Washington State Library Service Changes

Our very big wish with this WSGS blog is to keep all genealogists in our area informed about important changes that affect us all. To that end, Bonnie Jean McDonald shares this bit......... it is from Kathryn Devine, Public Services, Washington State Library. 

Please, Region Reps, send this out to your contacts in each society. 

Hello,

I am sending this notice to let you all know about the unfortunate reductions in services and public hours at the Washington State Library (see below). I know the library has been a great resource for area genealogists in the past.

I would appreciate if you could pass this information on to your members by email, an announcement in your newsletters, or on your websites.

Due to budget and staff reductions, the Washington State Library will discontinue its obituary lookup service effective June 16.  We will also be reducing our building and phone hours from 8-5, Monday – Friday, to 12-5,Monday – Friday.  If you wish to research at the library in person, we strongly recommend that you call ahead before your visit.

Details about our budget situation and reduced service hours can be found in the attached press release and in the blog post here: http://blogs.sos.wa.gov/library/index.php/2014/06/washington-state-library-reduces-service-hours/

Suggestions for how to get a copy of obituary are listed on our website: http://www.sos.wa.gov/library/Out-of-State.aspx  Customers are also welcome to visit us and search for obituaries themselves.

If you have any questions about these changes, please feel free to contact us.  Comments and concerns should be directed to Rand Simmons, Washington State Librarian, at rand.simmons@sos.wa.gov or 360-570-5585.

Kathryn Devine, Public Services