TAG: tweens

50 Summer Activities to Explore in Your Backyard, Around Town & the PNW

Posted in Explore and Discover 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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STA Zero-Fare Rider’s License Offers Free, Unlimited Bus Rides for Youth

Posted in News on June 29, 2023 at 4:00 am

New from Spokane Transit, the STA Rider’s License offers unlimited free bus rides, year-round, for youth ages 6–18 (kids under age 6 already ride free). Some facts about the STA Rider’s License... […]

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Festive & Informative Juneteenth Children’s Books to Help You Celebrate

Posted in kids on June 7, 2023 at 6:00 am

By Melissa Rhoades Juneteenth became a U.S. federal holiday in 2021. I admit I first heard of the commemorative day just a couple years before, but some American communities have been celebrating Juneteenth for 157 years. This year, I decided to learn more about the holiday celebration. It’s been enjoyable to discover its history and […]

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All Together Now: A Summer of Friendship, Kindness & Unity

Posted in News on May 31, 2023 at 6:00 am

Friendship, kindness, and unity encompass this year’s summer reading theme of All Together Now. Explore our programs and events below to see what you can do at our libraries and in neighborhood parks. As you grow and strengthen friendships, show kindness, and build unity this summer, we encourage you to read, explore, and have fun at our librarie […]

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Celebrating the Mermaid: From Bubbly, Sweet Creatures to Fearsome Sea Monsters

Posted in Explore and Discover 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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New Read-Along Books for Kids Offer Built-In Audio Along with Page-Turning Fun!

Posted in kids, News on April 25, 2023 at 6:00 am

By Sheri Boggs With summer just around the corner, many families are looking for convenient, inexpensive ways to keep the kids entertained and engaged. That’s why we’re excited to share the launch of a new collection that ticks all the boxes. Read-Along books (or simply, Read-Alongs) are regular hardcover children’s books with a sturdy audio […]

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Inclusivity, Awareness & Literacy: Sensory Storytime & Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Posted in Explore and Discover, Parents and Teachers 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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Kindness: Ideas, Inspiration & the Research about Its Positive Effects

Posted in Explore and Discover 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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The Season in 5 Senses: Finding Calm, Centered, Peaceful Moments

Posted in Explore and Discover 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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9 Guidelines for Writing Book Reviews & How to Add Yours to Our Catalog

Posted in Explore and Discover 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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