Washington State Library Launches New Certification Portal for Library Cardholders

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Library (WSL), part of the Office of the Secretary of State, launched the Washington State Certification Portal early last month. The new online platform gives library cardholders across the state free access to professional certifications and workforce learning tools and was made available Oct. 1, 2025. The portal is available […]

WA State awarded $150k grant to improve services at prison libraries

OLYMPIA, Wash., August 14, 2022 — Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, was awarded a $149,668 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to reducing disparities among prison libraries. The grant will fund a pilot program by the State Library’s Institutional Library Services (ILS) and […]

$3.67 million in ARPA funds available to help Washington libraries and museums

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, announced that more than $3.67 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will be made available to help public, academic, and tribal libraries and museums statewide. The funding is part of the $200 million allocated in the ARPA […]

Sara Jones named Washington State Librarian

Editor’s Note: The featured image is of Sara Jones, executive director of the Marin County Free Library is seen in the Civic Center library in San Rafael on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. After seven years Jones is leaving her post to become the state librarian for Washington. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal). Olympia, Wash., February 16, […]