Time for Summer Reading! June 10, 2011

It is time again for Summer Reading at Seattle Public Library!  There are great programs for all ages this year, so take the time to stop by your local branch and sign up.  This year the goal is for patrons to read 150,000 books by the end of the summer!

Adult Program: For adults this year there is a chance to win a great prize:  a Nook e-reader!  Just read 3 books by the end of August and fill out a review sheet at your local branch to enter the drawing.  For more information visit the Adult Summer Reading Website.

Teen Program: It is Steampunk Summer!  Teens in Seattle are reading and hiding the books Leviathan and Boneshaker all over the city.  Get involved via the Teen Summer Reading Website and the Push to Talk blog.

Summer Reading For Children:  Come into a branch of the Seattle Public Library to sign up and get a reading log.  Read 10 books to recieve a prize book and get your name on the Wall of Fame.  To learn more check out the Children’s Summer Reading site.

For all ages there are fun and intersting programs and events in all the libraries this summer.  Visit the Seattle Public Library calendar of events to find something in your neighborhood.

2010 Friends of SPL Wrap-up January 13, 2011

Now that 2010 is over and a new year is beginning it is time to reflect on what we did in the last year and look forward to 2011.  2010 was a busy year for the Friends and the Library, here are just some of the highlights (and lowlights) of last year:

• The year started out with tough city-wide budget cuts.  15 of our branch libraries were reduced in hours.
• Seattle Public Library began working on a strategic plan.  Citizens and the Friends were asked for input.
• The Friends’ Book Sales were a huge success.  We held Spring, Fall and Holiday Sales.  We are always impressed by the great turn out of donations, volunteers and of course, shoppers!
• The Friends Blog partnered with the Seattle Public Library to get out the word about the Summer Reading Program.
• The FriendShop had tons of great featured artist events all year long.
• The Friends were seen at Farmer’s Markets all over the city to spread the word about what we do and to get people excited about the Seattle Public Library.
• Once again, the Library closed for a week-long furlough leading up to Labor Day to help close the budget gap.
• On October 1, the Friends held a reading flash mob in Westlake Center.  It was fun and attracted a lot of media attention!
• The Friends created a Public Service Announcement.   Look for it on the Seattle Channel!
• Building 30 at Magnuson Park where the Book Sales are held has been in danger of being closed.  The Friends have been trying to get the word out to save this great space for ourselves and other groups all over Seattle.
• The Friends have partnered with the Fisher Foundation in Connecticut to get books into classrooms in need.
• City Librarian Susan Hildreth was appointed Director of Museum and Library Services by the President!

Now that was a busy year!  What does 2011 have in store?  Probably a tight city budget again.  A search for a new City Librarian.  Definitely some Book Sales and great finds at the FriendShop.  Happy New Year!

Summer Reading Finishers: Don’t Forget to Visit the Burke Museum! October 14, 2010

Kids who read 10 books for the Summer Reading Program are entitled to take their family to the Burke Museum as a prize!  Just take your completed reading log to get in.  This offer expires December 31, 2010.

Summer Reading Wrap-Up September 11, 2010

All summer the Friends have been blogging about the Summer Reading Program at Seattle Public Library.  It’s September, and Summer Reading is over for another year.  Let’s see how we did:

Summer Reading Participant Goal:  12,858

Summer Reading Participant Total:  12,214

Goal for Books Read:  148,008

Actual Books Read:  159,702

Total Child Books Read:  140,048  (a new record!)

Total Teen Books Read:  6,356  (also a record!)

Although we missed our goal for participants just slightly, those participants outdid themselves in reading books!  Congratulations, participants, for making this Summer Reading year great!

Sounds of Vietnam – Folk Music to Make You Smile! August 15, 2010

Back by popular demand, Canadian duo Khac Chi performs traditional Vietnamese folk music with lively new arrangements, light-hearted humor and creative stage antics.  We’re sure that this year’s shows will delight young and old from ages  4 – adult again.  You can see them perform at 4 different locations this week:

• Central Library:  Microsoft Auditorium, 2 p.m. Friday, August 20
• Rainier Beach Branch:  11 a.m. Saturday, August 21
• Beacon Hill Branch:   3 p.m. Saturday, August 21
• Lake City Branch:  2 p.m. Saturday, August 22

Shark at the Library! August 4, 2010

Learn about courage with as The SPL’s Summer Reading Program hosts Rodney the Shark and friend Rowbes.  Join timid Rodney the Shark as he must learn how to stand up for himself, his friends, and his neighborhood!  Enter this underwater world with humans age three and up. 

Local Rowbes Puppet Productions brings Rodney to a library near you:

   Central Library: Tuesday, Aug. 12, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

   Northeast Branch: Friday, Aug. 13, 4:00-5:00 p.m.

   Douglass-Truth Branch: Monday, Aug. 16, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Clown Around July 25, 2010

Join the Burke Museum at Seattle Public Libraries this summer for this interactive game with familiar storybook characters, real museum specimens, puppets, and prizes.

Children who read 10 books over the summer can win a FREE pass to the Burke Museum.  Take your reading logs!!!

The Burke Museum is a sponsor of the 2010 Summer Reading Program.

• Northeast Branch:  4 p.m. Wednesday, July 28
• Central Library: 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 5

Summer Music July 18, 2010

This week’s summer reading program spotlight features two fun musical programs.

20,000 Volts Under the Sea - Not just another kids band… these guys are rock n’ roll adventurers! Join them as they go 20,000 Volts Under the Sea.  This deep-sea, rock musical is fun for the whole family and filled with interactive games, zany characters and, of course, great live music.

• West Seattle Branch:  11 a.m. Monday, July 19
• Northeast Branch:  4 p.m. Monday, July 19
• Douglass-Truth Branch: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 20
• Queen Anne Branch:  6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 20
• Rainier Beach Branch: 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 21

She Sings Sea Songs – Popular Northwest children’s performer Nancy Stewart sings songs with an emphasis on the Pacific Northwest coast, including tide pools and ferry boats. 

• International District/Chinatown Community Center: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 11
• Southwest Branch: 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 12
• West Seattle Branch: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 21

Science Friction — Hot Summer Science Programs Featured in the Summer Reading Program July 11, 2010

The Seattle Public Library is partnering with the Northwest Science Writers Association to present two hot, hot, HOT programs at the Central Library:

The Science of Avatar:  Scientists will discuss real research frontiers touched on by the hit movie Avatar, and will take questions from the audience.  Ex-astronaut Bonnie Dunbar, president and chief executive of the Museum of Flight, will moderate the discussion.  For ages 12 and up on Sunday, July 18, at 2 p.m. at the Central Library.

Sparring Scientists:  Is Pluto a Planet?:  Alan Boyle, author of The Case for Pluto and a nationally known science blogger at msnbc, will discuss fights in the scientific community as to how to define a planet.  His book will be available for purchase at the program. For ages 12 and up on Sunday, August 29, at 2 p.m. at the Central Library.

Summer Reading Update July 9, 2010

Summer Reading at Seattle Public Library has been going on for a month now.  Visit www.spl.org for more information.  

• So far, 3,522 readers of all ages have signed up for Summer Reading.  That is 27% of our goal of 12,858.
• Participants have read 31,987 books, 22% of the goal of 148,008 by the end of August. 

If you haven’t signed up, you can sign up online or at your local branch.  If you have already signed up, keep reading!