Posted on May 16, 2024 at 6:30 am
The library has eight new, themed Stay Sharp Kits available to check out, making a total of 19 different themed kits in our collection. Stay Sharp Kits have been put together with activities that can be used with individuals who are experiencing memory loss or other cognitive issues related to dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other memory disorde […]
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Tags: adults, Alzheimer's, dementia, Library of Things, memory loss, stay sharp kit
Posted on April 3, 2024 at 6:00 am
Stress doesn’t just affect the brain. It affects a person’s whole body. The “fight or flight” response can be helpful if you’re in short-term physical danger. But over time, it can damage your health. All the following can cause harmful long-term stress, also known as chronic stress... […]
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Tags: adults, books, connection, exercise, humor, parents, positive, reading, screen time, sleep, stress, teens, writing
Posted on March 21, 2024 at 6:00 am
What was the last book that you made a bad decision in order to read? I’m not asking about the book that made you put off cleaning out the refrigerator. Nearly any book could do that. I’m asking about the last book that made you spectacularly late for work or miss a whole night’s sleep... that magnitude of bad decision. I asked this question […]
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Tags: adults, books, reading
Posted on March 13, 2024 at 6:00 am
After a rough year, I decided that I would branch out and stretch my preferred reading tastes. Normally, I stick with thrillers and horror. Shockingly (okay, not so shockingly), this doesn’t help my existing anxiety problems. Which genre would I dive into, which felt the scariest? The answer for me was... romance (cue the Twilight Zone theme song […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, reading, romance
Posted on March 7, 2024 at 6:00 am
March is a wonderful time to learn a new skill or fall back in love with an old favorite. To inspire your crafting muse, visit your library to see an art show! You can see and hear two Irish music groups at our libraries to help fuel your creativity. Take a workshop or check out something from our Library of Things or... […]
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Tags: adults, art, community, crafting, creativebug, creativity, Flipster, hobbies, kids, parents, reading, teens, tweens
Posted on February 28, 2024 at 6:00 am
Safety is something we can all agree is important and a necessity for every human being. No matter where someone is going—to school, work, the grocery store, a park or anywhere—everyone deserves to get to their destination safely. Right now, this is not happening for everyone. See how you can provide input. […]
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Tags: accident, biking, community, death, fatal, impaired driving, injury, input, regional safety action plan, safety, Spokane Regional Transportation Council, SRTC, traffic, transportation, vehicles, walking
Posted on February 22, 2024 at 6:00 am
If you’d like to start thinking about spring, planning for your garden, and exploring more of what nature has to offer, then the library has a full slate of programs this spring to help you enjoy the outdoors—including your own backyard. You can enjoy birdwatching, beekeeping, and gardening events that will... […]
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Tags: adults, beekeeping, bees, birds, birdwatching, gardening, hiking, nature, outdoors
Posted on February 14, 2024 at 6:00 am
This time of year is perfect for stay-at-home movie nights, and the library can help you enjoy entertainment for free with your in-district library card! In fact, we offer two free movie streaming services: Hoopla and Kanopy. Add these to our large selection of DVDs and that gives you over 100,000 free movies, TV series, shorts, and documentaries t […]
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Tags: adults, documentaries, film, hoopla, Kanopy, kids, movies, parents, streaming, teens, television, tweens
Posted on February 7, 2024 at 6:00 am
Guest blogger Don Chadbourne shares the story of the Ice Age Floods, which will be the feature of four presentations focusing on different locations and perspectives at SCLD libraries in February. […]
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Tags: adults, geology, ice age floods, natural history, pacific northwest, PNW, programs
Posted on January 17, 2024 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole Getting Cozy January and February are full of short days and cold nights, which make for a natural time to rest (hibernation, anyone?). I think this is a great time to get cozy with a hot cocoa and read a new series. So, I’m focusing on the cozy mystery. For me, cozy […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, cozy, murder mystery, mystery, reading
Posted on January 10, 2024 at 6:00 am
Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall. Even if there is no injury, falls carry a heavy impact to quality of life. Many older adults fear falling, and if the fear is intense, they may limit their activities and social engagements. This can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and fe […]
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Tags: adults, ALTCEW, balance, exercises, fall prevention, falling, falls, group discussion, preventing, seniors
Posted on December 28, 2023 at 4:00 am
By Jane Baker A library is defined as a building or room containing collections of books, magazines, and other materials for people to read, borrow, or reference. Those who visit our libraries regularly often have warmer descriptions, such as “my happy place” or “heaven on earth.” The range of descriptions in between the dictionary definiti […]
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Tags: community, events, milestones
Posted on December 20, 2023 at 6:00 am
By Melissa Rhoades You’ve probably heard the saying “your eyes are bigger than your stomach.” Well, that applies to both my eating and reading habits. I tend to gather far more books than I have time to read. As the book stacks grow in my house, so does my sense of defeat and inadequacy. I […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, graphic novels, history, illustration, illustrations, kids, memoir, nonfiction, parents, reading, teens
Posted on December 13, 2023 at 6:00 am
Photo: Rogue Heart Media By Dana Mannino Whenever someone sends the library a thank you note, praises library staff in a comment card, or shares some verbal kudos, we enter that interaction into a database (it’s a very librarian thing to do) so that all staff can see it, making sure those who are being […]
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Tags: adults, appointments, book a librarian, books by mail, community, connection, digital library, reading, stories, storytime, suggest, suggestions, technology
Posted on December 6, 2023 at 6:00 am
Experience the joy of making with the library’s digital resource: Creativebug. It offers free, online art and craft classes that you can watch anytime, anywhere. All you need to explore your creativity is... […]
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Tags: adults, crafting, crafts, creativebug, decorations, gifts, holidays, kids, online classes, parents, teens, tweens, video classes
Posted on November 29, 2023 at 6:00 am
By Alison Johnson Winter is a great time to curl up under a blanket with a hot cup of tea and a great book—especially if my dog is curled up too and warming my feet. But if you have an active family with young people like mine, then you might need to have some activities […]
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Tags: activities, adults, cold weather, crafts, fall, kids, parents, snow, snowmen, teens, tweens, winter
Posted on November 22, 2023 at 6:00 am
The changing of the seasons brings delight with bright colored leaves against a blue sky and the smell of earth as everything starts to decompose in a pleasant way. Unfortunately, this time of year also brings something that I dread—and it isn’t the cinnamon-scented pinecones and brooms that appear at stores (although these are no fun for someo […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, depression, fall, help, parents, SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, short days, teens, winter
Posted on November 15, 2023 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole 3D Printing at Spokane Valley Library A frequently asked question we’ve gotten since the new Spokane Valley Library has opened is: “When will 3D printing return?” Well, I am here to share the good news: 3D printing is back and we’re accepting printing requests! We’re offering STEM programs on how to make […]
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Tags: 3D, 3D design, 3D printer, 3D printing, Thingiverse, Tinkercad, workshops
Posted on November 7, 2023 at 6:00 am
The Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) is currently recruiting potential participants to come share their voices about transportation topics that directly affect our region and how federal funds are spent. Learn how you can join the Transportation Equity Working Group and let your voice be heard. […]
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Tags: adults, equitable, equity, equity working group, Spokane Regional Transportation Council, SRTC, students, transit, transportation, volunteer, volunteering
Posted on November 1, 2023 at 6:00 am
My favorite book illustrations are the ones that feel like paintings. Sometimes they captivate me because they tell a clear story in one glance. Sometimes I’m drawn in because of their mystery, and I squint harder, wanting to puzzle out the meaning. No matter how it happens, I treasure those moments when I am transported by a skillfully executed […]
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Tags: artists, books, illustrations, illustrators, imagination, picture books, reading, stories
Posted on October 26, 2023 at 4:00 am
By Crystal Miller Note: This is an update to a previous post. A crisis can occur at any point in life, whether it stems from a natural disaster, a health emergency, or interpersonal trauma. It can affect many aspects of life, including financial needs, emotional health, physical health, and mental health, among others. It is […]
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Tags: agencies, children, community, crisis, domestic violence, healthcare, help, helpful, helplines, LGBT, LGBTQ, mental health, natural disaster, parents, preparedness, prevention, resources, services, suicide, veterans, websites
Posted on October 18, 2023 at 6:00 am
Guest blog by Taffy Hunter Domestic Violence Awareness/Action Month Preventing domestic violence requires a collective and proactive effort from every community member. It goes beyond mere awareness and encompasses diverse strategies and initiatives to create a culture of respect and empathy. These initiatives are tailored to equip individuals with […]
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Tags: community, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, dv, Puple for a Purpose, Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition, srdvc
Posted on October 3, 2023 at 6:00 am
I love to read books which feature dogs who have their own voice in the story. I find it fascinating to think about what my dog may be pondering… or scheming. Does he have a running narration inside his head like I do? Sometimes, based on the look in his eyes, I think he must. Here is a short list of books—some for kids and some for adults—th […]
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Tags: adults, animal stories, booklists, books, canines, dog narrators, dogs, kids, reading, teens
Posted on September 26, 2023 at 6:00 am
There are options available for earning a high school diploma—no matter how old you are or when you last worked on a school assignment. One of those options is a new program at the library—Gale Presents: Excel Adult High School. See if this program might be a good fit for you or someone you know... […]
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Tags: adult, Adult Education, adults, diploma, education, Excel Adult High School, graduate, graduation, high school, higher education, learning, online
Posted on September 20, 2023 at 6:00 am
Guest blog by James Lowe: I had an interesting chat on KPBX the other day with E.J. Ianelli, who mentioned that many people think that symphony musicians grow up steeped in classical music, and it’s only that deep life-long connection that allows anyone to understand the music we play. I grew up steeped in Abba and Motown, my mom’s music of cho […]
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Tags: adults, community, kids, orchestra, passes, Spokane Symphony, symphony, teens
Posted on September 6, 2023 at 6:00 am
September is a great time to start getting your garden ready for the long winter ahead and the coming spring. Our Fall Garden Cleanup class in September is an informative class led by Master Gardener Steve Nokes. He discusses the importance of fall cleanup in the garden, along with easy steps to get it all done. Plus check out these books and onlin […]
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Tags: adults, books, community, fall, food, gardeners, gardening, gardens, Master Gardeners, resources, winter
Posted on August 29, 2023 at 2:45 pm
Seed Library Locations Our Seed Library locations are: Check for gardening programs on our online events calendar. How Seed Libraries Work You borrow from a selection of heirloom vegetable, herb, and flower seeds during the year, plant them in your garden, and watch them grow. When it’s time to harvest, collect some seeds to bring […]
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Tags: classes, events, flowers, food, fruit, gardener, gardening, growing, herbs, seed lending, seed libraries, seed library, urban farming, vegetables
Posted on August 16, 2023 at 6:00 am
By Dana Mannino Tea is versatile—hot in the winter and cool and refreshing in the summer. The variety of available blends and flavors adds to its versatility. In any season, tea is the perfect accompaniment to a book. This summer, we collaborated with three local tea shops to bring you the series Iced Tea & […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, reading, tea
Posted on August 9, 2023 at 6:00 am
I have books just about everywhere—probably because I love to always have a book within arm’s reach. I’ve come to realize that it can get a bit out of control in my house. When so many books are scattered about house—so much so that when I gather them up, they do not fit on my shelves—then I know I have some book weeding to do! If your bo […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, community, declutter, organize, reading, tidy up
Posted on August 3, 2023 at 4:30 am
About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. What is […]
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Tags: AI, artificial intelligence, chatbot, ChatGPT, civic lab, tech, technology
Posted on August 2, 2023 at 6:00 am
By Stacey Goddard Books to Go for Adults If you’re looking for a great book to take on your next vacation—or your next staycation or just to read right now—you don’t need to look any further than our Books-to-Go collection. This collection is designed to help you quickly find a great read or discover something […]
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Tags: adults, books, Books to Go, catalog, kids, popular, reading, teens
Posted on July 26, 2023 at 6:00 am
Dementia is a term that encompasses several diseases that affect the brain and cause memory issues. Unfortunately, dementia isn’t uncommon for our aging population. A common misconception is that extreme memory loss and forgetfulness is a regular symptom of aging. However... […]
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Tags: adults, Alzheimer's, books, caregivers, dementia, digital resources, memory, memory cafe, memory care, memory loss, resources
Posted on July 5, 2023 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole We are in the full swing of summer. And before you know it, we will be swinging back toward fall, crisp leaves, hot cocoa, and (dare I say it) snowy weather. But before that happens, we have summer fun awaiting us. I’ve compiled a list of 50 summertime ideas for things to […]
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Tags: activities, adults, booklists, books, community, kids, parents, summer, teens, tweens
Posted on June 20, 2023 at 6:00 am
It’s National Hike with a Geek Day (annually on June 20)! When I found out about this day, I started thinking of all the nerdy and geeky types of exercise I’ve tried or heard about over the years. Some mainstays include LARPing and geocaching. Recently, activities combined with apps can get you moving, like ... […]
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Tags: adults, booklist, books, cool, DVD, exercise, fitness, fun, geeky, health, nerd, nerdy, teens, uncool
Posted on June 14, 2023 at 6:00 am
As we round the corner towards Father’s Day, I’d like to honor some of our loyal library dads. We see these fellows every week (sometimes more often!) investing in their children’s futures. I’m delighted to have interviewed them and to share their stories with you. Plus check out this booklist to read with kids! […]
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Tags: books, children, dads, early learning, Father's Day, fathers, kids, literacy, reading, story time
Posted on May 3, 2023 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole Most people are familiar with the tale of the bright-eyed, bubbly Ariel from Disney’s animated version of The Little Mermaid. However, in most tales, mermaids are not quite so friendly, or aesthetically pleasing. The oldest recorded mermaid story is the Syrian goddess Atargatis, the woman who dove into a lake and was […]
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Tags: adults, books, creatures, fantasy, kids, mermaids, monsters, movies, myth, mythology, reading, sea, teens, tweens
Posted on April 26, 2023 at 6:00 am
By Savannah Stewart For the past few years, I’ve been working on connecting more with my environment—not just in a meditative sense, although I have been doing that as well. I’ve been focusing on doing things that are impactful to our community and that get me outside more. A couple years ago, I stumbled across […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, citizen science, community, nature, sampling, science, Spokane Riverkeeper, teens, water
Posted on April 12, 2023 at 6:00 am
We recently added Stay Sharp Kits to our collection. Stay Sharp Kits are designed to be used with individuals who are experiencing memory loss or other cognitive issues related to dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other memory disorders. They’re also great for anyone who wants to improve their short-term memory and overall mental speed. Each k […]
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Tags: acuity, adults, Alzheimers, books, brain, caregiver, dementia, family, games, kits, memory loss, mental, mental health, puzzles, short-term memory, speed
Posted on April 11, 2023 at 6:00 am
By Crystal Miller Spring is upon us and that means there’s a new crop of gardening programs on offer at our libraries, fresh gardening books on our shelves, and seed libraries to visit. Our long-time community partner, the WSU Extension Spokane County Master Gardeners, has been presenting gardening programs and hosting a plant clinic at […]
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Tags: bonsai, container, farming, garden, gardening, Master Gardeners, plants, programs, pruning, seed libraries, seed library, seeds, spring, swaps, urban, vegetables
Posted on April 5, 2023 at 6:00 am
By Melissa Rhoades Since 1996, April has been designated as National Poetry Month to recognize and honor this long-lived and varied artform. Poems can be emotional expressions, political statements, a spiritual practice, a way to convey narrative, a whimsical play with language, and many other things. Likewise, poems can fulfill specific rhythms, s […]
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Tags: National Poetry Month, poetry, publishing, reading, writing
Posted on March 29, 2023 at 6:00 am
By Dana Mannino Did you know that the library has books in languages other than English? Currently, our largest non-English collection is in Spanish. We are actively building a collection in Russian and looking ahead to grow our collection in Marshallese and Arabic as well. These are the most common non-English languages spoken in the […]
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Tags: adults, bilingual, books, foreign language, kids, language learning, multilingual, parents, pronunciator, reading, Spanish, world languages
Posted on March 15, 2023 at 5:00 am
By Alison Johnson Around this time of year, I anxiously await getting outdoors with my pup. I have a high energy dog who loves tramping through the mountains and just about anywhere we can find a trail. If I can’t wait, this means we’ll run into mud, ice, snow, rain, and cold. But early spring […]
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Tags: booklists, books, Discover Pass, essentials, hikes, hiking, overdrive, preparation, preparedness, programs, reading, safety, trails, walking
Posted on March 2, 2023 at 4:30 am
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and prompts us to consider our level of awareness, what is and isn’t in place in our community for inclusion of all people of all abilities, and what we can do as individuals and as a community to be open to and inclusive of everyone. In this guest blog, learn about Sensory Storytime and browse […]
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Tags: adults, awareness, booklists, books, community, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, disability, kids, parents, reading, story time, teens, tweens
Posted on February 22, 2023 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole Random Acts of Kindness Random Acts of Kindness Day was February 17, 2023, and while it was perhaps overshadowed by Valentine’s Day, it still serves as a great reminder that we can all be kinder to each other every day of the year! Research has shown that being on the receiving end […]
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Tags: adults, books, DVDs, kids, kindness, parents, proquest, teachers, teens, tweens
Posted on February 8, 2023 at 6:00 am
About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. Machine & […]
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Tags: adults, algorithm bias, civic lab, community, Discussion, Google, machine bias, privacy, search engines, teens
Posted on February 2, 2023 at 7:00 am
When you hear someone say that that something is “for the birds,” they mean it is foolish and not to be taken too seriously. This month, the Great Backyard Bird Count on February 17–20 invites everyone to do something for the birds that isn’t foolish, is in fact helpful, and could be quite fascinating... […]
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Tags: adults, bird counting, bird watching, citizen science, community, community science, kids, Mason bees, parents, science, STEAM, STEM, teens
Posted on February 1, 2023 at 6:00 am
By Crystal Miller Women’s Heart Week Organized by the Women’s Heart Foundation, Women’s Heart Week is celebrated each year February 1–7 and aims to educate, raise awareness, and teach the symptoms and preventions of serious heart diseases in women. According to both the Women’s Heart Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and […]
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Tags: adults, blood pressure, blood pressure monitor, books, heart disease, heart health, walking, women, zumba
Posted on December 28, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Jane Baker It will come as no surprise that the library has books. Fiction and nonfiction, picture books and weighty tomes, fantasy adventures and practical how-to guides, our shelves are filled with so many reading options. What may be a surprise is all the ways in which our libraries are more than books. Here […]
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Tags: community, look back, year in review
Posted on December 21, 2022 at 6:00 am
For some of us, this is the season of overwhelm. Expectations we have for ourselves or that others have for us can be downright unbearable during the holidays. This year, I propose trying a different approach to the holiday season. Namely, let’s take a step back, give ourselves a little space, and try to find more meaning in doing less. If you ha […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, parents, reading, teens, tweens
Posted on December 6, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Alison Johnson Reading a book that revolves around books makes me happy. I am sharing my joy of books about books with other book lovers out there. Here are five books that feature either a fictional author, editor, librarian, bookseller, or a community of readers, and of course… books! I hope you’ll give one […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, reading, teens
Posted on November 22, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Andrea Brumbaugh Not all personal book reviews are created equal. If you have spent any time on Goodreads, you’ve most likely seen some that simply state, “I hated it,” or “I loved it.” If these readers are writing the review for themselves so that they can look back later and see how they felt […]
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Tags: adults, books, kids, LibraryThing, MyLibrary, reading, reviews, teens, tweens
Posted on November 9, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Melissa Rhoades & Dana Mannino Would you like this year’s Thanksgiving celebration to make your guests feel uplifted, connected, and hopeful? If so, you can participate in The Great Thanksgiving Listen, created by StoryCorps. Each Thanksgiving, StoryCorps encourages us to sit down with an elder, mentor, family member, friend, or someone we […]
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Tags: adults, community, family, food, friends, HeritageQuest, kids, oral history, Project Memory, resources, storycorps, teens, tips, tweens
Posted on November 8, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole What Is a Zine? Zine (pronounced “zeen”) is short for magazine or fanzine. A zine is a publication that is not professionally published and not officially related to any brand, series, or company. Fanzines started in the 1930s as science fiction enthusiasts wrote and published their ideas about the topic to share […]
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Tags: art, artistic, crafting, creativebug, fanzine, hobbies, online classes, personal narrative, self-publish, writing, zine
Posted on October 25, 2022 at 6:00 am
Guest Blog by Beth Pellicciotti What Is on the Ballot? The League of Women Voters’ mission is to empower voters and defend democracy. We empower voters by explaining how to register to vote, either online at VoteWa.gov or using a paper form that you can download and print from the Washington Secretary of State’s website. […]
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Tags: adults, ballot, candidate, community, county government, election, general election, voter
Posted on October 13, 2022 at 7:00 am
By Crystal Miller According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, “someone in the world develops dementia every 3 seconds. There are over 55 million people worldwide living with dementia in 2020. This number will almost double every 20 years, reaching 78 million in 2030 and 139 million in 2050.” These statistics are sobering and point to the […]
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Tags: adults, ALTCEW, Alzheimer's disease, booklists, community, dementia, information, memory loss, parents, services
Posted on October 6, 2022 at 7:00 am
By Dana Mannino While the pandemic caused us to pause many of our most popular library services, this year has been a joy to start bringing them back. We are excited to announce that we have resumed Project Memory appointments! You can once again get help at the library with transferring your personal photos, home […]
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Tags: archiving, digital, digitize, family history, history, home movies, Library of Things, media, photos, Project Memory
Posted on October 5, 2022 at 6:00 am
Updated: Oct 2023 Guest blog by Taffy Hunter Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition (SRDVC) is excited to again partner with Spokane County Library District (SCLD) during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Libraries play an especially significant role in the community. Not only do they offer great reading materials, but they also provide a p […]
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Tags: adults, help, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, resources, Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition, srdvc, teens, violence
Posted on October 4, 2022 at 6:00 am
Last year Indigenous Peoples’ Day was declared a federal holiday for the first time. It has been celebrated in individual states and cities for years, and now is gaining more recognition as areas develop their own traditions celebrating local tribes and Native American heroes. How did this day begin, and how do citizens who aren’t Indigenous ce […]
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Tags: adults, civic engagement, civic lab, Columbus Day, community, Discussion, Indigenous Peoples' Day, teens
Posted on September 30, 2022 at 6:00 am
October’s cooling weather and crisping leaves offer the perfect excuse to transition to indoor activities—like curling up with a steaming beverage and a substantial book. Perhaps that’s why reading Victorian literature in October has become a recent tradition for some and with its own hashtag: #Victober. […]
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Tags: #Victober, adults, booklists, books, nonfiction, reading, teens, Victorian, Victorian literature
Posted on September 14, 2022 at 6:00 am
Dyslexia is one of the most common specific learning disabilities (SLD) in the world. According to the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity, it affects up to 20 percent of the population. However, despite the high prevalence of this learning difference, it is often misunderstood by the general public, educators, and parents. As a result, dyslexia […]
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Tags: adults, community, dyslexia, intervention, INW Dyslexia Alliance, kids, parents, reading, school, teens, tweens
Posted on September 1, 2022 at 6:00 am
About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. Monkeypox: Fast […]
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Tags: civic lab, civics, community, disease, health, monkeypox, wellness
Posted on August 31, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole If you’re a gardener, this time of year usually means two things: it’s seed saving time and we’re due to get our fall crops planted. This summer has been a little strange for many Inland Northwest gardeners. The heat came later than usual, and it was preceded by unusually large amounts of […]
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Tags: books, gardening, how to, seed libraries, seed saving
Posted on August 17, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Caitlin Wheeler On July 12, 2022, NASA released its first images from the James Webb Space Telescope, and they are both breathtaking and groundbreaking in their ability to detect infrared light at a high resolution. The telescope operates with two cameras: NIRCam (near infrared camera), which looks at the shortest infrared wavelengths, and MIRI […]
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Tags: adults, books, crafts, digital library, DIY, kids, Library of Things, NASA, parents, reading, science, space, STEM, teachers, technology, teens, telescope, tweens, Webb Telescope
Posted on August 2, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Melissa Rhoades This summer’s reading challenge dares us to “Read Beyond the Beaten Path.” Reading stories by international authors is a wonderful way to do that. International fiction—also called foreign fiction—allows us to not only imagine the sights, smells, and sounds of other landscapes but also gain exposure to diverse customs, […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, fiction, foreign, international, international literature, reading, Summer reading, world literature
Posted on July 13, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Savannah Stewart When it comes to beach reads, mine usually fall into the “this isn’t what I expected” category. Ideally, beach reads are easy-going and don’t interfere with your summer vibe. I’ve found that the books I like to read can’t live up to this ideal. And mostly, I never end up reading very […]
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Tags: adults, beach reads, booklists, books, buffy, cold cases, dunder mifflin, fairy tale, fiction, grief, love story, magical realism, mental health, nonfiction, quests, reading, Summer reading, teens, The Office, vampire slayer, yoga, zen
Posted on July 6, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole Ah, summer! The sun is shining (we hope), the grass is green, and pollen is everywhere. For some of us, this is the season when we head outdoors as much as possible, to dig in the soil, go on walks, explore nature, and get dirty every day. For others, none of this […]
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Tags: adults, armchair travel, board games, booklists, books, CDs, coffee table books, community, dice games, DVDs, games, kids, Libby app, nature sounds, overdrive, parents, reading, teens, travelogues, tweens, virtual tour, World Book
Posted on June 29, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Dana Mannino At least once a week, I have a variation on the following conversation. Library customer: Can you suggest a good book? Librarian: Sure! What do you like to read? Library customer: Anything, as long as it’s well written. We all want a good book. It’s universal. But often we don’t know how […]
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Tags: adults, book butler, book recommendations, booklist, books, fiction, limiters, NoveList Plus, novels, reading, teens
Posted on June 24, 2022 at 6:00 am
About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. Gun Control: […]
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Tags: #civiclab, adults, civic, civic lab, civics, community, Gale, gale in context, gun control, gun laws, guns
Posted on June 14, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Jane Baker The first time I heard the term forest bathing, my immediate thought was “I bet those pine needles hurt!” All kidding aside, forest bathing is a relatively recent term (with science behind it) that gives us a good reason to go take a walk. In 1982, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, […]
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Tags: active, adults, books, digital library, forest bathing, seniors, tai chi, Udemy, walking
Posted on June 13, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Lisa Woodard, guest blogger Smoke Ready Week With the arrival of summer comes the concern about wildfires and the potential for another summer with smoke-filled days. The threat of wildfires is real, and work is underway by many federal, state, and local agencies to reduce this threat. We also know that the threat of […]
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Tags: adults, air quality, air quality index, AQI, exposure, health, smoke, smoke ready, smoke ready week, Spokane Clean Air, Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency, SRHD, wildfire
Posted on June 1, 2022 at 6:00 am
Every year, I find myself reading more and more graphic novels and manga. I hadn’t read any until I was well into my adult years, but I’ve found that there are intriguing, well-written, and beautifully drawn graphic novels and manga for all ages. […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, graphic novels, kids, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+, manga, reading, teens, tweens
Posted on May 25, 2022 at 6:00 am
Spokane County Library District has been partnering with the Statewide Health Insurance Benefit Advisor (SHIBA) program to offer free, unbiased Medicare programs. SHIBA advisors provide our customers with valuable information related to healthcare, more specifically Medicare, on a regular basis. I interviewed Monica Kudrna, the SHIBA Coordinator, t […]
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Tags: adults, ALTCEW, health insurance, healthcare, retirement, senior citizens, SHIBA
Posted on May 24, 2022 at 6:00 am
When I heard about the upcoming program Pandemic Dogs and Separation Anxiety, I was reminded that pets can have stress and anxiety, just like humans can. To complicate these situations, pets can’t tell us in words when something is wrong. So, I often think first of the physical health of my pets whenever there is a change in behavior, appetite, a […]
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Tags: adults, animals, anxiety, community, dogs, pet owners, pet parents, pets, SCRAPS, separation anxiety, volunteering
Posted on May 18, 2022 at 6:00 am
May is National Barbecue Month, and I have to say that is fitting since Memorial Day unofficially kicks off barbecue and grilling season across the nation. Everyone does barbecue a bit differently, and the flavors of barbecue can be varied and delicious, from region to region, culture to culture. From spicy to sweet, there is something for everyone […]
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Tags: adults, barbecue, bbq, booklists, books, community, cookbooks, cooking, food, grilling
Posted on April 28, 2022 at 4:45 am
... To find cool things like this, you need high-level searching skills! But you don’t need to be a librarian to memorize a list of the Valar (the demi-god like beings from Tolkien’s The Silmarillion). Here is a step-by-step guide to nerding out with some super research skills. […]
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Tags: academic journals, adults, digital library, digital resources, fandom, Gale, Gale Academic OneFile, kids, nerd, proquest, research, scholarly journals, search, teens, tweens
Posted on April 15, 2022 at 6:00 am
About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. Spokane’s Recycling: […]
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Tags: adults, civic lab, civics, environment, plastic, recycling, spokane
Posted on April 13, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Crystal Miller Two library services are up and running again: Book a Librarian with in-person appointments and test proctoring services! Book a Librarian Book-a-Librarian appointments are once again available in person. Over the last two years, we have had to scale this service back due to the pandemic. We have been offering our Book-a-Librarian […]
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Tags: book a librarian, digital resources, exam proctor, exam proctoring, help, individual help, test proctor, test proctoring
Posted on April 6, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole Did you know that April is National Volunteer Month? And since springtime represents fresh starts, new beginnings, and growth, it is a great time to consider adding volunteering to your routine. You can freshen up your schedule, make new connections, and grow as a human. How cool is that? In the Spokane […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, community, food, parents, teens, volunteer, volunteering
Posted on March 29, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Savannah Stewart Cookbooks are a labor of love for those who write them. When I recreate, share, and consume the finished recipes, it feels like I’m honoring and extending that love. Who knows, you may find the food of your dreams in your wanderings through the pages of a cookbook. I love that I […]
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Tags: adults, appetizers, booklists, books, cookbooks, desserts, food, mixology, recipes, snacks, vegan
Posted on March 28, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Caitlin Wheeler I love cherry trees. Specifically, I love them for the two or three days in spring just past their brightest bloom, when you can stand underneath one, tug on a branch, and find yourself absolutely showered in the falling blossoms. In the spring of 2020, there wasn’t much recreation I could do […]
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Tags: books, guides, hiking, insects, nature, plants, Spokane County, trekking, walking
Posted on March 9, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Alison Johnson Spring is just a few weeks away! I am looking forward to getting outside and enjoying some sunshine. If, for you, spring is all about sunshine and projects, the library has some great STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) resources and programs to get the whole family learning and creating both […]
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Tags: activities, adults, books, kids, kits, kits activities, Library of Things, outdoors, parents, STEAM, STEM, teens, tweens
Posted on March 8, 2022 at 6:00 am
International Women’s Day takes place each year on March 8 to acknowledge women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements in the face of historical disadvantages. It’s also a day to advocate for women’s rights worldwide. I’m normally a fiction reader, so I’ve decided to celebrate International Women’s Day this year by e […]
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Tags: adults, books, current affairs, history, international women's day, kids, reading, teens, tweens, women's history month
Posted on March 3, 2022 at 7:00 am
By Gwendolyn Haley Spokane County is a community of gardeners, and the movement is growing. Last year, the library distributed over 2,000 seed packets to community members through our seed libraries, helping people discover the joy of growing their own food. What Is a Seed Library? A seed library is run for the benefit of […]
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Tags: adults, community, food, gardening, seed libraries, seed library, seed saving, teens, tweens, urban farming
Posted on March 2, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Sheri Boggs Did you know that for every library program we offer there are often dozens, sometimes hundreds, of related books, CDs, DVDs, and digital resources available from the library? Here are just some of the materials you can check out to get ready for upcoming programs, explore after attending, or dive into when […]
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Tags: adults, all ages, books, CDs, Downton Abbey, DVDs, Fantastic Beasts, goats, Hamilton, hoopla, kids, Libby app, movies, music, mysteries, overdrive, reading, tea, tea blending, teens, trivia, yoga
Posted on February 23, 2022 at 6:00 am
There’s a fantastic selection of documentaries on DVD in our catalog and also many streaming on our digital resource hoopla. Here are a few of the documentaries I’ve recently borrowed from the library that I’ve really enjoyed. […]
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Tags: catalog, documentaries, DVDs, hoopla, teens
Posted on February 22, 2022 at 6:30 am
About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. The Great […]
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Tags: adults, civic lab, civics, employment, Great Resignation, jobs, teens
Posted on February 16, 2022 at 6:00 am
These three gardening projects for the 2022 season are a bit more urban in nature than for those with vegetable gardens: dividing perennials, adding a second rain barrel, and creating a container herb garden. Check out the library's gardening resources & upcoming programs to see your projects come to life. […]
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Tags: digital library, digital resources, DIY, drought, drought adapted, drought resistant, drought tolerant, garden, gardening, landscape, nature, programs, projects, seed libraries, xeriscape
Posted on February 3, 2022 at 7:00 am
By Crystal Miller & Erin Dodge For many, personal finances can be an overwhelming topic to tackle. Analyzing your finances and preparing for your financial future may not be at the top of your to-do list. Maybe it could be something to think about tomorrow, even when you feel like it’s something you probably should […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, digital library, digital resources, finances, financial, Gale, high school, learning, LinkedIn Learning, Medicare, Money Smart Week, personal finance, teens
Posted on February 1, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Ingrid Rivera, guest blogger What is SRDVC & what do they do? Domestic violence (DV) hurts thousands of women, children, and men in Spokane County every year and often goes unseen and unheard (download Confronting Domestic Violence flyer). The Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition (SRDVC) is a partnership among many people and multipl […]
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Tags: abuse, adults, awareness, community, domestic violence, parents, prevention, srdvc, teen dating, teens, tweens, violence
Posted on January 27, 2022 at 7:00 am
Wintertime can be beautiful, calming, and quiet. But it can also bring on the doldrums. Here are some ideas that you could try to help lift your mood. […]
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Tags: adults, books, CDs, cookbooks, music, outdoors, relaxing, self-care, sunshine, winter
Posted on January 12, 2022 at 6:00 am
Whether you are a news connoisseur who reads from a variety of perspectives and sources, or you are doing research for school or work, Gale OneFile: News is a great one-stop place for news resources. What can you find with Gale OneFile: News? It provides you with access to. . . […]
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Tags: digital library, Gale, Gale OneFile News, national, news, online resources, world news
Posted on January 5, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Sheri Boggs From mild curiosity to intensive study, research can come from a variety of impulses. Our Digital Library offers a suite of online resources from Gale that are exceptional for learning more about whatever interests you, including personal, academic, and professional topics. Gale General OneFile This online resource has a database con […]
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Tags: academic, adults, digital library, digital resources, education, Gale, knowledge, Portuguese, research, Spanish, teachers, teens
Posted on December 29, 2021 at 6:00 am
“You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have,” Maya Angelou said in an interview. From my experience, this is absolutely true. This means that including creative goals in your New Year’s resolutions could lead to a more productive and inspirational 2022. Our libraries offer plenty of ways to help with creative goals, incl […]
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Tags: adults, art, art show, books, crafts, creative, creativebug, creativity, creators, digital library, hobbies and crafts reference center, kids, Library of Things, LinkedIn Learning, local, resources, Spokane Creators
Posted on December 8, 2021 at 6:00 am
The holiday season is when I love to give books as presents to family and friends. I read a wide variety of titles throughout the year, and inevitably, as I’m reading, I’ll think of someone who will also enjoy the book. So, I’ve complied this list of books that could make great gifts for your loved ones too. I’ve sorted them into interests […]
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Tags: baking, books, cooking, food, funeral planning, gardening, gift ideas, gifts, movies, music, nature, reading, travel, tv
Posted on December 2, 2021 at 7:45 am
Here’s the science behind chocolate-covered cherries: the center liquifies inside the chocolate coating. This can make for a fun discussion, especially if you have young helpers in the kitchen. Kids may not believe you at first, but you can drop some culinary science. […]
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Tags: adults, baking, candy making, cherries, chocolate, cooking, crafting, holiday, recipe, recipes, teens
Posted on November 23, 2021 at 6:00 am
Leisure readers, students, and people engaged in professional literature research will find quick searches to quality information (without advertisements getting in the way) when using Gale Literature: Litfinder. Litfinder is found in our Digital Library and is a fantastic tool for lovers of contemporary and classic literature from around the world […]
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Tags: adults, digital library, digital resource, full text, Gale, literature, Litfinder, plays, poetry, reading, research, stories, teens
Posted on November 3, 2021 at 6:00 am
Most people don’t like to think about death. Often, we think of “setting one’s affairs in order” as a task that only belongs to the mature crowd. But life is fragile at every age. Car accidents happen, as do natural disasters. It’s not a bad idea to put a few instructions in writing even if death feels far off. An added benefit of explori […]
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Tags: adults, advanced healthcare directive, death, durable, end of life, Legal Forms, medical directive, power of attorney, senior, washington state legal forms, will
Posted on November 1, 2021 at 6:00 am
About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. The Land […]
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Tags: civic lab, civics, indigenous people, land back, land buy back, Native American, online, reparations
Posted on October 27, 2021 at 7:00 am
Lately, I’ve been in the mood for books that are happier, or at least mostly uplifting. My sense is I am not alone in this desire. While these books have sad moments and deal with life’s challenges, they will hopefully leave you feeling positive and encouraged when you turn that last page. […]
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Tags: adults, book recommendations, books, fiction, good reads, reader's advisory, reading
Posted on October 22, 2021 at 6:00 am
Everyone deserves to be in a safe and healthy relationship.
Unfortunately, one in three women and one in seven men in the Spokane region are not experiencing safe and healthy relationships. The impact domestic violence has on our community is exponential, with Spokane experiencing the highest rates of domestic violence in the state of Washington. […]
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Tags: domestic violence, Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition, srdvc
Posted on October 21, 2021 at 6:00 am
I have always loved to carve pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns. There is something about creating a scary or silly face on a pumpkin which brings me great joy! I have rounded up some clever ideas to take your jack-o’-lanterns to the next level this Halloween! […]
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Tags: adults, carving, Halloween, jack-o-lantern, parents, pumpkin
Posted on October 13, 2021 at 6:00 am
Delicious, wonderful, comforting food. This time of year is perfect for enjoying all the warm tasty foods that we couldn’t make (out of season ingredients) or didn’t want to make (too hot for baking!) during the previously sweltering months. […]
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Tags: apples, bread, cheese, cookbook, cookbooks, delicious, pies, pumpkin, recipes, soup, stew, waffles
Posted on October 6, 2021 at 6:00 am
By Stacey Goddard I’m excited to announce that the library has a new online resource: Northstar Digital Literacy. If you read my previous posts about LinkedIn Learning and Udemy, you might be wondering if this new resource will offer more of the same types of classes. The short answer is both yes and no. Northstar […]
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Tags: computer skills, internet skills, Northstar
Posted on October 1, 2021 at 6:00 am
An increasing number of Americans have been and continue to be diagnosed with conditions that can’t be seen by the naked eye. How do we create a society that provides access to people with debilitating medical conditions? […]
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Tags: adults, civic lab, disabilities, health, invisible illness, teens
Posted on September 30, 2021 at 7:00 am
That crepuscular hours of sunrise and sunset are great times to see deer, rabbits, owls, bats, and many other trail companions. And to top off those perfect conditions, fall is a great time to catch migratory birds you might not see the rest of the year. If you’d like to seize the crisp weather and evening sightings, check out these easy to reach […]
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Tags: walking, west plains
Posted on September 22, 2021 at 6:00 am
I’m an amateur in every sense of the word, learning as I go without any real education and coming back to my tree whenever there’s a spare minute, sometimes after months at a time. Along the way I’ve learned a few genealogy tips and truisms—things I wish I’d known at the beginning and, in some cases, things I wouldn’t have appreciated u […]
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Tags: adults, ancestors, ancestry, Ancestry Library Edition, books, census records, digital resources, family history, Gale, gale courses, genealogy, guides, HeritageQuest, public records, research
Posted on September 10, 2021 at 6:00 am
Whether you’re planning an actual trip or simply want to travel in your imagination, you’ll find exciting places to add to your literary travel itinerary in this post! Discover some of the oldest, most beautiful, and most unusual libraries and literary landmarks in Asia, Africa, Continental Europe, and Latin America. […]
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Tags: abroad, books, destinations, guides, international, libraries, literary destinations, literature, planning, travel
Posted on September 1, 2021 at 6:00 am
September is World Alzheimer’s Month. So, this seems like an apropos time to examine how we can stave off Alzheimer’s and all the other disorders that fall under the umbrella term of dementia. Here are some ideas for using the library’s digital and physical resources to help with brain-stimulating exercises and activities. […]
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Tags: adults, Alzheimers, books, brain games, caregivers, creativebug, dementia, digital resources, forgetting, Gale, gale courses, games, neurocognitive disorders, puzzles, resources, riddles, self-care
Posted on August 24, 2021 at 6:00 am
By Crystal Miller This year’s Pig Out in the Park—the annual gathering for foodies and music lovers—has been cancelled, but you can still enjoy tasty food to celebrate the end of summer! For fair food at home, great lunch box recipes, and creative culinary creations, I offer you these lists of cookbooks that you can […]
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Tags: cookbooks, cooking shows, fair food, lunch box recipes
Posted on August 20, 2021 at 6:00 am
By Dana Mannino There is no sugarcoating how hard this pandemic has been for all of us, and for some, more than others. It is also true that the pandemic has forced us to think in new and creative ways. For us at the library, we’ve been focused on how the library can serve you. […]
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Tags: lessons, librarian, life, work
Posted on August 4, 2021 at 6:00 am
Eating outside has always been a great way to spend time with family and friends, especially during the summer months.... Whether you are packing a picnic for the park or for the top of a mountain, there are ways to make it easier and more fun, and a little bit of planning before you leave the house can go a long way. […]
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Tags: adults, books, food, outdoors, picnic, teens, tips
Posted on August 3, 2021 at 6:00 am
About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. Fast Facts […]
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Tags: adults, bias, civic lab, civics, critical race theory, laws, race, racism, teens
Posted on July 28, 2021 at 6:00 am
BY ABRA COLE Summer is winding down, and August may just be our last chance to get outdoors and explore before the season turns to autumn. Since factors such as extreme hot weather and smoke may affect actual outdoor plans, I’ve compiled a variety of potential activities that fit different weather situations. Think you can’t […]
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Tags: adults, books, gardens, hikes, kids, local, national, nature, outdoor, outdoors, parents, parks, state
Posted on July 21, 2021 at 6:00 am
Today’s post features trails on the north side of Spokane that are within 30 minutes of one or more county libraries. You can set aside a half hour or a whole day to explore one of these spots. And remember to bring plenty of water in order to beat the heat! […]
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Tags: adults, county hikes, hiking, kids, local hikes, nature, parents, Spokane County, teens, trails, trek, walking
Posted on July 1, 2021 at 6:00 am
About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. What is […]
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Tags: adults, civics, health information, HIPAA, privacy, teens
Posted on June 23, 2021 at 6:00 am
BY MELISSA RHOADES Summer 2021 may not be an ideal time to travel internationally, but it’s a great time to start dreaming and planning! In fact, Conde Nast Traveler (available digitally from Flipster) recommends planning international travel at least one year in advance. TRAVELING IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 The status of international travel is […]
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Tags: abroad, books, destinations, guides, international, libraries, literary destinations, literature, planning, travel
Posted on June 11, 2021 at 9:45 am
By Andrea Brumbaugh In honor of Pride Month, I’ve put together a list of reads from LGBTQ literature. The library has many titles to help you discover, learn about, and read about the worlds of LGBTQ fictional characters and real people. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed on where to start, I’m sharing a few of […]
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Tags: adults, booklist, books, fiction, graphic novel, LGBTQ, LGBTQ2IA+, nonfiction, Pride Month, reading, teens
Posted on June 8, 2021 at 6:00 am
BY CRYSTAL MILLER After the disruption to students’ lives and school year trying to adapt to online, hybrid, or homeschooling learning models (sometimes all three), your student may benefit from some tutoring over the summer. Even if your student thrived in the new online or hybrid environments, when kids and teens continue to read, […]
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Tags: brainfuse, helpnow, kids, online tutoring, summer learning loss, summer slide, teens, tutoring
Posted on June 3, 2021 at 6:00 am
BY ALISON JOHNSON From black licorice doughnuts to the Cronut (doughnut made from croissant batter), everyone can find a favorite. Even savory doughnuts exist for those who don’t have a sweet tooth. Tomorrow is National Doughnut Day, the first Friday in June! You could celebrate by eating a doughnut, reading about doughnuts, and by doing […]
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Tags: adults, books, chapter books, children, cookbooks, donuts, doughnuts, fiction, kids, murder mystery, picture books, reading, recipes
Posted on June 2, 2021 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole Have you found art out in the wild? If you’ve spied some art while out on a walk in your neighborhood, at a bus stop, or on a chair in a café, then you have probably found the kind of art I’m talking about. If not, keep your eyes open for the […]
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Tags: adults, art, art abandonment, botjoy, craftivism, creativity, found art, guerilla art, kids, kindness rocks, little art gallery, painted rocks, random acts of art, sharing, social, teens, warmth drops
Posted on June 1, 2021 at 6:00 am
About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. What is […]
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Tags: adults, civic lab, civics, pride, spokane, stonewall, teens
Posted on May 27, 2021 at 4:30 am
BY DANA MANNINO Lifelong learners and anyone seeking to learn something new will find a fantastic variety of online classes offered through Udemy, the latest addition to our array of digital resources. Udemy is a collection of video classes you view online. You can start a class whenever you want and take as long as […]
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Tags: digital library, digital resources, Gale, gale courses, lifelong learning, online courses, Udemy
Posted on May 25, 2021 at 6:00 am
BY CRYSTAL MILLER For anyone working at an office job, remotely or on-site, work performance has probably looked a bit different this past year than previously. I know I would benefit from some training to spruce up some of my office-related skills and tasks. If you are in the same boat, Gale Presents: Udemy is […]
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Tags: Gale, lifelong learning, online classes, online training, Udemy
Posted on May 12, 2021 at 6:00 am
BY CAITLIN WHEELER In 2018, I started working at the Otis Orchards Library just as I was also desperately trying to fit exercise into a routine laden with reading books, making art, and crafting. My drive to Otis Orchards took me over the Harvard Road Bridge, where a Centennial Trailhead happened to sit just three […]
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Tags: adults, adventure, birds, books, conservation, county hikes, dogs, explorer, Families, flowers, hiking, kids, microadventure, microadventures, nature, outdoor, outdoors, picnic, reading, STEM, trees, walking
Posted on May 3, 2021 at 6:00 am
About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. The Raise […]
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Tags: adults, civic lab, community, cost, economics, federal, goods, inflation, labor, law, living wage, minimum wage, teens, wages, work, workers
Posted on April 28, 2021 at 6:00 am
BY SUSAN GOERTZ I had never eaten gimbap before I was invited by a high school friend to her home to try one of her Korean mother’s specialties. I was very excited. Then, I was shocked to learn that this popular sushi-style rice dish included hotdogs. Aren’t hotdogs as “American” as apple pie?! This introduction […]
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Tags: aapi, adults, Asian American, books, cookbook, fiction, gimbap, graphic novels, kimbap, memoir, movies, music, nonfiction, Pacific Islander, reading
Posted on April 27, 2021 at 6:00 am
By STACEY GODDARD I don’t usually “geek out” about a new library resource. But I have to confess that I was having geek-out levels of excitement when I heard the library would be getting Udemy. Here are the reasons why I’m so excited: You can take Udemy courses whenever it is convenient for you. There […]
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Tags: business, classes, computer coding, courses, digital library, digital resource, Gale, leadership, leading, lifelong learning, online, personal development, professional, training, Udemy, writing
Posted on April 14, 2021 at 6:00 am
BY MELISSA RHOADES As communities continue to reopen across the Inland Northwest, travel has dominated my mind. I’ve waited over a year to see family and friends, and I look forward to packing my bags for a visit. I also look forward to sightseeing again. With National Library Week taking place just last week, it […]
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Tags: adults, book lovers, Families, libraries, literary destinations, travel, travel planning
Posted on April 5, 2021 at 6:45 am
BY CRYSTAL MILLER OUR WATER USAGE April brings Earth Day celebrations and gardening fun. When many of us are busy planning our garden layout, possibly filled with colorful flowers or vibrant veggies, we may not be considering how much water each of the plants require. Did you know that according to data from the U.S. […]
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Tags: BioBlitz, gardening, library programs, Master Gardeners, water conservation
Posted on April 1, 2021 at 6:00 am
About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. Water Conservation […]
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Tags: adults, civic lab, community, Discussion, gardening, rain barrels, teens, tips, water conservation
Posted on March 31, 2021 at 7:00 am
BY CRYSTAL MILLER April is a month that brings the hope of warmer weather and a time to take stock of our surroundings to see how they’ve weathered through the winter. Lots of us are inspired to spring clean our homes, clear out the garage, and look with fresh eyes at our finances. April is […]
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Tags: adults, budgeting, financial literacy month, financial planning, fraud, investing, kids, Money Smart Week, parents, piggy bank, scams, spend or save game, teens
Posted on March 24, 2021 at 6:00 am
BY ALISON JOHNSON How do you pick out your books? Favorite authors and genres are one way. How about serendipitous discovery instigated by a flash of color or intriguing artwork? What attracts you to a book before you even read the title or know the author? When I am browsing through books, online or in […]
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Tags: booklist, books, fantasy, reading
Posted on March 1, 2021 at 6:00 am
About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. What is […]
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Tags: adults, civic lab, community, digital divide, digital gap, digital inequality, Discussion, technology, teens
Posted on February 17, 2021 at 9:00 am
BY ABRA COLE Gardening season is fast approaching. Whether you’re planning your second or first pandemic garden, or if you’ve been gardening for years, the library is here for you! Late winter is an ideal time for garden planning. It may be too early to start seeds in the still-frozen soil, but it’s not too […]
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Tags: adults, garden, gardening, kids, teens
Posted on February 11, 2021 at 6:00 am
BY CAITLIN WHEELER When choosing to journal, you may find that there is one looming question that’s liable to trip you up before you’ve even begun: Why am I journaling? Not knowing why you’re journaling may confuse your writing. Your answer to “why” will likely affect your content, your frequency, your audience, and perhaps most […]
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Tags: adults, books, creating, creativebug, dot journaling, Gale, gale courses, journaling, Podcast, teens, writing
Posted on February 9, 2021 at 6:00 am
By Alison Johnson As many of us are settling into our new normal, you may find that there are still many new things to learn and explore. Many households with children are schooling from home. Everyone I know is still figuring out their busy virtual lives. Finding an enjoyable focus and taking a time-out from […]
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Tags: adults, art, create, creative, Gale, gale courses, homeschooling, lifelong learning, parents, personal development, personal growth
Posted on February 4, 2021 at 6:00 am
By Stacey Goddard This will probably sound weird: one of my favorite times of the year to work in the library is during tax season. We get a lot of questions about tax forms, instruction booklets, and where to get help during that period between late December, when questions start, through the middle of April […]
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Tags: AARP tax aide, adults, federal taxes, free tax help, income tax, IRS, tax aide, tax preparation, taxes
Posted on February 2, 2021 at 6:00 am
BY CRYSTAL MILLER Taking an online class from Gale Courses can help you attain your entrepreneurial pursuits, make money from your hobbies and interests, polish your job hunting skills, and boost your resume with new marketable skills. We offer Gale Courses as a resource in our Digital Library. The courses are held online, and most […]
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Tags: Gale, gale courses, learning, lifelong learning, online courses, training
Posted on February 1, 2021 at 6:00 am
About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. What is […]
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Tags: adults, civic lab, government, online, politics
Posted on January 20, 2021 at 6:00 am
By Crystal Miller If the winter cold and extra hand washing have made your hands slightly (or very!) dry like mine, I offer you the idea of handmade lotion bars. Instead of grabbing hand lotion at the store, you can make these lotion bars with help from our digital resource Creativebug. By making your own […]
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Tags: books, creativebug, digital resources, DIY, do it yourself
Posted on January 13, 2021 at 6:00 am
By Susan Goertz The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to re-evaluate, reschedule, reimagine, and even relocate. This has been a time of radical transformation for many, if not all of us. While the pandemic has left few lives untouched, its effects have not been equitable. Some of us have struggled with cabin fever and online […]
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Tags: business, career, digital, food insecurity, Gale, gale courses, health, housing, job, mental health, pandemic, resources, transportation
Posted on January 6, 2021 at 6:00 am
By Dana Mannino The philosopher Erasmus once said: “When I have a little money, I buy books; and if I have any left, I buy food and clothes.” The Library District buys a lot of books for our 10 libraries (over 34,000 print books and over 10,000 eBooks in 2020 alone). With our budget for […]
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Tags: creativebug, library, Library of Things, library programs, miscellaneous, purchases, things
Posted on December 31, 2020 at 6:00 am
About Civic Lab Online Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. What is […]
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Tags: adults, civic lab, government, online, politics
Posted on December 30, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Alison Johnson I know it may be hard to believe, but there are times when a marathon of Disney movies or Doctor Who is just not appealing. Sometimes I am so tired of being inside, that even if it is cold and snowy, I just have to get outside and do something. I think […]
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Tags: activities, adults, frozen bubbles, kids, outdoors, painting, play, snow, weather, winter
Posted on December 17, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole Winter officially starts next week on December 21. This fall, we’ve already had below freezing temperatures and snow. And in the months ahead, we can expect even more snowy days and below freezing cold. I propose the following idea: there is no reason to shelter inside until spring! As the Norwegians say: […]
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Tags: activities, adults, bubbles, fun, kids, nature, outdoors, parents, snow, snowmen, sticks, teens, walks
Posted on December 2, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Gwendolyn Haley It’s a contentious and potentially divisive subject: When does the Christmas and holiday music season start? Is it okay to play holiday music before Thanksgiving? Before Halloween? In July!? Personally, I find that my preference for holiday music depends upon the year. Sometimes I am fully ready to dive in as soon […]
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Tags: holidays, hoopla, music
Posted on November 25, 2020 at 6:00 am
BY MELISSA RHOADES Several excellent virtual library programs are happening this winter, and we hope to see you at them! We also hope you’re taking breaks from screen time—especially if you’re one of the many people currently working, socializing, and playing virtually these days. Screen time is any time spent in front of a television, […]
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Tags: adults, art, books, concerns, cooking, crafts, dance, exercise, health, hiking, hobbies, issues, music, outdoors, screen time, skiing, snow
Posted on November 12, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Crystal Miller Yesterday was Veterans Day, a federal holiday to honor and pay our respects to all the people who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Veterans Day is always on November 11 and was originally called Armistice Day to honor the end of major conflicts in World War I, which happened […]
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Tags: adults, armed forces, census bureau, community, digital resources, employment, homelessness, mental health, resources, services, unemployment, veterans
Posted on November 10, 2020 at 6:00 am
ABOUT CIVIC LAB ONLINE Civic Lab Online provides information on issues facing our community for you to explore. Take a look at thought-provoking materials for teens and adults that allow us to engage in open conversation and grow together as a community. You’ll find all past topics on the Civic Lab Online web page. WHAT […]
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Tags: adults, civic lab, civil discourse, civility, community, coronavirus, COVID-19, Discussion, issues, social discourse, teens
Posted on November 3, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Susan Goertz Lately, random songs have been popping into my head, often playing on loop, until I give in altogether and play the same track 20 times in a row while dancing in my pajamas. Maybe you are experiencing something similar. (No judgment. All feelings deserve to be felt.) With a quick online search, […]
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Tags: adults, artist, community, dancing, hoopla, music, musicians, support
Posted on October 21, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Alison Johnson I really love Halloween. Thinking up the perfect costume is fun, and then there is the excuse to indulge in sweets! You may be wondering, as am I, how we can still have a fun Halloween celebration with the restrictions we face right now. Many of us may err on the side […]
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Tags: books, carving, crafts, creativebug, Halloween, jack-o-lantern, kids, pumpkin, recipes, scavenger hunt, teens
Posted on October 16, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Dana Mannino It’s election season! A steady stream of cars flows through the library parking lots as voters drop their ballots in white collection boxes. This year, we’ve received quite a few questions about what happens to a voter’s ballot, including: “Is it safe in the ballot box?” and “How are the signatures on […]
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Tags: adults, ballot box, ballots, mail-in voting, voter, voting
Posted on October 8, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Crystal Miller Attention current and soon-to-be college students! HelpNow has live tutors offering free assistance with your FAFSA. FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This program offered by the federal government offers more than $150 billion to help students pay for college and vocational training. When you fill out […]
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Tags: college, FAFSA, federal student aid, financial aid, higher education, learning, parents, planning, students, teens, trade school, vocational school
Posted on October 7, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Jane Baker I didn’t mow the front yard all summer. This is just one of the benefits of installing a drought-tolerant landscape, a project I started researching in 2018 and took on in 2019. In creating a new landscape, especially one without grass, I learned a lot about plants, climate, and drainage, but the […]
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Tags: drought, drought adapted, drought resistant, drought tolerant, garden, gardening, landscape, nature, xeriscape
Posted on September 23, 2020 at 6:00 am
BY ABRA COLE Banned Books Week is next week, September 27–October 3. So, usually at this time of year, I would be working on a banned books display for the Teens section at the Spokane Valley Library. It is one of my most favorite displays to put together, not just because it is such an […]
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Tags: adults, ALA, banned books, books, reading, teens, trivia
Posted on August 26, 2020 at 6:00 am
BY CAITLIN WHEELER I had wanted to be a diarist as a child, but having grown up on Dear America and Royal Diaries, I felt like my 90s school bus experiences weren’t interesting enough. I have since realized that my attitude about my journal writing continued into adulthood, and yet I’ve also considered sharing with […]
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Tags: autobiography, diary, empathy, historians, history, journaling, memoir, reading, self, understanding, writing
Posted on August 24, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Cheryl Zobel, Diane Brown & Erin Dodge If you enjoy reading eBooks or listening to audiobooks, then you are probably already a big fan of OverDrive. There are many titles available—over 90,000! So if you are looking for your next great read, it is highly likely you’ll find something in our digital collection at […]
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Tags: Apps, audiobook, audiobooks, computer, delivery, digital, ebook, eBooks, ereader, holds, laptop, Libby app, online, overdrive, reading, return, suspend, tablet
Posted on August 19, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge Next week, we’re hosting three EnviroKids’ Club programs (sign up before they fill up!), each showing kids and their families different ways that they can champion the environment and take action to make changes at home and in their neighborhoods. In case you missed the announcement, here are those three programs: EnviroKids’ […]
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Tags: #envirokids, clean air, compost, engineering, envirokids club, environment, kids, parents, science, solid waste, STEM, teachers, water, worms
Posted on August 14, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Melissa Rhoades Recently, The New York Times published an article declaring the return of cocktail hour. I, for one, am celebrating. Mixed drinks can be enjoyed with or without a buzz. Those who choose to not imbibe alcohol can still find plenty to get shaken and stirred about. I’ve noted books that include non-alcoholic […]
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Tags: adults, alcohol, alcohol-free, books, cocktails, drinks, literary, literature, mixology, reading, recipes
Posted on August 5, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Crystal Miller If you are on the hunt for a new job, sprucing up your resume, or looking for tools to help you explore a career change, the resources in our Digital Library can help you find the success you’re looking for. You probably already know about the digital resource JobNow and its features […]
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Tags: assessment, career, cover letter, education, interview, job, lessons, negotiation, reference, resume, templates, testing
Posted on July 20, 2020 at 6:00 am
Guest blog by Beth Pellicciotti At the League of Women Voters’ National Convention this past month, Virginia Kase, the CEO of the national League, reminded us that at the height of the 1918 Flu Pandemic, women continued their fight for the right to vote. Their work was not in vain. In 1920, the 19th Amendment, […]
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Tags: 19th amendment, ballot, ballot box, candidates, civics, Election Day, elections, general election, League of Women Voters, mail-in, primary, proposition, referendum, rights, voter, voter registration, voting
Posted on July 13, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Susan Goertz Music shapes us. It makes us feel. It rouses us, and soothes us into sleep. It consoles, uplifts, inspires. Music about social justice can inspire listeners to advocate for causes they believe in and can educate people about issues. The best social justice songs tell stories of voices rarely heard and have […]
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Tags: catalog, CDs, civil rights, equality, equity, human rights, inequality, music, musicians, playlist, racial justice, social justice, songs
Posted on June 26, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole By now, you’ve probably seen the memes, videos, and funny comments comparing us, during the pandemic, to our dogs—roaming the house in constant search for food (and while we’re pacing around the house, we’re also jumping up and down when we see the mailman and barking when we see people walking or […]
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Tags: adults, adventure, chalk walk, health, healthy, hiking, kids, mindfulness, neighbors, scavenger hunt, silly walks, teens, walking, walks
Posted on June 25, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Melissa Rhoades In recent weeks, people all over the country have participated in Black Lives Matter protests to honor the life of George Floyd and work towards systemic change. For adults wanting to know or learn more about the issue, you can find many resources in the library’s Digital Library. Our librarians have curated […]
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Tags: booklist, books, catalog, hoopla, human rights, learning, local, movies, organizations, overdrive, racial justice, reading, social justice
Posted on June 19, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Caitlin Wheeler Right now, many of us are spending most of our time at home, continuing to social distance under Phase 2 of Washington state’s Safe Start plan. It can be isolating, this feeling of being stuck and apart from those you love for an indeterminate amount of time. As a balm, I offer […]
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Tags: authors, autobiography, book list, booklist, books, fiction, LGBT Pride Month, LGBTQ, LGBTQ2IA+, memoir, nonfiction, novel, Pride Month, reading
Posted on June 10, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Melissa Rhoades As counterintuitive as it may sound, self-care during a pandemic is basically the same as self-care at any other time. A saying sometimes attributed to Dolly Parton—but actually dating back to at least 1859—sums up the situation nicely: “We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.” Perhaps the hardest […]
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Tags: activities, adults, balance, health, life, mental health, mindful, physical health, self-care, teens, work
Posted on May 21, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Crystal Miller With alarming rates of employees being laid off or furloughed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s no surprise that many people are concerned about employment security, unemployment, and their future careers. If you or someone you know are looking for resources to help with a job search, our digital resource JobNow can […]
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Tags: adults, career, career coach, digital library, digital resource, job, job coach, job hunt, job search, job search strategies, jobnow, live help, teens
Posted on May 7, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Corinne Wilson DISCLAIMER: This blog containing health resources is not, nor is it intended as, a replacement or substitution for medical consultation with a healthcare professional. If you are experiencing a medical emergency: Dial 911. I was coming down with something right as the first COVID-19 cases appeared in Seattle. Fortunately, I knew e […]
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Tags: adults, FDA, health, NIH, prescriptions, pronunciator, resources, symptoms
Posted on April 29, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Dana Mannino Use of language learning apps is on the rise! Who would have guessed that being stuck at home would make so many people want to learn a new language? As a bilingual librarian, I am delighted. This means that many more people will be interested in celebrating this week’s library holiday, Día […]
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Tags: adults, audiobooks, books, foreign language, hoopla, kids, language, language learning, overdrive, picturebooks, pronunciator, reading, Spanish, teens, tweens, world languages
Posted on April 22, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Rachel Edmondson Sometimes my family needs something to brighten our day. Every once in a while the news channels sprinkle in a human interest story or a funny video into the more stark news that makes me feel better about the world. Social media is more of the same, with every other post about […]
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Tags: fun, happy, kids, parents, teens, tweens, uplifting, videos, viral videos
Posted on April 15, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole Earth Day is next week. Our celebrations of planet Earth might be a little more DIY this year, instead of joining with others. You might get out in your yard and enjoy some dirt or take a walk around the neighborhood on a bear hunt, while social distancing, or enjoy a virtual […]
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Tags: adults, celebrate, celebration, Earth Day, environment, hiking, indoor, kids, nature, outdoor, parents, reading, science, scientist, tweens, walking
Posted on April 14, 2020 at 6:00 am
BY CRYSTAL MILLER In the digital age, we are bombarded with news articles, ads, and memes—all trying to convey some kind of information. Deciphering which pieces of news are legitimate and unbiased takes some skills that we can all learn. These skills are especially important right now, as we are being inundated with news, possible […]
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Tags: accuracy, accurate, adults, disinformation, fact check, factual, fake, fake news, information literacy, memes, misinformation, news, news sources, propaganda, real, social posts, teens, true, trustworthy
Posted on April 8, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Dana Mannino During this time of social distancing, we’ve all been urged to check in with people—especially people from an older generation who have to shelter in place much more drastically. I hope that all of you have taken this to heart and called your loved ones. I’m a list maker as well as […]
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Tags: adults, connection, family, family history, friends, genealogy, kids, personal history, stories, story, storycorps, teens
Posted on March 25, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Melissa Rhoades As a novel enthusiast, I love returning to the same characters, settings, and writing styles for days or weeks at a time. It feels like taking an extended vacation. Short stories, in comparison, can feel like weekend getaways that end too soon. But Neil Gaiman has pointed out the positive side of […]
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Tags: booklist, books, reading, short stories
Posted on February 26, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Rachel Underwood Another Valentine’s Day has come and gone. Like me, you’ve probably been inundated with images of fresh, happy, young couples and the candy they gleefully devour together. Maybe you were single this Valentine’s Day and had a fun night with friends; maybe your cat decided that a mid-dinner-date hairball expulsion was a […]
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Tags: adults, booklist, books, love, nature, owl, reading, vampires
Posted on February 19, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Susan Goertz I don’t remember when I first fell in love with music. Maybe while being soothed by my mother’s susurrations as she gently rocked me into the world. Or maybe it was the chickadees and blackbirds trilling from the meadow adjacent to our back yard. It could have been the first time the […]
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Tags: catalog, CDs, civil rights, equality, equity, human rights, inequality, music, musicians, playlist, racial justice, social justice, songs
Posted on February 5, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole If you’ve visited the North Spokane Library in 2019, you may have noticed the scent of burning wood. Or, maybe you noticed machine that is over 3 feet wide and 1 1/2 feet deep back in The Lab doing… something. That’s the District’s Glowforge 3D laser printer. And it is one of […]
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Tags: 3D printer, adults, creating, cutting, engraving, glowforge, inkscape, laser, laser printer, scoring, teens, The Lab
Posted on January 29, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Dana Mannino As I have shared before, being a librarian is pretty awesome. So it’s no wonder that I am often asked, “What does it take to be a librarian?” Of course, I treat this as a serious reference question and immediately launch into a technical description of the degrees and experience that we […]
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Tags: career, job, librarian, librarians, library life
Posted on December 18, 2019 at 6:00 am
by Rachel Underwood Working in a library with all of the books can be beautiful, enriching, and wonderfully satisfying. Library staff have the privilege of interacting with an enormous part of our community and pride ourselves on finding that just-right book—or movie or CD or audiobook or magazine—for each person’s needs. However, in order to […]
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Tags: adults, book, booklist list, books, kids, reading, recommendations, teens
Posted on December 11, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Susan Goertz As winter descends upon us, for many of us, our thoughts wander toward cozy gatherings with those we love. Most of us enjoy beautifully decorated trees, glowing firelight, delicious feasts, and traditional treats. December beckons us to gather together and reflect, to share with and nurture our family and friends. I would […]
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Tags: culture, dignity, displaced, education, equality, food, freedom, hope, human rights, humanity, immigrant, justice, peace, prosperity, refuge, refugee, rights, violence, war
Posted 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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Tags: activities, adults, alone, classes, depression, desolation, friends, friendship, health, health concerns, interests, loneliness, lonely, lonesome, making friends, outdoors, solitary, volunteering, workshops
Posted 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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Tags: Apps, digital library, digital resources, help, homework, librarian, library, Library Cards, online resources, parents, projects, questions, research, school papers, sources, students, teachers
Posted on November 6, 2019 at 6:00 am
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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Tags: #NationalAmericanIndianHeritageMonth, Americans, author, books, children, fiction, indigenous, native, Native American, nonfiction, writer
Posted on November 5, 2019 at 6:00 am
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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Tags: application, book a librarian, college, FAFSA, federal student aid, financial aid, free, grants, high school, loans, parent, student, teens, work study
Posted 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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Tags: adults, American, cinema, dark, detective, DVDs, femme fatale, film, film noir, French, hard boiled, movies, murder, mystery, neo-noir, night, plot
Posted 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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Tags: adaptations, adults, Amazon Prime Video, books, fiction, film, HBO, Hollywood, Hulu, movies, Netflix, nonfiction, novels, streaming, teens, TV series, video
Posted 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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Tags: arts, audio, bands, CD, collection, culture, hoopla, local, Luck You Lounge, music, musical, musicians, regional, singers, songwriters, spokane, The Bartlett
Posted on September 11, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole Earlier this month as my family prepared for a day-long excursion into Glacier National Park from our campsite, we discussed easy travel options for lunch. We had pasta salad and salami and cream cheese rolls, along with other not-so-typical camping fare. Ultimately most of us opted for a good old fashioned sandwich—simple, […]
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Tags: adults, book list, books, food, kids, reading, recipes, sandwich, teens, tweens
Posted on August 28, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Stacey Goddard In my last blog, I talked about my first real job (delivering newspapers with my brother). What I didn’t mention is the very different approaches my brother and I took with our hard-earned wages. He had a budget, including a formula for how much money would go into savings each month, how […]
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Tags: adults, budgeting, consumer, consumer reports, credit, credit score, debt, dollars, education, finances, financial literacy, home buying, identity theft, investing, Medicare, organizing, planning, retirement, sense, SNAP, spending, STCU, teens
Posted on August 22, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Caitlin Wheeler Some children are early readers. I have a friend who swears she already preferred burying her nose in a book (over any other activity) by the time she turned two, along with the photo to prove it. While this story smells faintly of exaggeration and posed photography to me, I’m sure my […]
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Tags: fairy tales, folktales, illustrations, kids, parents, picture books, preschool, reading, toddlers
Posted on August 21, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Melissa Rhoades If you’ve never experienced Monty Python, you’ve missed a big part of comedy history. The group played an integral role in the evolution of sketch humor. In fact, their influence is so massive that The Atlantic magazine called them “The Beatles of Comedy” in 2013. Like the Beatles, Monty Python’s influence extends […]
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Tags: BBC, British, Cambridge, comedy, English, Eric Idle, Flying Circus, fourth wall, Graham Chapman, history, Holy Grail, John Cleese, Life of Brian, mash-ups, Meaning of Life, meta commentary, Michael Palin, Monty Python, Oxford, sketch comedy, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones
Posted on July 31, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Rachel Underwood I am not a picky reader. I love recommendations from other readers, especially those that lead to finding an amazing and unexpected read. It’s one of my most favorite things! If you are on the lookout for a great read, here are just some of my all-time favorite novels, biographies, poetry/short story […]
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Tags: adults, artists, authors, booklist, books, epistolary, escape, fiction, imagination, letters, nonfiction, novels, poetry, reading, recommendations, short stories
Posted on July 24, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Dana Mannino The way I see it, there are two phases of summer: active summer and sedentary summer. For me, active summer occurs when temperatures reach 70–85 degrees. At those temps, I try to spend most of my time outside, preferably in the mountains or at a lake, in the garden will do as […]
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Tags: active, activities, adults, bingeing, books, crafts, Discover Pass, events, hobbies, hoopla, indoors, kids, library programs, LinkedIn Learning, minecraft, Novelist, outdoors, parents, pronunciator, reading, recommendations, sedentary, SelectReads, streaming, summer, teens, tweens, watching
Posted on July 3, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole Ah, summer. Here you are again, bringing all that sunshine and heat and gardening goodness with you. For most of us gardeners, our seasonal plants have not only been selected by now, but they’re planted and fairly well established in our gardens. Many perennials are blooming, or nearly so. The time has […]
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Tags: adults, cilantro, coriander, do-it-yourself, gardening, gardens, herbs, how-to, kids, lovage, parsely, planting, plants, saving seeds, seed, seed library, seeds, snap peas, teens, vegetables
Posted on June 26, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Susan Goertz Have you been thinking of adopting a furry friend now that summer has arrived? Someone to hike by your side in the sunshine or cuddle up by the fire pit on those long summer nights? House training and puppy fangs didn’t exactly meet my family’s needs as we already had a senior […]
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Tags: adoption, bird, book list, books, cat, cuddles, dog, family, fostering, pets, reading, reptile, SCRAPS, training, walks
Posted on June 18, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Stacey Goddard I got my first paying job—that wasn’t babysitting or doing chores—pretty much by accident. The summer before my sophomore year of high school, my younger and much more industrious brother found his own job: delivering the afternoon edition of the local newspaper. The route he was taking on was big enough that […]
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Tags: apply online, book a librarian, cover letter, employment, hoopla, interview, job, job hunt, jobnow, library card, printing, reserve computer, resume, summer, summer job, teens
Posted on June 12, 2019 at 6:00 am
by Melissa Rhoades Writer Kurt Vonnegut survived being a soldier and prisoner of war during WWII. He also suffered from depression. Knowing these facts adds extra weight to Vonnegut’s thoughts about the importance of art: “The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more […]
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Tags: art, art appreciation, art books, art classes, art therapy, arts, baking, blacksmithing, book list, coffee table books, create, creativity muse, dancing, drawing, glassblowing, how-to, painting, poetry, reward, sewing, singing, textiles, videos, writing
Posted on June 3, 2019 at 6:00 am
by Caitlin Wheeler I love library special collections. They’re like microhistories you get to assemble yourself. While popular collections—like the kind you usually find in a public library—are assembled based on the interests of a broad population with a wide variety of needs, special collections are assembled based on a special interest of […]
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Tags: archival materials, archives, history, identity, Inland Northwest Collection, LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ2IA+, library, local collection, museum, preservation, pride, Pride Month, pride parade, reading, special collections
Posted on May 16, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Dana Mannino When kids tour the library, I like to ask them what they think a librarian does. Usually I get answers like “You tell us not to run.” I think to myself, “If I wanted to do that, I would have become a life guard!” I don’t think kids are the only ones […]
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Tags: #dayinthelife, #ProjectMemory, adults, appointment, book a librarian, book club, day in the life, encyclopedia, finances, kids, LEGO, librarian, library, library card, overdrive, parents, preschool, Prime Time, Project Memory, reading, referenceusa, STEM, stories, story time, storytime, teens, World Book
Posted on May 7, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Rachel Underwood I have recently discovered an intense love for nonfiction titles and it all started with a compendium of terrible medical cures through history. Those 24-karat golden face masks that are in vogue right now? They’ve already been done long before the present day (and the masks still don’t have any proven benefits; […]
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Tags: adults, Arowana, book list, booklist, books, butter, cadavers, cure-all, death, dragon, facts, fish, history, knowledge, medicinal, medicine, nonfiction, octopus, orchids, quackery, rain, reading, science, teens, trivia, witches
Posted on April 30, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole Springtime in the Inland Northwest is peak cloud watching time. Simple steps for cloud watching: Put away your wristwatch and prepare your imagination. Find a good spot, either sitting or lying down, with a good view of the sky. Talk about what you see: Shapes, colors, creatures, or other things in the […]
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Tags: adults, art, clear sky, cloud paint, clouds, colors, contemplation, creatures, cumulonimbus, cumulus, free, games, imagination, kids, lenticular cloud, parents, relaxation, science, shapes, skygazing
Posted on April 23, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Rachel Edmondson I often hear people refer to Spokane as a big city with a small-town feel, and I think this is one of the reasons many people enjoy living in Spokane. However, when talking with customers and friends, I also hear more and more about how people don’t know their neighbors anymore. How […]
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Tags: civic life, community, grandparents, inequality, kids, libraries, library, neighborhoods, neighbors, nonfiction, Palaces for the People, parents, parks, places, polarization, public life, schools, social, social infrastructure, social science, society, spaces, teachers, together
Posted on April 16, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Susan Goertz April come she will when streams are ripe and swelled with rain. –from “April Come She Will” composed by Paul Simon This time of year the song “April Come She Will” inevitably gets stuck in my head. If I just shared my earworm with you, then you may want to check out […]
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Tags: animals, April, books, cute animals, humor, music, National Poetry Month, Pets are Wonderful Month, poems, Poet Laureate, poetry, poetry slam, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, reading, spring
Posted on April 11, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Caitlin Wheeler In the past 20 years, the Get Lit! Festival has hosted a whole slew of authors of exciting written work: Kurt Vonnegut, Jane Smiley, and Tim O’Brien are just a few. This year is no exception. At the 2019 festival, you’ll find the opportunity to hear from Roxane Gay, Tommy Orange, Kaveh […]
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Tags: author, book list, books, festival, fiction, Get Lit!, guide, Inland Northwest Collection, literary, literary festival, literature, local, music, nonfiction, poet, poetry, prose, reading, writer
Posted on April 2, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Melissa Rhoades Did you know you can borrow a sewing machine from the Library District? Our Library of Things offers two Elna eXplore 320 sewing machines to check out for up to seven days at a time. One is available for pick up at the Spokane Valley Library and the other can be picked […]
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Tags: adults, arts, books, clothes, crafts, creativity, economical, Elna, environmental, fabric, hobbies, Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center, hoopla, how-to, kids, Library of Things, overdrive, quilting, resources, sewing, sewing guides, sewing machine, sewing notions, teens, textile arts, textiles
Posted on March 12, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Dana Mannino Is your family history collecting dust in a closet? Have a box of slides from Grandpa’s 1978 trip to Europe? How about those little 8mm film reels in their tiny cardboard boxes? If you have photos, film reels, or slides stashed away, now is the time to pull them out! Perhaps Mom’s […]
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Tags: 120 film, 35mm, 8mm, adults, audio recording, cassette, cassette tape, CD, digital mp3, DVD, film, Hi8, home movie, jpg, LP, mp4, pdf, photo, photography, Project Memory, record, records, slides, Super 8, teens, transfer, VHS, video, video recording
Posted on February 5, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Susan Goertz Congratulations! You made it to 2019. I hope the year so far is treating you kindly. If your resolutions are starting to fall by the wayside, or the glum weather is getting to you, don’t worry. There is another chance for a fresh start—the Lunar New Year! As you know, the modern […]
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Tags: Chinese Chunjie, Chinese New Year, cookbooks, cooking, dragon dance, family, hoopla, kids, kids books, Korean Seollal, Lunar New Year, new year, Nian, parents, picture books, reading, Spring Festival, Tibetan Losar, tradition, Vietnamese Tet
Posted on January 24, 2019 at 10:00 am
By Gwendolyn Haley The library is a great place to visit in the winter! No really, it’s true! Every week, we have Play & Learn Storytimes for families with children ages 0–5. For older kids, we have regularly scheduled LEGO Clubs, STEM programs, and other activities. And even when we don’t have a formal program […]
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Tags: activities, blocks, building blocks, creativity, imagination, Imagination Playground, indoor play, kids, learning, LEGO, library, parents, play, play games, puzzles, scavenger hunt, STEM, storytime
Posted on January 22, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Caitlin Wheeler A young boy grows up poor, not looked after by his foster parents. Abused, neglected, and destitute, he expects little from life, and life expects little from him. Until one day, everything changes. The child in servant’s clothes now wears a crown, and his childhood among the people turns out to have […]
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Tags: adults, adventure, Arthurian, books, Britton, Guinevere, heros, kids, King Arthur, knights, knights of the round table, Lancelot, legend, legend of Arthur, magic, Merlin, monsters, Morgaine, Morgan le Fay, Morgause, myth, Nimue, reading, round table, Saxon, tales, tweens, Welsh, YA
Posted on January 9, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Melissa Rhoades Independence is a major theme in the American consciousness. We’re taught from an early age to admire historic figures that bucked the system in order to forge new paths. Most of us like to consider ourselves independent, too. Yet most Americans don’t watch independent films. This is a shame since indie movies […]
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Tags: DVDs, films, foreign films, hoopla, independent films, movies
Posted on January 3, 2019 at 6:00 am
by Dana Mannino “Do one thing every day that scares you.” I first met this quote on a refrigerator magnet. Since then, I’ve seen it online attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt, Kurt Vonnegut, and several more historical figures. The website Quote Investigator says that it actually comes from a 1997 article by journalist Mary Schmich, but […]
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Tags: fear, Gale, gale courses, karaoke, nature, New Year's resolutions, politics, reading, reading diversely, reading resolutions, resolutions, setting boundaries
Posted on December 27, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Patrick Hakes Along with the richness of the information available on the Internet are many opportunities for criminals to gain access to your computer and thus your personal information. Most of the methods used to gain access to your computer involve you as an active participant. Actions you can take to help malicious software […]
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Tags: computers, criminals, cyber safety, cyberattack, digital devices, hackers, hacks, identity theft, malicious software, malware, online security, PC, safe computing, scammers, virus, Windows
Posted on December 11, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole The holiday season is here again! I love the smells of goodies baking in the oven, the peacefulness of the fluffy snow falling outside, and the excited sounds of kids clamoring to get the best spot by the Christmas tree and all the gifts. Usually at our house, that last one is […]
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Tags: adults, adventure, books, classes, community, concerts, cooking, crafts, DIY, events, experiences, family gifts, food, games, gardening, gift of experience, gifts, hobbies, holiday gift guide, holiday gifts, holidays, kids, microadventure, microadventures, parents, sporting events, teens, travel, tweens
Posted on November 27, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Melissa Rhoades One specific morning in fourth grade still stands out in my memory. I arrived early to class, sat at my desk, and opened a novel I was midway through. I don’t remember now what book it was, but I do remember becoming completely engrossed, sinking into the world on the page. Which […]
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Tags: authors, books, close reading, deep reading, diverse books, fiction, health, nonfiction, parents, patience, print books, reading, reading comprehension, reading diversely, reading resolutions, slow, slow reading, teens, tweens
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Caitlin Wheeler THE DETECTIVE Tired of writing serial mysteries, Arthur Conan Doyle had just unceremoniously shoved Sherlock Holmes over a cliff mid-wrestling match with a never-before-mentioned arch nemesis. Fans were incensed, devastated, or both. Many of them turned to writing apocryphal works (writings of dubious authenticity), pastiches (im […]
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Tags: adaptation, adults, apocrypha, authors, booklists, books, community, fan fiction, fandom, fanfiction, hobbies, homage, interpretation, movies, parody, pastiche, reading, teens, YA
Posted on November 6, 2018 at 6:00 am
By SHERI BOGGS November marks the time of year when families start drawing close together for the holidays and you know what that means—lots and lots of family time! The Library District has got you covered with several themed booklists available on our popular OverDrive digital platform. FOR KIDS We Are Family is a handpicked […]
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Tags: adults, audiobooks, booklists, books, devices, digital collection, digital library, eBooks, family, fiction, kids, Libby app, mobile, mobile devices, nonfiction, overdrive, reading, science fiction, technology, teens, tweens, YA, young learners
Posted on October 30, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Dana Mannino When I was small, accompanying my parents to the poll was a family ritual. My parents would get shoes and coats on all of us, which was quite a feat, as there seemed to be an additional child with every presidential election cycle, and we would walk down the polling station. Some […]
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Tags: ballot boxes, ballot measures, candidates, election, Election Day, elections, local elections, polling booths, propositions, voter's pamphlet, voting, voting ballot, voting party
Posted on October 16, 2018 at 6:00 am
by Abra Cole As we are entering the Season of the Scarf once again, I’m developing a new obsession with a certain yarn-based craft. I consider myself an artistic person, but I have never dabbled in the realm of fiber arts. Until recently, that is! Two years ago, cross stitch became my gateway craft, and […]
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Tags: amigurumi, art, books, crafting, crafts, crochet, DIY, hobbies, hooks, yarn, yarn-based crafts
Posted on September 27, 2018 at 6:00 am
by Susan Goertz September means many things to many people—leaves changing color, shortening days, pumpkin spice everything. Did you know that September is also Self-Care Awareness Month? You wouldn’t think people would need tips on how to take it easy and pamper themselves. How hard can it be to slow down and breathe, right? Yet […]
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Tags: adults, aromatherapy, books, breathing, clutter, downsizing, fidgety, fidgety meditation, health, healthy happy, meditation, mindful eating, mindfulness, parents, relaxation, science, self-care, self-caregiver, skeptics, sleep, stress, walking, yoga, yoga breathing
Posted on September 18, 2018 at 6:00 am
by Melissa Rhoades Banned Books Week is September 23–29 this year. Did you know that at least 23 of the 100 books on PBS’s 2018 Great American Read book list have been banned or threatened with a ban in the United States? That means almost one-fourth of America’s “most loved” novels (as determined by popular […]
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Tags: adults, ALA, American Library Association, banned books, Banned Books Week, book challenge, books, censor, censorship, fiction, intellectual freedom, kids, nonfiction, parents, reading, teachers, teens, tweens, YA
Posted on August 21, 2018 at 6:00 am
by Caitlin Wheeler When I was young, I loved C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia. I especially loved The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, a book that, in my eight-year-old estimation, had everything a book ought to: quests, nightmares, magic spells, enchanted islands, warrior mermaids, anthropomorphized stars, and of course, dragons. Eustace Claren […]
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Tags: adults, authors, booklists, books, dragon, dragons, fairy tale, fairy tales, fantastical, fantasy genre, kids, reading, speculative fiction, teens, tweens, YA
Posted on August 7, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Dana Mannino Welcome to August—a great time for a summer reading half-time report! My summer reading looked a lot like this picture of the bulletin board in the staff break room at Spokane Valley Library. Waaaay back in May, PBS launched The Great American Read, a program that highlights 100 of America’s beloved books […]
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Tags: book list, books, reading, Summer reading, The Great American Read
Posted on July 31, 2018 at 6:00 am
by Abra Cole In a remote vault located halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, nearly one million seed varieties are stored. The purpose of this immense storage facility is to ensure the genetic future of these seed varieties, should any of the gene banks located around the world suffer catastrophic disaster. One hundred […]
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Tags: adults, books, DIY, family, food, garden, gardening, health, hobbies, kale, kale seeds, library hacks, onion seeds, onions, parents, saving seeds, seed library, seed saving, seeds, sunflower seeds, sunflowers, teens, tweens, urban farming
Posted on July 24, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Rachel Edmondson Even though I’ve lived in the Spokane area for over 15 years now, every once in a while I find out about something and wonder how I’ve never heard about it before. This past fall I learned about the Stonerose Interpretive Center. While it’s a bit of a drive from Spokane (about […]
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Tags: adults, archeology, day trip, digging, fossils, kids, life sciences, microadventure, microadventures, parents, science, shale, STEM, Stonerose, teens, tweens
Posted on July 17, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Nathaniel Youmans This one’s for all you with summer birthdays out there. Remember in grade school when the end of the year drew close and teachers, even more burnt out than their students, had to find some reason (summon the willpower) to celebrate students with summer birthdays? At my elementary school, this took the […]
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Tags: authors, birthdays, books, fiction, poetry, poets, reading
Posted on July 10, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Susan Goertz I’m a summer person. Long summer days swimming around the lake and baking dry on the shore, hiking through the woods, picking berries, tending to my ever expanding garden—it doesn’t get much better. After a long, sun-drenched day, I want to grill up something yummy and then collapse on the couch for […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, cookbook, cookbooks, cooking, food, hobbies, movies, recipes, television, themed cookbooks, TV series
Posted on July 3, 2018 at 6:00 am
by Melissa Rhoades Have you heard of Horatio Nelson Jackson? This under-celebrated trailblazer was the first person to drive an automobile across the U.S. In 1903, ten years before Ford Motor Company began mass producing cars, Jackson left San Francisco in a two-cylinder Winton with a mechanic as his travel companion and a $50 bet […]
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Tags: adults, advice, automobiles, booklists, books, family, hoopla, National Parks, nonfiction, parks and recreation, reading, road trip, road trip games, road trip tips, themed vacations, travel, travel guides, vacation
Posted on June 28, 2018 at 6:00 am
by David Wyatt I grew up out in the country and my school days were defined by early mornings and long bus rides. These long rides were filled with listening to music on the most skip-resistant portable CD player my allowance could buy while working on homework assignments at the last minute, and when I […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, digital library, fiction, hoopla, instrumental, metal, metal music, music, nonfiction, PBS, post-rock music, prog metal, progressive metal, punk, rock music, science fiction, teens, The Great American Read
Posted on June 21, 2018 at 6:00 am
by Caitlin Wheeler June is LGBT Pride Month in the U.S. and the time to spotlight LGBTQ artists and thinkers who might otherwise remain hidden in library stacks. As you may know, the library is an advocate for equitable access and for fundamental values that include equity, diversity, and inclusion and the protection of intellectual […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, fantasy, fiction, graphic novel, historical fiction, horror, LGBT, LGBTQ, literary, Pride Month, reading, romance, satire, science fiction
Posted on June 13, 2018 at 6:00 am
by Dana Mannino Need a great book for a cat lover? You might naturally gravitate towards heartwarming nonfiction works like Dewey and Strays, or others that include fictional cats. But have you considered a picture book? The cat lover in your life may have aged out of the target demographic for picture books years ago, […]
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Tags: adults, cats, felines, nonfiction, parents, picture books, reading
Posted on June 5, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Gwendolyn Haley Last summer my family was busy with summer activities: camps, road trips, and camping vacations. We planned highly educational and enriching activities for our youngest daughter, but we did not make reading a high priority. When she started school in the fall, her teacher told me that she had definitely lost ground […]
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Tags: online reading, online summer reading, reading, reading buddies, reading buddy, summer learning loss, Summer reading, summer reading buddies, summer reading buddy, summer slide
Posted on May 29, 2018 at 6:00 am
by Caitlin Wheeler June is LGBT Pride Month in the U.S. Originally a week-long festivity, it honors the 1969 Stonewall Riots that culminated in a 51-block parade march from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park in Manhattan, New York. As it has evolved and taken many forms, Pride Month continues to commemorate the men and […]
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Tags: bisexual, booklists, books, family, fiction, gay, gender, kids, lesbian, LGBT Pride Month, LGBTQ, parents, Pride Month, queer, reading, transgender, young learners
Posted on May 22, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole In the last month, my garden has gone from looking like the dark side of the moon after the zombie apocalypse to a lush green jungle of happiness. Many plants I forgot I had planted last fall have popped up to greet the sun. I already know that I want to plant […]
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Tags: books, butterflies, butterfly, butterfly garden, early learning, fairies, fairy, fairy garden, family, gardening, grandparents, hobbies, kids, mud, mud kitchen, outdoor play, outdoors, parents, play, science, teens, young learners
Posted on May 3, 2018 at 6:00 am
by Nathaniel Youmans Since its inauguration in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, National Poetry Month has become perhaps the single most-celebrated global literary phenomenon of the year, making April arguably the most literate month. Sorry November, your romantic dreariness and proclivity for wool socks and chai lattes are no match for the e […]
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Tags: Academy of American Poets, adults, authors, books, community, Dakota Access Pipeline, Earth Day, Handfor Nuclear Site, Hanford, Kathleen Flenniken, Layli Long Soldier, Manhattan Project, National Poetry Month, poems, poetry, poets, Standing Rock Reservation, T. S. Eliot, teens
Posted on May 1, 2018 at 6:00 am
by Nathaniel Youmans Spokane has been a vibrating hive of activity during National Poetry Month. Eastern Washington University’s Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing program has had another smash hit year of literary programming for the 20th annual Get Lit! Festival, featuring readings, workshops, and panel discussions all across the Spokane […]
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Tags: book publishing, creative writing, EWU MFA, Get Lit!, independent literary press, independent publisher, poems, poetry, poets, Sharma Shields, small press, Tod Marshall
Posted on April 24, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Susan Goertz Winter has never been my favorite season. This one seemed to drag out endlessly—gray clouds heaped on the horizon like immobile lumps of oatmeal. The sun rarely filtered through. At last, with April’s arrival, the light is returning—the dormant season ending. Though I’ve longed for this, there is a chill reticence still […]
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Tags: books, fiction, memoir, National Poetry Month, nonfiction, poetry, reading, spring reading
Posted on April 17, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Melissa Rhoades On January 1, 1818, the debut novel of a 20-year-old woman was anonymously published in London. Within five years, a second edition was released and a play based on the book premiered. The novel and its spin-offs remained a hit, and in 1910, Edison Studios created the first movie based on Mary […]
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Tags: adults, books, fiction, Frankenstein, Frankenstein. Frankenstein's monster, Frankenstein's bicentennial, kids, Mary Shelley, medicine, movies, overdrive, reading, science, science fiction, technology, teens, tweens, YA
Posted on April 3, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Sheri Boggs If the media is telling us anything these days, it’s that consent continues to be a hot-button topic. With new allegations of sexual harassment in politics, entertainment, and the arts hitting the news almost daily and the ongoing issue of date rape on college campuses, it seems more important than ever to […]
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Posted on March 13, 2018 at 6:00 am
by Caitlin Wheeler In late 2016, a friend challenged everyone she knew, including me, to name one Indigenous American author, other than Sherman Alexie, off the top of their heads. As an employee of the library and an English literature major with a passion for diverse representation, I felt I should have answered quickly and […]
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Tags: adults, authors, authors of color, books, diverse book list, reading, reading diversely
Posted on March 6, 2018 at 6:00 am
by Melanie Boerner Hey! It’s March. Remember that New Year’s resolution you made way back in January? How’s that going for you? Some of you may be rolling your eyes and dismissing me completely right now. Some of you may say you didn’t make a resolution at all. Or you may say how happy you […]
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Tags: habits, history, New Year's resolutions, resolutions, self-help
Posted on February 27, 2018 at 6:00 am
by Abra Cole It’s nearly Go Time, my gardening friends! We’ve almost made it through the winter, through the snow and the ice, through the below-freezing temperatures. We have watched last summer’s plants freeze and die back, disappear under a blanket of snow, and get stomped on (along with other indecencies) by neighborhood cats. We […]
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Tags: adults, composting, composting with worms, DIY, events, family, food, garden, gardening, health, hobbies, kids, Master Gardeners, plant sales, plant starter, plant starter exchange, plant starts, pruning, seed libraries, seeds, teens, tweens, urban farming, weeding, worms, youth
Posted on February 13, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Melissa Rhoades What do filmmaker Christopher Nolan, the Spice Girls, and science-fiction author Douglas Adams have in common? They all found artistic inspiration in a building long considered an eyesore—a building I fell in love with at first sight. Ever since borrowing books about castles as a grade schooler, I’ve been fascinated with buil […]
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Tags: Batman Begins, books, castles, Channel Tunnel, Chunnel, digital library, Douglas Adams, gothic, London, magical, movies, neo-Gothic, science fiction, Spice Girls, St. Pancras Station, The Secret Garden, towers, train stations
Posted on February 7, 2018 at 6:00 am
by Nathaniel Youmans Welcome to the weird world of libraries. What’s the strangest library you’ve never heard of? Let’s find out! At the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., you can “check out” (though not to remove from library premises!) wool shawls and sweaters hand-knitted by the librarians to keep patrons warm in the libra […]
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Tags: Atlas Obscura, bizarre, libraries, library, rhombicuboctahedron, strange, technology, weird
Posted on January 30, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Susan Goertz During my freshman year of high school, I was given the assignment to write a report on an important American. Although I had almost no exposure to her at that point—and I can’t remember what instigated the choice, except maybe the happy accident of hearing her on the radio—I selected the singer […]
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Tags: adults, African American History Month, Alicia Garza, American literature, Angela Davis, Audre Lorde, authors, Bell Hooks, Billie Holiday, booklists, books, Claudia Rankine, Eve Ewing, fiction, Lady Day, Michelle Alexander, Morgan Parker, N. K. Jemisin, Nisi Shawl, Nnedi Okorafor, nonfiction, Octavia Butler, Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Poet Laureate, poetry, reading, Roxanne Gay, science fiction, Sonia Sanchez, Toni Morrison, Tracy K. Smith, Zora Neale Hurston
Posted on January 23, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Jane Baker The vibrant hues of fall were just beginning to fade when I experienced Nashville for the first time this past November. The sky was a cloudless sapphire blue—a perfect time to visit before the starkness of winter. It was cold by Tennessee standards the week I was there, though thirty degrees warmer […]
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Tags: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Grand Old Opry, Honky Tonk Highway, Madame Tussauds, Music City, Nashville, Parthenon, Tennessee, Tennessee Centennial Exposition, Tennessee Predators, Tennessee Titans, travel
Posted on January 17, 2018 at 6:00 am
by David Wyatt Since May of last year, The BookEnd at the Spokane Valley Mall has showcased popular and bestselling titles with something for every taste. On any given day of the year, you are sure to find a book to grab your interest. And just like our customers, The BookEnd staff love our collection. […]
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Tags: adults, book list, books, cookbook, crafts, fiction, graphic novel, memoir, mythology, nonfiction, photography, recipes, science fiction, staff picks
Posted on January 10, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Stefani Miller As we start a new year, I look forward to publishers announcing the release dates for new books. Whether it’s another installment in a favorite series or a second novel from a 2017 debut author, each month in the new year is a fresh opportunity to get my hands on a brand […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, digital library, reading, romance, romance genre, romance series
Posted on December 26, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole Do you hygge? Maybe you have no idea what I’m asking about. I didn’t either, until recently when I listened to the audiobook of Meik Wiking’s The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living. I highly recommend reading or listening to this book. The author himself does the reading for […]
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Tags: activities, ambiance, blues, camaraderie, candelight, candles, comfort, comfort food, companionship, contentment, cozy, Danish, happy, happy living, hygge, hyggeligt, jazz, music, nourishment, snuggle, winter
Posted on December 7, 2017 at 6:00 am
by Erin Dodge Whether you have a new mobile device or you’re loving your old one, you have access to free apps and resources with your library card. You can download popular books, movies, music, and more. Because all of the apps and digital resources are free, avid and casual readers, listeners, and watchers of […]
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Tags: adults, Audiobookcloud, audiobooks, BiblioBoard, book a librarian, books, devices, digital library, eBooks, hobbies, hoopla, ipad, iphone, kids, mobile devices, movies, music, overdrive, parents, RBDigital, reading, services, smartphone, tablet, technology, teens, tweens, young learners
Posted on December 5, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Stefani Miller “What do you want for Christmas?” I’ve never had trouble answering that question in the past. There’s always been a thing or two on my list. But as a newly expectant mother I find myself, for the first time, unable to answer. Before I became pregnant, I could ask for things that […]
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Tags: baby, expectant mothers, family, gift giving, gift ideas, health, holiday gift guide, holiday gifts, kids, new baby, new mom, parenting, parents, pregnancy, pregnant, young learners
Posted on November 30, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Nathaniel Youmans 2017 has been quite a big year for Washington’s large wildlife. The gray wolf population in the northeast part of the state continues to rebound by an annual growth rate of nearly 30%, with the two newest established packs recognized in a Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife survey conducted late last […]
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Tags: adults, animal conservation, booklists, books, Canada lynx, community, conservation, education, family, gray wolves, human population growth, kids, lynx, nature, nonfiction, nonfiction books, parents, reading, teens, tweens, urban expansion, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, wilderness, wildlife, wolf, wolves, young learners
Posted on November 22, 2017 at 6:00 am
by Abra Cole Readers quickly divide into two groups when it comes to audiobooks: those who consider listening to audiobooks as reading and those who don’t (“it’s cheating!”). On which side do you fall? I am a lifelong member of the pro-audiobook club. I’ve been listening to books for as long as I can remember. […]
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Tags: adults, audiobooks, authors, booklists, books, digital library, family, hoopla, kids, overdrive, parents, teens, tweens, YA
Posted on November 21, 2017 at 6:00 am
by David Wyatt Did you get tired of comic book movies taking over this past summer? Well don’t look now, but they are taking over November as well. Earlier this year, at least a half dozen comic book movies came to theaters. With the release of Thor: Ragnarok earlier this month and the imminent arrival […]
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Tags: adults, comic books, comics, DVDs, filmography, films, hoopla, movie directors, movie genres, movies, superheros
Posted on November 7, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Sheri Boggs November is National American Indian Heritage Month, first designated by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 and recognized as a time for celebrating the diverse and distinct cultures, traditions, and histories of the indigenous peoples of the United States. For libraries, museums, and other cultural institutions, this is a matter of […]
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Tags: #NationalAmericanIndianHeritageMonth, American Indians, American Indians in Children's Literature, culture, cultures, diversity, heritage, histories, indigenous peoples, National American Indian Heritage Month, Since Time Immemorial, stereotypes, tradiction, traditions, United States
Posted on October 24, 2017 at 6:00 am
by Susan Goertz As a chill grips the autumn air and the chlorophyll leaches from the leaves, my mind turns toward the spooky. Nothing to get your heart racing and the cold sweat pouring on a crisp night like a good scary story. Horror is a very broad genre. There are a lot of options […]
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Tags: adults, authors, booklists, books, digital library, family, Frankenstein, frightening, ghosts, Halloween, holidays, hoopla, horror, kids, monsters, movies, music, parents, reading, scary books, scarymovies, spooktacular, spooky, spooky stories, spooky tales, tweens, witches, YA, young learners
Posted on October 5, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Rachel Edmondson Spokane County Library District is commemorating its 75th anniversary this year. We’re celebrating this fall! We’ve collected stories and poems from local writers to create a community anthology, coming out in November. We have two musical celebrations at our libraries: in October, Unstrung featuring cellist Karen Hawkins an […]
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Tags: 1942, adults, books, bookslist, kids, reading, teens, tweens, YA, young learners
Posted on September 28, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Stefani Miller Three years ago, organizing consultant Mari Kondo released her mega-best seller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Many a home and closet were whipped into shape, but no one I knew had taken on Kondo’s challenge. Certainly not me, with my infamous bin full of winter clothes that may or may not […]
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Tags: ARC of Spokane, authors, books, clutter, declutter, DIY, donating, downsize, downsizing, Dress for Success, KonMari Method, Mari Kondo, q&a, reading, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, tidy
Posted on September 19, 2017 at 6:00 am
by David Wyatt Music is just as messy and various as life. There are few examples as poignant as the Vietnam War and Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s documentary series about the war (airing now through September 28th on our local PBS station KSPS) to remind us there is no single truth to war, and […]
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Tags: adults, Atticus Ross, Bob Dylan, Brad Keeler, documentary, Doug Bradley, events, hoopla, Ken Burns, KSPS, Linda Parman, Lynn Novick, movies, music, Nina Simone, PBS, soundtrack, The Animals, Trent Reznor, Vietnam War
Posted on September 7, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Susan Goertz This spring, I bought a house with a lovely little backyard. At the time, it was pretty hard to tell what was growing back there—just what looked like lots of promising looking twigs and buds. As spring warmed into summer, my vegetative bounty slowly revealed itself. Every new discovery was a delight […]
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Tags: bounty, compost, composting, cookbooks, dehydrating, dehydrating produce, food preservation, garden, gardening, harvest, jerky, pickling, produce, recipe books, recipes, urban farming, vermicompost, vermiculture composting
Posted on August 31, 2017 at 6:00 am
by Melissa Rhoades According to Rolling Stone‘s definitive list: 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, the Beatles’ 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band stands as “the most important rock & roll album ever made.” When I fell in love with the album as a preteen in the early 1980s, I had no clue […]
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Tags: baroque trumpet, Beatlemania, George Harrison, greatest album list, harmonium, hoopla, John Lennon, Lovely Rita, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, modulation (music), movies, music, musical revolution, Paul McCartney, Penny Lane, Ringo Starr, Rolling Stone magazine, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band, sitar, The Beatles
Posted on August 17, 2017 at 6:00 am
by Nathaniel Youmans Shortly after 10am on Monday, August 21, 2017, a terrific spectacle of light and darkness will leave millions of people suspended in awe. It has happened before (most recently through the Pacific Northwest states back in 1979), but on this morning many will witness the first total solar eclipse since 1918 to […]
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Tags: adults, astronomy, books, events, family, kids, math, mathematics, moon, mythology, myths, parents, partial solar eclipse, science, sky, solar eclipse, stars, STEM, Sun, technology, teens, total solar eclipse, tweens
Posted on August 15, 2017 at 6:00 am
by Debbie Rhodes I woke up wandering into my living room thinking why wasn’t I at work? My husband looked at me strangely and in a very uneasy tone asked, “How many children do you have?” I replied, “Why are you asking me such a stupid question?” It turned out he had a very good […]
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Tags: adults, books, education, Fast, health, health concerns, heart disease, hoopla, parents, recovery, spot a stroke, stroke, stroke recovery, stroke victim, TIA, Transient Global Amnesia, Transient Ischemic Attack
Posted on August 8, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Gwendolyn Haley My eyes are bigger than my freezer and pantry. Every year, I plant a little garden, only to be overwhelmed when everything starts to ripen at once. My family starts to groan and say, “No more… beans, tomatoes, squash” and so on. Each spring, I underestimate just how much produce will come […]
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Tags: backyard bounty, bounty, community, food, fruit, garden, gardening, produce, produce swap, vegetables, veggies
Posted on August 1, 2017 at 6:00 am
By David Wyatt “Lesson 9: Be kind to our language. Avoid pronouncing phrases everyone else does. Think up your own way of speaking, even if only to convey that thing you think everyone is saying. Make an effort to separate yourself from the internet. Read books.” For obvious reasons, this may have been one […]
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Tags: adults, Aldous Huxley, booklists, books, J. K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, On Tyranny, Philip Roth, Ray Bradbury, reading, Timothy Snyder, tyranny
Posted on July 25, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Jane Baker Call it what you want—downsizing, minimalism, a trending fad, or decluttering—it is a state of mind that seems to be crossing the generations. Lifestyle websites catering to Millennials promote experience over things. Baby boomers and Gen X are inheriting housefuls of lifetime collections into their already full houses. TV shows l […]
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Tags: Baby Boomers, clutter, declutter, donating, downsize, downsizing, Gen x, generation x, hoarder, hoarding, inheritance, inheriting, junk, millenial, minimalism, recycling, stuff
Posted on July 18, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Stefani Miller Rev your engine with these steamy, fast-paced motorcycle club romance series. They are perfect for a seasoned romance reader who is looking for the next guilty pleasure read or someone new to romance who likes books both steamy and action packed. These men may be outlaws, but you won’t mind it when […]
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Tags: heartbreak, love, motorcycle clubs, romance, steamy
Posted on June 27, 2017 at 6:00 am
by Susan Goertz For me, there is no question that dystopian author Philip K. Dick was a visionary. And interestingly, the physical appearance of his female characters tends to have a direct correlation to their level of intelligence (I’ll let you discover which way the correlation falls out). Reading his novels and stories for a […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, dystopian, female protagonist, graphic novels, hoopla, movies, overdrive, reading, women
Posted 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 […]
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Tags: chemistry, experiments, kids, Mobius, Mobius Science Center, parents, science, science experiment, STEM, summer programs, young learners
Posted 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 […]
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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
Posted 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 […]
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Tags: Catholic Charities, Catholic Charities Food For All, eating right, educational, exercise, farmers market, healthy choices, KERNEL, kids, nutrition, parents
Posted 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 […]
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Tags: booklists, books, comics, digital library, female protagonist, graphic novels, hoopla, reading, teens, tweens, YA
Posted 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 […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, cookbook, cooking, food, recipes
Posted 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 […]
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Tags: adults, authors, booklists, books, reading
Posted on May 2, 2017 at 6:00 am
by Sheri Boggs If you’re a reader and you’re on any kind of social media, you’ve probably been tagged to participate in something like this: “List 10 books that have stayed with you in some way. Don’t take more than a few minutes, and don’t think too hard. They do not have to be […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, reading, recipes, teens, YA
Posted on April 25, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge I met with Teresa Sadler of Pumpkin Patch Community Garden to talk about the garden and learn her take on gardening, especially as a community. Originally a pumpkin patch and then a parking lot and staging site for the construction company that built the bridge over the river, the community garden was […]
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Tags: adults, community, community garden, DIY, family, food, fruit, gardening, hobbies, kids, parents, plants, plot gardening, produce, urban farming, vegetables, veggies
Posted on April 18, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Susan Goertz Dystopian fiction seems to be enjoying a renaissance right now, at least in my life. And over the years Hollywood has kept up with the appeal, feeding our insatiable appetite for basic human struggles set against the backdrop of social, political, and environmental collapse that keep us glued to the screen. I […]
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Tags: adults, androids, animation, blockbuster, booklists, books, dystopian, hoopla, Hugo Award, movies, Philip K. Dick, reading, sci fi, science fiction, teens
Posted on April 11, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Rachel Edmondson Like many kids, my girls love animals. But one of my daughters is especially fascinated and passionate about wild creatures. I think some of her interest began with the PBS show The Wild Kratts. From the first time she watched, she was hooked. So far we’ve learned about pandas, tigers, polar bears, […]
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Tags: animal books, animals, books, children's books, creatures, lemmings, manatees, marsupials, microbes, narwhals, reading, sloths, Tasmanian devils, unusual animals, wild Kratts, zoologist, zoology
Posted on April 4, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Jane Baker To be clear up front, we have not heard of any scams regarding the Spokane County Library District, or any of our libraries. Also, scammers will use anything they can to get your money. So when we heard of an email scam involving the Seattle Public Library, we thought we’d take this […]
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Tags: BBB, Better Business Bureau, consumer education, email scams, financial literacy, fraud, phone scams, scams, technology
Posted on March 28, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge We’re keeping it frugal with Jeff Yeager, The Ultimate Cheapskate. In April during Money Smart Week, Yeager presents “Finding Wholesale Happiness in a Retail World” at three locations (see locations, days, and times below), offering practical advice about how to live a happier, healthier, and fuller life—only if you are not wi […]
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Tags: author visit, books, cheapskate, consumer education, extreme cheapskates, family, financial literacy, parents, retirement, saving, spending, teens, ultimate cheapskate
Posted on March 21, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Gwendolyn Haley It was like a scene from a horror movie. I was alone in the house when a loud banging and clanging started from the depths of the basement—as if something were trying to break free. I walked down the stairs to investigate. As I looked into the laundry room, all I could […]
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Tags: appliances, buying, buying guide, consumer reports, digital library, DIY, parents, price comparison, research, reviews, technology, teens
Posted on March 14, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Stefani Miller One year ago, my husband came to me with the idea that we regularly set aside time to read the same book. Normally our tastes in reading couldn’t be more different. I love romance, and I don’t stray too far from that genre. My husband, however, reads more broadly. You’ll find everything […]
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Tags: adults, book club, book club for two, booklists, books, reading
Posted on March 7, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Melanie Boerner Do you get home from a busy day and just can’t bring yourself to make a meal for the family? I feel this way most weekdays! I don’t think it is just me—I bet lots of busy parents do, too. On the weekend, I can whip up an elaborate meal with the […]
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Tags: cooking, DIY, family, food, parents, recipes
Posted on March 1, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Jane Baker In July of 2015, I wrote a blog about my interest in astronomy and one of my most favorite apps, Star Walk 2 (iOS, Android, Windows). Even now, I still get comments about Star Walk 2, leading to conversations about other favorite apps. So I’m talking about other entertaining apps I’m loving […]
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Tags: Android, Apps, astronomy, breathing, dream interpretation, dreams, health, iOS, meditation, mental wellness, moon, moon phases, phone apps, photos, physical wellness, smartphones, Windows
Posted on February 25, 2017 at 6:00 am
by Erin Dodge Poetry can sing us a song, open us to a moment, inspire us to reach higher and go further. Washington State Poet Laureate and Gonzaga University professor Tod Marshall leads a poetry discussion series at Spokane County Library District in March and April. Each event has a casual atmosphere where everyone is […]
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Tags: author visit, community, history, injustice, Irish Poetry, National Poetry Month, poems, poetry, poets, reading, saving lives, slam, slam poetry, social justice, spoken word
Posted on February 14, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Rachel Edmondson It’s that time of year again when thoughts turn to true love and finding happily-ever-after. Most of the time, life is not a fairy tale. Unless, of course, you’re reading the original fairy tales, which are darker and more gruesome than the Disneyesque versions. Sometimes real life feels a bit too similar […]
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Tags: adults, book list, booklists, books, fairy tales, fairytales, kids, reading, teens, tweens, YA, young learners
Posted on February 10, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Susan Goertz As we face another month of chilly winter weather, I find it a challenge to get myself outside. I am a nature lover and a fairly active person, but you will rarely see me in the gym. I want to exercise under open skies while gentle breezes drift over my skin. Which […]
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Tags: aromatherapy, cleanse, cold, exercise, health, indoor, weather, winter, yoga
Posted on February 7, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Amanda Flanery “Love is in the air and it smells like coffee.” —Unknown How many of you, by a show of empty cups/mugs, have a stack of coffee stand cards in your vehicle or wallet? Do you also think the best time for coffee is right now? And in a few minutes from now? […]
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Tags: adults, books book list, classes, coffee, coffeertunist, community, cooking, espresso, events, food, latte, recipe, recipes
Posted on January 31, 2017 at 6:00 am
By David Wyatt “The keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams.” ― Henry David Thoreau In the midst of February is probably not when most of us would be thinking of bees. However, it is an excellent time to plan for spring and think happy thoughts of the warmer seasons ahead. As part […]
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Tags: adults, beekeeping, bees, booklists, books, community, education, food, hobbies, honey, kids, young learners
Posted on January 24, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge My inner fangirl starts jumping up and down every time I find out that an author is coming to the library to give a reading or discuss writing. So you can imagine the backflips (my inner fangirl is much more flexible than I am) when I heard that three amazing authors are […]
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Tags: adults, author visit, authors, books, events, reading, romance, romance series, writing
Posted on January 17, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Stefani Miller Looking for something new try in 2017? Consider cross-stitch. Cross-stitch—a once neglected art form (some may argue)—is making a serious comeback with new patterns and a healthy dose of attitude. Out with the elaborate garden scenes. In with sugar skulls and humorous, snarky sayings. In other words, this is definitely not yo […]
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Tags: art, attitude, booklist, books, crafting, cross stitch, DIY, embroidery, hobbies, needles, stitch, subversive
Posted on January 10, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Melanie Boerner You know you have one—the movie you can quote on the fly (and for some of us, from beginning to end). Or you may have one movie that, when mentioned, you cringe because you loathe it. These are the movies we’ve watched dozens (100s?) of times—whether we like them or not. […]
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Tags: adaptations, book to movie, books, cult movies, films, movies
Posted on January 3, 2017 at 6:00 am
By Gwendolyn Haley Do you have a kid who is a reluctant reader? When kids complain that reading is boring, they are probably just reading the wrong book. . . for them. Reluctant readers often will try books about things that they already love. If you have a Minecrafter in your house, you may have checked […]
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Tags: booklists, books, events, fiction, gaming, hobbies, kids, medieval, minecraft, nonfiction, overworld, parenting, parents, reading, reluctant readers, STEM, technology, teens, tweens, zombies
Posted on December 27, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge Meet Charline and Margy (standing) and Suzanne, Jean, and Winnie (seated)—about half of the Broadway Court Estates Book Club (busy schedules and winter colds prevented others from making it). I was invited come along to their December meeting by Margy, Public Services Specialist at Spokane Valley Library and facilitator of the group […]
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Tags: audiobooks, book club, books, outreach, reading, retirement
Posted on December 20, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Jane Baker ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the library The patrons had left with all the books they could carry; Computer screens were blank and turned off for the night, The book drops emptied, ready for first light; The library was silent, but if you were really still Echos of storytime […]
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Tags: happy holidays, holiday cheer, Merry Christmas, yuletide
Posted on December 14, 2016 at 9:30 am
By Gwendolyn Haley UPDATED FROM PREVIOUS POST 3D printing pops up in my newsfeed with increased regularity. Maybe you’ve seen some of the coverage too? Museums are using 3D printing to create replicas of priceless ancient artifacts for study and to allow people with visual impairments to experience masterpieces firsthand. Individuals and other o […]
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Tags: 3D, 3D printer, 3D printing, hobbies, services, technology
Posted on December 13, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Stefani Miller Have you ever really loved a character and wished there were 10 more just like him or her? Behold! I bring you the family saga romance. In this romance sub-genre, not only do you get to follow the story of the character you love but also the stories of that character’s brothers, […]
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Tags: adults, booklist, booklists, books, family saga, reading, romance, romance series
Posted on December 6, 2016 at 6:00 am
by Kelly Burgess As a long-time writer and editor, the most frequent question I get from people is, “How can I sell what I’m writing?” Becoming a writer is one thing (hint: it takes passion, discipline and dedication). Selling your work is quite another. I’m not going to lie: in some ways, it’s harder than […]
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Tags: advice, publication, submission rules, writer's guidelines, writers, writing, writing articles, writing idea, writing market, writing submissions
Posted on November 22, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Sheri Boggs In looking over the thousands of books published in 2016, I have found that there’s no shortage of great gift ideas for the children and teens on your holiday list. A few high profile releases come out before or around Thanksgiving: Diary of a Wimpy Kid #11: Double Down and the newest […]
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Tags: booklists, books, family, gift giving, gift ideas, gifts, holiday gifts, holidays, kids, parents, teens, tweens, young learners
Posted on November 15, 2016 at 6:00 am
By David Wyatt In just a few days, movie-goers will be returning to J. K. Rowling’s wizarding world on screen when Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hits theaters. It’s been a pretty good year for Potter and company: the new play in London Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and a little closer […]
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Tags: animals, beasts, booklists, books, creatures, fantasy, Harry Potter, Hogwart's Library, kids, monsters, mythology, reading, teens, tweens, YA
Posted on November 8, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Nancy Ledeboer For the most part, the tour group followed the path that Alfred Wainwright described in his book A Coast to Coast Walk: St. Bees Head to Robin Hood’s Bay. We walked for 12 days, averaging about 9 miles a day. Our longest day was 12 miles, and we took two rest days. […]
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Tags: bogs, Britain, international, National Parks, tour, travel books, trip, UK trip, vacation, walking
Posted on October 27, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Claire Rudolf Murphy On October 30, longtime writing friend Sarah Conover and I will present a session on the writing life for the NaNoWriMo Readiness Conference. After two days of sessions about elements of craft at Moran Prairie Library, ours will be the final event of the weekend. I teach in a graduate writing […]
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Tags: authors, classes, community, NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, professional writer, writers life, writing
Posted on October 26, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Mary Cronk Farrell I went to Italy and got smitten with Michelangelo Buonarroti. Yeah, yeah, yeah… the David, the Pieta, la Cappella Sistina. His work knocks us all off our plinths. But as I walked the cobblestones of Firenze (Florence), stood in the shadow of the Duomo, and watched the Arno ripple under the Ponte […]
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Tags: art and writing, florence, inspiration, Italy, Michelangelo, NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, risk
Posted on October 25, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Kathryn Illback Curling up with a good book and something warm to drink is a favorite pastime of mine all through the year, but there’s something particularly wonderful about it in October. The changing leaves, the shorter days, the crisp air, and the all-encompassing miasma of pumpkin spice everything make me want to hunker […]
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Tags: audiobooks, booklist, books, frightening, horror, imagination, scary, suspense
Posted on October 24, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Kris Dinnison So first I should say, this isn’t meant as advice so much as confession. These are things I do—some commonplace, some mildly embarrassing—that seem to make writing happen in my life. So take what you will from it and know that every writer I know has a list of their own that […]
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Tags: writer, writing, writing advice, writing routine
Posted on October 20, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Kelly Burgess As with any profession, there is no guarantee of success in the writing business. However, regardless of whether you want to break into fiction or nonfiction markets, successful writers have some traits that are crucial to carving out a literary career. Passion Writers write because they feel the need to put words […]
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Tags: fiction, nonfiction, professional writer, writer's block, writers group, writers workshop, writing, writing critiques, writing group, writing workshop
Posted on October 18, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Stefani Miller If your favorite trick-or-treaters have four legs instead of two and speak in woofs, ruffs, and barks, then they’ll love these treats that are just for Fido and friends! Made with simple, everyday ingredients that dogs love, you can bet these two snacks will get their tails wagging. Along with the […]
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Tags: baking, carob dog treats, cooking, dog treats, food, Halloween, holidays, peanut butter, pumpkin recipes, recipe
Posted on October 13, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Stephanie Oakes I have a confession to make—I’ve never successfully completed NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I’ve tried a few times, and always start with huge amounts of enthusiasm, but I’ve never written more than 30,000 words in any given November. But the secret of NaNoWriMo is this—you don’t need to “win” NaNoWriM […]
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Tags: challenges, community, events, first drafts, NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, word sprints, writing, writing sprint
Posted on October 11, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Melanie Boerner Picture books are known for their 40 pages (or less) of illustrations and text that tell a story for young children. And most kids leave picture books behind when they enter higher elementary grades. But wait, don’t disregard picture book reads entirely for these grades! Authors and illustrators are penning picture books […]
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Tags: booklist, books, family, kids, picture books, young learners
Posted on October 6, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Bruce Holbert Not long ago, I was asked in an interview, “What took so long?” I was then 52 and publishing my first novel. I don’t have the data at hand, but my guess is I am beyond the mean. The question struck me as impolite. I wasn’t sleeping in doorways or staggering through […]
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Tags: author, book publishing, books, conference, NaNoWriMo, publishing, writing, writing life
Posted on October 4, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Kelly Burgess If you love reading, you’ve probably wondered if you could try your hand at writing. That’s not an unusual impulse. Many writers got the incentive to start writing either by reading a book that was so amazing they wanted to create that magic too, or by reading a book that was so […]
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Tags: aspiring authors, fiction, memoir, NaNoWriMo, nonfiction, writers, writers workshop, writing, writing motivation, writing workshop
Posted on September 29, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Stefani Miller Readers tend to have favorites: a specific author, series, or genre that they come back to over and over. For me, it’s romance. When I have time to read, I like to snuggle up with a steamy novel. And when I’m not reading them, I’m usually feeding my addiction by hunting them […]
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Tags: adults, booklist, books, caterer, contractor, delicious, dive bar, Families, Gospel, hockey, idaho, Lucky Harbor, pacific northwest, Portland Storm, rock star, romance, small towns, Thunder Point, With Me in Seattle
Posted on September 27, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Rachel Edmondson In recent years, Young Adult (YA) literature has become increasingly popular, and studies have shown that a surprising number of YA readers are adults. According to a 2012 study, 55% of buyers purchasing YA literature are 18 or older. Also, 78% of these buyers indicate that they are purchasing the books for […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, teens, tweens, YA, young adult
Posted on September 22, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Sheri Boggs Local author Mary Cronk Farrell writes about the kinds of people whose stories aren’t widely told, but ought to be. In Pure Grit: How American World War II Nurses Survived Battle and Prison Camp in the Pacific, she tells the story of nearly 100 army and navy nurses who struggled to not […]
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Tags: authors, battle zones, books, family, history, illustrated books, nonfiction, parents, POW, prison camp, prisoner of war, Warsaw, WWII, YA, young learners
Posted on September 16, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge When walking into the Airway Heights Library, colorful art welcomes you from the display case. You’ll see record albums, clocks, people, keyboards, and cats in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors. Inside the library, you’ll see even more artwork along the wall in the children’s section—each tableau intricately detailed and evokin […]
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Tags: albums, art, art exhibit, artist, artwork, autism spectrum, cats, clocks, color, colorful, exhibition, hobbies, keyboards, music, people, synesthesia, synesthete, vibrant
Posted on September 13, 2016 at 6:00 am
By David Wyatt Earlier this summer when it was still scorching, I fenced off a portion of our yard to keep our new raised-bed garden out of reach of our two mutts. The dogs were not pleased to have lost some of their lawn. Too exhausted from the heat to do any more, I took […]
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Tags: booklist, books, DIY, fruit, garden, gardening, hobbies, produce, raised-bed gardening, seed exchange, seed lending, seed library, vegetables
Posted on September 8, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Jane Baker The cardiologist gave me a choice: lose weight, lower your blood pressure, and get more cardio exercise or begin taking a prescription. After we talked it through, I made the decision to forgo the medication, and return in six months for a follow-up on how things were going. “Stay away from carbohydrates, […]
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Tags: books, clean eating, cooking, diet, food, heart health, low-carb, paleo, recipes, science, Tiger Blood, whole 30, whole food, whole30
Posted on September 1, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Gwendolyn Haley Both my husband and I grew up living hours away from our grandparents, and consequently only saw them once or twice a year at most. When we started our family, we lived five hours away from our own parents, so our children were also on track to only see their grandparents a […]
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Tags: books, community, crafts, family history, generational, generations, grandchildren, grandkids, grandparenting, grandparents, Grandparents Day, hobbies, home, Lego club, Legos, reading, stories, storytime
Posted on August 30, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Rich Landers Being a trail guidebook author who’s explored Inland Northwest trails for more than three decades, I’m regularly asked a question this time of year: “What’s your favorite fall hike?” The answer is as difficult as naming your favorite child. And as all parents know, even our children are a little more appealing […]
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Posted on August 25, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Melanie Boerner I understand that, as a librarian, I am expected to have piles upon piles of books throughout my house and be well versed in all types of literature. With that said, I have a confession to make: I have piles of half-read books around my house. As a full-time working mom of […]
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Tags: audiobooks, booklists, books, digital library, hoopla, overdrive, performers, reading
Posted on August 23, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Rachel Edmondson With two young kids in the house, I don’t end up watching a lot of TV. By the time the kids are asleep and I’ve gotten a few things done around the house, I rarely choose television over my bed (what can I say, I’m a woman who likes her sleep!). But […]
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Tags: book list, fandom, Gilmore, Lorelei, memoir, reading challenge, Rory, soundtrack, Stars Hollow, television
Posted on August 18, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Carlie Hoffman It’s been a little over eight years since I moved to Washington state, and I am proud to say that I have not missed voting in a single election in those years. While I would like to say that it is my civic conscientiousness that attributes to this record, in truth it’s […]
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Posted on August 17, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Jill Johnson You might not expect to a get lesson in good oral health at the library, but that’s just what happened at all ten libraries of the Spokane County Library District. The Tooth Fairy Project was launched in February 2016. The idea was to teach little ones (and their parents) the importance of […]
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Tags: nutrition, oral health, oral hygiene, stories, storytime, teeth, tooth fairy, toothbrush
Posted on August 16, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Gwendolyn Haley Something magical happens when families read books together and then talk about the big ideas they encounter. Reading is always fun, but talking about books and ideas helps us learn about the world and one another in a whole new way. Prime Time Family Reading from Humanities Washington taps into that magic […]
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Tags: book discussion, booklists, books, cleverness, courage, developing readers, dreams, fairness, family, greed, kids, reading, reading comprehension, reading together, themes, young learners
Posted on August 11, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge Whenever I see an amazing craft or find a new interest, I know I can head to the library and find tons of books and other resources—whether it’s knitting, cooking, or coding a smartphone app. So I knew I had found a kindred spirit when I heard about a young library member […]
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Tags: beetles, bugs, fish, hobbies, insects, kids, life sciences, mantis, millipedes, Odyssey Program, science, science olympiad, tweens, wildlife
Posted on August 9, 2016 at 6:00 am
by David Wyatt Summer reading is almost over! Light, breezy, and perfect for the beach, summer reading lists are often the popcorn-flick equivalent for books. Of course, I’m contrary and will avoid nearly all of these lists. No Cussler, Patterson, and certainly no romance novels for me. Instead, I fell into a reading pattern comprised […]
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Tags: booklist, fantasy, nonfiction, science fiction, Summer reading
Posted on August 4, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Amanda Flanery A book can be a quiet escape for those of us seeking adventure, improvement, understanding, or intrigue. We understand that by opening a book, we’re opening ourselves to a world that’s a little better understood. As a member and employee of the library, I appreciate and advocate all of these things. But […]
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Tags: artwork, balance, book cover art, contrast, cover art, design, design principles, graphic design, movement, proximity, repetition, unity, white space
Posted on August 2, 2016 at 6:00 am
by Erin Dodge Local artist Loretta West teaches the meditative art form of Zentangle at the Library District during August as part of our 2016 Summer Programs. In a previous post, Loretta graciously answered my questions about Zentangle and where she finds inspiration. Today, she shares a booklist filled with books that have touched her soul and […]
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Tags: art, artist, booklists, books, creativity, events
Posted on July 28, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Stefani Miller Few things are more delicious than the sweet tang of fresh berries on a hot summer day, preferably blended into something cold and refreshing. So I’m sharing the icy deliciousness of homemade fruit sorbet with you. Sorbet is the perfect summer treat. It’s easy to make. All you’ll need is fresh fruit, […]
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Tags: booklists, cooking, family, food, fruit, ice cream, kids, no-bake, recipes, sorbet, treats
Posted on July 26, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge Is that a fly buzzing around your head? Did a door just creak open? Who left the faucet on to drip, drip, drip? The culprit may be Noiseguy Charlie Williams, vocal sound impressionist extraordinaire. Lucky for us, he is performing his show, “Sound Coach: A Reading Relay Readathon,” at all District libraries, […]
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Tags: comics, events, kids, music, noise, noises, onomatopoeia, sound effects, vocalization, vocals
Posted on July 19, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge Jenks is a dynamic act that entertains kids and their families with a unique blend of super-cool rock songs, family-friendly covers, head-bopping dance songs, and totally awesome juggling! And Jenks is performing at all District libraries starting Monday, July 25, as part of our summer programs. I tracked Corey “Jenks” Jenk […]
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Tags: event, family, juggling, kids, kids music, music
Posted on July 14, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Debbie Rhodes I am not older than dirt nor am I a young chickadee anymore. What I am is a member of the Sandwich Generation. You might ask: What is the Sandwich Generation? Is it a generation who only ate at McDonalds? Perhaps they devour sandwiches like sliced bread will soon be going out of style? […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, cookbook, cortisol, diets, eldercare, sandwich, sandwich generation, seniors, virtual vacations
Posted on July 12, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge Storyteller Indiana Bones, along with his faithful companion Draco, is weaving tales of myth and wonder, live at the Spokane County Library District this summer. You won’t want to miss “Amazing Physical Feats from History,” starting Monday, July 18, as part of our 2016 Summer Programs. We were curious about the life […]
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Tags: event, family, kids, parents, story, storytelling
Posted on July 7, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Jane Baker Previously I’ve written about my crazy, hyper dog, Yuki, and the things I’ve discovered while looking for activities that include canine companions. I’ve seen the fast-paced agility courses on TV and am mesmerized by those dogs flying through a course of obstacles. Yuki and I have had basic obedience down for a […]
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Tags: agility, agility course building, dog, dog training
Posted on July 5, 2016 at 6:00 am
by Erin Dodge Next week, Cecil’s Magic performs “Race to the Finish Line!“, a magical adventure that reveals the true story of the tortoise and the hare, at all District libraries as part of our 2016 Summer Programs. In anticipation of amazing illusions and a magical story, I decided to peek behind the curtain and ask […]
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Tags: events, family, illusions, kids, magic, magician, parents, story, storytelling, tweens
Posted on June 30, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Gwendolyn Haley We are getting ready for the Olympics in my house. While we aren’t usually a sports family, I have been known to force my family to watch swimming events all day long. Next month, the eyes of the world will turn to Rio for the XXXI Olympiad. One way to prepare for […]
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Tags: athletes, olympiad, olympics, summer games
Posted on June 28, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge Starting next week and through the month of August, local artist Loretta West teaches the meditative art form of Zentangle at the Library District as part of our 2016 Summer Programs. I visited Loretta in her art studio and recorded a video of her drawing Zentangle, to give everyone an idea of […]
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Tags: art, artist, classes, events, hobbies, meditation, zentangle
Posted on June 23, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Rachel Edmondson Summer has arrived, and with it comes more time spent in the car. At least, that’s the case for my family. Whether it’s driving to swim lessons or taking a road trip, music can be a great way to make time in the car more fun. Of course, if you have the […]
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Tags: family, hoopla, kids, music, road trip, travel
Posted on June 21, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge Alex Zerbe, The Zaniac, is performing at the Spokane County Library District and we couldn’t be more excited! His show zigzags between a comedic onslaught of absurd ideas and odd skills. Beatboxing, juggling, dancing, singing, music, and magic are just a few of the things he does to entertain the whole family. […]
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Tags: comedian, comedy, family, family events, family-friendly, juggling
Posted on June 16, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge Today is the 8th Annual Engaging Fatherhood Conference & Resource Fair at Spokane Falls Community College (8am to 3pm), promoting the importance of fathers in healthy child development and family well-being. The event, including free lunch, is brought to the public by the DADS Committee of Spokane. In celebration of dads, paternal […]
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Tags: fatherhood, fathers, local, local authors, parenting, writers
Posted on June 14, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge When we learned that KCPuppetree would be performing this summer, we were excited to learn more about the worlds of theatre, storytelling, puppetry, and art made with recycled materials. Kelly Campbell was gracious to indulge our curiosity and answer questions about her world and art. Families of all ages won’t want to miss […]
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Tags: art, crafts, puppet, puppetry, puppets, recycling, story, storytelling, theater, theatre
Posted on June 9, 2016 at 6:00 am
By David Wyatt Have you noticed the geek in your life is excited, but you’re not sure why? Maybe it’s Terry Pratchett’s upcoming posthumous novel The Long Cosmos? Or maybe it’s the next movie from Duncan Jones (something with orcs, I think)? If it’s neither of these, then maybe it is E3 2016: Inspiring New […]
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Tags: fantasy, horror, movies, science fiction, video games
Posted on June 2, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Kelsey Hudson Every once in awhile, something comes together in just the right way to bring about a fantastic opportunity. You could say, the odds were ever in your favor! Last summer, my colleague librarian Sheree West and I were talking about a new collaboration she’d begun with Mica Peak High School (MPHS) in […]
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Tags: book clubs, booklists, books, community, grants, teachers, technology, teens, YA
Posted on May 31, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Brian Vander Veen Yes, science fiction and fantasy have been global phenomena for a long time, but it feels like the last few years have seen an uptick in the number of foreign SFF novels getting English translations. Last year, The Three-Body Problem by Chinese author Cixin Liu became the first novel in translation […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, fantasy, fiction, science fiction, translation
Posted on May 26, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Sheri Boggs If you’re a parent or teacher of a grade schooler, you’ve probably heard the term “summer slide,” sometimes also called “summer learning loss.” Summer slide refers to what happens to student brains when they are inactive over the three months of summer vacation. Although kids are getting a much needed break, they […]
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Tags: booklists, books, family, kids, parents, teachers, young learners
Posted on May 24, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge Confession #1: I love books. I’ve had a book (or three) in my hand, in my backpack, or on my nightstand since the time I figured out letters combined to make words. Confession #2: I’m fairly new to eBooks. Seems contradictory, right? Even though I’ve had a Kindle for a few years, I […]
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Tags: audiobooks, eBooks, overdrive, technology
Posted on May 19, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Rachel Edmondson I feel the need to start with a disclaimer: I do not have a green thumb. Nowhere close to it. That said, we have a small, raised garden bed in our backyard, and each year we’ve attempted to grow a few vegetables with varying success. Before our kids came into our life, […]
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Posted on May 17, 2016 at 6:00 am
By David Wyatt What does it mean to be Muslim in a modern world? What if much of what we believe about Islam is incomplete or simply wrong? This Thursday, scholar David Fenner will speak on Islam and the many aspects that form the substance of its rich culture, traditions, and way of life. […]
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Posted on May 12, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Gwendolyn Haley Recently, my father and I were trying to solve a family mystery. He is the sole surviving grandchild on his mother’s side. So if he doesn’t remember something about the family, there is no one left to ask who would know. In our collective family knowledge, we were aware that his grandfather […]
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Tags: ancestry, classes, digital library, DIY, family, genealogy, hobbies
Posted on May 10, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Kelsey Hudson The world is not ending—at least not yet—but sometimes it can feel that way, especially after I’ve read three or four dystopian novels in a row. I love a good dystopian tale as much as the next person, but I think there comes a time when even the most die-hard fan needs […]
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Tags: authors, booklists, books, teens, YA
Posted on May 3, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Sheri Boggs The United States are no longer united. In the wake of the Second Civil War, the once great nation is in shambles. And as the Republic of Idaho emerges alongside other newly formed, formerly American countries, the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Local author Trent Reedy concludes his stunning […]
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Tags: adults, authors, books, local author, teens, YA
Posted on March 17, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Sheri Boggs In a prominent corner or shelf of your closest County Library you might find stories about Sasquatch, about a derelict hotel rescued from obscurity, about a kid from North Idaho who implausibly becomes a drug kingpin before getting caught and going to prison. There are stories about a woman and her daughter […]
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Tags: authors, community, local
Posted on October 13, 2015 at 6:00 am
By Miriam J. Robbins Guest Writer You’re about to embark on an exciting journey! Learning about your family history and developing skills to do genealogical research can be the beginning of a lifelong hobby and passion. Here are ten tips to get started: 1. Get Organized You’re going to be gathering a lot of information, […]
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Tags: adults, classes, community, digital library, hobbies
Posted on September 23, 2015 at 6:00 am
By Sheri Boggs What do Sasquatch, wild dogs, dinosaur babies, ghosts, and alien visitors all have in common? Besides being intrinsically awesome, they’ve all been book subjects for local writer Kelly Milner Halls. Halls is a passionate profiler of the wonderfully weird, with nonfiction titles like Tales of the Cryptids, Ghostly Evidence, a […]
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Tags: authors, books, kids, q&a, teens, tweens
Posted on July 30, 2015 at 6:00 am
By Kevin J. Anderson Guest Writer If you see a person walking along engaged in a vigorous conversation with no one else around them, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s escaped from the nearest asylum. It could be me talking to myself. But don’t be concerned, don’t interrupt me, don’t bother me at all—I’m writing. It’s been […]
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Tags: author visit, authors, events
Posted on June 30, 2015 at 6:00 am
By Sheri Boggs One of the best things about having bright, talented literary friends is getting to read their work and celebrate with them when their novels are published. I’m especially excited in the case of Kris Dinnison, longtime friend, community builder, and emerging YA voice. Her debut novel You and Me and Him is […]
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Tags: authors, books, q&a, teens, YA
Posted on March 11, 2015 at 6:00 am
By Brian Vander Veen Launching a creative endeavor or a new business usually requires money. Traditionally, acquiring such funding has meant the need for taking out a loan, finding an investor, borrowing from friends or family, or spending your own hard-earned nest egg. In recent years, we’ve seen yet another option emerge. It is one […]
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Tags: comics, crowdfunding, FishTank Books, kickstarter, q&a
Posted on January 22, 2015 at 6:00 am
By Cara Strickland Sharma Shields is a rising star in the literary world. Her first book, a collection of short stories called Favorite Monster won the 2011 Autumn House Fiction prize, and her novel The Sasquatch Hunter’s Almanac releases on January 27. Sharma lives in Spokane with her family (and she can often be found bringing her childr […]
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Tags: authors, Favorite Monsters, Jess Walter, local authors, q&a, Sharma Shields, The Sasquatch Hunter's Almanac
Posted on December 4, 2014 at 6:00 am
By Cindy Hval Guest Writer The purple plastic coin purse with the kitty face didn’t hold much, but then again six-year-olds travel light. It held two quarters, some pennies, a tissue, a cherry Chapstick and my first library card. Clutching the purse with one hand, I ran my fingers across the book spines standing sentinel […]
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Tags: Cindy Hval, guest post, libraries
Posted on October 15, 2014 at 6:00 am
By Brian Vander Veen Last year, my partner Sheri and I started our own Little Free Library. If you’re not familiar with what Little Free Libraries are, they’re simply containers, usually near a sidewalk or similar publicly accessible space, where people can take and leave books for free. Little Free Libraries first began appearing in Wisco […]
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Tags: community, little free libraries, reading
Posted on October 14, 2014 at 6:00 am
By Sheri Boggs Library work can lead you to some interesting places. Sometimes you’re speaking to 300 middle schoolers. Sometimes you’re showing seniors how to attach images to their email. And sometimes you’re bagging pine needles and abandoned tighty whities in the woods. Earlier this fall I joined fellow SCLD staffers Amber Williams, Kris […]
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Tags: Deer Park, service projects
Posted on August 7, 2014 at 6:00 am
By Gwendolyn Haley After reading Called Again, I was really eager to have a conversation with the author, Jennifer Pharr Davis. I caught up with Jennifer by phone as she, her husband Brew, and 20-month-old daughter, travel all 50 states on a book tour, and hike whenever they can. You set off on your first […]
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Tags: Appalachian Trail, Called Again, college students, hiking, Jennifer Pharr Davis, kids, marriage, q&a
Posted on July 15, 2014 at 6:00 am
By Sheri Boggs Pairing drinks with books is an exercise in mood and mixology. With food, it’s a little easier. The flavors of the beverage are there to enhance and highlight the flavors of the food. And if you run into trouble there are countless books, websites and even apps advising everything from what wines […]
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Tags: alcohol, drinks, food, Liquid Lit, mixed drinks, recipes
Posted on June 18, 2014 at 6:00 am
By Sheri Boggs I read YA. But Ruth Graham over at Slate says I shouldn’t. Or if I do, perhaps I should pin a large, scarlet “YA” of shame on my chest because—in spite of the fact that 55% of YA titles are bought by people older than 18, in spite of all the lists […]
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Tags: Against YA, Libba Bray, Madeleine L'Engle, Maggie Stiefvater, Mo Willems, Slate, YA
Posted on December 12, 2013 at 6:00 am
By Ellen Peters Local Spokane author Jess Walter is a former National Book Award finalist and winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Award, as well as the author of six novels and one nonfiction book. Recently, I had the pleasure to interview Mr. Walter about his life and his writing. Ellen Peters: What’s the one […]
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Tags: adults, authors, booklists
Posted on October 14, 2013 at 11:30 am
Welcome to our Explore & Discover blog page. As it is our vision for citizens of Spokane County to turn to the District as the essential place to explore, learn, and create, it makes sense that exploring and discovering is a strong service priority. The District has half a million items in its collection, tons […]
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Posted on May 16, 2024 at 6:30 am
The library has eight new, themed Stay Sharp Kits available to check out, making a total of 19 different themed kits in our collection. Stay Sharp Kits have been put together with activities that can be used with individuals who are experiencing memory loss or other cognitive issues related to dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other memory disorde […]
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Tags: adults, Alzheimer's, dementia, Library of Things, memory loss, stay sharp kit
Posted on April 3, 2024 at 6:00 am
Stress doesn’t just affect the brain. It affects a person’s whole body. The “fight or flight” response can be helpful if you’re in short-term physical danger. But over time, it can damage your health. All the following can cause harmful long-term stress, also known as chronic stress... […]
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Tags: adults, books, connection, exercise, humor, parents, positive, reading, screen time, sleep, stress, teens, writing
Posted on March 21, 2024 at 6:00 am
What was the last book that you made a bad decision in order to read? I’m not asking about the book that made you put off cleaning out the refrigerator. Nearly any book could do that. I’m asking about the last book that made you spectacularly late for work or miss a whole night’s sleep... that magnitude of bad decision. I asked this question […]
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Tags: adults, books, reading
Posted on March 13, 2024 at 6:00 am
After a rough year, I decided that I would branch out and stretch my preferred reading tastes. Normally, I stick with thrillers and horror. Shockingly (okay, not so shockingly), this doesn’t help my existing anxiety problems. Which genre would I dive into, which felt the scariest? The answer for me was... romance (cue the Twilight Zone theme song […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, reading, romance
Posted on March 7, 2024 at 6:00 am
March is a wonderful time to learn a new skill or fall back in love with an old favorite. To inspire your crafting muse, visit your library to see an art show! You can see and hear two Irish music groups at our libraries to help fuel your creativity. Take a workshop or check out something from our Library of Things or... […]
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Tags: adults, art, community, crafting, creativebug, creativity, Flipster, hobbies, kids, parents, reading, teens, tweens
Posted on February 28, 2024 at 6:00 am
Safety is something we can all agree is important and a necessity for every human being. No matter where someone is going—to school, work, the grocery store, a park or anywhere—everyone deserves to get to their destination safely. Right now, this is not happening for everyone. See how you can provide input. […]
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Tags: accident, biking, community, death, fatal, impaired driving, injury, input, regional safety action plan, safety, Spokane Regional Transportation Council, SRTC, traffic, transportation, vehicles, walking
Posted on February 22, 2024 at 6:00 am
If you’d like to start thinking about spring, planning for your garden, and exploring more of what nature has to offer, then the library has a full slate of programs this spring to help you enjoy the outdoors—including your own backyard. You can enjoy birdwatching, beekeeping, and gardening events that will... […]
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Tags: adults, beekeeping, bees, birds, birdwatching, gardening, hiking, nature, outdoors
Posted on February 14, 2024 at 6:00 am
This time of year is perfect for stay-at-home movie nights, and the library can help you enjoy entertainment for free with your in-district library card! In fact, we offer two free movie streaming services: Hoopla and Kanopy. Add these to our large selection of DVDs and that gives you over 100,000 free movies, TV series, shorts, and documentaries t […]
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Tags: adults, documentaries, film, hoopla, Kanopy, kids, movies, parents, streaming, teens, television, tweens
Posted on February 7, 2024 at 6:00 am
Guest blogger Don Chadbourne shares the story of the Ice Age Floods, which will be the feature of four presentations focusing on different locations and perspectives at SCLD libraries in February. […]
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Tags: adults, geology, ice age floods, natural history, pacific northwest, PNW, programs
Posted on January 17, 2024 at 6:00 am
By Abra Cole Getting Cozy January and February are full of short days and cold nights, which make for a natural time to rest (hibernation, anyone?). I think this is a great time to get cozy with a hot cocoa and read a new series. So, I’m focusing on the cozy mystery. For me, cozy […]
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Tags: adults, booklists, books, cozy, murder mystery, mystery, reading
