Seattle Public Library summer programs

by | Jun 19, 2015

Seattle Public Library has begun its 96th annual Summer of Learning program, which runs through Sept. 10. This year’s program is themed “Wild Science!” and encourages reading and activities around science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

All programs are free. Stop in to the library to pick up a free book for kids, plus a booklet for children ages 7-12 with science experiments, games, puzzles and activities; or a a booklet for children from birth to age 5 that lists fun, brain-building games and activities that support early learning.

Children and teens also can sign up for classes and workshops on building robots, creating video games, using Legos for stop motion animation, and many more.

Participants also can fill out a survey to get two free one-day tickets (while supplies last) to Woodland Park Zoo on Sept. 11-13.

The Greenwood Library is also offering Children’s Summer Bingo. Pick up a bingo sheet at the branch and fill in squares such as making a paper airplane, learning a word in a new language, exploring a new park, writing a poem, etc. For each row completed, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a free book. Blackout gets you five raffle entries. Sheets can be turned in to the Greenwood Library anytime from now through Aug. 31.

The library also offers free access to technology and learning resources so students can keep up on skills or learn new ones during the summer, plus free movies, magazines and music.

All of the following resources are available to anyone with a free Library card.

VISIT THE LIBRARY TO USE:

  • Adobe Creative Cloud – The Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications, including Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, After Effects, InDesign, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver, Audition, Acrobat, and more, is available on all public workstations at all Library locations.
  • Microsoft Office 2013 – The suite of applications includes Word, Excel and Powerpoint and is also available on all public workstations at all Library locations.

ACCESS ANYWHERE:

  • Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS)
  • Lynda.com – Anyone with a Library card has free access to technology instruction videos at www.spl.org/lynda, which includes full courses as well as tutorials on specific topics like “Logo Design Techniques,” “Product Photography for Jewelry,” “Working with Camera RAW Files,” and “Creating Aircraft Profiles Using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.” Lynda.com can be accessed on a personal computer, or on a public workstation at the Library.
  • Language Learning – Choose from over 80 languages at www.spl.org/library-collection/articles-and-research/languages
  • Microsoft IT Academy – For hundreds of online courses on how to use Microsoft applications, including Microsoft Office 2013, visitwww.spl.org/itacademy.
  • Résumé Help – Brainfuse offers Live Résumé Help and will edit and return a résumé within 24 hours.
  • Safari Book Collection – Visit www.spl.org/safari to find thousands of instructional e-books on a variety of technical subjects for both beginners and experts, including topics like “Adventures in Minecraft” and how to create your own Android app.
  • Photoshop books – The Library has over 100 instructional titles for Adobe Photoshop at www.spl.org/photoshop.
  • Freegal – Download up to five songs each week at www.spl.org/freegal. The music files from Freegal are DRM-free, do not expire, and are compatible with PCs, Macs, iPods, iPads and other MP3-compatible devices.
  • Hoopla – Choose from instantly accessible movies, TV shows and music albums at www.spl.org/hoopla, which allows users to stream up to 20 items a month. Apps are available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android devices.
  • Zinio – Digital magazines from www.spl.org/zinio can be read on a PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire and Fire HD. Content on Zinio is always available – no waitlists or holds necessary – and there is no limit on number of downloads.

And SPL is partnering with Seattle Arts & Lectures for an adult reading program with the first-ever Summer Book Bingo.

Mark out an entire row or all 25 squares of the bingo card by Sept. 8 and be eligible to win a library of books by 2015-16 Seattle Arts & Lectures authors and two passes for the 2015-16 Seattle Arts & Lectures season. Complete a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line to be entered into a drawing to win a $30 gift card from one of 10 independent bookstores (including Phinney Books). Winning entries will be selected at random.

Library patrons also can use their library card to reserve a computer for up to 90 minutes a day or check out a Wi-Fi Hotspot that can connect up to 15 devices to the Internet.

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