Courtesy Legislative Planning Committee, Washington Library Association State Bills of Interest.

The Washington Library Association(WLA) tracks state legislative activity that will potentially affect Washington Libraries. Their tracker is posted to the WLA web site and we will also post it weekly on this blog.  For information on the legislative process or becoming involved see the WLA site referenced above.

Click below to view the tracker.
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Courtesy Legislative Planning Committee, Washington Library Association State Bills of Interest.

The Washington Library Association(WLA) tracks state legislative activity that will potentially affect Washington Libraries. Their tracker is posted to the WLA web site and we will also post it weekly on this blog.  For information on the legislative process or becoming involved see the WLA site referenced above.

Click below to view the tracker.
Read the rest of this entry »

Whitman County Rural Library District honors a library supporter every month! “It’s been awesome,” reports Director, Kristie Kirkpatrick. “Whitman County has been doing this for about 3 years. We get great press from it, can choose winners from all around the county and people really seem to appreciate the honor. It has also given us the opportunity to thank every level of support, from major donors to people who have simply paid their Friends of the Library dues for long periods of time.”

Jerry McCollum was named Library Supporter of the Month during the February meeting of the Friends of Whitman County Library. Friends President Virginia Pittman along with Library Administrators Kristie Kirkpatrick and Peggy Bryan presented McCollum’s award during a visit to WSU’s Compton Union Art Gallery.

McCollum is the Coordinator for Arts and Culture at Washington State University and chairs the Visual, Performing, and Literary Arts Committee. He is also an accomplished photographer, artist, and designer. His blog, PalouseWorks Culture, is at http://palouseworks.com/ and some of his works will be on display during April & May at the Office of Lieutenant Governor in the Capital building in Olympia. He’ll also be on hand for the Olympia Spring Arts Walk reception on Friday April 24. You can read about the current library support honoree at http://www.whitco.lib.wa.us/LibrarySupporterMarch2009.htm.

What are you doing to honor your customers? Leave a comment. We’d like to know.

Courtesy Legislative Planning Committee, Washington Library Association State Bills of Interest.

The Washington Library Association(WLA) tracks state legislative activity that will potentially affect Washington Libraries. Their tracker is posted to the WLA web site and we will also post it weekly on this blog.  For information on the legislative process or becoming involved see the WLA site referenced above.

Click below to view the tracker.
Read the rest of this entry »

Hey, next week is National Library Week. This year’s theme is “Worlds connect @ your library.” Secretary of State, Sam Reed, is encouraging Washingtonians to celebrate by visiting and using their local libraries.

“Now more than ever, libraries play a crucial role throughout Washington and America,” Reed said. “They not only provide many useful resources and services, they open up new worlds and help make lifelong learning possible. What better way for people to celebrate National Library Week than by visiting a local library and taking advantage of the many services offered?”

Washington State Librarian Jan Walsh agrees, pointing out that libraries have tremendous civic, cultural and economic value.

You can learn more about what they have to say and read some nice words about the Washington State Library too in the official news release.

What are you doing for National Library Week? We’d like to hear from you!

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the U.S. Congress has appropriated $4.7 billion for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) to establish and expand broadband services to unserved and underserved areas of the country and improve access to broadband by public safety agencies.

Included in this appropriation is at least $200 million to upgrade technology and capacity at public computing centers, such as community colleges and public libraries. Comments are being sought related to:

• the definitions to be adopted;
• the role of the states in the grants process;
• the relationship of BTOP to the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) loan and grant program and other Recovery Act programs;
• the grant selection criteria, the role of for-profit providers as potential grant recipients, and other topics.

See http://www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2009/FR_BTOP_RFI_090312.html.

Among the purposes of the Grant Program: Section 6001 of the Recovery Act establishes five purposes for the BTOP grant program…

(3) (A) Schools, libraries, medical and healthcare providers, community colleges, and other institutions of higher education, and other community support organizations and entities to facilitate greater use of broadband service by or through these organizations…

Respond to:

a. Should a certain percentage of grant funds be apportioned to each category? (see above URL for other categories)
b. Should applicants be encouraged to address more than one purpose?
c. How should the BTOP leverage or respond to the other broadband- related portions of the Recovery Act, including the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants and loans program as well as the portions of the Recovery Act that address smart grids, health information technology, education, and transportation infrastructure?

6. Grants for Expanding Public Computer Center Capacity: The Recovery Act directs that not less than $200,000,000 of the BTOP shall be awarded for grants that expand public computer center capacity, including at community colleges and public libraries.

Respond to:

a. What selection criteria should be applied to ensure the success of this aspect of the program?
b. What additional institutions other than community colleges and public libraries should be considered as eligible recipients under this program?

If you or your library would like to participate in this process, written comments regarding the program may be filed through April 13, 2009 at mailto:[email protected].

Courtesy Legislative Planning Committee, Washington Library Association State Bills of Interest.

The Washington Library Association(WLA) tracks state legislative activity that will potentially affect Washington Libraries. Their tracker is posted to the WLA web site and we will also post it weekly on this blog.  For information on the legislative process or becoming involved see the WLA site referenced above.

Click below to view the tracker.
Read the rest of this entry »

Courtesy Legislative Planning Committee, Washington Library Association State Bills of Interest.

The Washington Library Association(WLA) tracks state legislative activity that will potentially affect Washington Libraries. Their tracker is posted to the WLA web site and we will also post it weekly on this blog.  For information on the legislative process or becoming involved see the WLA site referenced above.

Click below to view the tracker.
Read the rest of this entry »

An email from Tamara M. Jones, Government & Association Liaison, Washington Department of Information Services Office indicates that the Governor’s Office has asked the Department of Information Services (DIS), Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC), and Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED) to work together to prepare a response to a federal agencies’ RFI. A draft response is currently being crafted. WSL intends to respond to the draft by Tuesday, April 7.

Further, a stakeholder meeting will be held on Monday, April 20.  WSL will attend the meeting.

Courtesy Legislative Planning Committee, Washington Library Association State Bills of Interest.

The Washington Library Association(WLA) tracks state legislative activity that will potentially affect Washington Libraries. Their tracker is posted to the WLA web site and we will also post it weekly on this blog.  For information on the legislative process or becoming involved see the WLA site referenced above.

Click below to view the tracker.
Read the rest of this entry »