WA Secretary of State Blogs

WSL Updates for June 11, 2015

Wednesday, June 10th, 2015 Posted in For Libraries, Grants and Funding, News, Training and Continuing Education, Updates | Comments Off on WSL Updates for June 11, 2015


Volume 11, June 11, 2015 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) MAKE HISTORY COME ALIVE WITH ZINES!

2) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

3) BOOK YOUR BANK PILOT PROGRAM OPPORTUNITY

4) NORTHWEST ELEARN CONFERENCE 2015

5) JUNE IS GLBT BOOK MONTH

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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1) MAKE HISTORY COME ALIVE WITH ZINES!

Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, is sponsoring the 1st Annual Historical Zine Contest with co-sponsors Washington State Archives and Timberland Regional Library. Participants are asked to create a zine about some aspect of Washington History.

Entries will be accepted from four age groups:

  • Grades 4-6;
  • Grades 7-9;
  • Grades 10-12;
  • Adults of all ages.

Workshops will be held to learn how to make a zine at:

  • Olympia Timberland Library – Saturday, July 11th from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m.
  • Yelm Timberland Library – Saturday, July 25th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

For more information go to sos.wa.gov/q/zine. Questions? Please contact Judy Pitchford at [email protected].

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2) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

The Professional Development (PD) Grant Cycle is open. The Washington State Library has phased out Continuing Education (CE) grants. Professional Development (PD) grants replace CE grants. PD grants use a revised process for applying, reporting, and claiming reimbursement. There are some major changes.

Applying for PD Grants:

  • Only libraries may apply for PD grants;
  • Individuals can no longer apply;
  • Qualifying libraries include public libraries, schools and their school libraries, academic institutions and their libraries, tribal libraries, and non-profit institutions and their libraries.

Libraries can apply for two types of PD grants:

  • Libraries may apply on behalf of individual staff members. The grant can allow up to $1,000 per person per year. The maximum per library is $6,000 per year.
  • Libraries may apply to bring training into the library. The maximum is $3,000 per library per year.

Either a library or its parent institution, depending on their structure, has the authority to apply for these grants and receive reimbursements. In either case, only libraries and library staff are eligible to use the grants. If branches of a library or library system apply, they are considered part of a single library for award limits. Libraries serving a population of less than 5,000 are eligible for a waiver of the required match.

For more information, including application forms, visit sos.wa.gov/q/pdgrants. Questions? Please contact Maura Walsh at [email protected].

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3) BOOK YOUR BANK PILOT PROGRAM OPPORTUNITY

Bank On Washington’s mission is to provide un-banked and under-banked individuals with access to financial education and mainstream financial services. Sponsored by the Washington State Treasurer’s Office, Bank On Washington is a network of government entities, financial institutions, and non-profit organizations which includes nine local Bank On partners in eleven counties. These partners work closely within their communities to fulfill this mission. Currently, the counties included are Cowlitz, King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Whatcom, and Yakima.

Bank On Washington has been awarded a grant from Bank On 2.0 to reach out to the un-banked and under-banked in rural and hard-to-reach communities. Bank On Washington’s grant creates a pilot project called “Book Your Bank” which plans to work with local public and tribal libraries to create a financial safe place where community members can come once or twice a month to receive financial counseling and classes, get their credit score checked, access computers to do online banking, and open up bank accounts.

If your library is interested in participating in Book Your Bank or for more information, please contact Gina Stark, Director of External Affairs, Washington State Treasurer’s Office at 206-550-7329 or [email protected].

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4) NORTHWEST ELEARN CONFERENCE 2015

Registration is now open for the tenth annual Northwest eLearn Conference. This year’s event will be held in Olympia, Washington from Thursday, October 22 – Friday, October 23, 2015. Two exceptional keynote speakers, Jesse Stommel of Hybrid Pedagogy and Audrey Watters of Hack Education, will launch Northwest eLearn Conference 2015.

NWeLC provides an opportunity for higher education and K-12 faculty, administrators, instructional designers, and technologists to come together to discuss best practices, collaborations, and ideas in integrating technology in learning.

This year’s NWeLC will be held at the Olympia Red Lion. To reserve a room at the conference rate and find out about transportation options, visit the conference travel & hotel page at nwelearn.org/travel-hotel.

Register for the Northwest eLearn 2015 Conference at nwelearn.org/registration by Friday, September 11, 2015 for discounted rate.

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5) JUNE IS GLBT BOOK MONTH

The American Library Association’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Round Table announces June as GLBT Book Month. Librarians, booksellers, and community advocates are invited to celebrate and highlight the work being done in GLBT literature. Visit www.ala.org/glbtrt/glbt-book-month for more information.

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6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

June 15

  • Conference Attendee Tips – ALA in San Francisco (Idaho Commission for Libraries); 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PDT
  • Digital Literacy Services in Action: Online Webinar (Washington State Library); 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. PDT
  • Developing Competencies for Virtual Classroom Facilitators (InSync Training); 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. PDT

June 16

June 17

June 18

For more information and to register (unless otherwise linked above), visit the WSL Training Calendar at sos.wa.gov/q/training.

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The Washington State Library has gone social! Friend/follow us at:

         Facebook: on.fb.me/FBWSL;

         Twitter: twitter.com/WAStateLib.

 

Paul’s Aunt

Wednesday, September 5th, 2012 Posted in Articles, Institutional Library Services | Comments Off on Paul’s Aunt


Years ago my nephew used to go to the library in Centralia “regularly”. He was such a regular user in fact that I when I was the lead in the Circulation Dept. at the Washington State Library, I went to a meeting for Innovative users and the librarian from the Centralia Timberland Library introduced me as Paul’s Aunt. I got a big applause. It still brings a smile to my face when I think about it. My family has always been big library users, as you can tell.

 

Ask-WA(tch): Stats, Kudos and Comments for Nov 2009

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 Posted in Articles, For Libraries | Comments Off on Ask-WA(tch): Stats, Kudos and Comments for Nov 2009


Ask-WA Statistics – November, 2009

November Survey Comments Wordcloud Ask-WA slowed down a bit in November compared to October, but since we were super-extra busy in October, that isn’t saying too much. November numbers were still well ahead of September, August, and July numbers, especially in terms of chat sessions requested. In numbers:

  • Email questions received: 3743
  • Chat sessions requested: 4912
  • Chat sessions accepted: 3645
  • Qwidget requests (% of total): 965 (19.6%)

As a cooperative we maintained an answering percentage of 74% for the month, which is down significantly from previous months, and falls just below our goal percentage of 75%. This is due to some drag in the public cooperative, but I’m sure we can dust ourselves off and bring the numbers back up! Chat continues to dominate email, though both services remain well-used. Qwidget traffic dropped this month to just under 20%, down from a fairly consistent 25% in previous months.

The word cloud highlights some of the most-used words left in survey comments throughout November. Some great words this month include: wonderful, excellent, fast, quick, great, impressed, and love.

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Ask-WA(tch): Stats, Kudos and Comments for July 2009

Friday, August 14th, 2009 Posted in Articles, For Libraries | Comments Off on Ask-WA(tch): Stats, Kudos and Comments for July 2009


AskWa_YLAO Ask-WA Statistics – July, 2009

Despite a fairly quiet academic cooperative, Ask-WA maintained a busy service during the month of July. In numbers:

  • Email questions received: 3512
  • Chat sessions requested: 3238
  • Chat sessions accepted: 2927
  • Qwidget requests (% of total): 883 (27%)

As a cooperative we maintained an answering percentage of 90.4% for the month, which is well over the goal rate of 75%. Keep up the good work! The email aspect of the service remains robust, and outpaced chat for the month. Qwidget traffic is edging up towards 1/3rd of the total chat traffic, and getting particularly heavy use out of Seattle Public Library and the University of Washington.

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Media Clips: Libraries – June 26, 2009

Friday, June 26th, 2009 Posted in For Libraries, For the Public, News, Updates | 2 Comments »


These media mentions are compiled by Brian Zylstra, Deputy Communications Director for the Office of the Secretary of State, and passed along to us.

The following links cover Media Clips provided June 01, 2009 – June 26, 2009.

Rediscovering the library (Yakima Herald-Republic, May 30)

Timberland OKs late-book fees (Olympian, May 30)

Grand library road trip starts here (Columbian, May 31)

Mind your manners at the library (Seattle Times editorial)

Free audiobook options for great roadtrips with kids (Examiner)

Library measure trails; service cuts are likely (Olympian)

Fines become fact of life for library system (Olympian editorial)

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Clippings, June 12, 2009

Friday, June 12th, 2009 Posted in For Libraries, For the Public, News, Updates | Comments Off on Clippings, June 12, 2009


Clippings, June 12, 2009

Library News

Langley Library (Sno-Isle Libraries) display depicts the library from a humble beginning to the community hub that it is today.  As library users’ needs change, Langley Library continues to move forward, boldly facing the future to best meet the needs of tomorrow.  (Photos)  (South Whidbey Record [Langley], 5.20.2009)

The Bonney Lake Library and the Buckley Library (Pierce County Library System) host meetings to present preliminary recommendations for Pierce County Library System’s 20-year facilities plan “Library 2030.”  (Bonney Lake Sumner Courier-Herald [Kent], 5.20.09)

The city of Port Orchard revised its agreement with the Port Orchard Library (Kitsap Regional Library (KRL)).  Kitsap Regional Library is updating its agreements with all its libraries except Silverdale and Sylvan Way, where KRL owns the building.  (Independent [Port Orchard], 5.22.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/community/45733882.html

Jodi Reng, Executive Director of the Timberland Regional Library, presented an annual update of the library system to the Pacific County Commissioners and managers of all of the libraries in Pacific County.  Reng quoted Charles Dickens “These are the worst of times; these are the best of times, “ explaining that in these tough economic times, people need their library like never before and services must be provided with fewer resources.   (Willapa Harbor Herald [Raymond], 5.20.09)

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Clippings, June 5, 2009

Friday, June 5th, 2009 Posted in For Libraries, For the Public, News, Updates | Comments Off on Clippings, June 5, 2009


Clippings, June 5, 2009

The Clark County Historical Museum – housed in a former library – is heading up “Mr. Carnegie’s Grand Tour of Washington.”  The tour is designed as a theme for family road trips and to bring visitor traffic to heritage sites around the state.  Washington’s Carnegie library cities include: Auburn, Anacortes, Burlington, Edmonds, Goldendale, Pasco, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Ritzville, Seattle (six sites), Snohomish, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Walla Walla.  (Photo)  (Columbian [Vancouver], 5.31.09) http://columbian.com/article/20090531/NEWS02/705319970/

Elections:

Malden voters will be asked this November whether or not they want the town annexed into the Whitman County’s Rural Library District.  If voters approve the annexation, a library tax will be levied against property owners.  This year the library levy was just over $.45 per $1,000 assessed value.  (Whitman County Gazette [Colfax], 5.14.09)

Buildings:

The Burien Library (King County Library System) opens June 13 at the Burien Town Square.  (Highline Times/Des Moines News [Burien], 5.13.09)

With a construction project looming to expand the Coupeville Public Library (Sno-Isle Libraries), Sno-Isle Library officials are finishing up a deal for a temporary home starting this summer.  (Whidbey News-Times [Oak Harbor], 5.13.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/wnt/news/44838997.html

Battle Ground celebrates its new library (Fort Vancouver Regional Library) with a grand opening.  At 13,000 square feet, it’s more than three times bigger than the library it’s replacing, a 50-year old facility on the campus of Battle Ground High School.  (Photos)  (Columbian [Vancouver], 5.30.09) http://columbian.com/article/20090530/NEWS02/705309964/

Work is under way to clear the lot in downtown Vancouver for the future 83,000-square foot, $38 million main library (Fort Vancouver Regional Library).  It is set to open mid-2011.  (Vancouver Business Journal, 5.29.09) http://www.vbjusa.com/stories/2009-05-29/like_a_good_neighbor.html

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Clippings, May 27, 2009

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009 Posted in For Libraries, For the Public, News, Updates | Comments Off on Clippings, May 27, 2009


Clippings, May 27, 2009

“Love Mercy” by Earlene Fowler is a new book at the Richland Public Library.  (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 5.3.09)

Buildings:

Bids come in low for costs to repair 104-year old Fairhaven branch library (Bellingham Public Library).  (Bellingham Herald, 5.4.09) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/893706.html

Letters & Editorials

A different proposal for the new Battle Ground Library – empty the books out, move in unemployed teachers who need a place to live.  (Columbian [Vancouver], 5.19.09) http://columbian.com/article/20090519/OPINION01/705199978/Our+readers++views+May+19

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Clippings, May 20, 2009

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009 Posted in For Libraries, For the Public, News, Updates | Comments Off on Clippings, May 20, 2009


Clippings, May 20, 2009

Buildings:

Construction plans for a new Kenmore Library (King County Library System) are  still on hold, stuck in neutral until the local branch of the U.S. Post Office vacates the building library leaders want to demolish to make way for a new facility.  (Bothell Reporter, Kenmore Reporter [Kent], 4.22.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/north_king/bkn/news/43351512.html

Letters & Editorials:

The Vashon Island Library (King County Library System) that we now have is, a silk purse, and we’re being offered a remodeled pig’s ear.  And the numbers don’t add up.  (Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber [Vashon], 4.22.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/vashon/vib/opinion/43378247.html

Islanders want the Vashon Island Library (King County Library System) at Ober Park.  (Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber [Vashon] 4.22.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/vashon/vib/opinion/43377777.html

When faced with pushy decisions of a benevolent dictator (King County Library System Executive Bill Ptacek), a group of dedicated individuals took time out of their lives to draft and mail an excellently balanced and open survey to everyone on this Island!  (Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber [Vashon], 4.22.09) http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/vashon/vib/opinion/43377777.html

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