (published November 10, 2015)

Library Clippings for the week of November 6, 2015 Buildings Construction at The Center The Center project, slated to be an educational, social, cultural, and business hub for Whitman County located at the Whitman County Library in Colfax, is moving along. Fundraising continues for the project which is estimated will cost $504,450. (Whitman County Gazette, Colfax, 10/15/15) Letters to the Editor Our library is changing, much for the better (The Leader, Port Townsend, 10/14/15) Why change the books on hold…

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Mack Strong says register and then vote strong!

Mack Strong says register and then vote strong!

As Washington bears down on a Monday, Oct. 5, voter deadline to register online or by mail, Secretary Wyman enlisted a little Seahawks star power to help spread the message.  Two-time Pro Bowler Mack Strong, the Hawks’ popular and talented fullback for many years, graciously taped a 30-second video urging all eligible Washingtonians to get registered and then to vote.     Ballots will be coming out in just a few weeks, Secretary Wyman noted, and every vote matters. Registration…

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