“One benefit of Summer was that each day we had more light to read by.” – Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle
It may not seem like it, but summer is coming. It’s Summer Reading Program time, which begins on June 1. Are you ready? This year’s adult summer reading theme is Digging Deeper, Growing Stronger. Our social media hashtag is #DiggingDeeperGrowingStronger. Find summer reading for children or teens here.
This post provides ideas for the "Learn Something New" challenge. Get discovering with one of the 8 picks we’ve compiled to help you explore our resources! You do not have to follow our recommendations—you can use any resource that you think fits the theme. Let that summer light shine on your sense of wonder. Time spent reading, listening, writing, storytelling and learning counts!
Not signed up for summer reading yet? No problem! Learn more about Adult Summer Reading here.
“Learn Something New” to dig deeper and grow stronger
So you’re wondering, “How can the BPL help me to learn something new?” Let’s explore some of the ways you can discover, dig and grow with us.
#1 Grow Stronger Job Skills - Explore New Careers
LinkedIn Learning: Learn creative, business, and software skills to achieve personal and professional goals
LearningExpress Library Find courses, test prep and career insights
Kirstein Business Library events on advanced software, resumes, networking, and interviewing, personal finance
#2: Get Physical: Dig in to Metal Detecting and Geocaching
Looking for a diversion? Check out these titles to outfit yourself for an outdoor experience:
The Geocaching Handbook - Learn how to create a cache, hide it, and share it with others
Meteorite Hunting - Compares and explains different hunting strategies, examines strewn fields and craters, and discusses the best field equipment
Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter - This darkly comedic odyssey follows an frustrated office worker who becomes obsessed with finding a cache of stolen money she learns about in the movie Fargo
Detectorists (TV Show) - Available on DVD and streaming on Hoopla, this series is a low-key, deeply humorous depiction of the friendships and relationships of 2 amateur “detectorists” in England.
#3: Strengthen Your Connection to Life on Earth
Here are a few research guides compiled by your librarians. We also have lots of other subject guides to help you learn and do new things.
- Reader’s Corner: Nature & Environment
- Exploring Trees and Equity in Boston through Literature - Learn about tree and nature equity in Boston and trees in literature and art
- Climate Change: Resources at the BPL and Beyond – find local and internet resources on advocacy, environmental organizations, green living, and other ways to take action
- Nature Observation – Learn more about nature and how to identify items
#4: Dig in to your history with Ancestry Library Edition
You can access Ancestry Library Edition, now available to you from home while we are closed. Use their vast resources to create family histories by searching census, birth and death records, family trees, military service records, and more. Not sure how to get started? Watch our tutorial.
#5: Get Technology Assistance, or: “How do I do ____ on my _____?”
Get to know your computer, phone or tablet better. If you have questions about how to use your device or need step-by-step directions for accessing our online resources, please call 617.859.2323. Your call will be directed to Instruction Services staff, generally available 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. If an operator is not available, leave a message with your name and contact number. We will call you as soon as possible. Support is available for Spanish and English speakers. Assistance is also available by emailing computerworkshops@bpl.org.
#6: Strengthen ties with your roots: Learn the language of your ancestors with Mango Languages
Mango is an interactive language learning resource supporting dozens of languages, including Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), English, Hindi, and Spanish. Learn the language of your ancestors; prepare for travel abroad.
#7: Attend a BPL Event
BPL events are still online only. Did you know we are offering workshops in Spanish? Did you know that you can use your smart phone to attend if you don’t have a computer? To access the events with your phone, use the event link we send to registrants. If the link doesn’t include a phone number to call to join the program, email us for help. Explore all BPL events.
#8: Need more ideas?
Email us for help, call a librarian, or try our new chat service during limited hours (via text box, but you need a computer or phone with internet access).
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