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Bubbling beakers: Q&A with Kelli Crawford of Mobius Science Center
Posted in Explore and Discover on June 21, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge In my experience, if you tell kids that they get to go see a science show, the response might be worthy of a shoulder shrug (not true for all kids, of course). I get it. The words “science show” may not be very inspiring to a lot of kids. Now, if I […]
Tags: chemistry, experiments, kids, Mobius, Mobius Science Center, parents, science, science experiment, STEM, summer programs, young learners
Block play and kindergarten readiness
Posted in Parents and Teachers on June 20, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Mary Ellen Braks This article is second in a 2-part series. The first article is 7 stages of block play: Building and early learning. As a librarian my go-to choice for baby gifts has always been books. The more books you have around your house and the more you read to children, the more likely it is […]
Tags: block play, blocks, Build a Better World, building, development, early learning, emotional, Hands-on Building, KEVA blocks, literacy, mash-ups, math, physical, Pre-K, pre-kindergarten, preschool, social, storytime, storytime mash-ups
7 stages of block play: Building and early learning
Posted in Parents and Teachers on June 16, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Mary Ellen Braks Blocks! Kids love them and parents love them. Most preschool classrooms and child care centers have blocks. Building programs seem to be everywhere. In fact, we’re having a week full of block and building activities at our storytimes this summer. You may be thinking, “Great! But why!?” My answer would be […]
Tags: block play, blocks, building, early learning, KEVA blocks, mash-ups, Pre-K, pre-kindergarten, preschool, storytime, storytime mash-ups
Summer exhibits explore the magic of Harry Potter’s world, modern medicine, and Shakespeare
Posted in News on June 15, 2017 at 6:00 am
This summer you can explore two exhibits that take a look at the history of science and medicine through the lens of literature: J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series and Shakespeare’s most beloved plays. SPOKANE VALLEY LIBRARY July 3–August 12 Although fantastical stories, the magic in J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is partially based […]
Tags: alchemy, anger, astrology, bile, birthday party, blood, ethics, exhibits, fear, Folger Shakespeare Library, four bodily humors, grief, Harry Potter, history, hope, hot peppers, J. K. Rowling, medicine, melancholy, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, philosophy, phlegm, recitations, Renaissance, science, trivia, William Shakespeare
New Executive Director announced for Spokane County Library District
Posted in News on June 14, 2017 at 10:45 am
The Spokane County Library District Board of Trustees announces the selection of Patrick Roewe as the new Executive Director of the Library District. Roewe will step into the position when current Director, Nancy Ledeboer, retires on September 1, 2017. Roewe is currently the Deputy Director and has been with the District for 10 years. “The […]
Tags: announcement, community, Executive Director, library
Enraptured by raptors: West Valley Outdoor Learning Center
Posted in Explore and Discover on June 14, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Kim Brinkmann “I had no idea this place even existed!” This phrase is commonly expressed by first-time guests of the West Valley Outdoor Learning Center. The Outdoor Learning Center is tucked back in a corner on the grounds of Pasadena Park Elementary School, hidden among the towering cottonwoods, cedars, and aspens. It is easily […]
Tags: animal conservation, animals, community, eagles, education, environmental, events, family, habitats, hawks, kids, natural wildlife, nature, owls, parents, raptors, rehabilitate, rescue, summer programs, Summer reading, teens, tweens, West Valley Outdoor Learning Center, wildlife, young learners
Summer job hunt: library resources to help in your quest
Posted in Explore and Discover on June 13, 2017 at 6:00 am
By David Wyatt Hunting for jobs terrifies me. Job searches can be like the Balrog of Moria—creatures of shadow and flame barring you from your epic quest. Your friends might leave you in the dust, but you’ll return a victorious, level-20 job-search wizard! Library staff can help you level-up your job acquisition skills, whether you are […]
Tags: adults, career, digital library, education, gale courses, GED, high school diploma, job, job hunt, job search, jobnow, jobs, Lynda.com, Microsoft Imagine Academy, services, teens
For tweens and teens: Creative and adventurous summer programs
Posted in kids, News, Teens on June 12, 2017 at 6:00 am
This summer tweens and teens can find adventure and feed their creativity at the library. Spark your creativity by making your own stamp designs, cooking up a culinary feast, and recording a mini stop-motion LEGO movie. For the adventurous, tackle the mystery room escape puzzle from 59:Escape Room Adventures. Can you find the clues to […]
Tags: cooking, crafting, DIY, escape room, events, film boot camp, hobbies, kids, LEGO, LEGO movie app, puzzle, stamp, stop animation, summer, teens, tweens, video
Find your groove with summer music
Posted in News on June 9, 2017 at 6:00 am
Our summer music lineup is sure to bring smiles and good vibes, maybe even some grooving. You’ll get the chance to enjoy the original sounds of swing mixed with country blues and doo-wop from The Plaid Cats, the melodic indie rock vibe of The Finns, singer-songwriter Bill Price and his cellist Grover Parido with a […]
Tags: acoustic, bands, blues, cello, community, concerts, country, doo-wop, events, guitar, indie rock, live music, local bands, music, music groups, musicians, r&b, singer, ska, songwriter, soul, summer, summer music, swing
Touch-a-Bus Storytime
Posted in kids, News on June 8, 2017 at 6:00 am
What happens when the bus driver says, “Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus!”? Will the driver ever let the pigeon drive the bus? Find out as an actual bus driver reads this humorous story by Mo Willems and other entertaining bus stories. We’ll shake it up with some fingerplays and movement activities. Then you […]
Tags: family, kids, parents, reading, Spokane Transit Authority, STA, stories, storytime, Touch-a-Bus, young learners
