The National Educators Association (NEA) sponsors Read Across America every year on Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March 2nd, and a local group of Seattle Library Walkers will be trekking 30 miles as they criss-cross Seattle to visit each and every SPL branch (27 in total). And, as you likely know from our Wednesday post, the Queen Anne Library will be hosting the Sundays are Special event this weekend – so, naturally, the group has planned its two day walk to include a Sunday stop at the Queen Anne library.

The group members will be sporting striped Cat in the Hat hats and stopping to read from “Oh the Places You’ll Go” at each library branch. Everyone is welcome to join in!

The walk starts at 7:30am on Saturday at the Columbia City branch, and the Sunday walk picks up at the Broadview branch the next morning. The schedule is below if you’d like to jump in, and keep your eyes peeled on Sunday for the group making their way from Magnolia between roughly 1:30pm and 2pm, stopping at our branch by 2pm, then winding their way to Fremont.

Updated - route info from the group:

We’ll be working our way up Dravis from Magnolia and then through Queen Anne to the Aurora Bridge.

Saturday, March 2nd:
1. Columbia (7:30am) 2. New Holly (8:10am) 3. Rainier Beach (8:50am) 4. South Park (10:30am) 5. Southwest (11:40am) 6. High Point (12:20pm) 7. Delridge (12:45pm) 8. West Seattle (1:45pm) 9. Beacon Hill (3:30pm) 10. Madrona-Sally Goldmark (4:45pm) 11. Douglass-Truth (5:10pm) 12. International District/Chinatown (5:40pm) 13. Central Library (5:50pm)

Sunday, March 3rd:
1. Broadview (7:30am) 2. Lake City (8:20am) 3. Northgate (9:00am) 4. Northeast (10:00am) 5. Greenlake (10:40am) 6. Greenwood (11:10am) 7. Ballard (12:00pm) 8. Magnolia (1:00pm) 9. Queen Anne (2:00pm) 10. Fremont (2:45pm) 11. Wallingford (3:10pm) 12. University (3:40pm) 13. Montlake (4:30pm) 14. Capitol Hill (5:20pm) 15. Central Library (5:50pm)

As reported back in December, Sunday hours are a welcome 2013 change for our local Seattle Public Library branch – and now our Queen Anne branch has its turn at celebrating with the community! Mark your calendars for this Sunday, March 3rd for the Sundays are Special celebration, which runs from 2pm-3:30pm.

I spoke with the Library director about the event, and in addition to refreshments and craft activities (which are drop-in during the celebration), he also expects special guest attendees including City Librarian Marcellus Turner and SPL Director of Programs and Service Stephanie Chase. I’ve also confirmed with the Seattle City Council that Councilmember (and Queen Anne resident)  Tim Burgess will be attending Sunday’s event.

The Friends of The Seattle Public Library will be at the event with customized Queen Anne branch canvas tote bags. These will be limited-edition bags, and it’s cash only ($15) to get one of your own.

In addition to the celebratory activities, you can also participate in the Check-Out Challenge – visit any Library branch on Sundays until May 5 to get your card stamped. Patrons with 15 stamps can enter a prize-drawing for a chance to win a booklovers basket and lunch with Marcellus Turner, SPL City Librarian. Plus, if your old SPL card is worn-out or you just want to change things up, you can also swap out your card for one of the new ones with photos of the Central Library, Space Needle, Pike Place Market, or Mt Rainier.

Remember, you can stop in at the Queen Anne Library any Sunday between 1pm and 5pm in 2013 – the only non-holiday where you’ll see a “closed” sign on the door is Friday.

I’ve all too often walked to the Queen Anne Library on a Friday or Sunday to be foiled by a “closed” sign. But now, thanks to the library levy approved by voters in August, I’ll only need to remember to plan around Fridays. Starting in January, all Seattle Public Library branches will be open on Sundays; the Queen Anne Library branch will be open 1pm-5pm every Sunday.

You may recall taking an SPL survey a few months ago – if you took it and asked SPL to have more accessible hours, your voice has been heard! (I asked for both Sundays and more consistent hours, but I’ll take Sundays).

In an SPL press release, City Librarian Marcellus Turner stated:

To celebrate the new Sunday hours, all libraries with new Sunday hours will participate in special celebrations on Sundays. The “Sundays are Special” events will be held from 2pm-3:30pm, featuring a children’s craft activity and refreshments.

The Queen Anne branch will host Sundays are Special on Sunday, March 3^rd.

Other noteworthy SPL news:

• Check-Out Sundays Challenge: just visit any SPL branch on Sundays and get your Check-Out Challenge card stamped. Once you get 15 stamps, you can enter to win prizes such as Booklovers Baskets and lunch with City Librarian Marcellus Turner.
• Sundays Survey: Complete a survey about the types of services and activities you’d like to see on Sundays. Surveys are available at the library through January.
• New Library Cards: 5 new Library cards will be available in 2013, you can swap out your old card for a new one at no charge. The new cards include a special design for kids, and four different Seattle images – Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Mount Rainier and the Central Library.

Due to budget cuts, the Seattle Public Library system has closed down for a week-long furlough beginning today, Monday, August 29 until Sunday, September 4. All branches will also be closed the following day, Monday, September 5, for Labor Day, reopening on Tuesday, September 6.

From the Seattle Public Library:

The week-long closure will help the Library achieve its $3.7 million budget reduction target for 2011. The closure will save approximately $650,000. The closure will mean salary reductions for nearly 640 employees who will not be paid during that week and who are taking cuts in their cost of living adjustments. In addition, the book budget has been reduced, positions have been eliminated and 2010 cuts to branch hours have continued this year. Fifteen branches are only open 35 hours a week.

No materials will be due and no fines will be charged during the one-week closure, and most library services will be unavailable, including book drops, Wi-Fi,  regular programs and events in library meeting rooms, TeleCirc (the library’s telephone circulation service that provides patrons with information on their library account), and text, email or or phone communication with a librarian.

Access to the online catalog will be limited to searching and checking library records, but patrons won’t be able to place holds.

Some online services will remain available, including the calendar of events; the SPL Mobile page; online payment of fines and fees; library podcasts; access to premium online databases, including Britannica Online, ChiltonLibrary.com, Mango Languages, Consumer Reports and Morningstar Investment Research Center; access to downloadable media, such as e-books and audiobooks, songs and movies; and digital collections, such as photos from the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition Collection, the Northwest Art Collection and The Seattle Historical Photograph Collection; the Seattle City Directory Collection; and the Century 21 Exposition Digital Collection.

If you’ve got some library books due for return, or ones you’d like to check out for a little summer reading, you may want to head over the Queen Anne branch this week before the city’s libraries take a week-long furlough. The Seattle Public Library system will be closed from Monday, August 29 through Sunday, September 4 due to city budget cuts. All branches also will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, September 5.

From the press release:

The week-long closure will help the Library achieve its $3.7 million budget reduction target for 2011. The closure will save approximately $650,000. The closure will mean salary reductions for nearly 640 employees who will not be paid during that week and who are taking cuts in their cost of living adjustments. In addition, the book budget has been reduced, positions have been eliminated and 2010 cuts to branch hours have continued this year. Fifteen branches are only open 35 hours a week.

No materials will be due and no fines will be charged during the one-week closure.

Most library services will be unavailable during the closure, including book drops (the Central Library’s book drop will close at 8 p.m. August 28); Wi-Fi; regular programs and events in library meeting rooms; TeleCirc (the library’s telephone circulation service that provides patrons with information on their library account); and no texting, emailing or chatting with a librarian.

Access to the online catalog will be limited to searching and checking library records, but patrons won’t be able to place holds.

Some online services will remain available, including the calendar of events; the SPL Mobile page; online payment of fines and fees; library podcasts; access to premium online databases, including Britannica Online, ChiltonLibrary.com, Mango Languages, Consumer Reports and Morningstar Investment Research Center; access to downloadable media, such as e-books and audiobooks, songs and movies; and digital collections, such as photos from the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition Collection, the Northwest Art Collection and The Seattle Historical Photograph Collection; the Seattle City Directory Collection; and the Century 21 Exposition Digital Collection.

The Seattle Public Library system will be closing down for the week before Labor Day weekend, from Monday, August 29 through Sunday, September 4 due to citywide budget cuts. All libraries will be closed for the Labor Day holiday Monday, September 5. Regular Library operations will resume Tuesday, September 6.

Most Library services will be unavailable during the one-week closure and will have the following impacts:

No materials will be due and no fines will be charged.

The last day to check out Library items before the closure is Sunday, August 28. The Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., will be open until 6 p.m. that day and another 11 branches will be open until 5 p.m. Visit www.spl.org or call 206-386-4636 for more information on Library locations and hours.

No book drops will be open. The Central Library book drops will close at 8 p.m. Sunday, August 28 and will reopen at 6 a.m. Tuesday, September 6.

If you’re desperate for library access, the Lake City Neighborhood Service Center and parking garage will remain open. It is co-located with the Lake City Branch, but has a separate entrance. The Ballard Neighborhood Service Center, which is co-located with the Ballard Branch, will stay open as well.

August 29 through September 4 was the week selected for the closure because general Library use at that time is not as high as other times during the year, school is not in session and there are fewer Library programs scheduled.

For more info, visit the Seattle Library site.

The Seattle Public Library’s Summer Reading Program kicks off today with the theme “Where Does Reading Take You?” The annual program encourages everyone, especially children, to read during the summer.

To participate, sign up in person at any of the 27 Library locations, including the Queen Anne Library, at 400 W Garfield Street. Children can get a reading log and collect a sticker for each book read. Teens and adults can also track books at their local branch.

Children who participate in the Summer Reading Program will receive a free paperback book and a pass to the Burke Museum after reading 10 books. Children who read 10 books by Monday, Aug. 1 will be entered into a drawing for the city librarian’s popular Breakfast of Champions event held at the Space Needle in August. One winner from each Library location will be selected.

Participating in the Summer Reading Program is a great way for kids to have fun and improve reading skills during the summer break from school. A 2004 study in the Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk found that having elementary school students read just four or five books during the summer can prevent the reading-achievement losses that normally occur over those months.

The Summer Reading Program includes hundreds of free programs for families at library locations. Here are the programs scheduled at the Queen Anne Library:

• Puss in Boots – 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, June 23. “The ethnic diversity and rich musical traditions of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayous are the background for Oregon Shadow Theatre’s version of the classic French fairy tale. Colorful shadow puppets inspired by Mardi Gras’ outrageous parade costumes along with live Zydeco and Cajun music give spicy flavor to this production. For ages 4 and up.”
• Snakes: Friend or Foe – 3 to 4 p.m., Monday, July 11. “Learn all about snakes in this program led by wildlife educator Nick Sutton. Discover natural history, learn how to identify both local and tropical species, and even touch a real snake! All featured snakes are non-venomous. For ages 7 and up.”
• Going Global – 11:30 a.m.m to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, July 30. “Join juggler Alex Zerbe for a high-energy comedy show that excites kids and adults alike about different cultures and phenomena from around the world. See why this two-time Guinness World Record holder was voted Seattle’s Funniest Prop Comic. For ages 5 and up.”
• Hands-on-Henna – 3 to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 9. “Create and wear great-looking art! Learn about the fascinating history and traditions of this beautiful form of body adornment with artist Krysteen Lomonaco. Not suitable for large groups such as day cares or summer camps. For ages 10 and up. Limited to 30 people. Call the branch to register.”
• Brother Coyote and Sister Fox – 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, August 8. “Join Thistle Theatre for a delightful and humorous adaptation of a beloved Mexican folktale featuring puppets, music and humor. For ages 3-11.”

If your child will enter the Seattle Public School system this year, or if you want a school other than your attendance-area elementary, middle or high school, be sure to apply through Open Enrollment, which runs today, March 15, through April 15.

Forms and detailed information are available at the Seattle Public Schools site. Families may also contact an Enrollment Facilitator at the Service Center at the John Stanford Center, 2445 3rd Ave S (3rd and Lander), via telephone at (206) 252-0010, or via fax to (206) 252-0761. There is also a Recorded Information Line at (206) 252-0410.

Registration and application materials may be mailed, faxed or submitted in person. The mailing address is:

Seattle Public Schools
SPS Service Center
MS 11-174
P.O. Box 34165
Seattle, WA 98124-1165

All school choice forms received during open enrollment are processed together after open enrollment ends on April 15. There is no advantage to submitting forms earlier or later during the open enrollment period. The first few days and the last few days of open enrollment are the busiest. To avoid long lines, families are encouraged by SPS to consider this when planning their visit to the enrollment center.

Current students may drop off School Choice Forms in a 24-hour drop box in the JSCEE parking lot at 3rd and Lander. Forms must be filled out completely and signed to be accepted. The drop-off box is only for school choice forms for current students who already have a school assignment but would like to apply for a different school. New students must submit enrollment materials either in person, by fax or email.

Seattle Public Schools enrollment staff will also visit libraries and community centers around the city throughout March so parents may enroll new students and/or submit School Choice Forms for the 2011-12 school year. Staff will be at the Queen Anne Library, located at 400 W Garfield St., on Tuesday, March 29 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

As tax time approaches, Seattle Public Libraries is once again getting ready to roll out its tax assistance program. The Seattle Public Library, AARP and United Way are teaming up to offer free tax preparation services at 11 branches around town now through mid-April.

A free, quality, volunteer-run tax assistance, preparation, and e-filing service. The program is operated by the AARP Foundation and the IRS in collaboration with the Seattle Public Library. The service is confidential, there are no membership- or age requirements. Volunteers are IRS-certified. More information www.aarp.org/taxaide.

All library branches (including the Queen Anne Library at 400 W Garfield St.) and the

downtown Seattle Public Library are closed this morning because of an all-staff meeting. They will

open beginning at 1 p.m.

All branches of the Seattle Public Library, including the Queen Anne Library at 400 W Garfield St., will open at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30, due to an all-staff meeting. The Queen Anne Library usually opens at 11 a.m. on Thursdays.

The official high at Sea-Tac hit 95 degrees yesterday, Sunday, August 15 breaking the old record for the date of 92 degrees.

The weather service has issued an “excessive heat warning” through today, when temperatures are expected to get as high as 91 degrees. The good news: The weather is expected to cool down into the 70s later in the week.

Until then, for those of you looking to find a place to cool off or duck out of the heat, try hitting the International Fountain at Seattle Center, or spending some time cozied up to a good book—and free air conditioning—at the nearest public library. The Queen Anne branch will be open from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.