The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Library was awarded the 2014 Library Institutional Excellence Award by the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums. Included in the recognition were Tribal Planning Director Leanne Jenkins, library staff including Siri Hiltz, MLIS, Tribal partner JKT Development, Inc.(an enterprise of the Tribe’s Economic Development Authority), and the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal community as a whole.

Photo by the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe

Established in 2007, the Guardians of Culture, Memory, and Lifeways International Awards Program identifies and recognizes organizations and individuals who serve as outstanding examples of how indigenous archives, libraries, and museums contribute to the vitality and cultural sovereignty of Native nations.

In making the award, ATALM commended the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe for bringing its library services into the 21st century, offering opportunities for digital access to treasured tribal collections from anywhere in the world and providing a state-of-the-art library serving an active and integral role in community activities. The creation of the tribally-owned and managed “House of Seven Generations” online archival resource website connects current generations with the tribe’s cultural roots and allowing a glimpse into the rich history of the Jamestown S’Klallam people. In 2012, the tribe renovated Heron Hall, a former community meeting space, into a dynamic center that serves the cultural and information needs of the tribal community, and shares the rich cultural history of the tribe with the world. The library provides materials to homebound elders, conducts reading/literacy programs with children and youth, enhances language-learning services and resources, and collaborates with other tribal programs to develop activities for the benefit of tribal citizens and the public.

The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Library first opened in 1988, and has always been open to the public. It is located on the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Campus in Blyn at 1070 Old Blyn Highway. Library hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Library Institutional Excellence Award recognizes an indigenous library that profoundly demonstrates outstanding service to its community. Nominees must have developed innovative and effective services and programs that can be replicated by other libraries; partnered successfully with other institutions to improve and enhance services; or demonstrated excellence in service that has impacted the community in a measurable way.

Kudos to Leanne and her team!!!!

What happens when you combine a group of teens with 35 boxes of new books? Short answer, chaos!  Long answer, a bunch of exited young adults who can’t wait to start reading.  Recently YALSA, or Young Adult Library Service Association donated $10,000 in new books to Yakama Nation Library.  Every year YALSA, whose mission is to expand and strengthen library services for teens, donates thousands of books to qualifying libraries across the United States.  The Yakama Nation Library is situated between 12 schools within a 5 mile radius. This means students from all these different schools need access to books and information for school reports, language studies and access to books outside school hours.  Before YALSA’s donation many of the books on the Yakama Nation Library’s shelves were out dated. Now with the book donation, the library’s collection has become richer with a more current range of fiction and non-fiction books and media to choose from.  But all this is just words. The best way to understand the joy this award has provided is to see the pictures.

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.