End Of Summer At The Library: Magic, Music, Family Parties And More Cool August Events
release date: August 2, 2024
From mind-bending magic shows to outdoor StoryWalks©, the Library has many cool community events planned throughout August, including many that celebrate the Summer of Learning. All events listed are drop in and do not require reservations, and all Library events are free and open to the public.
It’s also not too late to participate in a Library summer program. Kids and caregivers can pick up a Summer of Learning Action Guide at any Library location. Teens and adults can play Summer Book Bingo – or Lotería for Spanish speakers – for reading fun and prizes (turn in your card by Tuesday, Sept. 3!).
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
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Sleight-of-Hand Magic with Maritess Zurbano. Coins and cards will appear in the air as world-class magician Maritess Zurbano performs at neighborhood branches throughout August! Greenwood Branch, Sunday, Aug. 4, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Delridge Community Center, from 11 a.m. to noon, Monday, Aug. 5; Ballard Branch, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10; NewHolly Branch, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 20; West Seattle Branch, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21; Southwest Branch, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 22; Magnolia Branch, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24; Broadview Branch, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 29.
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The ABCs of Jazz and Blues. Enjoy an educational jazz performance by local musician Michael Powers, who will explore a well-loved children’s song through slow blues, boogie-woogie, swing, reggae, salsa, rock-and-roll, and a psychedelic Jimi Hendrix style. Greenwood Branch, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.. Wednesday, Aug. 7; Ballard Branch, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 8; West Seattle Branch, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 22; Beacon Hill Branch, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 24; Douglass-Truth Branch, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 27; Fremont Branch, from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28.
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Firefighter Story Time. One of our most beloved family programs is back, inviting kids and their families to enjoy stories, songs, and fire safety learning activities with a community firefighter. High Point Branch, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 7; NewHolly Branch, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 13; Rainier Beach Branch, from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 19.
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Resource Fair at the Lake City Branch. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 9. Join us for a celebration of Lake City and a resource fair that connects neighbors with the Library and each other. Resources will include a mobile medical van, public benefits enrollment, a foot clinic, a small clothes closet and food to enjoy.
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Move and Groove with Inner G! From 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 13. Douglass-Truth Branch. Come and move to the rhythm of your heartbeat while listening to the words of Mother Earth with Inner G, a Seattle dance educator who has been in numerous dance collectives.
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Fun with the Sun @ South Park Branch. From noon to 1:15 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 13 and from noon to 1:15 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 20. South Park Branch. Join us for fun with the sun, under the sun, with activities curated by NASA! We’ll explore how to use sunspotter telescopes, track sunspots, observe how our shadows change in sunlight, and more.
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Eat the Rainbow: Plant-Based Nutrition for Kids! From 11 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Aug. 15. Southwest Branch. Join us for an interactive, fun experience that will leave children informed and excited about new foods!
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End of Summer Parties. Summer of Learning participants are invited to celebrate the end of summer at neighborhood branches with storytelling, crafts and refreshments. West Seattle Branch, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 14; Montlake Branch, from noon to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 17; Southwest Branch, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 27.
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Pop Up Book Sale @ Beacon Hill Branch. From 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 17. Beacon Hill Branch. Find books and gifts for all ages at the Friends of The Seattle Public Library’s pop-up sale.
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Columbia Branch "Libraries for All" 20th Anniversary Celebration. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 18. Columbia Branch. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Columbia Branch expansion and reopening, funded by "Libraries for All." There will be cake, craft activities, a memory book signing, a photo gallery and more!
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"Your House is Not Just a House": Story & Art Making Party with Idris Goodwin. From 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 22. Lake City Branch. Join Seattle Children’s Theatre’s artistic director and playwright Idris Goodwin for a fun-filled hour of imagination and creativity, including a video screening. an interactive read-aloud and hands-on art activity.
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Seattle Gay News Celebrates 50 Years Central Library, Level 8 Gallery. Through Aug. 25. Explore the history of a newspaper that has served the Seattle gay community since March 1974, reporting on arts, culture, health, politics, civil rights, and more. The exhibit also highlights how the UW Libraries and the Washington State Library preserve and make it accessible to all.
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Coast Salish Art and Stories. Montlake Branch, From 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28; Magnolia Branch, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30p.m., Friday, Aug. 30; Broadview Branch, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 6. Delve into Coast Salish art, stories and culture with author, storyteller and artist Ty Juvinel.
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High Point Branch "Libraries for All" 20th Anniversary Celebration. From 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 29. High Point Branch. Join us to celebrate the High Point Branch’s anniversary with hands-on activities, entertainment, memories of the High Point Branch throughout the years.
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Magnolia StoryWalks© Celebrate Indigenous Stories. Through Aug. 30. The Magnolia Branch is partnering with the Daybreak Star Preschool, the Magnolia Farmers’ Market, and the Discovery Park Visitor Center to host four StoryWalks© featuring picture books by Indigenous authors in beautiful outdoor locations.
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ZAPP Zine Collection Open Hours. Saturdays through Aug. 31, 4 to 6 p.m. Zine Room, Level 7, Central Library. The Zine Archive & Publishing Project (ZAPP) Zine Collection includes more than 30,000 zines, minicomics and other self-published and small press titles.
MORE INFORMATION
Find more events, including a variety of story times and Play and Learn events, at www.spl.org/Calendar. We are grateful to The Seattle Public Library Foundation for their support of many of these events, including Summer of Learning programs.
The Library believes that the power of knowledge improves people's lives. We promote literacy and a love of reading as we bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community. The Library is recovering from a cybersecurity event that occurred in late May. Check for updates on services at www.spl.org/Update.
Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email at www.spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information.