The way education is delivered has changed a lot in the last few years. Elementary school children have to learn keyboarding because, starting in third grade, standardized tests are administered on computers. Most job applicants cannot apply for jobs on paper anymore, they need to be able to navigate websites, craft an online presence and submit materials to employers digitally. Luckily, the library is a place where customers, at any digital literacy level, can improve their skills. Education, whether delivered digitally, in person or via text, is a big part of what the library does.

The Library’s mission is, “Spokane Public Library delivers high quality education for all — opportunities to read, to learn, and discover the world.” This fall we are launching a series of digital education classes to complement the online digital education we already offer through GaleCourses and Microsoft IT Academy. Among other things, our Learning Lab classes will focus on online identity whether it’s from the business or general perspective. These will be developed by Tara Neumann (pictured at right) who joins us as the Digital Services Manager. Tara comes to us as a result of our merger with Tincan where she worked for many years. She brings a wealth of digital education that she’s eager to pass on to library customers. Tara’s enthusiasm for digital literacy is clear when she talks about technology, “I love to see people “click” with technology and understand the benefit that it brings to their lives. I don’t want them to feel it’s another roadblock to information.”

There’s more in store for library customers as a result of our merger with Tincan! When Tincan was closed its doors this past summer (because of a dry-up of federal funding) they elected to donate all their equipment to the library. That includes video cameras, 3D printers, Apple computers and software, and more. Tara was brought on board to help the library roll out the equipment for public use and we have lots of great ideas. Stay tuned as the equipment and resulting workshops and classes show up at your local library; it’s going to be fun and educational.

Barbara Iverson scans the shelves at the bookstore she manages. She is looking for color-coded dots she placed on the books earlier in the month. If those books are still there, they aren’t selling and it’s time to cycle in different titles. She has a lot to choose from as her coworkers have been sorting through books to shelve for a couple of hours, just like they do each week. They are looking for current fiction, books of local interest or historical books; these are the top sellers. Things run here like clockwork, everyone has a role to play and jobs are completed with quiet efficiency. This seems like a typical scene one might find at any bookstore, but this isn’t any bookstore and Barb isn’t any bookstore manager. She is one of 60 volunteers who have kept the not-for-profit Friends of the Library bookstore, located in the lobby of the Downtown Library, running for ten years.

Ten years is a benchmark any business would be proud to reach, but non-profits – which were hit especially hard by the recession – have to rely on volunteers, and that doesn’t always lend itself to longevity. The ten year anniversary of the bookstore speaks to the dedication and commitment of the Friends volunteers. The Friends have raised over $350,000 for Spokane Public Libraries through the store and book sales. That’s quite an impact from selling used books that are typically priced at a buck a piece. The Friends of the Library’s contributions have gone toward Summer Reading Programs, Spokane is Reading and Early Learning Computers for kids, among other things. And as impressive as the monetary impact has been, it would sell the Friends short to leave it at that. “It’s heartening for the library staff to see how dedicated our Friends of the Library volunteers are,” said Library Communications Manager Eva Silverstone. “The Friends take their work very seriously and pour their heart and soul into the bookstore. The results are amazing–not just the funds they raise for the library–the presence of the Friends and their dedication makes us all smile and want to do our best for the library as well.“ (today’s bookstore is pictured at left)

According to longtime Friends volunteer Katherine Rimbach, the bookstore started out with, “Two little bookshelves that we rolled out each day and now look at it.” Indeed, the space now has thousands of books and stays busy and staffed every day that the Downtown Library is open, even on the below freezing days when customers are followed in by blistery cold winds. This is thanks to 60 volunteers who over the past ten years have donated 17,000 hours of their time to the store. The store attracts all sorts of folks; businessmen and women stopping through on a lunch break, people looking for a bargain gift or booksellers hunting for their own inventory. So after all these years what keeps these volunteers going? Typical of these generous people, Rimbach plays down the hard work, “It’s fun. And we know the store is a great resource for the community,” she said. It is a great resource and the Library is proud to partner with such an amazing group.

You can take advantage of the great deals at the Friends Bookstore Mondays – Saturdays, noon to 4:00 pm. Also, save the date for the Friends next big book sale: October 22-25 at the Downtown Library.

Lately it seems we are surrounded by the trappings of back to school. Store advertisements and class supply lists are unavoidable even as we try to enjoy the few remaining sunshine-filled days of summer. Of course here at the library, we couldn’t help but think there is more to preparing for school than buying #2 pencils (sharpened please) and scissors (blunt-edged please), and our minds veered to books. So this month we are exploring the ways Dewey can help with homework.

Homework can fit under many subjects so you may have to poke around in a few different sections of Dewey. We looked in Child Rearing (649) and found a lot of great books. First, a title which we suspect teachers would choose if parents had required reading: How to Behave so Your Children Will Too. Here’s another that looks really promising: Is that me Yelling?: A Parent’s Guide to Getting Your Kids to Cooperate Without Losing Your Cool (it’s okay, you can admit that that one resonates with you!). Don’t be fooled by your memories of a careless youth, homework is heading home with younger and younger kids, therefore a good tool may be The Parent Backpack for Kindergarten Through Grade 5: How to Support your Child’s Education, End Homework Meltdowns, and Build Parent-Teacher Connections. That Crumpled Paper was Due Last Week: Helping Disorganized and Distracted Boys Master the Skills They Need for Success in School and Life focuses on boys but really anyone who has attention issues can benefit. Child Rearing (649) has books addressing ADHD, foster families, strong-willed children, gifted children and children who struggle in school. It’s a great, full section so take some time to look around. Next we moved over to Elementary Education (372). A lot of this subject encompasses the mechanics of how schools function. This is helpful because if you understand how a school works you’ll have a better chance at helping your child. The Mom Book Goes to School: Insider Tips to Ensure Your Child Thrives in Elementary and Middle School is a good example. And of course, as the decimals change so does the subject matter, for instance 372.7 has to do with mathematics. So if a child is having issues with writing, maybe 372.6 Language Arts would be a good place to start your search. That’s where Games for Writing: Playful Ways to Help Your Child Learn to Write lives. Looking for school books at the library is a lot of fun (and much less expensive, chaotic and stressful than that school supply trek you’ve been dreading)!

When September rolls around everyone thinks about going back to school. For some that’s a wonderful thing and for some it’s a little harder. Here are five songs that relate to school in some way or another.

For some folks, school memories are fun and bring a smile to their faces. This classic by Paul Simon is upbeat and lends itself to singing along: Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard.

Story of My Life by Social Distortion is for those guys who skated through school, always in some stage of trouble: looking for it, in it or trying to cover it up.

Dizzy Gillespie’s version of School Days is sure to wake you up on the right side of the bed and put a bounce in your step as you start your morning.

To Sir with Love by Lulu There are some people who can’t get through To Sir with Love without some tears. Because, really, how do you thank the teachers who taught you so much more than simple equations or sentence structure.

We’ll end on a high note with this doo-wop era classic: a song about a troublemaker who actually sounds pretty quaint and endearing by today’s standards. What teacher would complain about being called “Daddio” in today’s day and age? Check out Charlie Brown by The Coasters

Whether it’s your kids, grandkids or you that’s going back to school this month remember to have fun and keep a song on stand-by to hum when things get tough.