WA Secretary of State Blogs

WSL Updates for January 25, 2018

Wednesday, January 24th, 2018 Posted in Digital Collections, Federal and State Publications, For Libraries, Grants and Funding, News, Training and Continuing Education, Updates | Comments Off on WSL Updates for January 25, 2018


Volume 14, January 25, 2018 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) CE NEEDS ASSESSMENT

2) HEALTH NUMERACY AND YOU

3) COMIC CON AT THE LIBRARY

4) RURAL PUBLIC LIBRARY GRANTS

5) ONLINE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD COMPLETED

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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1) CE NEEDS ASSESSMENT

It’s time once again for the semi-annual Continuing Education Needs Assessment from the Washington State Library and the Washington Library Association: www.surveymonkey.com/r/CE_2018_WSL.

If you took the survey in the past and felt overwhelmed by the choices, you’ll be happy to know that this year we have completely re-written it. The 2018 survey is a shorter, more succinct version.

Please fill out our semi-annual survey, and share it with all of your colleagues. We would like to hear from the whole Washington library community: people working in libraries at all levels, friends of the library, trustees and library board members. We take continuing education seriously and we rely on your input to help us steer the ship.

Please forgive any cross-posting. We’re trying to catch everyone. Thank you!

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2) HEALTH NUMERACY AND YOU

As health care becomes more sophisticated and complex, it’s more and more likely that we will face situations where we have to use numerical skills to figure out our own treatment choices. Our capacity to deal with the numerical component of health information is called “health numeracy.” In this free webinar we’ll learn more about health numeracy and how it plays a role in our health, discuss the ways that library staff and others already work with users around numbers and health, and uncover best practices to make our assistance even more effective.

First Tuesdays for February, 2018:

  • Making Sense of the Numbers—Health Numeracy and You (and Me)
  • Tuesday, February 6, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. PST
  • Presented by Ann Glusker, National Network of Libraries of Medicine—Pacific Northwest Region
  • For more information and to register: sos.wa.gov/q/HealthNum.

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3) COMIC CON AT THE LIBRARY

Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC) and The Seattle Public Library have teamed up to host a number of panels geared towards professional librarians and educators on Thursday, March 1st. With a particular focus on social issues, the program will feature content from Boom! Studios, First Second Books, Valiant, Penguin Random House, and the American Library Association.

An ECCC Professional Badge is required to attend. Pro Badges are free of charge to educators and library staff. Please feel free to share this information with your professional contacts and encourage them to register for a badge as space is limited! Central Library, Thursday, March 1, 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

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4) RURAL PUBLIC LIBRARY GRANTS

The Pilcrow Foundation, a national non-profit public charity, provides a 2-to-1 match to rural public libraries that receive a grant through its Children’s Book Project and contribute $200-$400 through local sponsors for the purchase of up to $1200 worth (at retail value) of new, quality, hardcover children’s books.

Grant recipients can select from a list of over 500 quality hardcover children’s books best suited for their community, including award-winning and star-reviewed titles from educational and literary organizations. The Pilcrow Foundation accepts applications from independent rural public libraries and Native American Tribal libraries as well as libraries that are part of a county, regional, or cooperative system. Details:

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5) ONLINE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD COMPLETED

In cooperation with the Library of Congress, the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) has completed the digitization of all historical issues of the Congressional Record dating to the first appearance of this publication on March 5, 1873. The final release of this project, covering the period 1873-1890, is being made available to the public free of charge on GPO’s govinfo site.

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6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

Monday, January 29

Tuesday, January 30

Wednesday, January 31

Thursday, February 1

Friday, February 2

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DISCLAIMER: The State Library regularly highlights third-party events and online resources as a way to alert the library community to training and resource opportunities. By doing so, we are not endorsing the content of the event, nor promoting any specific product, but merely providing this information as an FYI to librarians who must then decide what is right for them.

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WSL Updates for September 7, 2017

Wednesday, September 6th, 2017 Posted in Digital Literacy, For Libraries, Grants and Funding, News, Updates | Comments Off on WSL Updates for September 7, 2017


Volume 13, September 7, 2017 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include things wanted:

1) WANTED – LIBRARY COUNCIL MEMBERS

2) ECLIPSE GLASSES WANTED

3) HISTORICAL ZINES WANTED

4) AMERICANS TRUST LIBRARIES

5) RURAL PUBLIC LIBRARY GRANTS

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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1) WANTED – LIBRARY COUNCIL MEMBERS

The mission of the Library Council of Washington (LCW) is to help all Washington citizens access library services, information, and resources. The LCW advises the State Librarian and the Office of the Secretary of State on statewide library issues and the expenditure of federal LSTA funding. The fifteen members represent all types of libraries and library users. The Council meets in person three to four times each year.

Members may include library employees, volunteers, trustees, foundation board members, advocates, consultants, or educators. We seek new members that are active and knowledgeable, have great communication skills, and can advocate for all libraries while representing a specific interest group’s views as well. There are currently four open positions on the LCW, representing:

  • Special libraries,
  • Technology,
  • Underserved populations,
  • Schools (western Washington).

If you want to help shape our libraries, have at least three years’ experience working with libraries in Washington State, and are interested in applying, please send a copy of the application form and your resume. Application information is available at sos.wa.gov/q/vacancy. Applications must be postmarked by September 22, 2017.

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2) ECLIPSE GLASSES WANTED

If you’re wondering what to do with those eclipse glasses you acquired for the big event, don’t throw them away: the State Library wants them! Drop your eclipse glasses off in the lobby, and they will be donated to Astronomers Without Borders. Or check for a collection center near you. The plan is to send them to schools and other institutions in countries where they are needed but not available. The next two solar eclipses across populated areas are in 2019, in South America (total) and southeastern Asia (partial).

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3) HISTORICAL ZINES WANTED

Announcing the 3rd Annual Historical Zine Contest – Make Washington History Come Alive! The Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, is sponsoring the 3rd Annual Historical Zine Contest. Participants are asked to create a Zine about some aspect of Washington History using primary resources.

Entries will be accepted from four age groups:

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

Entries will be accepted from September 1 – December 15, 2017. See the Zine webpage for more information and a video about how to make a zine. Questions? Contact Judy Pitchford at [email protected]

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4) AMERICANS TRUST LIBRARIES

Americans struggle to determine what news and information sources they should trust and how to discern reliable information online. They worry that fake news is sowing confusion about current events. And many express a desire to get help.

About six-in-ten adults (61%) say they would be helped at least somewhat in making decisions if they got training on how to find trustworthy information online, according to a new analysis of Pew Research Center survey data from 2016. What’s more, a majority of Americans say public libraries are helpful as people try to meet their information needs.

About eight-in-ten adults (78%) feel that public libraries help them find information that is trustworthy and reliable and 76% say libraries help them learn new things. Also, 56% believe libraries help them get information that aids with decisions they have to make. While the library is seen as one useful resource, the survey also found that 55% of adults say that training to gain confidence in using computers, smartphones and the internet would help in making decisions.

This analysis represents an opportunity for libraries to offer training on media literacy, evaluating information sources, and similar topics. The New York Times provides interesting “lesson plans” on the subject. An Internet search for “evaluating information” turns up numerous related resources, many from academic libraries. This topic is hardly new for libraries, but perhaps the current attention to “fake news” provides a more ready audience.

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5) RURAL PUBLIC LIBRARY GRANTS

The Pilcrow Foundation, a national non-profit public charity, provides a 2-to-1 match to rural public libraries that receive a grant through its Children’s Book Project and contribute $200-$400 through local sponsors for the purchase of up to $1200 worth (at retail value) of new, quality, hardcover children’s books.

Grant recipients can select from a list of over 500 quality hardcover children’s books best suited for their community, including award-winning and star-reviewed titles from educational and literary organizations. The Pilcrow Foundation accepts applications from independent rural public libraries and Native American Tribal libraries as well as libraries that are part of a county, regional, or cooperative system. Details:

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6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

Monday, September 11

Tuesday, September 12

Wednesday, September 13

Thursday, September 14

Friday, September 15

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DISCLAIMER: The State Library regularly highlights third-party events and online resources as a way to alert the library community to training and resource opportunities.  By doing so, we are not endorsing the content of the event, nor promoting any specific product, but merely providing this information as an FYI to librarians who must then decide what is right for them.

Subscribe to WSL presents: News from Washington Libraries!

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

WSL Updates for May 11, 2017

Wednesday, May 10th, 2017 Posted in For Libraries, Grants and Funding, News, Training and Continuing Education, Tribal, Updates | Comments Off on WSL Updates for May 11, 2017


Volume 13, May 11, 2017 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) FREE BOOKS

2) ARSL SCHOLARSHIPS

3) MRSC MAKES YOUR JOB EASIER

4) BUILDING SUPPORT FOR YOUR RURAL LIBRARY

5) KEEPING IT PRIVATE

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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Paddle to Nisqually

Wednesday, July 27th, 2016 Posted in Articles, For Libraries, For the Public, Tribal | Comments Off on Paddle to Nisqually


faithHave you been following  the Paddle to Nisqually ? The Tribal Canoe Journeys  happen every summer on the waters of the Pacific Northwest? Each year a different tribe hosts the celebration which follows the final landing of all the canoes, many of which have traveled great distances.  This is a special year for the Nisqually Tribe as the journey ends with them.

Indigenous peoples have made this canoe journey up and down the coastal waterways for thousands of years, but by 1989 the tradition of long distance canoe travel had all but disappeared.  That year, as part of Washington’s centennial celebration, tribal leaders from around Puget Sound revived the practice, calling it “Paddle to Seattle”.  Some tribes carved their first canoe in nearly a century in order to participate in the journey (Oldham).  The journey became an annual event after the Heiltsuk Nation issued a challenge to the Puget Sound tribes and  Canoe Families to come up to Bella Bella in 1993.  This year close to 100 canoes and their pullers, from the Coast Salish peoples of Alaska, Canada and the Pacific Northwest are scheduled to arrive in the Olympia Area on July 30th.  Since 1994 the Nisqually Tribe has participated in the Canoe Journeys and have used the journeys to strengthen its culture, its community, and its families.  Allen Frazier, a Northern California Native and long time Nisqually community member, has photo-documented the event since it began.   In 2013 the Nisqually Tribal Library received a Washington Rural Heritage grant from the Washington State Library to digitize and make available a portion of these photographs.  The result is a rich and ever evolving set of pictures which documents the Nisqually Tribe’s participation in canoe journeys from 1995 forward.   The collection, known as “The Canoe Journeys – A Nisqually Perspective”  includes photos and maps of the routes taken each year.

Approximately 120 canoes representing over 50 tribes are due to land at the Port of Olympia on July 30th. The Nisqually Tribe has been preparing for the celebration for months.  The Landing Day events will be held at NorthPoint at the tip of the Port of Olympia’s peninsula.  The tribe is expecting as many as 18,000 people to attend (Port of Olympia).  The celebrations and protocols will continue until August 6th.    Even if you can’t attend the landing, thanks to the work of the Nisqually tribe you can virtually attend the event through the pictures they provide online.

References

Oldham, Kit. “Northwest Indian canoes return to site of Point Elliott Treaty on July 26, 2007.” Historylink.org. N.p., 26 Aug. Web. 26 July 2007.

“Port of Olympia and City of Olympia team with Nisqually Indian Tribe for Canoe Journey Landing in July.” Port of Olympia. N.p., 10 May 2016. Web. 26 July 2016.

 

Tribal Libraries in Washington receive grants from IMLS

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015 Posted in Articles, For Libraries, For the Public, Tribal | Comments Off on Tribal Libraries in Washington receive grants from IMLS


From the desk of Carolyn Petersen.Stillaguamish Tribal Library

The recent announcement of the IMLS Basic grants to Washington State tribes reveals the importance placed on learning by the Native America tribes of Washington State.

The following tribes applied and received the basic grant:

  • Kalispel Indian community of the Kalispel Reservation–Usk
  • Yakama Tribal Council—Toppenish
  • Lower Elwha Tribal community—Port Angeles
  • Lummi Indian Business Council—Bellingham
  • Suquamish Indian Tribe of the Port Madison Reservation–Suquamish
  • Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe—Sequim
  • Skokomish Indian Tribe of the Skokomish reservation—Skokomish Nation
  • Nooksack Indian Tribe—Deming
  • Hoh Indian Tribe—Forks
  • Nisqually Indian Tribe—Olympia
  • Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe—Tokeland
  • Port Gamble Band of S’Klallam tribe—Kingston
  • Samish Indian Nation—Anacortes
  • Squaxin Island Tribe—Shelton
  • Makah Indian Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation—Neah Bay
  • Stillaguamish Tribe of Washington –Arlington

In addition to receiving basic grants two of Washington’s Tribal Libraries received special Enhancement Grants.

Yakama Tribal Council – Toppenish, WA

With this award, the Yakama Nation will revive the existing outdated library collection with relevant new books, and audio and video resources. The library staff will focus on professional development in cataloging, reading literacy, and collection development in order to facilitate, support, and assist patrons in meeting their information retrieval needs. The library will also collaborate with the Yakama Nation Tribal School to select readings to enhance student project-based learning research needs. The Yakama Nation envisions building upon their collaborative success by updating the library collection and promoting reading. These developments will enhance library programming, promote reading, and generate enthusiasm for reading at Head Start facilities and at library story hours.

Nisqually Indian Tribe – Olympia, WA

The Nisqually Tribe will utilize a StoryCorps recording studio within the tribal library to record the stories of tribal members. Trained staff will use the recording technology to facilitate sessions where tribal members exchange and share their stories with each other. These recordings will then become part of the knowledge the tribe can share from the tribal library’s collection and will be preserved for future generations.

Tribal libraries are spread all across the state and have a variety of missions.  Some serve as afterschool support for the youth of their tribe.  Others concentrate on early childhood literacy.  Yet others serves as their community’s public library.  Some tribal libraries support college programs both distance and on site while yet others  provide genealogy resources for individuals to prove tribal membership.   There are museum research collections. Some libraries provide resources to preserve their native language.  Each of these libraries is unique and reflects the values of its tribal community.

Connect with Your Library: A Mobile app for Washington

Thursday, April 4th, 2013 Posted in Articles, For Libraries, For the Public, Grants and Funding, News | Comments Off on Connect with Your Library: A Mobile app for Washington


appThe Washington State Library is delighted to announce a $200,000 grant from the Paul G. Allen Family  Foundation which, in combination with Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds, will develop a mobile application or “app” to connect patrons with their libraries. Libraries that sign up by Friday, April 19, 2013, will have the opportunity to be in the initial phase of implementation.

LSTA funds will pay for development costs of a mobile app for academic, public, and tribal libraries to connect individuals with the library’s online services. Two statewide apps, one for academic libraries and one for public libraries, will be developed. The Allen Foundation funds will pay for public and tribal libraries to use and test the application for the year 2014. Academic libraries will need to pay the subscription fee themselves. Allen Foundation Funds will also pay for a state wide internet PR campaign to publicize the application’s availability.

After the completion of a formal procurement process, and with the advice of an advisory committee, Boopsie was selected as the vendor for this project. Boopsie currently supplies a similar app to the Seattle Public Library (as shown in the image) and to the King County Library System, as well as having provided a similar statewide implementation in the State of Virginia.

More information, including a listing of app features and the Intent to Participate Form can be found at: www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/app. Questions? Contact Carolyn Petersen [email protected], 360.570.5560, or Will Stuivenga [email protected], 360.704.5217.

Unexpected Benefits—and Connections

Monday, August 13th, 2012 Posted in Articles, For the Public, Site Visits, Tribal | Comments Off on Unexpected Benefits—and Connections


Carolyn Petersen holding a zucchini from the Hibulb Cultural Center

When I set out to visit the Hibulb Cultural Center recently I had no idea that one of the results would be zucchini cake, zucchini bread and zucchini bars.  That one zucchini I’m holding in the photo produced 10 cups of raw material.  Just as the Tulalip tribe is using this garden as a way to have families work together and learn to cook healthy food together, the zucchini served as a vehicle to put me in touch with my family.  My mother comes from a Langford, South Dakota.  The cookbook I used to find the zucchini recipes resulted as a centennial (1889 to 1989) project of Lutheran church that my mother’s family has attended for several generations.  Flipping through the pages familiar names floated past along with remembrances of whose recipes could be trusted and whose could not! The zucchini resulted in family memories sprouting once more.

Discover the Hibulb Cultural Center

Friday, August 10th, 2012 Posted in Articles, For the Public, News, Site Visits, Tribal | Comments Off on Discover the Hibulb Cultural Center


Looking for a change of scene? Trying to find a place that the whole family can enjoy? Visit the Tulalip Tribes’ Hibulb [pronounced “Hee-Bolb”] Cultural Center & Natural History Preserve in Tulalip.

Hibulb Cultural Center

On Wednesday, August 9, my colleague, Carolyn Petersen, and I had the pleasure of meeting staff from the Hibulb Cultural Center & Natural History Preserve and being treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of their curation facility, which is responsible for managing historic Tribal artifacts and burials that are discovered throughout Puget Sound. We also were introduced to the Center Director, Hank Gobin, who has stated in the online publication Tulalip Tribes: Cultural History Powers Today’s Progress, “We are looking to become a resource for government and the private sector, to promote proper archeological surveys and analysis before construction and to assist in properly managing discoveries to minimize the costly and disrespectful incidents that have occurred in recent years.” This is reflected in the state-of-the-art curation facility where artifacts are lovingly treated to bring the past back to life and a museum where visitors can be informed by the past. There is also a natural history preserve where anyone can be inspired and reconnect with nature.

The Center is celebrating its first anniversary next weekend, and is offering a variety of programs and events, with something for everyone. Admission will be free during this special weekend. Events will include:

Saturday, August 18:

  • 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – Beading demonstration by Richard Muir, Jr.;
  • 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Organic vegetable gardening, gardening with families, and cooking with television personality, Cisco Morris;
  • 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Pacific Northwest Drawing workshop with Steve Madison;
  • 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Movie screening of “Smoke Signals” with Tracy Rector.

Sunday, August 19:

  • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Lecture and book signing by Billy Frank, Jr., Nisqually tribal activist and subject of the latest publication from the Legacy Project of the Office of the Secretary of State, Where the Salmon Run: The Life and Legacy of Billy Frank Jr., by Trova Heffernan. Note: Copies of this book are for sale in the Hibulb Cultural Center’s gift shop;
  • 1:00 – 1:30 p.m. – Storytelling by Kelly Moses and Ray Moses;
  • 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. – Chainsaw carving by Cy Williams and Tim Williams;
  • 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. – Coast Salish painting by James Madison;
  • 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Play by Red Eagle Soaring Youth Theatre.

It is so easy to forget how connected we all are to our natural environment, how it nourishes our bodies, spirits, and minds. Remember and reconnect by visiting the Hibulb Cultural Center & Natural History Preserve.

Where: 6410 23rd Avenue NE, Tulalip, WA
Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Saturday – Sunday, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.; closed Mondays
Anniversary Celebration Weekend Hours: Friday, August 17 – Sunday, August 19, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.;
First Thursday of every month: Free – and open until 8:00 p.m.!
Free guided tours are available every Wednesday from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

For additional information, call 360.716.2600, e-mail [email protected], or visit HibulbCulturalCenter.org.

WSL Updates for March 3, 2011

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011 Posted in For Libraries, Grants and Funding, News, Training and Continuing Education, Updates | Comments Off on WSL Updates for March 3, 2011


Volume 7, March 3, 2011 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) WASHINGTON RURAL HERITAGE GRANT CYCLE OPENS

2) NEW SUPPORTING STUDENT SUCCESS GRANT CYCLE OPENING

3) HELP REVIEW DATABASE PRODUCTS FOR WA LIBRARIES

4) CELEBRATE NATIONAL BOOKMOBILE DAY

5) MONEY SMART WEEK IN WASHINGTON

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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