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Getting started with graphic novels: Reluctant readers, struggling readers, and you

Posted in Parents and Teachers on November 27, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson My oldest daughter is an avid reader. However, for a year or so when she had just learned to read and was a good reader, she still hated reading. As a librarian, my response was—challenge accepted! I brought home lots of books on topics I knew interested her in a variety of […]

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Friends: Who needs them?

Posted in Explore and Discover on November 20, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Abra Cole Friends. We all have them, but do we need them? The topic came up when my 3-year-old and I were reading Ryan T. Higgins’ book We Don’t Eat Our Classmates! recently. We got to talking about his friends at daycare. Of course, it’s the norm to refer to his entire classroom as […]

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Library insider: Helping your child research for school papers and projects

Posted in Explore and Discover on November 13, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Dana Mannino I always know when it’s research paper season. The first clue is that my work calendar explodes. For my work as a librarian, I offer research workshops to area high schools that aren’t fortunate enough to have their own library. Somehow all the requests for workshops come in at once. The second […]

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Native American Heritage Month: A look at books by indigenous authors

Posted in Explore and Discover on November 6, 2019 at 6:00 am

Featured image for blog post BY CAITLIN WHEELER November is Native American Heritage Month and a great time to learn more about some of the many indigenous groups of North America. Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian provides an introduction to indigenous peoples’ portrayals in media after colonialization in Americans, the interactive online exhibit that looks […]

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Your Path to Student Financial Aid Starts with the FAFSA

Posted in Explore and Discover, News on November 5, 2019 at 6:00 am

FAFSA Post Hero Image You or your student may be eligible for student financial aid. To find out, you will need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form beginning in your senior year of high school and throughout your college years. When you submit your FAFSA form, you find out if you are eligible […]

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When murder smells like honeysuckle: The allure of film noir

Posted in Explore and Discover on October 30, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Melissa Rhoades In adolescence, my impulse towards mysteries and thrillers was satisfied by Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Mystery! on PBS. But these days when I get the urge, I’m more likely to pick up a film noir or some of the hardboiled fiction that inspired it. Less cozy and more convoluted, film […]

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Favorite reads reimagined for the screen: Upcoming film and TV adaptations

Posted in Explore and Discover on October 9, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Underwood Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Netflix (even Facebook Watch) are churning out as many originals and adaptations as they can buy, produce, and film—all to try to win the fierce video streaming competition. This is fantastic for book nerds because these streaming giants are looking to novels and nonfiction for good source material! […]

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New community topics at Civic Lab pose questions and invite discussion

Posted in News on October 3, 2019 at 6:00 am

Each month, you can find information, activities, and discussion on an issue facing our community at the Civic Lab. Take a look at thought-provoking materials and activities for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. CIVIC LAB NORTH SPOKANEOctober 2019–January 2020 October: Voting Rights Wh […]

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Play it again: A love letter to The Bartlett

Posted in Explore and Discover on October 2, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Susan Goertz In late 2013, something magical happened that changed Spokane’s music scene forever, for the better. The Bartlett opened its doors. A desperately needed all-ages venue, The Bartlett was everything Spokane’s music scene was missing—an intimate space (150 person capacity versus the 1,500 capacity of The Knitting Factory) that fo […]

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Flavors of fall: Food and book pairings for kids

Posted in Parents and Teachers on September 18, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson Fall is my favorite season. I enjoy sunny weather that is cool enough to welcome jeans and sweaters. I enjoy the beauty of the changing leaves. I relish the cooler nights that encourage snuggles and books on the couch, and I love all the fun flavors that make their way into my […]

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