Latest news with #WashingtonStateLibrary
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Washington State Library closing to the public, 12 jobs getting axed
Washington State Library in Tumwater, Wash. (Courtesy of the Office of Secretary of State) The Washington State Library in Tumwater and the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library in Seattle will close to the public on July 1 due to a lack of state funding. State libraries will also eliminate 12 jobs due to the financial pressure. Shuttering the facilities will curb access to the state's trove of historical and governmental collections and force cancellation of an array of services and programs, the secretary of state's office announced Friday. 'Libraries are cornerstones of civic life and education in many areas of our state. The impact of the closures will risk denying communities access to the information, literacy tools, and resources they depend on,' Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said in a statement. The move comes after lawmakers and Gov. Bob Ferguson didn't provide $6.7 million in the budget to cover a shortfall created largely by a decline in revenue from fees paid on real estate transactions. At the Tumwater library, those who dial up Ask A Librarian or the main switchboard, or send an inquiry by email, can expect to wait up to a week for a response. Additionally, subscriptions to newspaper and genealogy databases will be discontinued, and the acquisition of new materials will be drastically limited. When the Talking Book and Braille Library closes to the public, responses to voicemail messages will take longer. Circulation and registration services will be slowed as well. Programming such as multisensory story time and the Low Vision and Touch of Braille workshops will be canceled. Production of braille and audio materials could also be reduced at the state's only accessible library service for people who are blind or have other disabilities. 'These disruptions jeopardize equitable access to information for some of Washington's most underserved residents unable to read standard print,' said Washington State Librarian Sara Jones. 'While a newly signed bill will provide some funds in the future, the current funding gap is affecting our employees and important services now.' A bill signed by Ferguson on May 19 will impose a new $50 surcharge on all filings handled by superior court clerks, of which $20 would go to the secretary of state's office for the library, archives and state legacy projects. This would generate up to $6 million in a full biennium, according to a fiscal analysis. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WA library programs, services at risk due to grant terminations
The Brief The Washington Secretary of State says grant terminations by the Trump administration puts the Washington State Library at risk of losing personnel, statewide programs, resources and more. A presidential executive order canceled a $3.9 million grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), along with a leadership grant to support libraries in state prisons. OLYMPIA, Wash. - After several federal grants were terminated by the Trump administration, the Washington Secretary of State is sounding the alarm about the long-term impacts it could cause for Washington libraries. A presidential executive order has canceled a $3.9 million grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), along with a leadership grant that funds a pilot to support libraries in state prisons. What they're saying Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs says these grant terminations put the Washington State Library at risk of losing personnel, statewide programs, resources for local libraries, and community opportunities. "Washington's library system ensures people have unfettered access to information at hundreds of public, school, academic, and institutional libraries across the state," Hobbs said. "This commitment is rooted in the fundamental principle that an educated and informed citizenry is critical to a free society. That goal for libraries is not a partisan issue. They represent a critical 'third place' in communities across the state – a social environment that is not home or work and is for everyone." Washington has joined 20 other states that filed suit against the Trump administration to stop the dismantling of IMLS, which has provided Washington with $3.9 million from their Grants to States program. According to the Sec. of State, losing funds from the IMLS would result in: Potential loss of the Washington Digital Library Consortium, which serves 40 library systems and lends more than 1 million eBooks and audiobooks to Washingtonians annually. Ending research database subscriptions for Washington libraries Rural libraries losing access to broadband equipment and internet access Funding for tribal libraries to update technology and improve services Losing professional training and consulting for public libraries across the state Cutting funding for the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library service, and Institutional Library Services Stopping programs like tabletop gaming grants and digital newspaper pilots "Libraries are essential to Washington communities. They provide free internet, job training, and access to books and resources for people of all backgrounds," said Washington State Librarian Sara Jones. "Without the federal funds making this possible, countless programs and services would disappear, leaving many communities without access to the resources on which they rely." Diminished state funding could also severely impact other services, like public access to the Central Library, newspaper publications on microfilm, state publications, the federal repository, and services for the public, including Ask a Librarian. The Source Information in this story is from a press release by the office of Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. Teen facing new charges for playground shooting in Federal Way 1997 WA cold case victim identified; Gary Ridgway not ruled out Family and neighbors of missing Arlington man rally and call for action Everett police arrest 23-year-old bikini barista assault suspect Seattle ranked 5th 'coolest' city in US Pacific Northwest ports brace for impact as China tariffs soar to 145% To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
