12 Ways to Enjoy Summer at the Library

Summer is here, and The Seattle Public Library is here for you. Head to your neighborhood library with your kids to pick up a Summer of Learning activity booklet, go to a fun program, check out some books, explore, and chill out!

Here are 12 ways to turn up the summer fun and learning, library style. Add your favorite in the comments!

Cool off and hang out

Twenty-two of the Library’s 27 locations are air-conditioned, including the Green Lake Branch, which installed air conditioning for the first time as part of its levy-funded renovation that completed last fall.

So now you can cool off while reading in the Green Lake Branch’s 120-year-old reading room, lined with tall windows that let in the sunshine and views without the heat.  You can find a complete list of air- conditioned libraries at www.spl.org/Shelter. Browse books, read magazines, charge up, print documents, ask for help, or just hang out.

Help your kids read, learn and grow

The Summer of Learning program for kids and families is in full swing. The theme for 2025 is “Reading, Learning, Growing Is for Everyone!” with many exciting programs and activities. Stop by your closest Library location to pick up a summer activity sheet. You can also download it in multiple languages at www.spl.org/SummerofLearning

Enjoy magic, music, dance, film, story times and more

Try a new library program this summer! We regularly hold programs such as story times in different languages, board game nights, and Play and Learn sessions. We’ll also have special Summer of Learning programs such as magic shows, music performances, filmmaking workshops, art workshops, dance classes and more.

And on Thursday, August 7, the Burke Museum is holding an all-day free Summer of Learning party. Join us to explore the Burke Museum and enjoy free activities.

Check www.spl.org/calendar to see what’s happening at your branch.

Do a summer book club with the Library and KUOW

This summer, the KUOW Book Club and the Library invite you to join a book club adventure: Each month, read along with the KUOW Book Club’s selection, and then bring your friends to an event at the Central Library with the author. In June, the pick is Ijeoma Oluo’s “Be a Revolution,” with an event on June 26; July’s selection is Kim Fu’s “Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century,” with an event on July 30; and in August, Lynda Mapes’ “The Trees are Speaking” is featured, with an event on Aug. 27.  Find out more and register at the KUOW Book Club page.

Challenge yourself with Book Bingo

Teens and adults can challenge themselves to read more, and read more widely, by playing Summer Book Bingo. Read books in fun categories, fill in your squares and submit your card by Tuesday, Sept. 6, to be entered in a drawing for prizes. The teen card even includes a “DNF” square (“Did Not Finish”) and a couple of reading experiences. www.spl.org/BookBingo.

Wander a StoryWalk in beautiful Magnolia

For the fifth year, the Library has organized StoryWalks® in Seattle’s beautiful Magnolia neighborhood. Starting on July 1, children and caregivers are invited to wander beautiful trails in three locations – outside the Magnolia Branch, at the Magnolia Farmers’ Market, and at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center — and read picture books by Indigenous authors. This year, we partnered with the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL) and all books are transcribed into Braille. Find details here.

Grill away with NYT Cooking

SPL offers 72-hour access to The New York Times, including NYT Cooking, articles, games, Wirecutter and The Athletic. And it works with the app! We also have many other local, national and international publications.

Stream or borrow summer movies

Who needs Netflix? Use your Library card to borrow, stream or download free feature films, documentaries or popular TV series to your computer or mobile device. You can stream movies and shows through Kanopy, Hoopla and Access Video, or borrow from our collection of thousands of DVDs that you can check out and watch at home.

Visit a new-to-you library

Use summer as an excuse to visit one of our 27 locations, including the world-renowned Central Library or one of our 26 branches. Each has distinctive collections, unique art and attributes. Check out the architecture of Magnolia Branch, learn about the history of the Soul Pole at the Douglass-Truth Branch; or visit the Lake City Branch on Thursday evenings, when there is a summer farmers market right outside the branch.

Connect to the City of Seattle at the Library

This summer, the city’s Department of Neighborhoods is hosting community officer hours at select Library locations to make it easier for you to talk to someone at the City of Seattle. From July to December, a staff member from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods will be at neighborhood libraries two days a month. During this time, anybody is welcome to ask questions, seek help, or share ideas.  Check out the Department of Neighborhoods’ blog post for a schedule and details.

Get outdoors with a Discover Pass

Did you know that in addition to our popular Museum Pass program, the Library loans out free Discover Passes, which allow you to visit a Washington State Park and other state recreational areas for free? Check out our Outdoor Recreation resources for more information.

Access the Library on the go through our new mobile app

Finally, you can download the Library’s new mobile app at www.spl.org/App to place holds on books, find programs, and even use it as a digital library card.

Happy summer!

  Summer is here, and The Seattle Public Library is here for you. Head to your neighborhood library with your kids to pick up a Summer of Learning activity booklet, go to a fun program, check out some books, explore, and chill out! Here are 12 ways to turn up the summer fun and learning, library … Continue reading “12 Ways to Enjoy Summer at the Library” 

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