DATABASE at Postmasters, March 2009 by Michael Mandiberg / CC BY-SA

The Washington State Library’s Statewide Database Licensing (SDL) project announces the release of two important needs assessment surveys, one for library staff, and one for library users. All library staff who are aware of the library’s electronic resources, especially research databases, are encouraged to take the staff survey, and all Washington libraries are encouraged to promote the user survey to their clientele, through their web sites, social media, patron newsletters, and any other appropriate media or opportunities.

The surveys will be available through Friday, February 20, 2015. Here are the survey links:

• Library user survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SDL-2015
• Library staff survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SDL-Staff

The library audience for both surveys includes all types of libraries that participate in SDL: public libraries, private academic, community and technical colleges, hospital and research libraries, and K-12 schools, both public and private. In the case of K-12 schools, the end user survey is intended for classroom teachers and administrators, rather than students, but college and university students are strongly encouraged to take the survey.

In promulgating the survey links, be sure to notice that they use the secure https protocol. Visit sos.wa.gov/q/SDL for additional information, including suggestions for promoting the survey to your users. For questions about the surveys or the SDL needs assessment process, please contact SDL project manager Will Stuivenga [email protected] 360.704.5217. Thank you in advance for your participation and cooperation in making these surveys a success.

Several months ago in light of a potential budget shortfall the Washington State Library held an “Essential Needs Survey”. We were amazed and touched as support came in from all over the state. Someone from every district in Washington State told us how valuable the services of the State Library was to them in their work and in their life. It would be impossible to share them all so we came up with this method to show you the broad impact of the Washington State Library. For this entry we chose just one from every district. Would you like to learn what else is being said in your district? Just ask and we’ll be happy to share more of the comments.

Courtesy of the Legislative Planning Committee, Washington Library Association Library Related Legislation. The Washington Library Association (WLA) tracks state legislative activity that will potentially affect Washington Libraries. Their tracker is posted weekly on this blog.

For information on the legislative process or becoming involved, see the WLA site referenced above.

From the desk of Steve Willis, Former Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library:

The dry humor of this reporter is fun to read in the January 18, 1895 issue of The Wilbur Register. The random article found this week relates a drama that took place in northwest Lincoln County:

THE LAWYERS MADE HIM TIRED

 So Prisoner Dawson Left the Court Room to Escape Them.

 A young man named Tom Dawson has given our neighboring town of Almira her fill of sensations this week. It appears that on Tuesday Mr. Dawson assaulted William Twitchell, the village blacksmith, without due provocation, and pounded his face up considerably. Upon mature reflection Mr. Twitchell decided to get angry at this rough usage, and swore out a warrant praying that his assailant might be apprehended and dealt with according to law. This was exactly the turn Mr. Dawson had expected the matter to take, so he made tracks toward Wilbur. Along in the night he peered through the window of one of the saloons, and satisfying himself the coast was clear, entered and ordered refreshments. But he had counted without his host. He was unaware that any officer but ex-Deputy Sheriff Mike Flohr guarded the peace and dignity of western Lincoln’s metropolis, and as Mike was not in sight the fugitive walked directly into the arms of Chief of Police Keables, who, armed with the wired warrant and description, was awaiting the arrival. Constable McPheron of Almira arrived on Wednesday morning and took his prisoner back on the train. Attorney Lacey was retained to defend the prisoner, and accompanied the party to Almira, where the case was put on trial before Judge Otto. During one of the discussions between the counsel the prisoner got rattled over the flights of oratory and stepped outside to cool his fevered brow, and while his counsel was making an impassioned plea for his liberty was calmly taking a constitutional neath the stars which were just beginning to shed their chaste twinkles on the Big Bend plain. As it was reported that he had agreed to requite his lawyer’s services with $10 worth of stovewood, it is suggested that Mr. Dawson may be in Rocky canyon exercising with an axe and saw.

 Dawson was about a decade younger than Twitchell, who was a 40 year old Civil War veteran and a native of Maine. The fugitive vanished into history but Twitchell lived on Almira until he died in 1904.

This story reminds me of a tale concerning one of my Willis uncles. In the 1920s he was running some of his excellent moonshine through Centralia when he was caught by law enforcement. They took his car and gave him jail time at night and road crew work during the day. My uncle said it wasn’t so bad. He had a place to sleep and three meals a day. Then, as he put it, “I took up a notion to go home. So I sold the road crew wheelbarrow and shovel to a passerby and left.”

The Wilbur Register is still with us today. It has existed since early 1889, and catalog librarians will love this, without any title changes!

By now I think most of you have heard about the Microsoft IT Academy (ITA) program which is offered through the Washington State Library. The ITA is a collection of over 400 online courses and other IT instructional materials that are available to all Washington residents. But have you heard yet about the newest addition to the program, the opportunity to prove your skills with certification?

Thanks to the hard work of Elizabeth Iaukea, certification sites are being set up all over the state. While completing the trainings provides the necessary skills to be competitive in a 21^st Century workplace the certification tests are the best way to prove to employers the depth of your knowledge. Having attempted just a basic test myself I can attest to the fact that they are not easy.

Well, on Monday January 5th, the Washington State Library’s IT Academy program certified their first Microsoft Office Specialist Master (MOS).   And now I’d like to introduce (drumroll…) Jeremy Stroud, WSL’s graphic designer, web guru and now Master of the Universe (er.. of Microsoft Office). In order to earn this lofty title Jeremy first passed the entry level tests in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook. Then for the Master certification he also passed the expert level class in both Word and Excel.

Here’s what Jeremy has to say,

“I have been using Microsoft Office programs since the mid 1990’s, being first introduced to the suite of programs while in high school. I’m not shy about facing challenges so if I came across issues while using an Office product, I dug around until I found a solution. This tinkering and experimenting with Microsoft Office, in addition to the courses taken through the years, have allowed me to have a very broad and in-depth knowledge of the programs. The rise of the internet has made this even easier as there is now a wealth of knowledge available, such as the Microsoft IT Academy. When opportunity to take the certification arose, I decided to see how far my knowledge went. I believe that having my MOS Master certification will open many doors for me as I continue throughout my career.”

The Microsoft IT Academy and MOS certification testing has been available in all of WA’s public high schools for almost four years now, but has only been available to the rest of the state since November 2013 (MOS certification followed a year later), through special Legislative funding provided for the program to the State Library and available through all public, tribal, and community and technical college libraries in the state.

“Adding certification was the natural next step, and missing piece to make the online training pay off.” Iaukea explains. “As the many who have suffered through periods of unemployment know all too well, it’s not enough to have the skills – you have to be able to prove to employers that you have them. Microsoft Office is the third most requested job skill, and MOS, as THE industry recognized credential for this software, is the BEST way to demonstrate that you have those in-demand skills.”

That’s why, in 2013 the Legislature approved money to support the program for the biennium ending June 2015. As a result, anyone can take the online courses and use the Study Guides provided by their local libraries to take a MOS exam – without having to travel as far or pay as much to test ($50 or less rather than $125).

We are proud and extremely lucky here at the State Library to have a MOS Master in our midst. But don’t just take my word for it. Let’s hear what some of his co-workers have to say

Jeff Martin – Head of Library Development

“I always knew Jeremy was talented when it came to Microsoft Office software. I frequently ask him the “how do I” questions that stumped me. I consider myself an intermediate user of the software suite when it comes to Word, Excel, and Outlook. After mixed results with the basic certification tests on Word and Outlook, neither of which I passed, only one of which I came close to passing, I have a new found respect for how in-depth Jeremy’s knowledge of these products truly is. Jeremy is a great problem solver for Microsoft Office. My problems, his solutions.”

Rand Simmons – Washington State Librarian

“Jeremy is my go to guy for Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint. I know the rudiments of the software but when I am baffled he saves my bacon by making a quick fix. I have yet to encounter a problem he couldn’t resolve. His mastery of Microsoft products shows in the excellent products he produces.”

Will Stuivenga – Cooperative Projects Manager

I consider myself to be a relatively savvy computer user, especially when it comes to Microsoft Office products … But I know that I can count on Jeremy to run circles around me in terms of his exhaustive knowledge of specific features and functions of any MS Office product. And if he doesn’t know the answer off the top of his head (which he often/usually does), he can quickly find it (by sitting down briefly at my computer), or (if needed) look it up online. In some cases, I can look things up myself, but in many situations, it’s simply easier and faster (i.e., more efficient) to just ask Jeremy, than to struggle on my own. Having him here in the department is a wonderful and convenient resource that I have used and relied on countless times over the almost 11 years I have worked here in Library Development.

While Jeremy’s co-workers will certainly reap the benefits of his expertise we hope that this mastery will be reproduced around the state as more people complete the courses and take advantage of the certification program. Go Washington!

Image courtesy North Pend Oreille Heritage collection

Library Clippings for the week of January 9, 2015

Library News

Library shortens loan period on DVDs
The loan period for DVDs from the Mill Creek Library will be reduced to seven days. Children’s DVDs, educational DVDs and multi-part TV shows will continue to be loaned for three weeks. The new policy is intended to cut down on the long wait for popular movies. (Millcreek View, Millcreek, 12/–/14)

Heritage grant will help preserve historic documents
The Colville National Forest, in partnership with the Libraries of Stevens County, was successful in competing for the 2014-2015 Washington Rural Heritage Grant to digitize historic photographs, maps and documents that capture scenes of early Forest Service activities and life in Northeast Washington from the early 1900s. The Washington Rural Heritage grant, through the Washington State Library, will allow the digitization of historical photographs, documents and maps stored in the Heritage Department at the Forest Service headquarters in Colville. (Statesman-Examiner, Colville, 12/3/14)
Read the rest of this entry »

Looking for a way to keep those minds and fingers busy during the dark days of winter? Well look no more! Thanks to a partnership with the Timberland Regional Library, the Youth Services team at the Washington State Library has a “toolkit” which contains 10,000 Lego® bricks, and an activity guide full of programming ideas which can be sent to your library to provide a free STEM program for kids. Just imagine what a wonderful time grade school kids (and their parents) will have building with this kit at your library.

Image courtesy of fdecomite – Flickr Creative Commons

If your library serves a population under 25,000 and would like to host a Legos program, you may sign up to have the Legos box come to your library for a two week stay and play, free of charge. When your time is up, Library Development will pay for the box to be shipped to the next library.

To request the kit email Marilyn Lindholm at [email protected].  Requests will be processed on a first come, first serve basis.

Libraries who have signed up so far:

Sedro-Woolley City Library

Sprague Public Library

Touchet Community Library

Grandview Library

Roslyn Public Library

Prescott Library

Wouldn’t you like to be on this list?

Image courtesy North Pend Oreille Heritage collection

Library Clippings for the week of January 2, 2015

Library News

A new chapter for libraries  (Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, 11/30/14)

Library system names director  (Tukwila Reporter, Kent, 12/–/14)

School library’s late fees ‘Gone With the Wind’  (Spokesman Review, Spokane, 12/2/14)

Commissioners busy before Thanksgiving (The Wahkiakum County Eagle, Cathlamet, 12/4/14)

Letters & Editorials

What’s on your shelf?
As the holiday season descends on us and along with it the frenzy to find the perfect gift, host the best party or decorate to the max, it makes sense to reflect on the simple pleasures of life. One of these is reading. Okay – I admit it – I am biased. My earliest memories are of visiting the local public library, and I happen to be a librarian who is married to a bookseller. Our idea of a good time is to spend our weekends searching used-book stores for first editions. But I challenge you to identify another single activity that is just as accessible, free, fun and inspiring. There is nothing quite like being swept up in a great book. So from one who has spent a career (a lifetime even) surrounded by books, may I offer a simple and free gift idea: a library card. Really. This article was written by Jane Carlin, Director of the Collins Memorial Library at the University of Puget Sound. (Tacoma Weekly, Tacoma, 12/5/14)
Read the rest of this entry »

From the desk of Steve Willis, Former Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library:

My father was a master storyteller who had a saying, “Never let the facts get in the way of a good yarn.” I think some reporters must have that motto as well, or at least they did in 1890.

The following article was found at random in the Columbia Chronicle, September 20, 1890. This was the newspaper for Dayton, Washington:

A GASTLY FIND

In the mountains near Spokane Falls, Monday, the decomposed remains of a man supposed to be Baron Von Strauss, an Austrian nobleman, were found by some hunters. The history of the baron is a sad one. For some mysterious reason he left his home two years ago and came to this country. After wandering about until his funds were exhausted he wrote home for more, but learned that his brother had made away with his property. He came to Spokane Falls and tried to find employment, but was repeatedly refused. His misfortune made him despondent and he wandered out into the country. For two or three weeks he was seen about the vicinity of Gentle’s ranch, six miles east of Spokane.

 He would apply to farm houses for a “morsel of food and shelter.” He was so courtly in bearing, so intelligent in his speech that the country folks thought that he was some poet whose strange moods had led him to seek the solitude of the mountains. To no one, notwithstanding that he spent several evenings socially with those who entertained him, would he reveal the deep secret of his wanderings in the fields.

 One day– the last day he was seen alive– he called at Gentle’s ranch and left an elegant but empty purse, saying that he was going into the mountains to starve. Little attention was paid to what he said. They thought that his utterance was merely the expression of a morbid nature seeking seclusion.

 He walked off toward Moran mountain and Sunday the horrible find of his body with bones protruding from the decomposing flesh, mutilated by wild animals, reveals the story of an Austrian count who literally starved himself to death in a strange country.

The story was national news for a couple weeks. Many of accounts were far more graphic in relating the gruesome details.

According to various news sources, Baron Von Strauss had departed Budapest ca. 1888 and made his way across the United States, from New York to Chicago, to San Francisco, spending freely until he ran out of funds. When he wrote back home for more money, the Baron discovered his brother had helped himself to the entire family treasury and fled to India. Left high and dry, the Baron made his way to Portland, Tacoma and finally Spokane, where he cut the figure of an elegant tramp.

The two pheasant hunters who found the Baron’s remains on September 8, 1890 were said to have buried the body on the spot.

The notion of a wayward member of European nobility, a stranger in a strange land stranded with no financial resources or skills, buried in the wilderness has sort of a melancholy romance to it.

But, The Spokane Falls Daily Chronicle ran a story on this incident on September 9 and 10, 1890 with a different set of facts, including that the Sheriff brought the body into Spokane. Somehow the other newspapers didn’t choose to run this more mundane version. Here’s the article from the 10th:

HE WAS A SHOEMAKER

 The Identity of the Man Found on Moran Mountain Established.

An examination of the papers found on the body of the man who was found dead on Moran mountain revealed the fact that he was a shoemaker and thirty years of age. He had taken out his first naturalization papers, which were issued in the state of Wisconsin, county of Sheboygan. His name was Carl Krishner, and he was a native of Germany. He had served his three years apprenticeship in the shoemaker’s trade a certificate to that effect was one of the papers found on him. A copy of a Sunday school paper, “The Young Reaper,” and a prayer book was found in his pocket.

Image courtesy North Pend Oreille Heritage collection

Library Clippings for the week of December 26, 2014

Library News

Lattes on a library card?
Kitsap Regional Library kicked off design discussion about its new Silverdale Branch Wednesday night. The library chose its site by the Bucklin Hill bridge and Clear Creek Trail in August and is working on a conceptual design before fundraising begins next year. While indoor meeting space for the public still is being discussed as part of the branch, the architecture firm presented a possible site layout and discussed the potential of making money by renting or leasing space in the library to a business or nonprofit. One person asked whether the library could have a Starbucks. (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, 11/14/14)

Sno-Isle Libraries small works roster
Public Notice – Notice is hereby given that Sno-Isle Libraries maintains a Small Works Roster of qualified contractors and is receiving applications to be placed upon this roster. Applications must be from licensed contractors in the state of Washington. Contractors whose names appear on the Small Works Roster may be contacted from time to time to submit job proposals for contracts in the amount of $200,000 or less. Applications must be submitted to Sno-Isle Libraries by mail or fax. For application forms, please visit our web page at www.sno-isle.org, hover over “Help & FAQs” located at the bottom of the page and click on “for Vendors”, then “Small Works Roster” and download or print out the application. Submit applications to: Sno-Isle Libraries, Purchasing Department, 7312 – 35th Avenue NE, Marysville, WA 98271, 360-651-7012, FAX 360-651-7151. Questions may be directed to the Purchasing Department at 360-651-7012, or by email: [email protected]. (Daily Journal of Commerce, Seattle, 12/15/14)
Read the rest of this entry »