Lilac City Local (Winter 2024)

A free magazine from Spokane Public Library

Winter 2024

WHAT’S INSIDE

Be Your Best Self Where a Love of Learning Begins Ringing in the Year of the Dragon StartUp Spokane Gives Meals on Wheels Momentum

1

CONTENTS

On the cover: Erin displays art she created with an artist-in-residence at The Hive.

1 Welcome 2 StartUp Spokane Gives Meals on Wheels Momentum 4 Where a Love of Learning Begins 6 Rebirth of Cool 7 Local Writer Experiments with Tanaka | Telemarketers and Vampires 8 Ringing in the Year of the Dragon 9 School and Library Partnership Delivers Value for the Community 10 Starting a Podcast has Never Been Easier 11 New Kiosks Bring Library Services to “Library Deserts” 12 B e Your Best Self at the Library

SPOKANE PUBLIC LIBRARY LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT All Spokane Public Library buildings sit on the traditional homelands of the four bands of the Spokane Tribe of Indians: sntútʔulixʷi, snxʷmeneʔi, s̓qesciłni, and slʕʷotéw s̓i (Upper Band, Middle Band, Lower Band, and Chewelah Band). Since time immemorial, the Spokane Tribe of Indians has lived and cared for these grounds. Identifying themselves as “sqélixʷ,” or “Flesh of the Earth.” We pay our respects to their Elders—past, present, and emerging. We show gratitude to the land, river, and peoples who have been fishing, hunting, harvesting, and gathering here for generations. May we learn from one another’s stories so that we may nurture the relationship of the People of the Spokane Tribe and to all those who share this land.

Dear Readers,

Lilac City Local A Spokane Public Library publication Editor-In-Chief Amanda Donovan Managing Editor Alina Murcar Copy Editor Skyler Noble Contributing Writers

When you think about your best, most loving, and joyful self, what does that look like for you? Oftentimes we think of spending time with people we love who bring out the best in us. Other times, being our best self is engaging in an activity that is relaxing, fun, challenging, or physically exhilarating. All of these have one thing in common: a sense of belonging through shared experiences.

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy states that “building social connections in our life has to be a vital priority.” He shares that engaging in meaningful connections and activities helps us prevent things like depression, anxiety, heart disease, and substance abuse.

As well-intentioned as these thoughts are, the actual implementation of them can sometimes be difficult. Thinking about taking the time to research new activities and initiate social connections can leave us feeling lonelier than before.

Our staff at Spokane Public Library recognize the greater need in the community for connection and belonging. We often hear that libraries are essential to our human experience because they’re places that foster a love of learning and within that love, we nurture healthier communities.

Juan Juan Moses Skyler Noble Alina Murcar Lisa Gardner Jason Thomas

As we progress into the new year, remember that you belong at the library. We are a safe and welcoming landing space for you to be exactly who you are and support you in your dreams.

Executive Director

Want to learn more about the importance of connection and belonging? Sharma Shields, Writing Education Specialist, curated these recommended reads:

Andrew Chanse Board of Trustees Lara Hemingway Gary Stokes Mary Starkey Danielle DeJaegher Shelby Lambdin

In this edition of Lilac City Local, you’ll find a variety of ways to explore new adventures through reading, create new connections at events, find new passions through our free services like the Media Studios, and ultimately learn new ways to continue your journey to becoming your best self.

BOOKS ON BELONGING

spokanelibrary.org Visit go.spokanelibrary.org/youbelong for more reads on belonging for adults, kids, and teens.

1

StartUp Spokane Gives Meals on Wheels Momentum

By Alina Murcar

F

or Jeremiah Keevy, Development Manager at the Greater Spokane County (GSC) Meals on Wheels, efficiency is the name of the game.

With a wide variety of experience in marketing and development, Jeremiah came on board GSC Meals on Wheels in 2023 with a key objective in mind: to find their target demographic, create a contact list, and build a database for potential donors and partners.

“I was vehemently searching for cost-effective options to use and it was dead-end after dead-

end,” said Jeremiah. “I would do consultations with different platforms that would cost thousands of dollars per month and, as much as I’d love to be able to have those services, we just don’t have the funds.”

• GuideStar by Candid: A premier nonprofit research tool with the most complete, up-todate nonprofit data available

Jeremiah and GSC Meals on Wheels Executive Director Delana Combs heard about “Mark actually pulled up a map StartUp Spokane services through and showed us how to categorize Spokane Public Library and demographics so that we can Spokane County Library District create impactful, meaningful, and sat down with our Business and customized campaigns to Librarian, Mark Pond, to learn have more success in receiving more. support from the community,” said Jeremiah. “The meeting was Mark showed Jeremiah and chock-full of information that I Delana helpful and FREE tools find extremely valuable.” accessible through the library that were most applicable to their Jeremiah expressed relief when business like: talking about how much time

• DemographicsNow: Providing demographics, consumer expenditures, interactive maps, and more

• Data Axle Solutions: More than 180 million residential listings and business directories useful for market research, competitive Jeremiah Keevy, analysis, and sales lead list Development Manager at the Greater Spokane County generation (GSC) Meals on Wheels, 2

• Candid Foundation Directory Online: The only resource you need to search for the foundations most likely to give you grants

these tools saved him. Before learning about StartUp Spokane services through the library, he would manually enter THOUSANDS of addresses collected from USPS into a direct mail platform with only 180-200 of them actually turning out to be valid.

“StartUp Spokane services have saved me COUNTLESS hours through platforms available for free like Data Axle Solutions,” said Jeremiah. “I’m able to access and utilize valid addresses much more efficiently.”

At the end of the day, Jeremiah, Delana, and their team at the GSC Meals on Wheels want to provide healthy, nutritious meals to seniors in our region. Accessing tools that help them reach the right people and organizations who also care about this cause can help them continue to provide our more vulnerable seniors with vital nutrition and support.

Next, GSC Meals on Wheels team plans to dive into the resource Candid Foundation Directory Online. This resource can help them conduct more effective research so they find the grants that are perfect for them—like grants for nutritional advocacy and medical/social services.

“StartUp Spokane has offered the most valuable resources that I can think of,” said Jeremiah. “I’m still awestruck that the services provided are free of cost.”

So what exactly is StartUp Spokane?

StartUp Spokane is a program managed by Spokane Public Library (SPL) and Spokane County Library District (SCLD) that supports local entrepreneurs and fosters business growth.

Libraries serve as invaluable community resources by providing free access to knowledge, ensuring that information and opportunities are readily available to all.

A natural extension of the combined library resources, StartUp Spokane is able to offer a wide variety of business services for free that would otherwise cost money when accessed elsewhere.

Whether you’re brainstorming business ideas or growing an established business, StartUp Spokane has the resources to help your company grow.

Visit startupspokane.com to find out how to get: •P ersonalized consulting with Mark Pond (SPL) and Spokane County Library District Business Librarians •S tep-by-step guidance for new business owners to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship •A ccess to a network of specialized mentors who can provide valuable insights and guidance •A ccess to a wealth of databases for demographics, industry trends, market research, and much more Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur with a vision or an established business owner seeking new avenues for growth, StartUp Spokane can be the cornerstone of your journey to success. Together we can make Spokane the most equitable place to start, run, and grow a business.

Scan the QR code to visit StartUpSpokane.com and get started!

33

You see it every time you enter a public library. Families browse the shelves for picture books, children exude joy while playing in the playspaces, babies discover their voice at storytime. It starts here: a love of reading, a love of community, and a love of learning—and they all flourish with each passing day.

When your child attends a class on painting their feelings, they start to understand how to emotionally express themselves. When a teenager joins a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, they meet new friends while exercising strategy and imagination.

When your little ones build with LEGO®, they learn to share, dream, and create. These skills are crucial to the development of our future leaders. The specialized Youth Programming team at Spokane Public Library develop free, educational events in key categories to create a safe place for young minds to learn and grow.

EARLY LEARNING Our Early Learning Specialist focuses on fine motor skills, vocabulary, social-emotional learning, and more through story, song, and play to support early literacy for our youngest visitors.

According to data collected by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for the 2021-22 school year, more than 38 percent of K-4 students recorded read below grade level. Instilling early literacy skills before a child enters school is crucial for word recognition, reading comprehension, and building confidence. Early experiences at the library can foster these skills and participation in reading challenges such as 1,000 Books Before 4

Kindergarten can overcome disparities in early literacy.

Not only do these programs benefit children but caretakers as well.

“People might not know how great our libraries have become,” said local parent Lauren Schubring.

“They’re a nice A young visitor reads in “the nest” at Spokane Public Library’s place to connect South Hill location. with other parents and people who have just moved here who haven’t built up a community yet. I think people are looking for that. I hope everyone can go!”

ARTS EDUCATION Art is vital for developing creativity and imagination.

Our Arts Education Specialist works with kids and teens to develop and refine skills in drawing, digital design, sculpting, paper, journaling, and more.

Children have created magical wands, sketchbooks, 3D models, walnut ink, and more. Expressing

Library visitors enjoy Wonka Candy Carnival where they crafted creative candy bars.

creativity early on can promote problem solving, collaboration, communication, and well-being.

Creativity is an endless well of potential. As beloved poet Maya Angelou once said, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION The effects of human activity on our planet spread far and wide. In breaking down topics like sustainability, composting, renewable energy, and biodiversity for a young audience, students are informed early about their own effects on the planet and how they can advocate for a healthy environment. Our Youth Environmental Specialist develops engaging and informative events to promote ecological awareness.

Environmental education goes beyond climate change and pollution.

Kids and teens have made tiny terrariums, demonstrating ecosystems and their relationships with living organisms.

They’ve made Mason, Environmental their own paper with Education Specialist, teaches students how to safely get a recycled materials and closer look at insects. worked with Spokane Zero Waste to mend their own clothes to learn how to prevent unnecessary waste. These are some of many events focused on the environment.

STEM EDUCATION Fueling future minds one experiment at a time. Our STEM Librarian offers activities based on age and skill to sharpen young minds and instill curiosity and

experimentation. We’ve learned the science behind diapers, broken down the DNA in fruits we eat every day, and explored surface tension, space, and weather ­­­­—all to show how our world works in a fun, bite-sized format.

STEM occupations are expected to grow over the next decade. Providing children with a place to let their passion grow is the first step to discovering which path they may want to take in the future.

At the library, young learners can explore which topics interest them and supplement what they’re This year, hundreds of kids came out to practice their engineering learning in school, skills with local LEGO® Masters. all for free.

TEEN PROGRAMMING Entering middle and high school hosts a set of new challenges and experiences for students. Navigating these experiences with friends in a comfortable and safe environment can help take away some of the stress that comes with growing up. That’s exactly what our Teen Programming Librarian strives to do.

The library hosts regular events like Dungeons & Dragons, Cozy Hangout, Anime Club, Game On, and more to help middle and high schoolers develop social skills while having fun.

“Attending the different Library programs has been invaluable to myself and my child,” said Elizabeth Tanner, a local parent. “She loves going to the different libraries around Spokane. I am hoping it instills a lifelong love of books and libraries.”

WHERE THE LOVE BEGINS Libraries set the stage for young minds to uncover their futures. It’s a testing ground for new interests, a safe space to build community with people who have similar passions, a trusted presence that will never leave your side. Scan the QR code or visit go.spokanelibrary.org/KidsEvents to find upcoming events.

55

By Lisa Gardner

W

e cannot forget who we are, Generation X. We’re Generation Cool. Generation X is defined as people born 1965– 1980; it’s the minds of this generation that gave us today’s prevalent pop culture.

Seemingly, we’ve been overshadowed by the technological advancements of the Millennials and by the rascally radicals of Generation Z, but we are Generation X; we cannot fold into the shadows behind the tough Boomers. No, we are the precipice of a Rebirth of Cool.

We’re the generation that introduced the world to hip-hop music. In all of its controversy, from the suggestive lyrics of 2 Live Crew to the raw and unfiltered gangsterism of N.W.A., we’re the generation that challenged the law in music. We’re the generation that brought Grunge with its unapologetic sound out of Seattle, polarizing the world. From Nirvana to Weezer, we’re the generation who displayed our turmoil loudly through the unrepentant sound of systemic frustration.

This was early Mental Health music, channeling the generation before us that had Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, and Carlos Santana; we may not have taken to the streets in protest with a raised fist, but we protested with our music, with Public Enemy and Rage Against the Machine.

We’re the generation that introduced the world to music videos and reality television. Reality television introduced a new genre of indulging every facet of industry, from food shows to real estate to renovation shows. Our Generation X unlocked the taboo of “leaving it to our imagination” to taking a magnifying glass to how things “really” work.

6

We’re the generation who introduced the world to the internet and social media with the early days of Juno, AOL, and chat rooms like AOL Voices—finding ways to connect with individuals all over the country and eventually all over the world at the speed of light. We’re the generation that took arcade games from the arcade to the comforts of home. Social networking could now happen at home with “the homies” around a Nintendo 64.

So, what happens when we reach the golden age of 50?

Do we sulk over a diminished social security? Salivate over the looming retirement years? No, we reinvent ourselves. We’re now the hip CEO wearing an Adidas tracksuit and sleeve tattoos in board meetings. We’re now honoring LL Cool J at the Kennedy Center. We’re currently listening to André 3000 of Outkast as he plays his wooden Mayan flute on an album of ambient music.

We’re the generation rebirthing cool and standardizing it from the streets to the boardroom, from a grunge garage in Seattle to a self-driving, environmentally safe Tesla.

We’re among the coolest generations walking the earth, powered by over-consumption of crafted coffee and legalized artisan sativa and indica—we can thank the Millennials for that.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A native of Spokane, Lisa Gardner is an aspiring author who has contributed articles to several local publications, including Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living Magazine, Trending Northwest Magazine, and The Black Lens. Lisa attended Eastern Washington University (EWU) as an undergraduate and the University of Maryland for graduate school. Professionally, Lisa is the Director of Communications and Community Engagement for Spokane City Council and volunteers as the President of the Spokane NAACP.

Poet Jason Thomas spoke to Writing Education Specialist Sharma Shields at an office hours event at the Central Library (Sharma’s Office Hours take place at various libraries throughout any given month). Sharma was struck by the evocative imagery of Thomas’s poems, and their moving discussion of change and grief. Here are two of Thomas’s tanka. According to the Academy of American Poets website, “The tanka is a thirty-one-syllable poem, traditionally written in a single unbroken line…Tanka translates as ‘short song,’ and is better known in its five-line, 5/7/5/7/7 syllable count form.”

DECEMBER The bell of winter peals–soil tightens to stone and lakes shut their doors.

In hush, you smooth the last ounce of raw summer in my hands.

A BEND IN HATCHER PASS Regret had a damp heft, a numbing density, as if he swallowed river stones; he submerges to ease the weight of absence.

Telemarketers and Vampires: Blending Realism with the Monstrous

About the featured author: Jason Thomas is an artist and writer originally from Alaska who now uses brush and pen to capture the lovely edges of Spokane County.

Recently at various libraries, Writing Education Specialist Sharma Shields ran a generative writing workshop called Monster Stories.

Dracula sighed as he adjusted his headset.

The headset was a constant problem; the microphone kept hitting against his fangs when he talked. Also, the headset volume—he had ears like a bat and the customers always talked too loudly.

In one of the workshop’s prompts, Sharma asked participants to write a monster story involving a real-life work experience. Sharma loved the beginning of this story from local writer and colleague Tammy Anderson, who has worked for Spokane Public Library for sixteen years who envisioned Dracula working as a telemarketer.

Dracula always hated it when the customers asked him if he personally used the products. He was immortal; he didn’t need some “snake oil” vitamins and supplements that promised good health.

Sure, it was easy enough to lie, but after a time, it wore on him…

77

A Vibrant Lunar New Year Celebration

By Community Educator, Juan Juan Moses

E

very year between the end of January and the middle of February, a quarter of the world’s population (about 2 billion people) from East and Southeast Asia, and their families all over the world, celebrate Lunar New Year. It’s an especially important holiday in places like China, Vietnam, Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Lunar New Year falls on the date of the second new moon after the winter solstice. The holiday is rooted in the changing of seasons as it relates to the cultivation of land, but we still celebrate the same general ideas today; the joy of sharing resources, strengthening relationships, storytelling, taking time for rest, and the presence of community.

Did you know? Lunar New Year is also called “Spring Festival” to indicate the upcoming season for people who work the land.

This Lunar New Year will be especially meaningful because it will ring in the Year of Dragon, one of the two most favorable signs in the Chinese Zodiac. This is also arguably the most important within the 12year Lunar New Year cycle (the other being the Year of Tiger) because it is believed to be a time of great transformation.

8

This year, we’re honoring Lunar New Year with a series of five cultural and educational events on Saturday, February 10 at Shadle Park Library. These events range from a children’s storytime focusing on a variety of Asian tales, to a K-Pop fashion show and dance, to a cooking demonstration. Our goal is to amplify our community’s knowledge, education, and celebration surrounding Lunar New Year in an accessible and free way.

In the spirit of joy and gratitude, many community partners will join us for this special day and have generously donated many gifts, like free tutoring at Kumon Math and Reading Center, gift certificates to local Asian grocery stores and restaurants, and a delicious variety of Asian spices.

We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and there’s just one more thing left to say: Gong Xi Fa Cai (gong-héifaat-choi) meaning “May you be blessed with good fortune”!

LUNAR NEW YEAR EVENTS @ SHADLE PARK LIBRARY FEBRUARY 10, 2024 10am: Lunar New Year Storytime We’ll read about Lunar New Year and make some fun crafts.

11am: Chinese Folk Dancing The Spokane Chinese Association will showcase folk dances from different regions of China.

11:30am: The Most Popular Street Food of China: Shaobing You can prepare it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner: Shaobing is a simple yet delicious and versatile dish.

1pm: K-Pop Inspired Accessories: Show Off Your Standom (For Kids & Teens) Whether you’re a stan/fan, or just love creating, you can make accessories inspired by K-Pop music and fashion.

3pm: K-Pop Dance!

Dance to invigorating music and learn some new moves!

SCHOOL AND LIBRARY PARTNERSHIP DELIVERS VALUE FOR THE COMMUNITY By Alina Murcar

W

hen the new Shaw Middle School opened on September 2, 2021, it included something new and innovative within it’s walls—the Hillyard Public Library. This colocated facility is a cornerstone of the partnership between Spokane Public Schools and Spokane Public Library, and a prime example of sharing resources and stretching the tax-payer dollar.

On Track Academy, NEWTech Skills Center, Northeast Community Center, MultiCare Behavioral Health Clinic, and The ZoNE are all located on or near the campus, perfectly situating the Hillyard Library to support both the students and the residents of one of Spokane’s most underserved neighborhoods.

From September to May of every school year, the Hillyard Library team works alongside John Parks, the Library Information Specialist (LIS) at Shaw Middle School, to provide educational and fun resources for the middle school students.

After working in the Spokane area for 30 years, John has ample knowledge of how the public school system works and he’s never seen a partnership quite like this one.

“I applied for this job specifically because of the relationship between the schools and the library. The relationship we have with the Hillyard Library staff has been wonderful. They’ve really gotten to know our students and care about their well-being. It’s a place where kids feel welcome,” said John.

they can give them the best library experience possible.

“It’s a place where kids feel welcome.”

“I love how we’ve merged our collections together,” said Library Assistant Amy Burchell. “I feel like we have a more robust middle grade and young adult collection now. They have a lot of books that we may not have and vice versa. It’s worked out extremely well.”

Some of the many ways John and the Hillyard Library team collaborate are through their book displays, reading challenges, and even their wardrobes. They appear as a united front to the students so

As part of the school and library partnership, Spokane Public Library manages the collection of all Spokane Public Schools’ middle schools to ensure up-to-date and relevant titles and a comprehensive catalog management system. This collaboration lets educators like John spend more time engaging with students and allows the library to develop a diverse collection that can flex across all locations.

The partnership between Hillyard Library and Shaw Middle School allows the community to access more resources and will serve as an example for more opportunities to nurture, support, and educate future generations.

9

S

tarting a podcast can be overwhelming—from creating your recording setup, to deciding on editing software, to figuring out the RSS feed, let alone the content!

It’s easy to spend countless hours researching and working through details, and the price can quickly go from a creative idea to an expensive hobby.

When Central Library reopened in 2022, it included new stateof-the-art Media Studios including a Recording Studio, Podcast Production Studio, and Video Studio. The studios have since been used 1,680 times by over 500 individual patrons.

For Director of Outside Sales & Social Media at Skil’kin Dana Divine, utilizing the Podcast Production Studio allowed her team to launch their podcast, “Good Gab.”

“The focus of this podcast is to GAB with GOOD people who are doing GOOD things in the community,” said Dana. “We hear enough bad news every day, let’s focus on the good news.”

When searching for a podcast studio option, Dana learned about the podcast studio at Central Library. After taking a trip to explore the studio, she and Vice President of Operations at Skil’kin Steve McBride, were blown away at the setup and equipment available for free with just a library card.

“I believe we were the first podcast to record in that studio in August of 2022 and we’ve been recording there ever since! We have released more than 64 episodes since August of 2022 with new episodes coming out every Friday,” said Dana.

You can listen to the “Good Gab” podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.) or on their YouTube channel @goodgabpodcast.

The Central Library Podcast Production Studio is also a great place to pop in for guest recordings, too. Local marketing agency The Woodshop has a regular podcast called “Between Coffee and Pizza” that focuses on offering insights into the world of marketing.

Their team are avid users of the library and big podcast fans, so when the studios opened at Central Library, they had to combine their love of these two things and record an episode there. That episode happened to be with to be with Marketing Director at Spokane Public Library, Amanda Donovan. You can listen to Amanda’s episode and more from “Between Coffee and Pizza” anywhere you get your podcasts.

Do you have a podcast idea but need access to the materials to bring it to life? Scan the QR code or visit bookings.spokanelibrary.org/reserve to reserve the Podcast Production Studio and let your voice be heard.

10

The 24/7 Library Kiosk sails through the air for installation at Gonzaga Family Haven.

New Kiosks Bring Library Services to “Library Deserts” By Skyler Noble

R

esidents at Gonzaga Family Haven watched with anticipation on a sunny August day as City crews shut down North Foothills Drive for a crane to lift a 24/7 Library Kiosk from the delivery truck to its new home. “There was a lot of excitement when the kiosk was first installed, but what was great was that it created a lot of conversations on how residents can use the kiosk,” said Peggy Haun-McEwen, Director of Community at Gonzaga Family Haven. Residents were able to register for library cards shortly after— many of whom had never had one before or didn’t know their child’s Spokane Public Schools student ID served as a library card.

“I heard from our residents that they are using it for DVDs,” said Peggy. “I have a couple of parents who like to utilize it on the weekends because transportation is a struggle. It’s especially difficult for people who are low-income and transitioning into being homed. To have something right there where they can get new books and DVDs for their kids is pretty amazing.”

“I know the power of reading firsthand and I know that access to libraries and to books is what will help these children grow their imaginations and continue to dream.”

To best accommodate areas of Spokane that are further from a brickand-mortar library location, the library assessed potential partners who shared a similar mission of expanding library services to the community.

“Catholic Charities and Gonzaga Family Haven have many community partners. The kiosk is a visible indication of our partnership with the library,” said Peggy. “The power of partnerships is something I have really come to love about this job and this community.”

In summer 2023, Catholic Charities’ Gonzaga Family Haven and Yokes Fresh Market in Latah received new 24/7 Library Kiosks to provide residents 24/7 access to books and movies in a more convenient location.

These kiosks were funded by the 2018 Library Bond to serve neighborhoods considered to be “library deserts”—geographic areas with less accessibility to books and other library services­­—and to close the divide between these neighborhoods and vital library services. At these Kiosks, anyone with a library card can check out and return items, pick up holds, and browse the materials any time, any day.

In 2024, two more kiosks will be installed. One at Spokane Transit Authority’s Five Mile Park and Ride in northwest Spokane and one at a library property under development at Nevada and Sitka in northeast Spokane.

The 24/7 Library Kiosks are wrapped in custom artwork by local artist Danielle Davis.

“One of our fundamental goals here is to break intergenerational poverty through education,” said Peggy. “I know the power of reading firsthand and I know that access to libraries and to books is what will help these children grow their imaginations and continue to dream.”

11

Your Library Card is the Key to Becoming Your Best Self in 2024 Want to become the most fascinating person in any room? Your Spokane Public Library card is your ticket to a world of excitement. Explore our “Library of Things” via our online catalog, check out our online learning resources, or attend an event and learn something new. The library can kickstart your journey to becoming the coolest, most interesting version of yourself.

Author Sidney Sheldon said, “Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving our quality of life.” Have you thought about what you want to explore and achieve in 2024 and beyond? Let the library be your guide.

Does creating something new make you feel like your best self? If one of your goals for the year is to learn a new skill, visit our online Craft & Hobby resource at go.spokanelibrary.org/CraftAndHobby to learn all the skills you need to crochet, knit, or sew your next project. Need materials? Shadle Park Library, South Hill Library, and Indian Trail Library offer a popular Yarn Exchange where you can borrow and lend unused yarn and fabric...for free! ...

et to Croch ch...

Fren to speak o repair... o Aut how to d o code… how t

Perhaps you want to advance your career this year? With free access to LinkedIn Learning you can learn a new skill to boost your resume.

Let the library help you live your best life and broaden your horizons.

r 2024!

12

s fo tention in r u o Set y

LIBRARY OF THINGS Musical Instruments With your library card, you’re just a few chords away from making sweet music. Borrow a musical instrument like a ukulele, guitar, or drums, grab a songbook, and let your musical journey begin!

Board Games If binge-watching “The Queen’s Gambit” got you itching for a strategic challenge, you’re in for a treat! Our collection of board games, from classics like Chess to family favorites like Ticket to Ride or Mexican Train Dominoes, is at your fingertips.

Join our monthly Chess Club at the South Hill Library—it’s the move to make on the third Saturday of each month from 2:30-4:30!

Outdoor Equipment Yearning for the great outdoors?

Grab our “Check Out Washington” kit and explore the beauty of state parks and wildlife lands for free!

Equipped with a Discover Pass, binoculars, field guides, and more, this kit turns every day into an adventure.

Garden Tools Grow your green thumb with our gardening events, books, and TOOLS! Garden rakes, hoes, seeders, sheers, and more are available.

And don’t forget to swing by Hillyard or Indian Trail Library for free seed packets—your future self will thank you!

Library Learning Week January 22-28, 2024

Learn a new skill, become your best you.

Monday | 1.22.24 Spokane House History Resources South Hill, 3pm

Tuesday | 1.23.24 Gentle Flow Yoga South Hill, 12pm Be a Maker (Ages 3-11) Indian Trail, 3:30pm Winter Wildlife Workshops (Ages 6-14) Liberty Park, 5pm The Craft of Writing a Novel: Sonora Jha and Jess Walter NW Novelists in Conversation Central, 5:30pm

Wednesday | 1.24.24 Virtual Book Club | Yoga Bitch

by Suzanna Morrison Registration Required Virtual, 12pm Free, Professional Headshots Central, 12pm Copycats (Ages 8-12) South Hill, 3:30pm Be a Maker (Ages 3-11) Liberty Park, 3:30pm Anime Club for Middle & High Schoolers Hillyard, 3:30pm

Wednesday | 1.24.24 Drop-In and Draw, Paint, Knit, Stitch The Hive, 5pm Winter Wildlife Workshop (Ages 6-14) Shadle Park, 5pm

Thursday | 1.25.24 Office Hours with Sharma Shields: Support for Creative Writers Central, 10am Our Elder’s Stories Portrait Edition (Ages 5-18) Indian Trail, 3:30pm Mindful Doodling The Hive, 5:30pm

Friday | 1.26.24 Write Together: Community Session with Sharma Shields Indian Trail, 10am Songwriting Made Easy: Yes, You Can Do This!

Registration Required Central, 3pm HOMAGO Friday for Middle & High Schoolers Hillyard, 3:30pm

Atten d an event below and y ou wil l be entere d to w in an eR eader !

Saturday | 1.27.24 Take Your Business Idea from 0 to 60 in 90 Minutes Registration Required Central, 10:30am Be a Maker (Ages 3-11) Shadle Park, 11am Make a Snow Lantern Hillyard, 11am Game Developer Club for Middle & High Schoolers Hillyard, 12pm Stretching Class Indian Trail, 12pm Make Your Own Yogurt Shadle Park, 1pm FILM: I Am Here: A Documentary on Ella Blumenthal Liberty Park, 2pm K-Pop Dance!

Shadle Park, 3pm

Sunday | 1.28.24 Zentangle Registration Required South Hill, 2:30pm

Drawing Expressive Expressions (Ages 9-15) Registration Required Liberty Park, 3:45pm

13