Summer Reading Programs for Kids at Seattle-Area Libraries

Seattle Public Library (SPL) has offered summer reading programs for more than a hundred years — that’s right, since 1919 — and a global pandemic isn’t going to get in the way.

This year's summer activities are online and the theme is “Every Day Is Earth Day.” Program elements include:

• An activity guide for the youngest readers, available in eight languages
• Book recommendations for kids up through fifth grade
• Story times and other content viewable on the library’s YouTube channel
• A reading log
• A coloring sheet
• A teen library challenge card to play and win prizes

No library card? All kids and teachers in Seattle Public Schools can use the library’s online resources with their student or employee ID number. Through Library Link, you can access e-books, graphic novels, movies, animated picture books and research databases.

Also, students in Seattle schools can now pick out a book and a lunch at the district's meal sites on weekdays (locations here). Just bring the book back and trade it for a new one when you're done. 

Grown-ups get to play, too. Every summer, SPL offers Book Bingo for adults. Download the Bingo card, and if you hit Bingo, you can enter to win prizes.

Itching to learn a new skill? Kids and adults can ask a librarian to put together a free personalized learning plan. It can be about learning anything from writing cursive to baking macarons to making a face mask.

One timely and important offering from SPL: The library’s digital selection of books about race are always available without a wait.