10 Things to Do in November Through The Seattle Public Library

It’s almost November, a good time to rediscover the joys of the great indoors. Here is a sampler of interesting and useful things to do through The Seattle Public Library  as we sink deeper into fall and the daylight hours wane. All are free, of course, but some programs do require registration.

For much more, see our giant list of 50+ things to do through the Library, which we recently updated at www.spl.org/50things.

1. 

   Get inspired at an author event. The first week of November brings amazing authors and creators to the Library. On Friday, Nov. 4, Oglala Lakota chef Sean Sherman, who has won several James Beard awards, will talk about the revolution of Indigenous foods at the Central Library. On that same night, Newbery Award-winning author Kwame Alexander will celebrate the release of his latest book, “The Door of No Return” at the Hugo House. And on Monday, Nov. 7, Pulizer Prize winning author and historian Ada Ferrer will give the annual Bullitt Lecture on American History about Cuba.

2. See live music, watch a movie: The Central Library is once again hosting monthly movies and concerts. On Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., enjoy a free screening of two documentaries from the Tasveer South Asian Film Festival. And on Wednesday, Nov. 9, the Ladies Musical Club returns with a noontime concert featuring solo works for piano and cello.
3. Browse the ZAPP zine collection. In conjunction with the Short Run Comix & Arts Festival this weekend, the Library is opening its ZAPP zine collection for the first time in three years this Saturday, Nov. 5, from 3 to 5 p.m. Located on Level 7 in the Central Library, ZAPP contains more 30,000 zines, minicomics, self-published and small press titles. Tip: Combine a visit to ZAPP with an event at 1 p.m. with local cartoonist Megan Kelso. (P.S.: Shout-out to The Seattle Public Library Foundation for supporting ZAPP.)

   

4. Write on with #NaNoWriMo2022. Get support with your National Novel Writing Month goals with inspiring lectures from local writers on Seattle Writes – YouTube channel. Or join a Virtual Writes session with the Richard Hugo House, which happens on Nov. 9 and Nov. 15 this month. (Note you have to preregister with Hugo House to get the link to the class.)
5. Play a role-playing game: Learn Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder and Call of Cthulhu and other games by checking out one of the Library’s small collection of tabletop role-playing game books. Browse this BiblioCommons list to get started or go to the catalogue to search. Tip: You can print out character sheets with your 10 free weekly black and white pages at the Library.

6. Get your ducks in a row: Need to get started on a will? Our “Ducks in a Row” series for older adults is a series of virtual events that shares the nuts and bolts of difficult end-of-life topics, including advanced care directives (Nov.2), funeral planning (Nov. 9), estate planning (Nov. 16) and more.
7. Improve your personal credit: Our Library to Business program is offering a three-part series in November with all kinds of practical credit tips. Learn how to check your credit, clean up your credit, dispel common myths about credit, and more. Tierra Bonds, CEO of Take Charge Credit Consulting will facilitate free virtual workshops on 15, Nov. 22 and Nov. 29. Tip: The workshops will be live interpreted in Spanish.
8. Brush up your resume. Want to start a job search in the new year? You can use Tutor.com’s services for adult learners to connect to their career center and get help with resume writing, practice interviews and more. Sign up for a Your Next Job appointment for one-on-one help with your resume, job applications and much more.

9. Explore Native American titles: In honor of Native American Heritage Month our library staff have created book lists to help your whole family discover Native American and First Nations authors. Check out this list of suggested books for teens and young adults, or for children. We also have a wonderful list of Filipino American books for adults.

10. Have someone else read to your kids: Your Library card gives families access to all kinds of early literacy tools that can also give tired parents a break. Your children can read along to virtual books through TumbleBooks, and access animated stories and interactive games through BookFlix, in both Spanish and English. Or borrow from the Library’s new collection of “Read-Along” picture books, which come with an attached (and very compact) MP3 player that reads the book aloud to your child and helps them follow along. Look for “Read-Alouds” in any branch’s children’s section, or ask a staff member.

Bonus: Ask us anything: If you need help with any of these resources or services, or have other questions, our staff can help you in multiple languages. Just call 206-386-4636 or contact Ask Us, the Library’s email and chat service. You can also ask for help at your local Seattle Public Library branch.

How to get a card with The Seattle Public Library

If you don’t have a Library card, it’s easy to get one online or in person. Apply for a card in minutes through an application at spl.org/Card. We offer applications in Spanish, Vietnamese, Amharic, Somali and Chinese, as well as in English; and there is a children’s application as well.

A Library card from The Seattle Public Library is free for anyone who lives, works, owns property or goes to school in the Library’s service area, which includes Seattle, Bothell and most parts of King County, through our reciprocal use agreement with the King County Library System. Cardholders from several library systems in Washington may also qualify.