TAG: reading

Storytime Shorts videos: Let’s read stories, sing songs, play & learn

Posted in News on October 28, 2020 at 6:00 am

Storytime Shorts Our librarians miss having storytime with our youngest library customers and their families. And we’ve heard from some of you that you’ve missed storytime too! So our librarians have recorded some wonderful picture book stories, songs, fingerplays, activities, and flannel stories using the felt board for our new video series St […]

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1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program Fosters Early Literacy Skills

Posted in News, Parents and Teachers on September 24, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Mary Ellen Braks We have an online reading challenge for parents and caregivers of young children. You can track the books you’re reading as your child grows! The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program is designed to foster early literacy skills during the time period in a child’s development where the brain develops most rapidly. […]

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15 trivia questions for Banned Books Week

Posted in Explore and Discover 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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Not too young to talk about race and social justice: Library programs and other resources for starting the discussion

Posted in News, Parents and Teachers, Teens on September 10, 2020 at 6:00 am

BY MOLLY MOORE In the video and slide presentation How Kids Learn About Race put together by EmbraceRace, they show that children learn about race from a variety of sources. This means that, whether we are prepared to discuss race or not, children of all ages are receiving messages from everywhere around them. Children, even […]

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The importance of diaries, memoirs, and autobiographies for our empathy and history

Posted in Explore and Discover, Uncategorized 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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OverDrive features to enhance your digital reading experience

Posted in Explore and Discover, News 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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Books & cocktail mixes: Find your perfect pairing

Posted in Explore and Discover 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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Kid-picked books for your summer reading list

Posted in kids on July 15, 2020 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson We all know how important it is for kids to keep reading throughout the summer, but sometimes it can be hard to convince kids to pick up a book. I’ve found that kids are more motivated to read a book when it’s recommended to them by a friend. Think of it as […]

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Finding out more about racial justice

Posted in Explore and Discover 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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LGBTQ Memoirs for 2020 Pride Month

Posted in Explore and Discover 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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