Discover free and inexpensive trainings available online and around the state; compiled by Jennifer Fenton, CE/Training Coordinator, Washington State Library

Featured Free Trainings:
Registration information for the below trainings and webinars is available at: http://www.sos.wa.gov/library/libraries/training/trainingCalendar.aspx

Washington State Library is pleased to offer the following FREE online training in February:

 First Tuesdays: Building Library Support Within Your Business Community 
 February 5, 9:00-10:00 a.m. PT

The Spokane Public Library is receiving 5-10 reference referrals per day from the greater Spokane business community, and it is increasing. Come find out what efforts led to this surge of library usage by the local business community and how you might replicate it in yours. Participants will learn how to engage with their local business community, develop a sense of what works well to draw them in, and discuss strategies to put the gears into motion! Presented by Mark Pond, Spokane Public Library.

 Commencing an Action in Superior Court: WSL Webinar
February 25, 10:00-11:30 a.m. PT

Can you sue? Should you sue? How do you file a lawsuit? Learn the basics for filing a lawsuit in Superior Court, including alternatives to filing a lawsuit, along with how to format your pleadings and resources to help you fill out your complaint. Presented by Stina McClintock, Public Law Library of King County. To log-in for this Elluminate session, please make sure pop ups are enabled and Java updated. Then, use this URL the day of the class to log-in. https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=2008170&password=M.CDF538AEB120639EDF0169D3F63E19

For these and many more free and low-cost trainings, visit the Washington State Library Training calendar which is constantly being updated, so check back frequently.

Other vendors:
Basic PC Troubleshooting: TechSoup
February 12, 11:00am-12:00pm PT

Does your library or organization provide computers for the public? Would you like to know more about basic troubleshooting on a Windows PC so you can minimize downtime? This introductory level webinar will introduce you to tips and techniques that will help you understand how to fix common problems. The presenter for the session is Joe Olayvar, who is a Technology Consultant for the Washington State Library.

WebJunction Washington Courses (must be logged into WJ WA to view courses):

WebJunction has launched the new site; here is some information to help you understand the new WebJunction Washington. There are now two sites, the portal page which does not require a log-in and the course catalog which requires affiliation with Washington to access free courses. Courses are unlimited.

New portal website: http://www.webjunction.org/partners/washington.html

FREE COURSES: New Learning Management System for courses:

• New members: https://www.webjunction.org/find-training/request-access/
• Existing WJ WA members: To sign in, go https://oclc.plateau.com/plateau/user/login.jsp                                           User ID: USERID; Password: WebJunction

Video introduction to WJ Courses: http://blip.tv/webjunction/introduction-to-the-webjunction-lms-6034159

Early registration for the March WebJunction webinar is now open:
Signature Events for Small Libraries

Tuesday, March 19, 2013 ♦ 11 am Pacific ♦ 60 min
Early Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Signature_Events_for_Small_Libraries.html

      From “chocolate in the stacks” tastings to 5K runs to off-site literary dinner parties, small libraries are getting
creative in offering signature events that raise funds and create friends. This webinar will be a “show and tell” of library
fundraisers, with quick tips on how to get started in your community.

     This webinar, hosted by WebJunction in collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, is an encore
presentation of one of the most highly-rated sessions at the ARSL conference.

     Presented by: Cassie Guthrie, Executive Director, Pioneer Library System (NY)

For many more free and low-cost trainings, visit the Washington State Library Training calendar which is constantly being updated, so check back frequently.

For more information on these and many more CE events, continue reading..

 Training Opportunities in February 2013

For full information, please click on the link or visit http://www.sos.wa.gov/library/libraries/training/trainingCalendar.aspx

       *Please note that all times are listed in PT on this list, some webinar registrations will reflect other time zones

2/1/2013:  UX Design for Digital Books: Creating Engaging Digital Reading Experiences

2/1/2013:  Take a tour of the new Microsoft Office

2/1/2013: Seven Futures of American Education: Improving Teaching and Learning in a Screen Captured World 

2/5/2013: First Tuesdays

2/5/2013:  Jump Start Your Grant Seeking

2/5/2013:  Managing Difficult Volunteer Transitions 

2/5/2013:  Grantseeking Basics

2/5/2013:  Streamlining Nonprofit Organizations: It’s All About the Cloud

2/6/2013:  Digital Preservation, Part 1: Inventory and Selection

2/6/2013:  Collaboration: What Works and Why

2/6/2013:  Trustee Orientation

2/6/2013:  Changing the DNA of Scholarly Publishing: The Impact of Born Digital Content on the Scholarly Community Today

2/6/2013:  Adding Social Media to Your Marketing Plan 

2/6/2013:  An Introduction to the LSSC Program

2/7/2013:  How To Add Subtitles to ANY Video Using Universal Subtitles 

2/7/2013:  Self-Directed Achievement: if you give library staff an hour

2/7/2013:  eGathering 2012: LYRASIS Annual Member Meeting

2/7/2013:  Social Media and Volunteer Engagement

2/7/2013:  Trustee Orientation

2/11/2013:  Preparing a Portfolio for the LSSC (Library Support Staff Certification) Program

2/12/2013:  Digitization 101

2/12/2013:  Basic PC Troubleshooting

2/12/2013:  What Executive Directors Desperately Need to Know About Fundraising 

2/12/2013:  Introduction to Finding Funders

2/13/2013:  Seed Saving for Libraries

2/13/2013:  Managing for People Who Hate Managing

2/13/2013:  Engaging Audiences with Data Visualization

2/13/2013:  How Libraries can meet the Evolving Needs of Patrons in the Digital Age

2/13/2013:  Building a Research Commons in a University Library

2/13/2013:  Crisis Communications for Nonprofits

2/13/2013:  What Your Tech Wants You to Know

2/13/2013:  Designing Interactive Library Spaces

2/13/2013:  Common Core Tools for Educators: Resources for Classroom Research Projects

2/14/2013:  American Libraries Live

2/14/2013:  Are We Reconfigured Yet? US Research Libraries – Priorities, Trends, Directions

2/14/2013:  Where Do I Go From Here? Evolving your Volunteer Program for More Involvement

2/14/2013:  Are Books Your Brand? How Libraries Can Stay Relevant to Readers

2/19/2013:  YA Announcements: Spring Sneak Peek

2/19/2013:  The Game is Afoot: Spring Mystery Announcements

2/20/2013:  Digital Preservation, Part 1: Inventory and Selection

2/20/2013:  Realize Your Mission: How to Use Employee Engagement to Reach Your Goals

2/20/2013:  How To Create A Newsletter That Donors Read and Respond To

2/20/2013:  Proposal Writing Basics

2/25/2013:  Commencing an Action in Superior Court

2/26/2013:  Balancing Collection Supply and Demand in Public Libraries: How Using Evidence Can Help Serve Patrons Better

2/26/2013:  Digital Preservation for the Rest of Us: What’s in it for Librarians and Library Users

2/26/2013:  Frankenbooks – Understanding the eBook Opportunity

2/26/2013:  The Next Major Challenge in Records Managment is Already Here: Social Media [MARA Guest Lecture]

2/27/2013: The Future of Online Learning: a changing landscape

2/27/2013: Social Change Anytime Everywhere: Best Practices to Build a Multichannel Campaign Plan

2/28/2013: Big Talk From Small Libraries 2013

**Please note that times and topics are subject to change and WSL is not responsible for non-WSL events. Please verify time and topic when registering. Also, new webinars are added to the training calendar throughout the month as time allows, so please check back. This is only a partial list of free CE Events available online.

Archived presentations:
Don’t have time to catch these courses live? Many are available later as an archived presentation. To view archives, visit the following sites:

Infopeople
Common Knowledge
School Library Journal
Booklist
TechSoup
Library Journal
SirsiDynix Institute
WebJunction
NCompass Live
Texas State Library
American Management Association
Carterette Series Webinars: Georgia Library Association

* WSL provides information about outside training events for your convenience only; please contact the event sponsor for the most up-to-date information and all questions about the event.

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

From 1909 to 1921, give or take a few years, there was a woman who created a local news stir wherever she went, but somehow evaded the radar of national media. She criss-crossed the United States on foot and went under the name “Hiking” or “Hikin'” Nell. Nearly all the information sources I can find on Nell come from newspapers around the U.S. The following article is the earliest mention of Nell I have located, from The Pasco Express, March 4, 1909:

 WOMAN TRAMP IN COURT

 “Hiking Nell” Faces the August Majesty of the Law

 VARIED AND VIVID EXPERIENCES

 While Youth Has Played Havoc With “Nell” Her Pedestrian Qualities Remain Unimpaired.

 “After walking 1300 [i.e. 3100] miles on a wager of $5,000 and then to be arrested and forced to spend 60 days in the King county jail just a few miles from her coveted goal. This and even more is the grievance of Nellie Hale, alias ‘Hikin” Nell, who was arrested by officers Dent and Torrents Tuesday afternoon.”

“According to a statement made by Officer Dent in justice court ‘Nell’ was found in a small tie house constructed of old ties. In company with three tramps, she was busily engaged in preparing a mulligan stew. Without protest she accompanied the two officers to the city jail, and the following day was given a hearing before Justice McCarthy.”

“‘I don’t want no comment cast my way,’ said Nell, ‘for I am nothing but a tramp. I was just walkin’ my way on a bet from Pascolia, Florida, to the coast. What have you’s got against me? I never harmed nobody nohow.'”

“The woman says she is 35 years of age and has traveled extensively, but always walks. When she appeared in court she carried a large bundle of clothing consisting of shoes, skirts and waists. She answered the chief’s questions rapidly and seemed to take the whole matter as a joke until W.J. Davis appeared upon the scene with his camera and attempted to take a picture of the woman. As Mr. Davis was acting under instructions, Nell immediately protested and it was not until a collection was taken and promise given that the ‘whole bunch would be shot’ that she reluctantly consented to have her picture taken. The newspaper fraternity, together with the distinguished court and officers of the law lined up as per agreement and the heroine of many ‘hikes’ was for the first time, the victim of the camera.”

“‘Yes, judge, if you will let me go, I will hike mighty quick,’ said Nell. ‘It does seem a funny thing that I should start from Pascolia and wind up in Pasco. Ain’t that terrible luck?'”

It would be wonderful if someone could produce the photograph taken by Mr. Davis that day. Unfortunately it was not included in the news piece.

Nell’s story seemed to change from town to town. She gave different accounts of her past, but piecing together all the tales a rough portrait emerges. She was from St. Louis, Missouri, born around 1878, and called herself Nellie Hale, sometimes she said Nellie Hall. But as she told the Fort Worth Star Telegram in 1910, “I will never tell my right name because I don’t want to disgrace my folks, and because I do not want them to know where I am.”

Nell said she received a music education in Atchison, Kansas, then married. Her husband, who she said was very rich, became abusive and Nell decided to hit the road. For some reason she thought he decided she was dead, another explanation for her use of a fake name.

In the early years of her growing fame, Nell told the press she was walking across the country on a $5000 wager from Richard K. Fox of the Police Gazette, but she lost it due to missing the six month deadline by being detained so many times by law enforcement officers. She also claimed to know Della Fox, a prominent actress of the day (also from St. Louis), and Tammany Boss “Big Tim” Sullivan.

Nell frequently found shelter when she was placed in jails or a mental health facility. She also approached private homes. In the only non-newspaper account I found regarding Nell, Ida K. Maloy’s 1955 essay reprinted in The Cochise Quarterly (v. 11, no. 1 spring 1983) recalled a 1911 visit from the legendary traveler Nell near Manzora, Arizona.

Maloy wrote: “As I looked at her, I thought I had never seen such a sight. She had on a light tan coat made of about eighteen or twenty gores, as was the style in those days, a long black voile skirt with a train, a blouse, and men’s shoes. Her dutch bob of black hair fell in strings about her thin face. She wore a black scarf. As I waited for some sort of introduction, the traveler introduced herself, saying, ‘I’m Hiking Nell. Haven’t you ever heard of me?'”

The last record I can locate for Nell is an article in the Casa Grande Valley Dispatch (Arizona), June 24, 1921, which concludes with: “According to the tramper this is her last journey and she is Los Angeles bound where she will end her travels and contemplates writing the unusual story of her life.”

The Pasco Express is an ancestor of the present-day Tri-City Herald.

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

This week’s random article comes from the Jan. 5, 1901 issue of The Ballard News, published at a time when Ballard was an independent incorporated city. But the news itself is actually about Seattle, and the almost total destruction of the Seattle Public Library by fire on the evening where 1900 turned into 1901.

According to John Douglas Marshall’s book, Place of Learning, Place of Dreams (2004), SPL had struggled in the early years to find funding and a permanent home. On Jan. 12, 1899 the Library opened in the posh quarters of the Yesler mansion, and patron usage soared. But City Librarian Charles Wesley Smith expressed concern the enormous Victorian wooden structure was a fire hazard. The memories of Seattle’s great 1889 inferno were still fresh.

Smith’s fears were well founded. Practically the whole collection went up in smoke on the cusp of 1900/1901. Andrew Carnegie came to the rescue and in short order a fine new library was constructed. The cause of the fire was never fully explained. There was some feeling it was sparked by someone who wanted to force the issue of finding a secure home for SPL. One prominent Seattle educator even declared, “All glory to the man who applied the torch.”

This article was apparently originally published in the Seattle Mail and Herald. It is interesting how many of the points made in promoting the local library in 1901 remain valid over a century later:

 $35,000 WORTH OF BOOKS

 That Was Seattle’s Loss in Tuesday Night’s Fire

 “Ever since Seattle’s great fire the city has been learning to turn apparent evil into good and to make the most of her calamities. The same spirit which prompted her to rise up in the ashes of 1889 and build on new foundations the basis of a greater city than could ever have sprung from the old, will not desert her now, as she stands and looks in the ashes of what was, a few days since, the pride of every man, woman and child on Puget Sound,– the Seattle Public Library.”

“All are by this time acquainted with the fact that on New Year’s night the library, consisting of $35,000 worth of books and  paraphernalia, was destroyed by fire.”

“Until this calamity few people had known in just what an exalted position they held this institution; but the calamity has appealed more directly to the people than would the destruction of any other institution, public or private, in the city, with the possible exception of the University.”

“A public library such as this, is of incalculable value to any city in which it is located. A public library operated in such a satisfactory way as was this one is, we believe, of as much value to the city as the churches combined.”

“The Seattle Library had 8,200 patrons, and it may be safely calculated on the basis of five readers for every card– more than 40,000 readers.”

“It had an average of 2,500 visitors daily. The number going in and out of the library building on last Thanksgiving day, aggregated 3,000.”

“There is another fact– and it is important– that hundreds and even thousands of men and girls, who had not decent rooms or apartments, spent all their leisure time in the library. Now that the establishment is destroyed and temporarily inaccessible, they are seen walking listlessly about the streets or lounging in clubs or saloons– for they are out of a home. These, and the further fact that education and high ideals are the acknowledged solution to the problem of crime, are some of the reasons urged why the Seattle Public Library was of such vital importance to the city. Outside of all other argument there is the fact that no other city of Seattle’s size could afford to be without a well equipped complete library.”

“We desire to commend the Library committee of the city council upon their prompt and decisive action. It seems that they have no other thought in mind than that the city must at once proceed, not only to place the library back in even a better state than before, but more important than all else, to purchase a site, forthwith, and construct a fireproof library building that will answer for all time.”

“This is as it should be. Seattle is not a city of ephemeral hopes and iridescent booms. She is building for all time. Mr. Smith, the man who has conducted to such perfect satisfaction, the affairs of the City Library for so many years, has been working for two years past to this one end– a permanent library building for Seattle. The city can afford to take up the matter at once,– rather, it can not afford not to, and we are glad to be able to inform our readers that the committee will report to this effect to the city council.”

“The locations being considered as most desirable are, we are informed, the present site and the old University grounds. It is not known that either of these is available at reasonable figures, but they, together with others, are under contemplation of the committee.”

From the desk of Sean Lanksbury. PNW & Special Collections Librarian

Today marks Centennial Celebration of the Washington State Temple of Justice building, home to the State Supreme Court.  The Temple is also home to the Washington State Law Library, but did you know that the building also housed the Washington State Library for 45 years?  This excerpt, taken from “Historic Sites of the Washington State and Territorial Library: 1853 to the present,” tells more…

In 1913, the library collection’s were relocated “temporarily” (from the Old State Capitol Building) to five small rooms in the basement of the Temple of Justice, with the rarest items placed into a vault. The Temple of Justice, home of the Washington State Supreme Court, is the oldest building of the Wilder and White capitol plan on the Capitol grounds, dating back to 1912. Though started in 1912, construction was not fully completed until 1920 due to issues with construction financing. Upon completion of the Legislative Building, the library was supposed to move into dedicated space there. This plan was never realized for when the Legislative Building was completed in 1928, the spaces had already been taken over by other state agencies.  Other plans for relocating the collection were devised over the years: moving the collection back to the Old State Capitol Building following a remodel, into “available space” in the General Administration Building, or into a remodeled Labor and Industries Building. All proposals were rejected, often because the costs were close to or the same as creating an entirely new dedicated facility.

Changes and growth began to occur at the library during its stay at the Temple. In February of 1933 State Librarian Mildred Pope established an official Legislative Reference Service. In 1939, portions of the Daughters of Pioneer Collection were relocated and housed at the Washington State Library, including the McCardle index.  In 1941 the Washington State Library Commission was created.  It had five members:  four appointed by Governor, with the Superintendent of Public Instruction as the fifth. In 1944 legal responsibility was vested in the Library Commission, which adopted a Statement of Policy on January 20, 1944.  In 1948 the Washington Library Association wrote a proposal for an Institutional Library Program for Washington State Institutions.  This proposal advanced the idea of a cooperative arrangement between the Department of Institutions and the Washington State Library for reading and reference services.  For many years the proposal would be discussed without any concrete partnership materializing.  In 1951 the library also partnered with the State Archives to initiate the microfilming of archival newspapers and manuscript files. By March 2, 1953, the library’s 100^th anniversary, 271,700 volumes were listed in the collection.  Though it was cramped for space and the collections were in serious peril, the library put on a brave face; celebrating its centennial with a tea and open house for dignitaries.

Note: The Washington State Library was a division of the Department of Education at one time.

In 1955 The Tacoma News Tribune described the legislative treatment of the library as akin to being the “stepchild of state government.” It reported on the inappropriate quarters and the neglectful condition of the library.  What follows is one passage from the article:

Housed in congested quarters in the basement of the Temple of Justice at Olympia is the Washington State Library which has become a maze of confusion because of lack of space. Irreplaceable books and papers are in danger of destruction because they cannot be given proper care…rare historical documents and newspaper files share space with office files under steam and water pipes.  Much of this material is deteriorating faster than staff members can repair it. … No public reading space is available, books are piled high and narrow aisles are often completely blocked.

Despite the dire conditions and poor public perception, a glint of optimism was in the air.  A new library bill garnering strong political support from members of both major parties was introduced that year.  The proposal was to create a separate and dedicated building as part of the Capitol Campus.  This building would be funded from the state building fund, which received money from the sale of timber on state-owned lands, removing the need for new taxes to be raised.

More information on the history of the State Library can be found on our website and in the book Dynamics of Change, by former State Librarian Maryan E. Reynolds (also pictured above).

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

The random reel for this week contained the following article from the Dec. 17, 1920 issue of the South Bend Journal:

 “COFFEE-O”, ONCE A RESIDENT, RETURNS AGAIN TO SOUTH BEND

 Had Troubled Career — Is Sure He Can Make Gold — Fears Government Will Stop Him — Has Improved His Coffee Substitute.

 “After over two years absence Albert Cornell, better known as ‘Coffee-O’ after a coffee substitute he invented, arrived in the city looking prosperous and more confident than ever that he had discovered the method of making gold by the combination of certain gases. It may be remembered that he came here first and opened a dyeing establishment and then left town and in about a year returned with a preparation in which peanuts and grains had a large part which made a very good substitute for coffee. It became locally popular and the local merchants pushed it. It bade fair to be a success but Cornell was more interested in making gold directly than in making it indirectly through profits on ‘Coffee-O.’ Then also the prices of the materials rose as the war progressed and the manufacture of the substitute was not so profitable. He carried on his experiments for making gold mostly at night and produced so much foul smelling smoke and so got on the nerves of his neighbors with his frequent explosions that the city authorities twice made him move and he finally made his last stand just outside the city limits in Alta Vista with the Hummel family.”

“As Cornell is an Austrian by birth and was not naturalized the impression became widespread that he was making bombs, or trying to, and then mysterious bundles were taken to his place by night and a German friend of his was caught coming from there with a gunny sack containing bottles and then there was a new theory that he was making moonshine when Cornell declares that all he was doing was giving his friend some medicine of his own concoction. Cornell was watched by the county and city authorities and he decided to leave town and go to Seattle, where he consulted the then District Attorney, Clay Allen, who advised him to go to Washington City. He went there not knowing that, as a citizen of an enemy country, like Austria, his presence in the District of Columbia was forbidden. Fortunately for him he reported at the Washington police station, showing that he was acting in good faith. He was promptly arrested and jailed but through the efforts of Congressman Johnson and Senator Chamberlain he was released and he returned to Puget Sound and located in Tacoma where he experimented with his ‘Coffee-O’ and later resumed his explosive attempts to make gold and he declares that he was never molested by his neighbors in Tacoma as their nerves were evidently not so easily jarred by violent eruptions and vile smelling smoke.”

 Afraid of Government

 “Cornell is just as positive as ever that he can make gold and declares that he is now awaiting an assayer’s report on some of his last batch of artificial ‘ore’ and that he has on hand a large quantity of the ore, or material which he has made from which he can easily extract gold. His only anxiety is that the government won’t let him make gold after he has demonstrated that he can make it cheaply, presumably because it will revolutionize the monetary system of the world because it is based on gold. He declares that other investors and discoverers have been discredited and hooted at before they made good on their discoveries and he says that he is in that class.”

Coffee-O Extract Good

 “Leaving his gold experiments aside he has really greatly improved his coffee substitute and has a good thing in that. He has interested Tacoma capital and it is being given a thorough trial. He now makes a liquid extract from the original ‘Coffee-O’ so that all that has to be done is to put a teaspoon of the extract into a cup of hot water and you have a very good coffee substitute. He says that he has changed his formula too somewhat and now makes four by products which will sell for enough to more than make the extract pure velvet. After making the extract he says that he can make from the residue ‘mapleine’ which is used to make an excellent imitation of maple sugar and syrup, a breakfast cereal and a salad oil, all of superior quality. He is apparently amply supplied with funds. He is here visiting the Hummel family.”

With the help of Robert Bailey’s North Pacific County Newspaper Index, 1889-1981 I was able to track down a bit more information on “Coffee-O” Cornell.

He was born Albert Kornelius, July 1, 1887 in the Bukovina region of the Austrian Empire to German parents. He arrived in the United States on Dec. 15, 1905 and within a short time unofficially changed his name to Albert Cornell. By 1910 he was living in Aberdeen, but then made his way to South Bend, where he set up a laboratory.

His “Coffee-O” product was patented in 1915 and apparently enjoyed some initial economic and critical success, buying him time to experiment with creating artificial gold.

But his activities frightened the neighbors. They complained about the toxic fumes, the noises, the explosions. Finally, in 1917, he was arrested and his operations shut down as a public nuisance. When he appeared before the City Council to argue his case, the debate became so heated one councilman invited Cornell to step outside where they could settle the matter with fists, but Coffee-O didn’t take the bait.

He lived in Tacoma throughout the 1920s. In Feb. 1928 he landed in the hospital as the result of a powerful explosion, a blast that destroyed his home and disfigured his person to some degree. He refused to divulge the purpose of his experiment.

Coffee-O Cornell appears in the Tacoma City Directory up to 1930 and then vanishes only to resurface in the 1940 census as a patient in Western State Hospital. He was an intriguing character who left us with a long trail of little mysteries.

Secretary of State Sam Reed is leaving his Office in January, but he won’t be leaving the Washington State Library.  Washington State Library’s online catalog will continue to preserve Sam’s career in public service as an author, co-author, and through subject headings.

Sam Reed is listed as an author or co-author in 17 entries in the online catalog.  The authority heading as an author is Reed, Sam, 1941-.  There is a “See” reference for Reed, Sam Sumner, 1941 which points to Reed, Sam 1941.  The 17 entries include Washington State Publications in both print and electronic formats.

The oldest title listed was published in 1968:

An analysis of the factional power struggle in the Republican Party of Washington State from 1962 to 1967  [Pullman] Dept. of Political Science, Washington State University, c1968

Perhaps this was the beginning of Sam’s interest in civility in government?

Sam Reed’s new book, A Survival Guide for Life in the Public Arena,  shares his views and experiences on leadership and how to succeed in government service.  This book will soon be available through the Washington State Library’ s catalog.

Searching for Sam Reed as a title brings up two entries.  One is a work in which Sam is featured in a case study.  The other is an electronic publication of the Office of the Secretary of State.

As a subject, Sam has two subject headings:  Reed, Sam, 1941- and Reed, Sam, 1941- — Correspondence.  There are two entries for Reed, Sam, 1941 and one entry for Reed, Sam –Correspondence.  Recently, a book detailing Sam Reed’s political history and accomplishments as Secretary of State was published.  The book, Sam Reed Secretary of State:  A Dozen Years of Service & Civility, will also soon be available in the Washington State Library catalog.

Sam can also be found in the Washington State Library’s Select Index to The Olympian and other regional publications.  This online index contains citations to articles in The Olympian and other newspapers throughout Washington.  Dates covered are 1993-2009, inclusive.  Searching for Sam Reed will bring up 515 results which include citations to articles when Sam was Thurston County Auditor and during his tenure as Secretary of State.

As long as there is a Washington State Library, Sam will remain in its stacks and catalog.

The Toledo *

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

This week I grabbed a reel of microfilm at random and found myself drawn to an article on the very first frame. I was reading the June 3, 1887 issue of Cowlitz’s Advocate, a newspaper from Kalama.

The newspaper was less than a year old when the presumed writer of the article below, William D. Close (1845-1914), purchased the paper in May 1887. A Union vet from the Civil War who had been wounded in action, Mr. Close had moved to Washington Territory in 1880. He had a varied career and at different  times had been employed as a farmer, fisherman, postmaster, county treasurer, deputy sheriff, mercantile operator, hotel manager, and from May 1887 to October 1888, newspaperman. A more detailed biography of Close can be found in the 1893 edition of An Illustrated History of the State of Washington.

  ACCIDENTS TO THE TOLEDO

 The Steamer Collide with a Ferry — Steampipe Bursts — Frightened Passengers

 “Last Saturday, as the steamer Toledo was rounding too to make a landing at Castle Rock, and just above Whittle’s ferry, Mr. Chas. F. Atkins, who manages the ferry boat, thinking the steamer would pick up and get out of his way, but, the current being very swift, the boat did not pick up but dropped down stream. Seeing a collision was unavoidable the captain of the Toledo stopped the wheel, when the ferry-boat struck the steamer about three feet forward of the wheel– the steamer being slightly quartering in the current, drifted against the ferry, and the ferry which is propelled by the current upon a wire cable, raised high enough to allow the steamer to pass under it, being set so that the current pressed the ferry against the steamer so strong that they could not be separated– the pressure of the current against the steamer, and the pressure of both against the ferry, something had to give away. First the pins which holds the roller by which the cable down upon the pilot house and became connected with the cord attached to the whistle, causing a mournful sound to issue therefrom, as though the steamer was in terrible distress. Captain Orrin Kellogg quickly detached the cable from the cord and stifled the sound, when the pressure becoming so great it was evident something must give away, when to the great relief of all the ropes running from the cable to the ferry parted, and the steamer drifted down stream free with but slight damage to her pilot house and the bending of the whistle-pipe. The ferry was quickly tied to the steamer which towed it back to the landing, where it was tied up with but slight damage. The steamer then landed on the Castle Rock side and took on some passengers.”

1887 Map of the Castle Rock Area **

 ANOTHER ACCIDENT

“The reporter reluctantly went aboard, thinking it a day of accidents, and the steamer proceeded on her way. When about one mile down the river all at once a hissing sound of escaping steam came from the lower deck, soon enveloping the steamer in steam, which caused a terrible commotion among the passengers. Women screamed and fainted; men threw down their cards and rushed out on deck, vowing, if saved, they would do better in the future. An old lady would have jumped overboard had she not been catched and held by Mr. Willard Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Zeller, of Portland, came rushing out of the cabin, and in the excitement Mr. Zeller’s hat was knocked off and overboard, when the writer quietly but firmly got a hold them and endeavored to quiet them.”

“At this moment Captain Orrin Kellogg appeared and assured the passengers they were in no danger, as the escaping steam was from a small pipe which had been injured by the cable. The steamer was landed and tied up, and the steam allowed to escape, when it took but a few minutes to repair the damage, and we were soon again [on] our way. A lady fainted the second time before quiet was restored. A man, with a cut foot, sat quiet and as cool as a cucumber, waiting for some one to bring his crutches. It is reported, with what degree of truth we cannot say, that the ‘devil’ of the Advocate office, who was on board, quietly, but very swiftly, made his way to a stateroom and tucked himself under the bed. We know he was not to be found for some time. He says he does not know how many points he had in a game of whist, but he knows he made it to a point to get away from there as soon as possible.”

The Toledo was a sternwheeler and was such a major part of Cowlitz River life the settlement at the northernmost point of the ship’s circuit was named after the craft. Toledo, Washington is still there today. The ship was built in 1878, rebuilt in 1885, and was sold to another company in 1891. The Toledo was wrecked in 1896 on the Yamhill River.

The advent of the automobile and subsequent improved roads brought the age of steamboats on the Cowlitz to an end in 1918.

Some materials containing information on the Toledo in WSL’s collection include:

The Toledo Community Story 1800-2008

A Century of Paddlewheelers in the Pacific Northwest, the Yukon and Alaska

Cowlitz River Navigation with Respect to the Development of the Town of Toledo, Washington

*  Photo of sternwheeler Toledo taken from Cowlitz Corridor (1953)

** Map of Castle Rock and Cowlitz River from Anderson’s Map of Cowlitz County, Washington (1897) which is also available in digital form online

Gayle Shonkwiler and Jerry McGuire

8ft bed of the truck was full

Jerry McGuire of the Richland Rotary Club held a book drive for The Washington State Library at Coyote Ridge Correction Center in Connell Wa.  We received 100’s of books, all in great condition.  We want to Thank them for the efforts they took to help out libraries.

2013 is nearly here! WSL is pleased to offer the following FREE webinars in January. Happy Holidays!

 Registration is available here.

 First Tuesdays: Burnout: Avoiding the flames

January 8, 9:00-10:00 a.m. PT

Library staff trying to keep up with changes in technology, demographics, & services may feel somewhat at sea. In this interactive session, Debra Westwood, Library Cluster Manager, King County Library System will look at how libraries are changing. Debra will help attendees learn about individual and group responses to change and devise specific strategies that individuals and work groups can use to remain buoyant in these difficult seas. Presented by Debra Westwood, King County Library System. Instructions and Login for First Tuesdays session

Designed as a continuing-education opportunity for staff of libraries in Washington State, this free web presentation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., lets attendees share their skills and successes and learn about new topics. The special-subject presentations, lasting about 60 minutes, are recorded so that others may listen at their own convenience.

 Service Excellence in Your Library

January 10, 9:00-10:00 a.m. PT

This spring, Kate Laughlin will be touring with her workshop, Service Excellence in Your Library. Get a sneak preview at this webinar.

All library staff from top to bottom, internal and external, are in a service position. What is it that sets an organization’s level of service apart from others? How can employing these techniques propel the good service we already provide in WA’s libraries into great service? Join us for an engaging look at transforming our library’s culture to one of Service Excellence. Explore how such a transformation occurs, and as an individual, how you can encourage this change. This training emphasizes consistent approaches to service, while providing additional skills to help ensure satisfaction in all customer interactions. It is appropriate to anyone working in libraries, regardless of job position or library type.

Library consultant and trainer, Kate Laughlin, has been working in and with libraries since the late 1990s. In 2011, she had the opportunity to immerse with a focus group of 15 staff from different levels of library work, internal and external. From that intensive work came the creation of Service Excellence training, which is acutely relevant to the work we do in libraries and for our patrons.

TechSoup for Libraries: Washington

January 16, 9:30-10:00 a.m. PT

Whether you’re a regular TechSoup for Libraries user or haven’t heard of them until now, this webinar designed specifically for Washington public libraries will show you something new about the variety of free services offered to libraries and nonprofits.

TechSoup, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is working toward a time when every nonprofit, library, and social benefit organization will have the technology resources and knowledge they need to operate at their full potential.

During this  30-minute webinar, attendees will learn how to register and request over 450 donated and discounted products from more than 50 donor partners — including Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco, Intuit, and Symantec, and take a virtual tour of other free resources in TechSoup’s tech arsenal including:

• TechSoup’s up-to-date articles and library spotlights
• community discussion forums
• free webinars and tweetchats
• technology news

and more!

This webinar will be of interest to staff in Washington public libraries who want to learn more about how they can benefit from all the free services TechSoup has to offer. Presented by Stephanie Gerding and Brenda Hough.

Legal Research for Information Professionals

January 28, 10:00-11:30 a.m. PT

Legal reference questions can be challenging to answer. This class will help public librarians learn practical skills for approaching these types of questions.

Participants will be able to:

* Translate keywords from reference questions into legal search terms for finding resources

* Describe legal resources available through WA web sites (KCLL, WashingtonLawHelp and others)

* Refer legal questions as appropriate to a law library

Online via Blackboard/Elluminate. Instructions for log-in will be sent to each registrant.

Presented by Kim Ositis, Public Law Library of King County.