Summer Reading Lists

Summer Reading To-Do List for Kids and Teens
1. Sign-up anytime on or after June 1.
2. Check our website for the list of great programs we have scheduled.
3. Stop by the library and get some books (and book recommendations) to set you on the path to reading 15 books or 15 hours this summer.
4. Attend programs at the library.
5. Track your progress on the Summer Reading log.
6. Turn in your Summer Reading log and get a free book to keep, courtesy of the Friends of Spokane Public Library.
7. Sit back, relax and feel proud of your summer reading progress (and why not pick up a book since you're just sitting and relaxing?!)

Why Kids Should Read and come to Summer Reading programs @ the Library
1. It’s just plain fun.
2. It’s important, too. Kids who read in the summer are not subject to the “summer slide” where educational progress is lost and teachers and kids have to catch up in the fall.
3. Knights in shining armor and swordplay demonstrations!
4. Martial arts in the libraries.
5. We’re going to get really noisy in the library with Taiko Drums.
6. Dick Frost’s magic shows will make the summer doldrums magically disappear.
7. Nocturnal animals.
8. Mobius Science!
9. It's FREE! Library programs are free, checking out books is free, reading is free.

Thanks go to:
1. The Friends of Spokane Public Library – they provide funding for the giveaway books that kids get when they finish reading either 15 books or 15 hours in the summer.
2. The Fred Meyer Fund – they provided funding for all our special summer reading programs this year.
3. All the great authors of the many, many books that will be read this summer.
4. All the great readers!

Overdrive eBooks

Well, have you downloaded an eBook yet? It's really easy! Give it a try.

Library Welcomes New Trustee

Last month we welcomed a new board member to our board of trustees. Anne Walter’s appointment to the board was confirmed by the City Council on May 14. She attended her first board meeting the next night, and we are glad to have her join us. In her board application she stressed that preserving access to libraries throughout Spokane is a high priority for her. Her work as a counselor at Franklin Elementary School gives her a firsthand view of the power that reading and writing have for all children. She fills the seat on the board that Judge Rick White vacated when his second term expired in March. Welcome, Anne!

Spokane Public Library is governed by a board of trustees made up of five citizen volunteers who are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. The board meets monthly to review and approve Library policy and expenditures. Volunteers serve for a five-year term and are eligible to apply for a second five-year term if they wish. You can read about all of our current Board members on our website. The Board of Trustees page also includes information about their meeting schedule as well as links to past minutes and the upcoming meeting's agenda. Visitors are always welcome at Board meetings. You can contact the Board or Library Director anytime if you have a question or comment about the library system.

Spokane is Reading Brings London's Chris Cleave to Town

Spokane is Reading is now in its 11th year. This year we are honored and excited to host author Chris Cleave from London. His book, Little Bee, is this year's selection. Set in London, it’s the story of a Nigerian refugee and an English woman whose lives intersect in an unforeseen way. It is told using alternating first-person perspectives which round out the story as each character reflects on the horrific events that brought them together. Despite the seriousness of those events there is humor and a hope that blossoms from their friendship. Library Journal says, “Best-selling author Cleave effortlessly moves between alternating viewpoints with lucid, poignant prose and the occasional lighter note. A tension-filled dramatic ending and plenty of moral dilemmas add up to a satisfying, emotional read.”

Mr. Cleave will be here on Friday, October 12 for two presentations:

1:00 - The Garland Theater
7:00 - The Lincoln Center

Both events are free. We've just stocked lots of copies of the book and it's a great, fast read. Pick up a copy today!

Traveling? Visit the Library Before and During! - Your Trip.

Librarians are wizards at finding great travel deals on the web (actually they're great at finding any information!). One of our Librarians, Dennis Bergstrom, branch manager for East Side, Indian Trail and Hillyard is a definite travel wizard. He will share his travel secrets in a class on Wednesday, June 6 - Budget Travel on the Web. Dennis doesn't just log lots of travel miles between branches; he also travels all over the world, so he has lots of experience finding great deals. Wherever he goes, he tries to snap a photo of the local library. At right is the Conwy Library in Wales.

We’ve noticed some travelers here at the library—they visit our genealogy section to research their family history! People from as far away as Florida have come in recently to find information about their ancestors. We already know our genealogy section is great, but we’re especially thrilled to share its treasures with people from other parts of the country. We also know our volunteers from the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society, who staff the section every Tuesday, provide first-rate assistance, and we’re grateful that they are here to assist people from out of town. If you travel this summer, think about stopping at a library on your trip. You can research your own family or find something else fascinating—you never know what a library might have in store for you.

Budget Travel on the Web - Wednesday, June 6, 5:30 - 7:00 pm @ the Hillyard Library
Call 444-5380 to reserve a spot.

YES, You Can Do That in the Library!

And we did! Final numbers are in, and this year's You Can't Do That in the Library! party raised over $11,000 in support of the Library Foundation. We sold 275 tickets and had more people than ever before. In addition to the usual festivities that featured David’s Pizza, River City Red beer and music by 6 Foot Swing, we unveiled signs for the newly renamed Ned M. Barnes Northwest room. What a great way to remember our former trustee and dear friend.

We are grateful to event sponsors Sterling Bank, Global Credit Union, David’s Pizza, River City Red Brewing and Northern Quest Casino. Thanks also to the Friends of the Spokane Public Library for gathering books for the silent auction.

For more information about the Library Foundation and how to support it, please see our website's Support Your Library page  or contact Foundation Director Sandra Kernerman at 444-5318.

Display

A leaf from a Gutenberg Bible from 1454! This was the first major book printed on a printing press with movable type. See this and other examples of historic religious texts on display in the Downtown Library's Ned M. Barnes Northwest Room.

Finding Funds

Two upcoming workshops on June 19 are perfect for non-profits. Proposal Writing Basics and Guide to Online Grant Seeker Resources are being offered by The Foundation Center here at the Library. Click for more info and to preregister (so we have adequate presentation materials).
 

Bookmyne

Have you downloaded Bookmyne to your smartphone or iPod yet? It's free and it gives you access to your library account from your phone. Renew items, place holds, check our catalog. Along with ebooks, it's like having the library in your pocket.

Movies!

Join us for Annie Hall  on June 13 at 5:30 at the Downtown Library. Free, of course!

Owls...

...and woodpeckers have landed in the Downtown Library's first floor gallery. They will be there until July 6, stop by and admire these beautiful photos  by award-winning photographer Paul Bannick.

Summer!

Sign up for Summer Reading! Read 15 books or for 15 hours and show us your reading log for a free book to keep (donated by the Friends of Spokane Public Library.)

Job Hunt

Our WorkSource lab is open for those needing assistance with job searches, resume preparation and other employment-related work.

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