NEIGHBORHOOD
By Pollyanne Birge and Amber Groe, Office of Neighborhood Services, City of Spokane
In a world increasingly shaped by digital platforms, the sense of belonging with local communities has new urgency. Connecting to the people around us in our neighborhoods is the answer as we yearn nostalgically for a world centered around kinship. Neighborhood-based grassroots efforts will preserve Spokane’s unique charm while ensuring that every neighborhood continues to feel like home.
Mayor Lisa Brown recently declared 2025 the “Year of the Neighborhood,” celebrating the 29 dynamic and diverse neighborhoods that shape our Spokane community.
“Strong neighborhoods are the heart of a thriving city. Each of Spokane’s 29 neighborhoods is its own unique community, filled with people, local businesses, and traditions that make our city special. When we invest in our neighborhoods, we can build a more connected city for everyone,” Mayor Lisa Brown said.
This year is particularly special because it marks the 25th anniversary of the City of Spokane’s Office of Neighborhood Services being recognized in the City Charter, a guiding document for city operations. Although neighborhood councils existed before the year 2000, the City did not formally recognize them or dedicate staff to support their efforts.
How did we get here? In 2000, everything changed when the Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS) was added to the City Charter. Residents advocated for a more formalized way to engage with local government alongside former Mayor Jack Geraghty, former City Councilmember Phyllis Holmes, and former ONS Director Molly Jkubczak, who championed the effort at the City level. Adding ONS to the Charter conveyed a message that neighborhoods are the center of local communities and should be formally recognized and supported by the City.
JOIN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
To learn more about your neighborhood and when your neighborhood council meets, scan the QR code or visit: my.spokanecity.org/neighborhoods/councils Spokane is divided into 29 neighborhoods within 3 districts.
Since 2000 (and even before then), neighborhood leaders have spent countless hours investing in people and bolstering partnerships to strengthen our community, using the power of neighborhood councils to do so.
Neighborhood councils provide a unique opportunity for residents to have a closer relationship with their local government officials and staff, while also allowing government officials to engage more easily and frequently with residents. Through Spokane’s 29 neighborhood councils, we have seen neighborhood leaders help advocate for change, voice concerns, and create opportunities that uniquely benefit and meet the needs of their area. Most neighborhood councils meet on a monthly basis and are always looking for new neighbors to join.
Our neighborhood councils have played an important part in community clean-up events, hosting localized events like Porch Fest, Concerts in the Park, and block parties, supporting neighborhood farmer’s markets, spearheading safe streets improvements, partnering with libraries for community workshops and meetings, and so much more.
Strong neighborhoods are the heart of a thriving city. Each of Spokane’s 29 neighborhoods is its own unique community, filled with people, local businesses, and traditions that make our city special.
As we enter and celebrate the Year of Neighborhoods, we recognize that this is an opportunity to refocus on the power of community involvement and the transformative impact it can have on our daily lives. From revitalizing local spaces to fostering meaningful relationships, the importance of coming
together on a grassroots level cannot be overstated. Throughout the year, ONS will be celebrating the history, people, and work of neighborhood councils. Several projects include: a neighborhood video series called “Good Neighbors, Great Leaders” which will be featured on City Cable 5 and social media; a neighborhood profile project which organizes neighborhood histories and demographic information to help tell the stories of our Spokane neighborhoods; neighborhood bicycle tours; Lilac City Live featuring Mayor Brown; and the Civic Guide for Neighbors – a zine (a type of informal magazine) providing information about local government and how you can make an impact.
The projects highlighted are designed to connect neighbors, strengthen local storytelling, breakdown barriers for residents getting involved with local government, and inspire participation!
Neighborhoods mean different things to everyone, but at its core we believe that it’s about investing in the people around you and forming community. Get to know who they are, how your values align, and learn the ways you can rely on each other, even if it is just for a cup of sugar every now and again.
Celebrate Spokane’s neighborhoods and the Office of Neighborhood Services at Lilac City Live on Thursday, April 17 from 7-9 p.m. at Central Library featuring Mayor Brown, local zine artist Madison Merica, and musical guests. Pick up your very own Civic Guide for Neighbors zine and enjoy fun, refreshments, and prizes.
West Central Neighborhood Clean-up
Lower South Hill Block Party hosted by Cliff/Cannon Neighborhood Council
WBy Juan Juan Moses, Community Educator, Spokane Public Library
Indian Trail Library’s renovation in spring of 2023, the library’s attention turned to the nearly one-acre lawn just south of the building. There was a time when neatly trimmed lawns were valued for dust control, weed suppression, and aesthetics. However, in our increasingly arid climate, this approach is no longer practical. To be responsible environmental stewards, we knew we needed to move away from practices like excessive water usage, fertilizer and chemical application, and monoculture. Our goal for this space was not only to address environmental and resource concerns, but to add value to the community and transform the space into a platform for learning, a gathering place, and a sanctuary for both our wild and human friends.
Guided by this vision and driven by a desire to minimize water, chemical, and labor consumption, we explored several options including an urban food forest with fruits and berries or rewilding the space. Rewilding urban spaces is a concept that is gaining momentum nationwide. It’s a concept born out of benefits for both the environment and urban dwellers.
With help conceptualizing ideas from the city’s SpokaneScape team, we finalized a plan for a bird garden and pollinator meadow.
The bird garden boasts carefully selected trees and shrubs that offer shelter and food sources to birds and small mammals. Most trees and shrubs are native species that are proven resilient in our dry hot summers, thus decreasing the need for water.
The trees and shrubs were chosen for their year-round benefits: spring blossoms provide nectar for pollinators and enhance the landscape, summer foliage offers shade for library visitors, autumn brings vibrant colors and nourishing fruits for both wildlife and people, and winter seeds sustain birds and small mammals. Many of these plants not only support local wildlife but are also edible for humans. Some, like elderberry, Oregon
Before
grape, native serviceberries, and two majestic linden trees, even have medicinal properties when prepared correctly and safely.
In the pollinator meadow, we’ve planted a mix of annual and perennial flowers to ensure a continuous bloom cycle, providing nectar for native bees that feed at different times. These flowers also support other pollinators and offer small seeds for birds and beetles. Among them is evening primrose, which blooms at night to nourish nocturnal moths—a true feast for all.
Seeded in May 2024, the meadow was already buzzing with bees by mid-June. Early-blooming Phacelia, a favorite among bees, their collective hum almost deafening. Like the bees, children need no invitation to this garden! As soon as the meadow began to bloom, patrons—especially young children—were drawn to it. They delight in wandering through the flowers, smelling, touching, marveling at the colors, and running along the winding path.
When the first frost arrives, we’ll leave the frozen plants in place, allowing them to continue supporting our wild visitors like
Personalized garden steppingstones form a path through the meadow.
After
ground-nesting beetles, small birds foraging for seeds. The meadow will remain untouched throughout the season. If it looks a bit messy after the frost, rest assured it’s not neglect but a deliberate effort to mimic nature.
During the growing months, the garden is never the same for long. Blooms and blossoms arrive in waves, as do the pollinators that rely on them. We hope you’ll visit often to experience the everchanging moods and personalities of this special place. After all, your enjoyment is what truly brings this garden to life.
START YOUR OWN LAWN TO LEARNING JOURNEY AT INDIAN TRAIL
Building Raised Garden Beds with Pallets
Saturday, May 17, 11am
Shou Sugi Ban: The Japanese Way of Preserving Wood
Saturday, May 17, 12pm
Indian Trail Garden Open House
Saturday, June 14, 11am
Composting Demonstration
Saturday, June 14, 11am
Mason Beekeeping with Pat Munts
Saturday, June 14, 2:30pm
UPCOMING EXHIBIT AT CENTRAL LIBRARY
Spokane Pride History and Remembrance Project
June 1 to June 30
In June, reflect on the vibrant and poignant history of Spokane’s LGBTQ+ community at an exhibition on the 3rd floor of Central Library, brought to you by Spokane Pride and Spokane Public Library. Featuring a timeline of important events and significant objects from the 20th and 21st century contributed by the folks who made history in Spokane.
Pride Month Reads
Add these reads, including several by local authors, to your to be read pile.
Photo credit: Jesse Tinsley/ The Spokesman-Review.
Have you ever had a moment in a library that changed your life? Maybe it was the book that sparked your imagination, the librarian who helped you find the right resource, or access to resources that led to your first job. Spokane Public Library invites you to share those moments through My Library, My Story, a community-wide celebration of the impact libraries have on our lives.
Right now, access to books and library services face challenges across the country. But we know libraries are more than just buildings filled with books— they are hubs of connection, learning, and belonging. This is your chance to remind the world why libraries matter.
Watch videos of our customers sharing their stories of what the library means to them and share your own library story on our website at go.spokanelibrary.org/ mylibrarymystory. You can also read stories about positive library experiences in exhibits at your favorite library.
We invite you to share your personal library experience on social media. Tag @spokanepubliclibrary to collaborate with the library and amplify your voice.
Your story matters. Your experience could inspire someone else to discover the power of libraries. Join us in celebrating what’s possible when a community has access to knowledge, creativity, and opportunity.
Leah’s Story
“I staggered into the Spokane Library after taking the bus into town from the airport, fresh off my first solo flight….Since then, the library has been a comforting landmark during adventures downtown, a perfect spot for mid-run breaks, and a great research hub for school. Thank you, Spokane Public Library!”
Brian’s story
“Spokane Public Library holds a special place in my heart. Every week, my two small boys eagerly anticipate storytime with their grandparents. This cherished routine has become a cornerstone of their childhood, filled with laughter, learning, and the joy of discovering new stories. The boys' eyes light up as they listen to tales that transport them to different worlds, while their grandparents' faces glow with pride and happiness.”
Jackie’s story
“I’ve been enjoying the free 30 minute ukulele lessons since February. The instructor is very patient and knowledgeable. I am motivated to keep practicing and returning to learn more. At age 73, I find learning something new very energizing! I even hope to play Happy Birthday to my 3-yearold granddaughter in another month. Thank you, Spokane Public Library!”
Scan the QR code or visit go.spokanelibrary.org/mylibrarymystory to share your story
Zines (short for “magazines” or “fanzines”) are small, self-published booklets that allow you to share ideas, art, stories, or anything else you’re passionate about. Zines are about creativity and community—not consumerism—and have historically been bastions for counterculture and revolution. They are also a beautiful example of engaging with paper products, refreshing for all of us who stare at too many screens.
low prices. Notably, this will be the first year (yay!) where tabling is free for the artists.
The vibe at Spokane Zine Fest is inspiring, busy, and fun. Last
Zines are about creativity and community—not consumerism—and have historically been bastions for counterculture and revolution.
Spokane Public Library (SPL): What was your introduction to zines and what initial impact did they have on you as an artist?
Spokane Zine Fest 2025 will take place on the 3rd floor of Central Library from 11am5pm on May 31. Spearheaded by local artist and writer Chelsea Martin (author of the memoir Caca Dolce and the novel Tell Me I’m an Artist) and her artist husband, Ian Amberson (ianamberson.com), Spokane Zine Fest has become a beloved event, supporting dozens of DIY artists and short run bookmakers, who table at the event and sling their paper products for outlandishly
year, kids made buttons with Eastern Washington University design students, and people of all ages enjoyed zine-making and drawing workshops with local artists like Kate Reed of Party Krill and organizations like Art Salvage. Interested parties can register for this year’s workshops on the Spokane Zine Fest website, spokanezinefest.com. And it’s always a blast to just show up and shop the zine tables—it’s easy to find books and artwork there that make amazing décor and gifts.
To find out more about Spokane Zine Fest’s roots, the library reached out to co-founder Chelsea Martin, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions.
Chelsea Martin (CM): I found out about chapbooks (a type of zine typically containing poetry) when I was in college studying writing. They were so fun, so accessible, and so cheap! I made my first zine/ chapbook to go along with a poetry reading I did in school. I gave them away, and I thought of it as a little token that could be taken home to remember the occasion. I had such a positive response to them—friends sharing them with other friends, or people telling me that they had read it out loud to other people. It was SO impactful to how I wanted to shape my work moving forward. I wanted to entertain. I wanted my work to be easily passed on and shared. I wanted to not be
precious about any of it and just do what felt urgent.
SPL: When did you first realize Spokane needed its own zine festival and what were your initial steps in making this happen?
CM: Ian and I moved to Spokane in 2016 and were looking for ways to find cool people and figure out how to belong here. We had participated in other zine fests (Los Angeles, Oakland, Detroit) and realized there was no such festival here. So we applied for a Spokane Arts Award Grant (SAGA) to start one, and we got the grant, so we made one!
SPL: How do you see zines impacting our communities?
CM: I see zines as an easy, approachable, inexpensive way to share ideas. Ideas are so valuable, and so underrated. Nobody makes zines for money, because that’s not the point. I find that so refreshing in a world designed
to make you obsess about monetizing everything. Zines are a perfect vessel for trying out raw, unfiltered ideas. And it’s so satisfying when you find a zine that speaks to you. There is something just so pure and unpretentious and exciting about the medium. And guess what? You can take that brilliant, little thing home! Because it’s only two dollars!
SPL: What have been some of your favorite Spokane Zine Fest moments in the past few years?
CM: I love finding vendors at Spokane Zine Fest that have clearly been doing this for a long time. They have lots of zines, a unique point of view, and just clearly love doing it. I also love seeing vendors who are just starting out, seeing how it feels to share their ideas, their philosophies, their drawings. And I absolutely love that a zine fest makes space for both these kinds of people and everyone in between.
SPL: What are you most excited about for Spokane Zine Fest 2025?
CM: Spokane Zine Fest 2025! I’m so excited about FREE TABLING, making a uniquely accessible event even more accessible. We have had increasing interest and support for Spokane Zine Fest every single year, in large part because this community is so supportive of one another. I’m so thrilled for every new zinester who is able to participate this year, and every elder zinester who doesn’t quit, paving the way for the vibrant arts community we all deserve.
Zine Making 101
Zines are about self-expression and creativity—there are no rules! Have fun making something uniquely yours. They’re easy to make and fun to distribute! Here’s a simple guide to creating your own zine.
Step 1: Choose Your Topic
What do you want to share? Zines can be about anything—personal stories, poetry, activism, comics, or even a collection of favorite quotes.
Step 2: Gather Your Materials
You’ll need: paper, pens, markers, or a printer, scissors, a stapler or needle and thread (for binding).
Step 3: Plan Your Layout
Decide how many pages your zine will have. A simple one-sheet zine (folded into eight mini-pages) is a great place to start. If you want more pages, you can fold and staple multiple sheets together.
Step 4: Create Your Content
Draw, write, or collage directly onto your pages. If you prefer, design your zine digitally and print copies. Keep your layout in mind—page order can be tricky when folding!
Step 5: Assemble and Bind
For a one-sheet zine, fold your paper into eighths and cut along the center to create a booklet. If using multiple pages, stack them and staple or stitch along the spine.
Step 6: Make Copies and Share! Photocopy your zine to share with friends, leave in community spaces, or trade at zine festivals. You can also digitize it and share online.
Artists Adrienne Vogel, Keith Raugust, Kyle Millican, and Kat Pokorny from the EWU Design Program created this year’s Zine Fest poster.
Speedo Spell
The magenta Speedo my dad said was too expensive for a kid ended up being the last present my brother bought for me. AG was eleven years my senior. He used to drive me all around our one stoplight town. Some days we’d stretch our tank of gas and drive to the big city of Spokane. Those days were slow as honey. He’d peel $20 out of his own wallet and let me ride the carousel for what felt like forever. He, too, worked at our familyowned restaurant but not the way I worked—for my dad’s praise and to float my candied cigarette habit. No, AG worked because, he said, that’s how you got the ladies, his voice inflected, making the plural “s” sound like a trail of “z’s.” When we weren’t driving around singing he was slicking back his hair and pressing his pants and shirt into crisp lines the way he had been told.
AG was the sort of guy who wrote long-handed love letters and pressed flowers into books before gifting them. Ever the charmer, he worked the smoking section in our family’s truck stop turned steak-and-seafood restaurant like the virtuoso he was. Conducting himself like a showman, his tableside manners impeccable, his tone of voice demure. Oh, it drove them wild, he said, especially the older women. Intent on those big tips, he’d offer every one of them the same menu, the halibut and Shakespeare: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Rough
By Mery Noel Smith, Spokane Poet Laureate
winds do shake the darling buds of May. And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.
Here is the secret ingredient for our beloved midnight snack. Wash the outside rind first. Then cut a cantaloupe in half. Scoop the wet, almost sea creature body out and discard. Replace the center with vanilla ice cream. Find the spoons meant for Bob’s famous clam chowder and instead use them for no-one-is-awake delight. Grab the caramel and the peanut butter and give them both ample room in your makeshift bowl. There were many nights he’d pluck me from my bed and take me back upstairs to our restaurant. The OPEN sign cooled and faded from neon to ash. AG wasn’t my dad’s real kid and we all knew that. What I hadn’t known then was that neither of us were. Not in the ways that mattered. Not that it mattered anyways because I would always be Girl. Bound to a life of squatting behind doors imperceptible.
Swimming that day in my magenta Speedo, I felt bigger than the lines drawn around me, around GIRL. Maybe it is the way the word Speedo went right across my breasts, more badge than logo? Or how I felt like I had won this swimsuit, a prize from my brother defeating the giant who had tried to tell me, No. My whole body became magenta as I pulled myself up from the side of the pool chrome ladder, hot in hand. My dad posted at the fence, on his break, had come to tell us,
“There’s a lot of work to be done around here.” Can’t a melon just be sweet? A strut to the edge of the pool’s fence where tin posts meet river rock, where I proudly take the stance of Boy: Make a slight V with my legs, hands at hip pockets. Pressing my pee muscles into my tummy muscles I make a neat hot stream that zaps into the ground that holds all of me. A Sonic Boom. A voice over my victory song:
“Shame on you, Mery Noel!”
It used to be that when you ordered an Oreo milkshake at Cyrus O’Leary’s, they’d bring you the frosted chrome cup of what wouldn’t fit into the taller clear glass, for free! You basically got two milkshakes for the price of one. I remember thinking we could have just ordered one of these at home, I mean, we owned a restaurant. AG’s two front teeth were spaced wide enough that sometimes a whistle escaped unintentionally. It’s just for fun, sissy. The frosted cup signaled the end of the meal. We always got burgers then a milkshake. We’d share. His spoon was just a straw. His pointer finger maneuvered the top like a suction cup. Small red rings formed at the tip, octopus brother. Mine was the longer, more obvious choice, plated silver and long enough for searching the depths of the chrome cup for one last treasured bite. By the time we left lunch AG usually had a few new phone numbers in his pocket. I still had that feeling like I was the only one in the world that mattered.
My neat golden stream dribbles down my leg. My face is hot all over like cheeks after sledding in the cold. Hot like the fries in the basket we served next to Sysco’s breaded chicken strips. Hot because I have been openly scolded in front of everyone. I run and jump back into the pool. I am hiding under the water trying to hold my breath longer than he can yell. Spit-white cotton balls form in the corners of my dad’s mouth. Even though water is in my ears and orifices I can hear, What’s wrong with you? The giant seems to be casting spells now. Shame on you, Mery Noel! Shame on you!
Pick an August night and a cantaloupe that isn’t too soft. Wash and cut it in half. Scoop out the insides and replace the seaweed center with vanilla ice cream, in a pinch cottage cheese out of desperation, use yogurt. Take out your phone and open up the group text with your only niece and nephews. Text: Your Dad taught me this trick. Press the camera icon on your phone a million miles away from the last time you smelled the smell of brother and snap a picture of your cantaloupe ice cream bowl. Holding what he gave you, what you could never quite capture again.
Late winter sunset when I sit down to pee, smiling. A spell cast then, broken. I walk past an open window where the cold air reaches for me, gently. Pulled by memory deeper into that damp room within, a candle lit. Here I am: both magenta and girl and somebody’s daughter. A soggy sister resting in the doorway. Alongside the grief of your absence, brother, is the joy of knowing who it is I am missing.
Inland Northwest Poetry Salon
Saturday, May 17, 10am–4pm, Liberty Park Library
The 2nd annual Inland Northwest Poetry Salon will feature twelve outstanding workshops, all guided by local poets. This daylong event aims to spotlight local poets, celebrate the craft of poetry, and welcome writers at all stages of their writing lives. Registration for the workshops is available at spokanelibrary.org. The day’s workshops include:
• Practice Poetic Presence with Mery Noel Smith 10:15am–11:05am
• Poetic Textiles with Annastacia Stegall 10:15am–11:05am
• Revolution/Revelations: The Mystical Surrealism of Octavio Paz with Taylor D. Waring 10:15am–11:05am
• How to Write Nature Poems with Deeper Meaning with Sage Marshall, 11:15am–12:05pm
• Sad Poems: Making Sense of Grief with Karen Mobley 11:15am–12:05pm
• Nonviolent Creativity with Asyia Gover 11:15am–12:05pm
• Poetic Feast with Katrina Roberts 1–1:50pm
• Fracturing Form with Sarah Rooney 1–1:50pm
• Poetry through the Senses with Amelia Díaz Ettinger 2–2:50pm
• Juxtaposition and Intersection with Henrietta Goodman 2–2:50pm
• Writing from Photos with Laura Read 3:00–3:50pm
• Finding Home Through Poetry with Heather Woolery 3–3:50pm
About Mery Noel Smith
Mery Noel Smith, author of the chapbook Crumbs, is a current Artist-in-Residence at The Hive®, as well as the 2024-2026 Spokane Poet Laureate. She is a wordsmith with a focus on poetry, prose, and as of late children’s stories. She is dedicated to bringing poetry into under-represented spaces such as jails, women’s shelters, and recovery programs. In an interview with The Spokesman-Review, Smith stated, “Poetry and writing is healing. It can save a life. It saved mine.”
Here at Spokane Public Library, we’re delighted with Smith’s presence as an Artist-in-Residence and as a presenter at the Inland Northwest Poetry Salon on May 17th, where she will conduct a workshop called “Practice Poetic Presence.” And we’re also delighted with this lyrical and intimate essay she sent to us about childhood, memory, and the loss of a sibling. Spokane is lucky to have such a compassionate spokesperson for writing. Smith understands that everyone deserves to tell their story, and she gives people the confidence to experiment with writing as a mode of healing.
THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP
By Alina Murcar, Marketing & Communication Manager, Spokane Public Library
Every day when the bell rings at 3:30pm, a steady stream of students leaves Shaw Middle School and enters Hillyard Library, the only Spokane Public Library location directly connected to a middle school. Students pull out books, use public computers, and join after-school hangouts run by library staff.
Middle school is a time of exponential learning and self-discovery. Beyond academic success, developing a strong reading habit enhances critical thinking and opens doors to new perspectives. Shaw Middle School has seen remarkable outcomes since integrating a public library directly into its campus in 2021—a model that has proven immensely successful.
Lexile scores, which measure reading ability, have risen significantly at Shaw Middle School. Between September and December 2024, 6th grade Lexile scores increased by an impressive 108.24 points—more than double the typical annual growth of 25–50 points. Similar progress is evident in both 7th and 8th grades, reflecting a school-wide trend of accelerated reading development.
Students at Shaw Middle School aren’t just reading at a higher level, they are also checking out more books than any other middle school! This school year, the total number of library items checked out by Shaw Middle School students is 39% higher than the second-highest middle school circulation and 79% higher than the school with the lowest number of checkouts.
We are all aligned in fostering a culture where reading is valued and
celebrated.
While simply being around books more can increase exposure and access to reading, principal of Shaw Middle School, Keoni Dang understands the importance of a united effort to support and grow literacy. Promoting the value and love of independent reading is encouraged in a variety of ways, including regular visits to the library to check out books, participating in library lessons, and encouraging students to have an independent reading book with them at all times.
“If a student finishes their work early or has a few extra minutes in class, the common expectation is that every student has a book they can read,” said John Parks, Shaw Middle School Librarian.
Literacy has become the heart of the Shaw community, uniting students, teachers, and librarians in a shared commitment to foster a love of reading. Every teacher incorporates independent reading time into their weekly schedule, encouraging students to explore books that interest them. Librarian John Parks has transformed the school library into an interactive space where students not only read but also engage in discussions, competitions, and creative activities that make reading exciting.
The collaboration between Shaw Middle School and Spokane Public Library extends beyond academic hours. Students benefit from seamless access to both
Students playing chess and cards at lunchtime in the Shaw Library.
the school and public library collections, allowing them to swap out books easily and explore new genres with guidance from library staff. Hillyard Library, connected by just a glass door, serves as an extension of their learning space where students feel at home. Staff know them by name, and after-school activities like virtual reality, anime club, and cozy hangout spaces make the library a welcoming place.
Spokane Public Library’s Teen Services Librarian, Gina Cooper remarks, “We are privileged to see Shaw students every week and watch them grow from eager sixth graders to eighth graders ready for high school. This is possible because the public library is located on site.” For this age group, arguably the greatest obstacle to attending library events and accessing library services is transportation. Cooper adds, “They can’t drive yet, and in most cases are dependent on parents or guardians to take them to and from the library. Because of the physical location and the collaboration between the school and library, the need for transportation is eliminated. This makes it possible for the library to play a larger role in the students’ day-to-day lives. The resulting relationships built during these years often become strong enough that we see students return even after they move on to high school.”
For Principal Keoni Dang, having a public library integrated into the school is about more than just access to books—it makes learning real and tangible for students.
“So often in education, learning can feel disconnected from real-world experiences. My vision for Shaw is to be more project-based, handson, and applicable—something students can see and engage with directly,” said Dang. “Having the public
A VOTER-SUPPORTED
In 2018, Spokane voters approved a bond measure that built three new libraries and renovated four. These projects featured two innovative school and library partnerships: The Hive®, a dedicated arts and meeting space with offices for Spokane Virtual Learning, and the new Hillyard Library, built within Shaw Middle School. This paved the way for Spokane Public Library to manage the collections for all nine middle schools, providing expertise in collection management, circulation technology, and equitable book access while allowing school library staff to focus on instruction and student engagement. Plus, every Spokane Public Schools student ID functions as a library card, expanding access to resources citywide!
library right there makes learning real. Our kids see people accessing information, they can physically go to the library and check out a book, and that makes a huge difference. It’s not just theoretical—it’s part of their everyday world.”
Teachers also benefit from the partnership, using the library for collaboration on critical thinking, reading strategies, and cross-disciplinary projects. “It has made us stronger as educators when we come together to innovate and align our instructional practices with a collective commitment to literacy,” Dang added. “John organizes reading competitions, library museums, and interactive learning opportunities that bring us back to what matters most—our students. We are all aligned in fostering a culture where reading is valued and celebrated.”
This partnership is a model for how schools and libraries can work together to create a thriving literacy culture. With a shared vision and innovative approaches, Shaw Middle School in collaboration with Hillyard Library is proving that when literacy is the focal point, it strengthens not just academic outcomes but the entire community. Teachers, students, and librarians are working together to build a lasting foundation where the joy of reading is celebrated and sustained.
STARTING JUNE 8, 2025
Beginning June 8, 2025, all Spokane Public Library locations will have new open hours.
The library analyzed data including, customer foot traffic, computer usage, meeting room usage, and staff feedback, to make an informed decision on how to consistently serve our community needs and use taxpayer dollars efficiently.
The first significant update to Spokane Public Library operating hours since 2021, this change will allow customers to plan visits more easily, reduce confusion due to differing hours, and will save operational dollars while maintaining the same number of total hours open to the public.
New hours:
Monday–Saturday 9am–6pm
Sunday 12pm–4pm
FAQs
Why is the library changing hours? This change simplifies open hours and makes them easier to remember, aligns with established usage patterns, and simplifies scheduling for staff. Most importantly, it saves money and resources without reducing access.
Is the library reducing the number of hours the library is open to the community?
The library will be open to the public the same number of total hours per week. We are redistributing the hours to expand access on Friday and Saturday, when demand is higher.
Can I reserve meeting rooms after 6pm for after-hours meetings?
Meeting room reservations are available after hours to meet community demand. Contact kbarker@spokanelibrary.org for assistance.
