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Origins of the State Library
The name of the library is called Washington Territorial Library. Original documents included books, maps, and globes. The United States Congress approved the Organic Act on this date. With this approval materials were secured on this date.
President Millard Filmore approved an amound of $5,000 to use towards the purchase of materials. The recipient of the funds was Territorial Governor Isaac I Stevens. -
Materials depart New York
On this date, many of the first books left New York and traveled a great distance to reach San Francisco, for a brief stop. Instead of crossing the great landscape of the United States, the books ventured out on a "clipper" around the Cape of South America to reach the other side of the spacious continent. -
Book Deposit
Library materials finally arrive in Olympia -
Acquisition of Books
Although not an exact date, by this year the library was able to secure 2,852 materials to this collection. This is an increase of 54% in materials for the library. The Washington State Library was well on its way to collecting books, such as the pictured children's book, which featured morals for children. -
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Musical Chairs
During this time, not specified with exact dates, the library moved from building to building, not having a permanent home. -
The Great State of WA
Washington is offically declared a state. "the Territorial Library became the Washington State Library with 12,224 titles in its collection". Within 35 years, the library was able to acquire 329% more materials! -
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Bookmobile Services
The first bookmobile was initiated during this time. By creating a "travelling library" patrons had access to materials when transportation was an issue. -
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Washington Library Association
Libraries joined together to creat the Washington Library Association. Although the assoiciation dissolved temporarily, it was short-lived. However, in 1932, the association has continued to operate. -
Seattle Public Library's Braille Collection
"the Seattle Public Library's Braille Collection . . . began in 1906 and has been a part of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) of the Library of Congress since 1931." -
Washington State Law Library
In this year, again without a specific date, the law library became a separate library. Law related materials can now be found in the Temple of Justice Reading Room. -
Washington Library Association reunion
The Washington Library Association continues to operate. -
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National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
During this time, the WTBBL served citizens of Alaska and Montana. -
State Library Development
Since the mid-1930s, this group of staff has diligently worked to maintain the library through funding and other resources. -
Institutional Library Services
State prisons now have access to library materials. Although this date is not completely accurate, it is a rough timeline for when the service was initiated. -
Washington State Library Branches
History of The Washington State Library"Established in the mid-1960s, Washington State Library Branches maintain focused access to resources and highly valued reference service for state agencies. A long-running Legislative Reference Service ably served the needs of Washington's lawmakers and today’s State Library Public Services continues to assist legislators and their staff to access quality resources that assist the State Legislature in the creation and interpretation of policy." -
Regional Depository Library
"The State Library was designated as the Regional Depository Library for Washington and Alaska on May 10, 1965. Since that time, the library has received most federal publications distributed by GPO through the program. The library uses these materials to aid its elected leaders in the goal of governing the state through changing times and to empower citizen’s understanding of those changes." -
Office of the Secretary of State
"Once an agency of the Governor's Office overseen by an independent State Library Commission, the State Library joined the Office of the Secretary of State in 2002. Currently the State Library is located in Tumwater, WA. An ambitious project to preserve Washington history and tell the stories of the people of the state will include the planning and construction of a new Washington State Library and State Archives building." -
Washington State Library Digital Collections
This service allows patrons access to digital collections and rescources via the Internet. -
The Library for the Visually Impaired
The administration of the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL) transferred from Seattle Public Library to Washington State Library/Office of Secretary of State.
