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Category: Washington Talking Book and Braille Library

Competition and puppies at the 2019 Braille Challenge in Seattle

Competition and puppies at the 2019 Braille Challenge in Seattle

On Saturday, Jan. 12, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library — a program of the Washington State Library, which is a division of the Office of Secretary of State — hosted a fantastic celebration of braille literacy: the annual Regional Braille Challenge. Students came from across Western Washington to compete in five categories, ranging from spelling to reading tactile charts & graphs. The Braille Challenge is organized by the Braille Institute, and Washington’s winning students became eligible for a…

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WTBBL Custom book service photo
New custom book service at WTBBL

New custom book service at WTBBL

The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL) is working to further narrow the digital divide among its patrons who read talking books. WTBBL circulates talking books two ways. Books can be delivered by postage-free mail, or books can be instantly accessed from the National Library Service’s Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD), which is a website and mobile app to download talking books. Although all registered WTBBL patrons are eligible to access talking books through both mail and the…

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Boy + dog from Emerald City Pet Rescue
A pet-tastic day at Washington Talking Book & Braille Library

A pet-tastic day at Washington Talking Book & Braille Library

The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library held a paw-some event Saturday, May 5! Emerald City Pet Rescue, a pet rescue agency based in Seattle, presented its services and brought some special-needs dogs for WTBBL’s youth patrons to meet. Caregivers of the pets from Emerald City Pet Rescue shared the unique stories of the dogs, emphasizing that we all have special circumstances and challenges to overcome. The children learned about the rescue and care of pets with special needs and…

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State Library’s Annual Report Showcases Successes.

State Library’s Annual Report Showcases Successes.

From the desk of Jeff Martin Every year, the Washington State Library (WSL) reports on its use of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding to the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). On December 21, 2017, the LSTA State Programs Report for use of the 2016 LSTA award was submitted to IMLS for their review, comment, and approval. The year’s report is 126 pages in length. Reporting is a team effort by all those who manage and support projects…

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WSL Updates for May 25, 2017

WSL Updates for May 25, 2017

Volume 13, May 25, 2017 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) FIRST TUESDAYS – BACK TO REALITY 2) WTBBL WINS NATIONAL AWARD 3) FREE BOOKS 4) WSL GRANT CYCLES CLOSING 5) DIGITAL LITERACY & FAKE NEWS 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

Washington State Library honors Hispanic heritage / Biblioteca del Estado de Washington rinde homenaje a la herencia hispana

Washington State Library honors Hispanic heritage / Biblioteca del Estado de Washington rinde homenaje a la herencia hispana

Información en español From the desk of Rand Simmons Need assistance finding information? Why don’t you Ask WA? “Ask WA,” you say. Ask-WA is a cooperative of more than 60 libraries throughout Washington State, both public and academic, that provide online reference services through chat, email, and instant messaging (IM). This statewide network is tied to a global network that provides access to online reference service, 24/7. So, when you enter the Ask-WA portal, no matter the day or time, you…

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WSL Updates for March 3, 2016

WSL Updates for March 3, 2016

Volume 12, March 3, 2016 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) STATEWIDE DATABASE LICENSING RFP RELEASED 2) WASHINGTON RURAL HERITAGE DIGITIZATION GRANTS NOW ACCEPTING PROPOSALS 3) FREE BOOKS FOR WASHINGTON LIBRARIES 4) ARMS OPEN WIDE: LIBRARY OUTREACH TO CUSTOMERS WITH PRINT DISABILITIES 5) STAR_Net Webinar Series Announced 6) NN/LM PNR TRAINING OFFERINGS 7) CONFERENCES, ANYONE? 8) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

Why Do We Need a State Library?

Why Do We Need a State Library?

To quote a prominent library administrator: “Every library is designed to serve a specific community: Public libraries serve the people of a specific city or county. Academic libraries serve the faculty, staff, and students of a specific college or university. School libraries serve the students and teachers of a specific school. Medical libraries serve doctors, nurses, and patients at a specific hospital. Law libraries serve the attorneys and staff of a specific law firm. Each library is designed to add value…

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WSL Updates for November 13, 2014

WSL Updates for November 13, 2014

Volume 10, November 13, 2014 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) “THIRD GRADE READING BILL” WEBINAR 2) EXPERIENCE ART 2014 3) EARLY LEARNING STEM INSTITUTE 4) ALA STRATEGIC PLANNING 5) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK —————————————————————————————————–