From the desk of Rand Simmons

As a boy of 12 living in “whitebread” rural Oregon I was little aware of the significance of Wednesday, August 28, 1963. Today we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this significant moment in history most commonly know as the March on Washington.

National Public Radio’s Kat Chow wrote: “The summer of 1963 was bursting with drama and would become a pivotal moment of the Civil Rights movement. It was the year that Alabama governor George Wallace tried to block — physically and politically — two black students, James Hood and Vivian Malone Jones, from enrolling in the University of Alabama; the year Medgar Evers was shot and killed in his own driveway; and the same year that brought together more than 200,000 protesters for the March on Washington for better jobs and equal treatment.” Kat is leading a team who are replicating the events of 50 years ago in their @TodayIn1963 Twitter  site, http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2013/06/12/190680446/-todayin1963-captures-moments-from-a-historic-summer

Over 50 years ago Martin Luther King stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and gave his “I have a dream speech.” Thirty-six years after the speech ignited the nation, Congress issued as a supplement to a report Commemorating the “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial : report (to accompany H.R. 2879) (including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office). The report is in our federal publications collection in both print and microfiche formats. (Because these will have to be retrieved for your use, please call ahead.)

The story is told from a Pacific Northwest perspective in The Facts the “official voice of the N.W. Black community.” The Facts is one of the many Washington State newspaper titles in our extensive Washington Newspaper Collection. Our issues run from 1962-1979 and are on microfilm. The August 30, 1963 paper (front page) reported:

“Seattle residents of all races joined together Wednesday in a Freedom March from 14th & Pike to the Federal Court House. Like the march on Washington, it was orderly and filled with religious tone.

Local leaders spoke to the crowd gathered on the Court House steps. One by one they spoke from the top of the steps with the background reading UNITED STATES COURT HOUSE.”

Father Lynch; Charles Johnson, Seattle NAACP President; State Representative Sam Smith; and Father Anton are shown in photographs. A short story with the headline, “Mixed Crowd Demonstrates for Equality: Negroes, Whites, Join in effort to Bring End to Discrimination” tells the story of the Washington march. “Packed elbow to elbow around the memorial, they heard their leaders call for Congress to pass laws to end all manner of racial discrimination and enable the unemployed to find dignified work with decent wages.”

The same issue’s editorial ends: “True, life has not been fair, but the statement of the unfairness is merely a shaky crutch upon which to support an empty argument. The Negro standing at a new starting mark in the history of his race will fail himself if he looks behind. He must look ahead to a life struggle in which he can now and at last compete on equal terms.”

The following week, September 6,The Facts carried an editorial, “Rights March Just a Start, Negroes Reminded” and speculated on the effect of the Washington march to speed up civil rights. “The top question in race relations today is whether the successful massive civil rights demonstration will speed establishment of an integrated society in America.”

WTBBL Youth Services Librarian: Mandy Gonnsen

Mandy Gonnsen, Youth Services Librarian, Washington Talking Book & Braille Library

“Mandy blew into WTBBL like a welcome summer storm and immediately took charge of the youth services department! She started just weeks before the 2012 Summer Reading Program began and quickly planned out the entire eight weeks with reading lists and activities that were mailed to all participating youth in English or Spanish, depending on their preference,” says her colleague Eura Szuwalski, Electronic Services & Instruction Librarian.  

Mandy Gonnsen is the Youth Services Librarian for the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library and she has a big job!  Children from birth to 21, schools, teachers, and families are all the focus of the Youth Services Program.  Mandy, a recent graduate of the Library and Information Science master’s program at the University of Washington, is a fantastic addition to WTBBL and is quickly becoming a vital team member for statewide providers and resources for children and teens with visual, physical, or reading disabilities.

Mandy has worked with children and teens in various capacities over the past few years, and is connecting with our young patrons and their families.  She earned a bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Maryland and had a chance to work with kids and families from the research side as well.  While a student at the iSchool, Mandy was a volunteer at WTBBL, then a temporary page while a staff person was on leave.  “I was thrilled when Mandy applied for our Youth Services Librarian position – we already knew she was a real keeper and we were delighted to get her back and as a permanent part of our WTBBL family,” says Danielle Miller, Program Manager at WTBBL.

David Junius, Volunteer & Outreach Services concurs: “When Mandy joined WTBBL as a volunteer before she started library school, I knew she was a special person.  In the year since she started working as a librarian here, she has proven me right.”

“I believe that youth of all ages have a place at the library, and I’m looking forward to establishing some fun and engaging programs for youth at WTBBL,” Mandy says. She is certainly making our youth patrons feel at home by revamping the children’s room at the library, growing the collection, and increasing library programming and our online presence.  Since Mandy joined WTBBL in the summer of 2012, the number of children and teachers has grown and participation in events and reading programs has increased. 

“Mandy does more in a day than many of us even think about doing.  She is incredibly motivated, organized, and a true gift for our young patrons and families looking for ways to help their children reading,” says Danielle Miller. 

“Mandy is an absolute inspiration to work with. I am constantly amazed by her ideas of how we can engage with our patrons and share the resources that are available here at WTBBL. Whether speaking with a patron, coworker, or guest, her enthusiasm for great books and stories is clear!” said Marah, a page in the Shipping Department. 

Eura Szuwalski also says of Mandy, “I have been lucky to join her for many conferences and school visits during her time here and see firsthand her calmness, patience and energy when working with youth, from our baby patrons to our teen patrons. She is unstoppable and WTBBL is so very lucky to have her as part of our team!”

Mandy is excited to meet new people so please don’t hesitate to call or stop by with any questions or just to say hello. If you are a teacher or librarian around the state and want to learn more about WTBBL Youth Services, consider inviting Mandy for a visit, or setting up an online session with her.

Thanks, Mandy, for helping us reach our goal That ALL May Read. 

Danielle Miller, Manager, Washington Talking Book & Braille Library

Danielle Miller is the Manager of the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL) located in Seattle, WA. She joined the Washington State Library a division of the Office of the Secretary of State in 2008 and became the first manager of WTBBL as a direct service of the Washington State Library.

WTBBL staff have deep feelings toward Danielle, and among them shipping page Marah says, “Danielle is great with the amount of recognition and support she gives us…a reminder that our daily routines are appreciated and needed.” Readers Advisor Shannon says, “she brings energy and vitality into the office every time she walks through the door. “ Librarian Eura says, “Empowering is something that Danielle takes to her heart whether working with our patrons or staff at WTBBL. Danielle’s direction and leadership allow WTBBL staff to thrive, find innovative solutions to problems and, even during trying budget times, remain a warm workplace family.” Librarian Mandy says “She is the force behind our outreach into the community and the pole that supports our ongoing efforts to share our service and mission throughout Washington State. “ And shipping page Bonnie says “Thank you for encouraging us at work, cheering us on, making us feel special.”

In a recent WTBBL newsletter profile, Danielle described herself this way: “I became a librarian because I couldn’t decide on anything else. I love languages, science, medicine, botany, zoology, medieval French history, math, photography and drawing, teaching…you get the picture. I also love helping people to help themselves.

One day I discovered that as a librarian, you have the opportunity to help others and there are endless chances to learn a bit about thousands of things you never thought you would know about. For example, once at the public library, I had a gentleman ask me how he could ‘become the master of static.’ That was a new one for me and one of the many examples of why this profession never gets old.

I can safely say that my work at WTBBL is the best job I’ve ever had and I’m constantly aware of how lucky I am to work with all of you good people.”

“”Danielle has created a strong bond with our partners and constituents,” Rand Simmons State Librarian noted. “She has an amazing ability to get people to work together.”

“With Danielle Miller’s appointment as Director of WTBBL in 2008 a breath of fresh air and a new sense of energy and a positive spirit came in to WTBBL” said Sue Ammeter, Chair of the WTBBL Patron Advisory Council.  “This was evidenced by the fact that WTBBL received the 2009 Network Library of the Year Award from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.  Danielle believes that WTBBL patrons should have the same right of equal access as all other library users,”  Sue added. “We are indeed fortunate to have such an innovative and progressive person as our Director.”    

Thank you, Danielle, for your zeal and drive in moving forward service to all people of Washington.

From the desk of Rand Simmons

It’s National Library Week and also Library Snapshot Day! Today we feature our Washington Talking Book & Braille Library located in Seattle, Washington.

2013 Washington Talking Book & Braille Library staff

Do you know someone who can’t read standard print?  Someone who is blind, visually impaired, can’t hold a book or turn pages, or has a reading disability?  Then you know someone who needs the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL)!  We are the only library in Washington providing uniquely tailored library and information services for those who can’t read standard print material.

We mail books in audio, braille, and large print across the state and have audio and braille books available for our patrons to download.  WTBBL also has youth services programming, reference, technology instruction and training, book clubs, organizational accounts available for public libraries, schools, retirement homes and much, much more.

(left to right) Germaine Covington (Master of Ceremonies), Danielle Miller (WTBBL Program Manager), Quincy (WTBBL Patron) and Mayor Mike McGinn

In 2012 WTBBL was honored with the Mayor’s Award and Proclamation for its work empowering individuals with disabilities.  Mayor Mike McGinn proclaimed June 5 as Washington Talking Book & Braille Library Day.

Visit our website (www.wtbbl.org), like us on facebook (www.facebook.com/WTBBL), or visit us in downtown Seattle to learn more about this amazing library and the people who count on it day after day.

Secretary of State with young readers at the Washington State Library.

From the desks of Rand Simmons, State Librarian, and Steve Willis, Manager for the Central Library.

We celebrate National Library Week by harkening back to our founding 160 years ago. The Washington Territorial Library, the predecessor to the Washington State Library, was born from the Organic Act of 1853 which established the Washington Territory. Section 17 states that “the sum of five thousand dollars … be expended by and under the direction of the governor of Washington, in the purchase of a library, to be kept at the seat of government for the use of the governor, legislative assembly, judges of the supreme court, secretary, marshal, attorney of the territory,  and such other  persons and under such regulations as shall be prescribed  by  law.” $5,000 was the same amount appropriated for the erection of suitable buildings at the seat of government (section 13.)

An inflation calculator indicates that $5,000 US dollars in 1853 would be the approximate equivalent of $147,058 US dollars in 2012. Never mind that the dollars are too short to build a government building or equip a library. What is important in the value the US Congress placed in the importance of a library in the Territory. The Washington State Territorial Library was the first public historical-cultural institution in the Washington Territory. And we are still here.

160 might seem like a humdrum number to celebrate, but in many ways the past dozen years have been the most challenging in the history of WSL. In observing this birthday we not only honor the efforts of our library staff predecessors but also recognize our success in continuing to provide quality service in spite of massive budget cuts.

by Rand Simmons and Kristy L. Coomes

Dorothy R. Cutler was one of the power-houses of the Washington State Library during the 1950s through the 1970s. Dorothy died on March 20, 2013.  She was 95.

Dorothy’s career began in the 1940s with her first job at Salem (Oregon) Public Library. She also served in the Special Services Branch, U.S. Army, in Hawaii and Guam, during World War II (1943-1946), and following at the Contra Costa County (California) Library (1946-1951). She earned a B.A. from Willamette University in 1940, a B.A. in Librarianship from the University of Washington in 1941, and an M.S. in Library Science in 1952 from the University of Illinois. While attending the University of Illinois she worked in the University Library (1951-1952) and joined the Washington State Library in 1952.

In Dynamics of Change, former State Librarian Maryan Reynolds consistently refers to two library consultants by only last names, an indication of their prominence in moving the Washington library community forward, Dorothy Cutler and Dorothy Doyle.

Cutler is remembered not only for managing the first Library Services Act funded Columbia River Regional Library Demonstration but also for her leadership with the Governor’s Conference on Libraries (which predated the White House Conference on Libraries) and her leadership role with the Washington State Advisory Council on Libraries.

Kristy Coomes, long-time employee of the Washington State Library noted, “Dorothy was one of the pioneers that made the dream of statewide library service come true.” Enormous growth in library services occurred in Washington’s libraries during Dorothy’s tenure as Chief of Library Development.  For example, it was during this time that the State Library created the first digitally produced printed catalog of the newly established Timberland Regional Library and the State Library. This project grew rapidly to include many libraries and eventually resulted in the Washington Library Network.  As staff to the Washington State Advisory Council on Libraries she was key to both the creativity and the planning necessary to move forward on many fronts.

When Dorothy Cutler left the Washington State Library she later told the Olympian newspaper (November 18, 1979): “… I said I was quitting, not retiring. Because retiring seems to mean sitting on the shelf, and that’s not for me!”

Today there are thirty library districts, junior taxing districts created by a vote of the people, across the state. Dorothy Cutler was one of the key players in Washington’s history of establishing library districts statewide and improving services that libraries offered to their constituents.

Our thanks to you, Dorothy, for your creativity, your planning abilities, and your ability to bring people together to accomplish commonly held goals.

Since 2005 Mary Schaff has been a positive instigator, relentless investigator, and outstanding professional as part of the Washington State Library Public Services group. A native of the Seattle area, Mary brings to her job a love of Pacific Northwest history and desire to get to the bottom of local mysteries, big or small. She says eradicating the words “I don’t know the answer to that” is part of her mission in providing reference service, which also has the side benefit of enhancing her own mental storehouse of factoids.

Mary was instrumental in spearheading the preservation and revival of the online index to the Olympian. This searching tool, now two decades old, was in danger of vanishing when the old platform was becoming obsolete as new technology marched on. Mary’s efforts were key in saving this unique and valuable finding aid.

https://blogs.sos.wa.gov/library/index.php/2012/04/the-new-and-improved-online-index-to-the-olympian-just-released/

Her fellow Public Services librarian Melisa Sevall adds this testimony: “Mary is one of the most thorough reference librarians I have ever met. (I actually think she IS the most…but that might sound overstated.) Many times, she checks a variety of sources and is very curious and inquisitive while she does research. One of the best things I like about Mary is that she’s never afraid to address new questions that might arise in the process of answering the original question. She has a real love for history and stories, as well as helping people find answers.”

Thanks, Mary. You make us look great.

From the desk of Rand Simmons

Imagine walking into your local public library, community college library, or tribal library and registering to take one of Microsoft’s IT course … for free!

Through a partnership with Microsoft, the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, is seeking funding from the legislature which will be used to pay for the non-discounted portion of the cost of taking a Microsoft course. (Microsoft has discounted these courses by 90%.) It will also cover the cost for the Washington State Library to oversee the project.

The Washington Microsoft IT Academy will provide the people of Washington access without charge to a wide range of Microsoft online courses and learning resources through their local public, community college or tribal libraries. The IT Academy will also be available through the Washington State Library prison libraries. It is currently available through school districts, a project administered by the Office of Public Instruction. Course certification is also available but will not be covered by state funding.

“The Microsoft IT Academy delivered through Washington libraries is a no-brainer. The return on investment of state funds is astounding; an investment of $1.5 million will yield $4 million if Washington’s libraries were to pay full price. There will be no direct charge to people for IT training. Libraries are ready and capable of taking on this project. People are used to coming to their libraries for assistance,” notes Secretary of State Kim Wyman.

The ubiquity of libraries throughout the state, estimated at 472 outlets, and the recognized nature of libraries, to connect to their communities to improve the lives of citizens brings credence to this project model. The Washington State Library is a leader and facilitator among the library community and has decades of experience in managing statewide projects.

For more information on this project, please visit our broadband page.

Comments and inquiries can be sent to Rand Simmons, State Librarian.

Spokane Public Library. Photo by Andrea Parrish-Geyer.

Spokane voters handily approved raising taxes for library services in a February 12, 2013 election to preserve smaller branch libraries of the Spokane Public Library from closure. Now these branches will increase their hours of service.

Generally voters made wise decisions regarding their local libraries in 2012. Other funding levy elections will keep the doors of the Ocean Shores Library open (approved 51.73% 08/07/2012) as well as in Castle Rock where the Library got approval to continue opperating (approved 62.32% 2/14/2012). Voters in Ocean Shores rejected the measure in April but changed their minds in August.  The successful levy measure in Seattle will allow the Seattle Public Library to regain losses from budget reductions (approved 64.17% 08/07/2012).

Voters approved a partial-county library district in Sedro Woolley (approved 60.14% 11/06/2012) in an area where creating a unified county-wide library district has been difficult to achieve. Voters in the City of Morton agreed to annex into the Timberland Regional Library (approved 72.75% 11/06/2012) and Lamont voters agreed to join the Whitman County Rural Library District (approved 96.88% 11/06/2012). In King County voters in Enumclaw agreed to annex into the King County Library system (approved 50.71% 04/17/2012).

An advisory vote regarding location of the Renton Library (King County Library System) indicated that the Cedar River location was preferred over the location west of the Piazza (76.4% 08/07/2012).

The success of these elections is heartwarming. It indicates that voters continue to be willing to support their libraries financially and to vote for increased library service through creation of library districts and through annexation.  That is my perspective. I’d like to hear yours.

Rand Simmons
State Librarian

In June 2001, Martha Shinners started her work to develop and implement a youth services program at the Washington State Library. Prior to that date no individual on the State Library’s staff was specifically charged with these duties. Some work was just beginning in the area of early learning and in working with the K-12 school library community in Washington State when Martha was hired.

Martha was the right person to develop these fledgling projects. She brought a strong youth services background having worked in Michigan in a public library setting for 17 years, first as a children’s librarian and then as the coordinator of youth services for the Public Libraries of Saginaw.

Martha partnered with the Pierce County Library System (PCLS) several years ago to bring Read to Your Baby Booklets to the State Library. Initially developed by PCLS, the booklets are now available in seven languages. More than 450,000 booklets have been distributed by the State Library, in ones and twos, packets of 100, and boxes of thousands. Requests are received from throughout the nation although the primary audience is the Washington library community and the early learning community partners.

Since coming to the Washington State Library Martha has taken on additional roles. In addition to her primary focus as the Youth Services Consultant and Coordinator, Martha now supervises four staff and is an Assistant Program Manager for the Library Development program. As one of her staff has stated, “She’s an amazing supervisor and amazing person.”

Martha has advanced two K-12 school library projects, the first supporting teacher-librarians to better advocate for their roles within their schools. Teacher-librarians provide essential information literacy skills to the students with whom they interact. “It is important that these positions remain in schools,” Martha said. “Teacher-librarians help students to research and find information, evaluate that information for its quality, and better use that information. These are skills that will serve the students for the rest of their life.”

The second project supported Classroom Based Assessment first in Social Studies and in the final year of this project with the tribal sovereignty curriculum. Many school library and public library partnerships grew out of these grants. “This is the only grant cycle at the Washington State Library that has seen more than 100 applications submitted in competition for roughly 35 awards,” said Jeff Martin, Acting Library Development Program Manager. Martha is now working with the Washington Library Media Association and the K-12 school library community to advance common core practice in schools. This will be Martha’s third major project with schools and school libraries in her 11 years at the Washington State Library.

Every year Martha attends the annual meeting of the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CLSP). Washington State fully participates in this program of summer reading. Through our membership in the Collaborative public and tribal libraries receive valuable summer reading themes and supporting materials.

Martha provides (and has provided years of) consistent, dedicated, highly relevant, and inspired leadership to youth services and related areas throughout the state, exhibiting a dedication to the highest standards of professional leadership, through careful planning, consultation, and program implementation,” stated Diane Hutchins, a colleague from the Library development Program. “Her exemplary work has directly benefited library staff, library patrons, and especially the youth of our state, from babies and toddlers to teens, through such efforts as her outstanding leadership role in the nationwide summer reading cooperative, her work in creating, promoting, and distributing the Read to Your Baby booklets, and through the various other youth services projects she has successfully spearheaded during her tenure at the State Library.”

If all that were not enough, Martha is deeply involved in early learning in the state as a member of the Early Learning Public Library Partnership, working with faculty at the University of Washington and Florida State in supporting Project Views, and in partnering with the Department of Early Learning to move forward their Race to the Top grant.

State Librarian Rand Simmons noted, “Martha has worked tirelessly to support the literacy of Washington’s children, reaching out to all members of the early learning community. She is a treasure!” This spotlight is on you Martha.

By the way, when you see Martha say hello if you haven’t already met her. You might also ask about her time volunteering as a library puppeteer as one half of Hidden Me Puppet Productions.