Youth Services
Sign up for a Day of Coding with APH @ WTBBL
Code your own adventure! Join us on November 4th from 10am-2pm at The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library to explore accessible coding foundations. Students who are blind or low vision in grades K-12 will find something to meet their interest level, from unplugged activities to coding your way through a maze to learning about sequence, algorithms, loops and more! Parents and teachers will learn how they can support accessible coding in the classroom and have fun with coding in everyday activities. All participants will take home a FREE coding kit and inspiration for coding in the community! ACVREP continuing education units will also be available. Use the link below to register!
Link to register for Day of Coding: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NF9SSGF
Register for the 2023-2024 School Year Pen Pal Program
The Pen-Pal program is open to all students in Grades 1-12. It’s a great way for students to practice reading & writing in braille or large print, while making new friends around the state. Students are matched with another WTBBL youth patron by reading grade level and medium (braille or large print). All letters are mailed to WTBBL, and WTBBL will forward the letters to the pen-pal. Pen-Pal Guidelines, including suggested writing prompts, will be provided to registered students. Students are required to write at least three letters before the deadline of June 14th .
Please fill out and return the Pen Pal Registration Form to [email protected] or mail to Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, C/O: Youth Services, 2021 9th Ave, Seattle WA 98121 by Wednesday October 18th
It's Almost Braille Challenge Season!
Braille readers and writers in Grades 1-12 are invited to participate in a fun contest to show off your skills! This year will be a hybrid contest, meaning students can either participate remotely with their teacher OR come to WTBBL in Seattle for the in-person event on February 3, 2024. Fill out the registration form below by December 15th to compete!
Link to register for the 2024 Braille Challenge: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RKZHF2B
Multisensory Storytime - Fridays from 11-12!
- In-person Storytime is back! Join us for 30 minutes of stories, songs, and dance followed by 30 minutes of playtime in the WTBBL Conference Room. Storytime will not be held on the following dates: November 10th, November 17th, November 24th.
- VIRTUAL Multisensory Storytime also available! Watch on WTBBL's YouTube Channel. Caregivers of patrons age 0-5 can request a Storytime Kit to be mailed directly to their house if interested!
Youth Services Newsletter
Outside the Library Programming
Let WTBBL come to you! The Youth Services Librarian is available to visit schools and education centers to present about the WTBBL service or related educational topics to both individual patrons and groups of students, parents, and school staff. Other educational topics include multisensory storytimes, presentations for accessible research resources for students, booktalks and book suggestions in alternative formats for classroom assignments, etc. Contact the Youth Services Librarian for more information.
*Closed for renovation until November 2023*
The Orrico Children’s Room
Open for children of all ages, our Orrico Children’s Room offers a space for children to explore, play, and of course, read! The Orrico Children’s Room is a welcoming space for your child featuring a variety of musical instruments, tactile toys, and both Braille and large-print books, this space supports children’s needs for learning and physical development!
Tour WTBBL
Visit our unique location in downtown Seattle and learn how we provide library service to the entire state! Additional programming is available. Tours are available for individuals and school groups with advance request. For more information or to request a tour, visit Outreach and Tours.
In Search of a Good Book?
Check out our monthly Recommended Reading!
Make a Donation to support WTBBL
WTBBL's Youth Services Librarian is directly funded by donations from our generous donors. The support given to the library throughout the year makes all youth programming possible. To learn more about other ways donations are used, read our Annual Report.