Spring has Sprung at SPCL!

We have officially inaugurated spring at Seward Park Campus Library, and we look forward to finishing off these last three months with events, excitement, and more books to read! Here's what's been going on and what is coming up at Spark Campus Library!

Thanks to a grant from the Lambda Literary foundation, we we able to host author Mark Oshiro last week in the library! Twenty-one lucky participants received a special presentations from Mark and then got to ask them about their book Into the Light as well as the myriad of other projects they've got going on, including a second collaboration with Rick Riordan! Students got their books signed and asked Mark craft questions about writing. It was a truly special experience!

Feeling a bit of FOMO? Don't miss out! Best-selling author Soman Chainani will be here on May 5 for the release of his new book Young World. Thanks to Yu&Me Books, we are able to provide forty lucky students with a free book which you'll receive on the release date (May 5)! Sign up below!

From the publisher:

America is on the brink of collapse, and the youth have lost all faith in their leaders. As a pivotal election approaches, Benton Young, a high school senior trying to impress a girl, impulsively uploads a video, daring everyone to interfere with the vote and write him in for President. The video explodes online, igniting election chaos and a national revolt, until the Supreme Court intervenes to put Benton in the White House. Galvanized by Benton’s rise, more global youth take to the streets, and more governments fall, until eight of the world’s most powerful nations are led by teenagers.

When these young leaders convene at their first summit in Sweden, they face the monumental task of setting a new course for history. But the first night, their unity is shattered when a leader is murdered in cold blood . . . and Benton is the only suspect. Hunted by enemies young and old, he must untangle a deadly web of secrets, betrayal, and power plays—while the future of the world hangs in the balance.

With globe-spanning action, stunning twists, and an electric new brand of storytelling, Young World is a heart-stopping thriller that asks: What happens when the future really does belong to the young?

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Our 3D Design and Printing class was able to visit the monday.com offices in partnership with their Tech School curriculum. Students were able to try vibe coding for the first time to try to create an app-style game. Students enrolled in this course have been learning how to use various software and technology to design and print their own ideas on 3D printers as well as learn about the capabilities (and limitations) of artificial intelligence. They also got to see what life at a tech company is like, including a little arcade visit after lunch. For more information on how to get your schools involved in this program, please reach out as they are in the process of recruiting 100 more schools for the next academic year!

Thanks to a grant from the Anne Frank Center USA, we are able to host a free performance of the play Letters from Anne and Martin in our auditorium. From the center:

A powerful two-person show, Letters from Anne & Martin draws profound parallels between the words of Anne Frank and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The performance combines excerpts from Anne’s diary with key moments from Dr. King’s Letters from Birmingham Jail, highlighting their shared themes of hope, resistance, and the fight for justice. Through the dialogue of these two remarkable figures, students are offered a unique lens on the struggles for human rights, both during World War II and the Civil Rights Movement.

The show serves as a bridge between history and the present, highlighting how lessons of the past are deeply connected to the challenges we face today. By weaving Anne’s reflections on the horrors of war with Dr. King’s calls for nonviolent action, the show is a powerful teaching tool for understanding both the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Movement. Students are empowered to see the relevance of these movements in today’s world, encouraging them to take a stand against prejudice, bigotry, antisemitism, racism and discrimination, to promote equality, and work towards a more just and inclusive future.

If you've noticed some exceptional beats coming from the library, thank our partnership with The Hip Hop Re:education Project for bringing good vibes, hip hop artists, and celebration to our library. Every month, different artists come through to talk about how they got started in the music industry and how they maintain positivity in these dark days. A huge shout out to Farbeon Saucedo for keeping this program thumping in our library.

Did you know that we can record and produce podcast episodes? Are you listening to us on Apple and Spotify? Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss our latest episodes. Here's the latest episode we produced for New Design High School following an interview with the authors of Miracle Children, Katie Benner and Erica Green.

We have some exciting news! Seward Park Campus Library has been chosen for a gut renovation! This means that we have started the ~5 year process to entirely refurbish our library. We are currently in the design phase, involving architects, the school construction authority, the custodial staff, school leaders, and library staff. Let's just say it takes quite a village to rebuild a library, but we are looking forward to having a brand new library in the near-ish future!

As you can see, a lot is happening in the library. You can always visit our calendar to see what's up or fill out the form below to reserve space! We look forward to hosting you!

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