Have a Superhero Summer With The Seattle Public Library’s Summer of Learning 2022
release date: June 22, 2022
What’s your superpower? Listening? Curiosity? Kindness? This summer, The Seattle Public Library encourages kids and teens to explore their superpowers by participating in its annual Summer of Learning program, which runs from Tuesday, June 21 to Monday, Aug. 29.
Now in its 103rd year, the Library’s Summer of Learning offers ways for kids to read, learn, explore and grow all summer, including a Superhero Action Guide and game board, available at every neighborhood Library location and at spl.org/SummerOfLearning.
“This year’s Summer of Learning has a superhero theme, but with a plot twist,” said Amy Twito, Program Manager at The Seattle Public Library. “Instead of superheroes that have invisibility or superhuman strength, we highlight kids with superpowers that can be encouraged in everyone, such as creativity and compassion. All kids are superheroes!”
Watch the YouTube trailer for Superhero Summer of Learning, created by our partners at South End Stories, and then get started with your superhero summer:
- Summer Action Guide: Pick up a free Superhero Summer Action Guide at any of the Library’s 27 locations (or download the guide at org/SummerOfLearning), and see how YOU can be a Superhero! This guide is filled with superhero fun, activities and reading lists. Find family conversation starters, fun activities and ideas for “paying it forward” and being kind. A shorter version of the Superhero Summer Action Guide is also available in Amharic, Simplified Chinese, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, and Vietnamese.
- Summer Activity Game Board: Pick up or download your Superhero Summer Activity Game Board to set your daily reading goal and track your progress. Move around the board by coloring in squares for your daily reading – you can also fill in squares by completing superhero activities and good deeds from the Superhero Summer Action Guide.
- See your name up on the Wall of Superheroes: Once you’ve completed 10 squares on the game board, you can put your name up on the Wall of Superheroes at your neighborhood Library branch. Once you’ve completed 20 squares, you’ll earn a star on the Wall of Superheroes. And once you complete 30 squares, you’ll win an official Superhero Summer certificate!
- Selfie Station: Wear your superhero costume to your neighborhood branch and snap a selfie at the Superhero Selfie Station, and then share the photo with your friends and family!
- Take a Superhero Survey, win a prize: We want to hear from you! Fill out the youth survey in your Superhero Summer Action Guide and return it to your neighborhood branch for a chance to win a small prize.
- Free Superhero Party at the Burke Museum on Sunday, Aug. 28. Save the date! All Summer of Learning participants and their families are invited to join us for a FREE end of the summer celebration at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture on the University of Washington campus on Sunday, Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.! Plan your visit at burkemuseum.org.
South End Stories, a Black-led arts education organization serving students, families, and educators throughout King County, helped plan Summer of Leaning 2022. “South End Stories was so proud to participate on the planning team for the Library’s Summer of Learning, as our efforts painted a beautiful picture for the excitement and joy that Seattle students will experience through this program,” said Dr. Donald Felder, Curriculum Mentor with South End Stories. “It was a wonderful experience to laugh and share big ideas during our monthly brainstorming sessions, which led to the theme of superheroes. We hope that student engagement with the activity guide will lead to excitement about reading and care for their community.”
MORE WAYS TO HAVE A SUPERHERO SUMMER
Stretch your reading: To fire up your summer reading, the Superhero Summer Action Guide includes book lists and reading recommendations. You can also visit your neighborhood library to get recommendations from Library staff or browse the many “Staff Pick” book lists on the website.
Virtual story times and more: The Library is not offering in-person programming this summer, but families will be able to attend virtual story times and other virtual events. Check spl.org/Calendar and the Library’s Kids’ YouTube channel for the latest online programs.
More reading and learning resources: The Library offers many other reading and learning resources for children and families over the summer, including virtual one-on-one tutoring, language classes, personalized learning plans and more. Find them at spl.org/remotelearning.
Early learner action guide: Parents of pre-readers can download a 16-page activity guide for early learners in eight languages, with a range of ideas and inspiration for raising a reader, from animal alphabet cards to singing and science fun.
MORE INFORMATION
All details about the Library’s Summer of Learning 2022 programs are available at spl.org/SummerOfLearning. Seattle Public Schools students can access all digital Library resources, including thousands of free e-books, through the Library Link partnership with Seattle Public Schools.
Adults can also get in on the summer reading fun. Download your Book Bingo card at spl.org/BookBingo to start reading and filling in your challenge squares.
The 2022 Summer of Learning is sponsored by The Seattle Public Library Foundation and was planned in partnership with The Burke Museum and South End Stories, with support from AfricaTown Center for Education and Innovation, the African-American Writers’ Alliance and the Bureau of Fearless Ideas.
The Seattle Public Library partnered with six artists who created the artwork for our Superhero Summer: Brandon “BT” Thomas, Gabby Park, Jorge Villavicencio, Sharon Tu, Sloane Miller and Cyrus Brown.
ABOUT THE LIBRARY
The Seattle Public 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.
For more information about Summer Book Bingo, visit spl.org/BookBingo, call The Seattle Public Library at 206-386-4636 or Ask Us. For ADA accommodations, please contact: leap@spl.org.