School may be ending, but the opportunities to read, learn, and grow are just beginning. The Seattle Public Library today kicks off its 106th annual Summer of Learning, offering free programs, activities, and challenges to keep kids engaged, curious, and creative throughout the summer.
Families can start by visiting any Library branch to pick up a Summer of Learning activity sheet, which includes a gameboard for kids to track their progress. After completing 15 activities, children can return to their neighborhood library to collect a small prize and have their name added to the Wall of Fame.
Participants can follow the suggested activities or create their own. Reading activities include reading for 20 minutes a day or writing and illustrating a comic book. Learning tasks might involve visiting a museum or cultural center, playing a board or video game, or attending a Library program. Growth-focused activities range from sharing a family recipe to learning about native plants.
The activity sheet also highlights free Library resources such as one-on-one tutoring through tutor.com, language lessons via Mango Languages, and animated storybooks from TumbleBook. It is available in eight languages—Amharic, Chinese, English, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, and Vietnamese—and can be downloaded at www.spl.org/SummerofLearning.
Throughout the summer, the Library will host a variety of free programs including magic shows, music performances, filmmaking workshops, art and dance classes, and more. On Thursday, August 7, the Burke Museum will partner with the Library to host a free Summer of Learning celebration featuring museum exploration and hands-on activities. Many Library branches will also hold end-of-summer parties in August.
Ongoing programs such as multilingual story times, Play and Learn sessions, drop-in chess, and board game nights will continue throughout the summer. A full calendar of events is available at www.spl.org/calendar. All programs are free and open to the public.
Teens and adults can join the fun through Summer Book Bingo. Participants fill in squares by reading books that match themed categories and submit their cards by Tuesday, Sept. 6, to be entered into a prize drawing. Bingo cards are available at all Library locations or can be downloaded at www.spl.org/BookBingo.
The Library also offers a cool retreat during hot summer days. Twenty-two of its 27 branches, including the recently renovated Green Lake Branch, are air-conditioned. A full list of air-conditioned locations can be found at www.spl.org/Shelter.
For reading suggestions, the Library offers curated book lists for all ages online and in branches. Librarians are also available to help kids and teens discover their next great read.
This year’s Summer of Learning artwork was created in collaboration with local artists Katana Sol, Victoria Urrutia, and Yolanda Galery. Information about the artists and their contributions can be found on the program’s webpage.
Rooted in the belief that knowledge empowers communities, the Library continues to promote literacy and lifelong learning across Seattle. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.spl.org/Calendar.
