All Posts
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
Enraptured by raptors: West Valley Outdoor Learning Center
Posted in Explore and Discover on June 14, 2017 at 6:00 am
Guest Blog 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 […]
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
KERNEL at the Fairwood Farmers’ Market: making nutrition and exercise fun and delicious
Posted in Explore and Discover, kids, Parents and Teachers on June 6, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Rachel Edmondson My family loves to go to farmers’ markets. We love fresh, local produce, and we find it’s even more appealing when you are face to face with the people who grew it. Of course, farmers’ markets have a lot more than just produce—artisan foods, fresh meat, crafts, and brews—something for everyone. Last […]
Tags: Catholic Charities, Catholic Charities Food For All, eating right, educational, exercise, farmers market, healthy choices, KERNEL, kids, nutrition, parents
Graphic novels with strong female characters
Posted in Explore and Discover on May 30, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole Sometimes, when I find myself in the mood for an upbeat, quick read, I look to the library’s graphic novel sections. Traditional super-hero stories aren’t my cup of tea. I find myself drawn more to the stories that include strong, primary female characters. Luckily these days, there are quite a few great […]
Tags: booklists, books, comics, digital library, female protagonist, graphic novels, hoopla, reading, teens, tweens, YA
Q&A with Magician Jeff Evans: magic and the Secrets of Wizards
Posted in kids, News, Parents and Teachers on May 25, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge Summer is a fantastical time at the library—a time to build reading muscles with imaginative and real life stories found on the bookshelves. Summer is also the time when kids and families can see, hear, and interact with magicians, musicians, puppets, and more. These summer programs are geared towards kids entering kindergarten […]
Tags: coin trick, improv, magic, magic show, magic tricks, magician, performer, Science Magic, Secret of Wizards, summer program, Summer reading
10 cookbooks you’ll be glad you checked out
Posted in Explore and Discover on May 23, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Stefani Miller Walking into the cookbook section at the library can be a little intimidating. There are so many books with lovely, enticing pictures on the cover. How are you supposed to choose which one to take home and which one to leave on the shelf? Don’t panic! I’ve been testing them out in […]
Tags: adults, booklists, books, cookbook, cooking, food, recipes
Books to help kids with the idea of a new sibling
Posted in kids, Parents and Teachers on May 16, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Melanie Boerner After six years with our only child, my husband and I are expecting another in August. My son approached me the other day and asked, “Are you going to love the baby and stop loving me?” This, of course, broke my heart and had me, already a ball of hormones, in tears. […]
Tags: adoption, booklists, books, family, kids, new baby, parenting, parents, reading, siblings, young learners
Your next favorite book from SelectReads
Posted in Explore and Discover on May 11, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Carlie Hoffman Before the internet, I had only one way to serendipitously find my next read at the library: wander the book stacks until an interesting book cover or an evocative title caught my eye. Fortunately, finding books through this process often lead to new favorites. Now I have even more ways to find […]
Tags: authors, book groups, book news, book recommendations, book updates, booklists, books, new books, newsletter, popular books, reading, SelectReads
Going viral: Video creators find new space at Spokane Valley Library
Posted in News on May 10, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Amber Williams Want to make an amazing video or TV commercial? How about edit it so it goes viral? Now you can at The Studio. We’re pleased to announce the opening of The Studio at the Spokane Valley Library. What makes this space so exciting is what it offers: video, photo, and audio recording […]
Tags: Adobe Premiere Pro, audio, audio recording, Channel 14, Community Minded Television, film boot camp, Final Cut, photo, photography, software, sound recording, studio lighting, The Studio, tv, TV commercial, video, video editing, video recording
Spring reads to take you into summer
Posted in Explore and Discover on May 9, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole Every year around this time, I think to myself, “Hooray, we made it! Thank goodness spring is here!” Of course, that’s usually when it starts to snow again. I know we will have a hot summer again soon enough, but after a winter like the one we’ve just been through, I can’t […]
