All Posts
Fall hikes: sorting favorites
Posted in Explore and Discover 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 […]
Dynamic audiobook performers
Posted in Explore and Discover 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 […]
Tags: audiobooks, booklists, books, digital library, hoopla, overdrive, performers, reading
Ultimate Gilmore Girls fandom
Posted in Explore and Discover 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 […]
Tags: book list, fandom, Gilmore, Lorelei, memoir, reading challenge, Rory, soundtrack, Stars Hollow, television
Researching elections in 2016
Posted in Explore and Discover 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 […]
The Tooth Fairy Project
Posted in Explore and Discover, Parents and Teachers 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 […]
Tags: nutrition, oral health, oral hygiene, stories, storytime, teeth, tooth fairy, toothbrush
Prime Time Family Reading: discovering ideas together
Posted in Explore and Discover, kids, Parents and Teachers 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 […]
Tags: book discussion, booklists, books, cleverness, courage, developing readers, dreams, fairness, family, greed, kids, reading, reading comprehension, reading together, themes, young learners
Library member wins gold in Washington Science Olympiad
Posted in Explore and Discover 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 […]
Tags: beetles, bugs, fish, hobbies, insects, kids, life sciences, mantis, millipedes, Odyssey Program, science, science olympiad, tweens, wildlife
(Un)summer reading: a booklist gone awry
Posted in Explore and Discover 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 […]
Tags: booklist, fantasy, nonfiction, science fiction, Summer reading
Judging a book by its cover
Posted in Explore and Discover 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 […]
Tags: artwork, balance, book cover art, contrast, cover art, design, design principles, graphic design, movement, proximity, repetition, unity, white space
A creative booklist from Loretta West
Posted in Explore and Discover 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 […]
