It’s time for Game 2 of the Library Jewels tourney. This matchup features the connection between the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library and music legend Ray Charles vs. a 1910 photo album of northwestern Washington. The online poll for Game 2 is open below, so take a moment to vote before the poll closes Thursday at 9 a.m. WTBBL/Ray Charles connection 1910 photo album of NW Washington [poll id=”68″]
(Image courtesy of WTBBL) Legendary singer Ray Charles remains a beloved figure years after his death. That even carried over to our recent Library Jewels blog series featuring items of the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library in Seattle. WTBBL is part of the Washington State Library. A WTBBL patron ledger featuring the entertainer’s real name – Ray C. Robinson – topped the poll with 48 percent of the votes, edging a photo of WTBBL’s “turntable” room with 37 percent….
One of the most beloved services of our Washington State Library is the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library in Seattle. We’ve featured three interesting WTBBL-related items for our September “Library Jewels” blog series, and now it’s time for you, our dear blog reader, to choose your favorite. Just go to the online poll below to vote. You have until this Friday at 5 p.m. to select your fave. WTBBL’s “turntable” room WTBBL’s Pratt sculpture WTBBL’s Ray Charles connection [poll…
(Photo courtesy of Washington Talking Book & Braille Library) During its long history, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library in Seattle has had thousands of patrons. In fact, a handwritten ledger kept track of WTBBL patrons registered from 1919 to 1984. One name will grab your attention once you know his stage name. On page 54 (above) is a 1949 entry for a braille borrower who would go on to stardom. Ray C. Robinson, later known as the famous…
As you approach the front entrance of the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library in Seattle, you notice a beautiful, unique wooden sculpture. The wooden art was created by artist Dudley Pratt, commissioned in memory of University District bookseller Harry Hartman, who was blind and a WTBBL patron for more than 20 years. After Hartman’s death in 1945, fellow members of the publishing industry raised funds to be used toward a reading room in his name. The sculpture served as…
(Photos courtesy Washington Talking Book & Braille Library) This month, we’re devoting all three of September’s Library Jewels to the amazing Washington Talking Book & Braille Library in downtown Seattle. WTBBL (pronounced Wuh-tah’-bull) an important and beloved part of our Washington State Library. It provides audiobooks in various formats, as well as large print and braille books, to about 9,000 patrons throughout Washington. The first of our three “WTBBL Jewels” is a pair of photos showing what is now the…
Secretary Wyman (center) takes part at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Chinese braille exhibit at WTBBL this week. The ribbon cutting ceremony was led by Guo Weimin (right), deputy minister of State Council Information Office, People’s Republic of China, Wyman, and President Zhang Wei (left) of the China Braille Press. Secretary of State Kim Wyman joined Chinese officials in formally opening a free exhibit on Chinese braille at the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library in Seattle Monday morning….
The Washington State Talking Book & Braille Library in Seattle is honored to host a free exhibit on Chinese braille Sept. 22 to Sept. 26. The event coincides with a visit by Chinese President Xi to Seattle, Everett, Tacoma and Redmond. The exhibit is available for viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Wednesday. Saturday’s exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Staff from the China Braille Press and…
This Tuesday (May 5), the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library is again participating in The Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG!, a one-day, online charitable giving event. It’s all happening from midnight to midnight and together we can make a difference in WTBBL’s future! Learn more and donate at WTBBL’s GiveBiG profile page here. For phone donations, please contact WTBBL’s David Junius at (206) 615-0417 or (800) 542-0866. The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, which is part of the Washington State…
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…