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Tag: Port Townsend

Port Townsend woman fills the shelves of Peninsula prison libraries

Port Townsend woman fills the shelves of Peninsula prison libraries

Virtually every public library in the world wants more funds for buying books. For the Institutional Library Services (ILS) program of the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of Secretary of State, that gap between wish and reality is lessened by Amazon Wish Lists. Through these lists, the ILS staff invites donors to purchase specific new books and materials sought by each library. For the library at Washington Corrections Center for Women, one superstar donor shines brightly: Robin…

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Protection Island

Protection Island

From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library: Some people just don’t know their boundaries. This Seattle Daily Times article from April 9, 1908 actually describes two problematic boundary issues in the Strait of Juan de Fuca:  ISLAND OWNERSHIP IS IN DISPUTE Judge Albertson of Seattle Hears Rival Claims of Jefferson and Clallam Counties at Port Townsend. Will Require Some Time to Decide Puzzling Question–Bit of Water in Straits Said to Belong to…

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A Mephitis Mephitica in Vancouver

A Mephitis Mephitica in Vancouver

From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library: Although I suspect what we are reading here is a private and cryptic joke, it still makes for entertaining copy. The following was found in the March 28, 1871 Port Townsend Weekly Message: A POVERTY STRICKEN INTELLECT. “–We commend the following extract from Donn Piatt to the prayerful and serious consideration of our old and very particular friend Major Adams, of the Vancouver Register. Donn…

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Profiles of Washington Territorial Librarians – Thomas Taylor, 1862 & John Paul Judson 1864

Profiles of Washington Territorial Librarians – Thomas Taylor, 1862 & John Paul Judson 1864

Thomas Taylor, 1862 From the Desks of the Central Library Staff Although no oath of office record exists today, Taylor was apparently Librarian in 1862. The March 29, 1862 issue of the Washington Standard includes this Library Notice: “All persons having books belonging to the Territorial Library will please return at once, or the by-laws will be put in force. Thos. Taylor, Ter. Librarian.” He quite probably was the same aged Thomas Taylor who was born Oct. 17, 1793 (some…

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“A Perpetual Ovation” in Port Townsend for Major Morris

“A Perpetual Ovation” in Port Townsend for Major Morris

From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library: The very first issue of The Democratic Press (August 31, 1877) covered a visit to Port Townsend by Treasury Agent William Gouverneur Morris. It is safe to say the reporter was not impressed.   A GILT-EDGED FARCE  “Port Townsend has been the recipient, recently, of a visit from Major Morris, Special Agent of the Treasury Department. This individual was sent here ostensibly for the purpose of…

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DungeNessie

DungeNessie

From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library: Shortly after losing the status of Clallam County seat in an election in 1890, many in the town of New Dungeness picked up and moved across the river forming a community called, interestingly enough, Dungeness. This new hamlet even had an optimistic (although short-lived) newspaper: The Dungeness Beacon. The following item was found at random in the July 29, 1892 issue, reprinted from Port Townsend’s…

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When You Need a Friend: Gayle Shonkwiler

When You Need a Friend: Gayle Shonkwiler

In times like these, folks need all the friends they can get.  That goes double for librarians who work in the state’s correctional and psychiatric institutions.  Since the 1960s when the U.S. government provided start-up funding to establish libraries in state institutions (ILS) ,  support for these critically needed libraries has plummeted.  As of October 2011, funding for the state’s ILS collections was terminated. This crisis is not new to Gayle Shonkwiler, library associate at the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center. …

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WSL Updates for November 18, 2010

WSL Updates for November 18, 2010

Volume 6, November 18, 2010 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) NEW DIGITAL COLLECTION – WAHKIAKUM COUNTY HERITAGE 2) FIRST TUESDAYS – DOES YOUR AUDIENCE HEAR YOU? 3) WSL HISTORIC NEWSPAPERS ADDS ARGUS 4) 2010 ADULT SUMMER READING SURVEY 5) ONLINE CONFERENCE – SERVING THE 21ST CENTURY PATRON 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK