Washington State Poet Laureate

This past Thursday, Governor Chris Gregoire named Samuel Green as the very first Washington State Poet Laureate.  Legislation for the post of Poet Laureate was passed this year with House Bill 1279.  In addition to being a poet, Sam and his wife Sally run Brooding Heron Press on Waldron Island.  The Washington State Library has acquired a number of books produced by this small specialty press for the past several years, including many signed, hand-bound, and even one-of-a-kind editions.  You can find these books, and those produced by Brooding Heron’s precursor Jawbone Press, in our online catalog.

According to the Governor’s press release, Sam “will serve a two-year term and build awareness and appreciation of poetry through public readings, workshops, lectures, and presentations in communities, schools, colleges, universities and other public settings in geographically diverse areas of the state.”  Congratulations on this momentous achievement, Sam!

Don Brazier Honored by the State House

Don Brazier has long been a frequent visitor to the Washington State Library.  Staff members are well-accustomed to seeing him at our microfilm readers, pouring over the tiny newsprint as he researches his latest project.  Don is the author an essential book on the Washington State Legislature, “History of the Washington State Legislature, 1854-1963,” and much of the research was done at the State Library.  Last Friday, Don was given the honor of “official House Historian” by the House of Representatives.  You can read the official document here.  We can’t think of a better reward for someone of “encyclopedic knowledge” and who is also a “master of the art of reading microfilm for longer periods of time than any other historian.”  Congratulations, Don!