Search Results for: Institutional Library Services

WA State Library will trim in-person hours

Starting Monday, June 16,  in-person service hours at the main Washington State Library in Tumwater will be reduced by four hours a day as the service-and-research institution grapples with continuing significant budget challenges. The Library at 6880 Capitol Blvd. in Tumwater traditionally has been open to the public Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  But the library faces a million-dollar shortfall that must be addressed through layoffs and fewer direct service hours, State Librarian Rand Simmons said Monday….

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Washington State Library Reduces Service Hours

From the desk of Rand Simmons Washington State Librarian Based on an OSOS Press Release, 6/9/2014. In-person service hours at the main Washington State Library in Tumwater will be reduced by four hours a day, effective June 16, as the service-and-research institution grapples with continuing significant budget challenges. The Library at 6880 Capitol Blvd. in Tumwater traditionally has been open to the public Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  But like other states facing budget difficulties, the State…

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Washington State Library, Head Coach

As today is Seahawk blue Friday my mind as I drove south to my job at the Washington State Library was skittering between thinking about the Seahawks and thinking about the Washington State Library (WSL).  Then it occurred to me: The State Library is like the head coach of a football team. Just as a good coach would, WSL thinks about winning the game—and winning the game is getting the best library services for everyone in the state by serving…

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2013 Library Employee of the Year – Glenn Parsons

Glenn Parson’s tenure with the Washington State Library nearly predates any other employee. Glenn was presented with his 35 years of service certificate and pin in 2012. Glenn’s supervisor, Shirley Lewis notes, “Often working under tight deadlines, Glenn keeps materials coming into WSL Central Library and branch collections efficiently and quickly. His knowledge of fiscal procedures and his willingness to try new technology make him an invaluable resource for WSL.”  He also shares his expertise with staff in other Washington…

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Washington State Library Institutional Libraries celebrate National Library Week

Washington State Library Institutional Libraries celebrate National Library Week. The Institutional Library Service (ILS) is a program of the Washington State Library, It consists of nine adult correctional facility libraries and two adult psychiatric hospital libraries. Our dedicated libraries embrace their mission: “With spirit and fortitude, ILS branch staff enhances the quality of life for unique populations by providing a welcoming, neutral and secure place where informational, educational, and recreational needs are met.”  Did you know?  Libraries make prisons &…

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Reed wraps up prison library visits

After 12 years in office, Sam Reed has completed his mission of visiting all of the State Library’s prison and hospital branches. The Washington State Library partners with the Department of Corrections and the Department of Social and Health Services to provide library services to inmates in adult correctional facilities and patients in Western State and Eastern State adult psychiatric hospitals at Steilacoom and Medical Lake.  There are branch libraries in two DSHS facilities and nine in prison facilities. Reed’s last stop…

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Library Memories

Libraries are the setting for many good memories, and over the next few weeks, Washington State Library’s Institutional Library Services staff would like to share a few of their memories about libraries.  Some of them will date back to childhood, others will tell stories of their own children or grandchildren, but all of them show the impact libraries have had on our lives. I wish you happy reading as we bring you our memories.

State Library’s Sherbo receives national honor

Laura Sherbo of the Washington State Library is the 2012 recipient of a prestigious national award for her exemplary leadership of the branch libraries that serve Washington prison inmates and state mental hospital patients. The award is from the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, a division of the American Library Association.  The award honors a professional who “exemplifies leadership and achievement in consulting, library cooperation, networking, statewide service and programs, and/or state library development.” Sherbo, branch library services manager,…

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Coyote Ridge’s Melissa Gilbert on serving AA students through a prison library

 Melissa Gilbert, Branch Manager at Coyote Ridge Correctional Center (CRCC) was recently interviewed by Moving Forward the CRCC Education Newsletter (Spring, 2011). Her responses give an inside look at the depth of services offered by our prison branches. You can view photos of the Institutional Branch Libraries’ Snapshot Day at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=113371795396559&aid=24325#!/pages/ILS-Library-Snapshot-Day/113371795396559. Washington State Library Interview with Ms. Gilbert by Roy N. Corbray Q: What do you believe the library at CRCC has to offer students? A: The library can help…

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ILS Library Snapshot Day

The Washington State Library’s Institutional Library Services (ILS) team hosted their very own Library Snapshot Day yesterday (1/11/11). Photos and stories from the event are being posted on Facebook, and you can find them under: ILS Library Snap Shot Day. Photos and stories are rolling in from institutions across the state, including: Washington State Reformatory, Western State Hospital, Washington State Penitentiary (East and West complexes), Clallam Bay Corrections Center, Washington Corrections Center for Women, Eastern State Hospital, and the Stafford…

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