What is the hullaballoo about coding? For a start, learning about coding and computer science is all about building life skills like logical thinking, problem solving, computational thinking (the ability to break down a large task into smaller manageable tasks) and creativity. As of right now, 71% of all new jobs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) are in computing and coding skills are needed in all industries. Programming is the fastest growing occupation. Our daily life is filled with code, we are consumers of code, from our telephones, televisions, all of our apps and websites and so much more. Learning to code allows kids to build skills to ready them for the future no matter what occupation they choose.

Everyone enjoys a good mystery now and then (or if you’re like my Dad, that’s all he reads). With this in mind, here are five excellent mysteries by Scandinavian authors that you can find on the shelves at Whitefish Bay Public Library. Enjoy!

While I wear many hats in my role as Head of Youth Services at the Whitefish Bay Public Library, my favorite hat to wear is my programming hat, and I’m lucky to have staff members who feel the same way. (Thanks Valerie, Anders, and Blake!) And, of course, we hope that you love programming too! Between storytimes and our special programs, last year we offered more than 250 programs for babies all the way up to teenagers. It’s a lot of work, but we love the challenge of creating programming that excites and inspires our patrons.

Our Youth Services team keeps busy with story-times in the library, but nothing substitutes for reading at home, regardless of your child's age. Research (e.g. the2012 Compendium on Early Literature by Scholastic) shows that book-reading provides a special context in order to cultivate language development, beginning at infancy. Books are special because they contain stories and facts outside of the here-and-now. Moreover, people tend to use especially complex language when they are discussing a book-- even a picture book. So hit the books with your kid! Go for quantity and quality!