April 2023

  • Information about the Brave Books and Kirk Cameron meeting room booking at the Central Library May 27

    Earlier this week, children’s book publisher Brave Books reached out to The Seattle Public Library requesting to rent a room at the Central Library to hold an event with Kirk Cameron. They selected Meeting Room 1 on Level 4 for their event, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 27, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.… Continue reading

  • New Additions to our Black Culture and History Collection

    In July 2022, the Library began work on a Digital Heritage Grant funded by the Washington State Library to increase the availability of historic digitized materials in our Black Culture and History Collection. This month, we are wrapping up work on the grant and are excited to share some of our new additions! Thanks to… Continue reading

  • The Soul Pole Celebrates its 50th Anniversary at the Douglass-Truth Branch

    If you grew up in Seattle’s Central District, it probably seems like the  Soul Pole — a 21-foot artwork that stands tall on the lawn of the Douglass-Truth Branch at 23rd and E. Yesler — has always been been there. In fact, the sculpture, has stood there for (almost) exactly 50 years. Carved in the… Continue reading

  • Let’s Garden!

    Spring is here! With flowers, rain, bees, and a sense of hope. Whether you’re planting a vegetable garden or flowers, working in a large yard or making the most of a small paved space, gardening inspiration awaits with these titles and more. Pacific Northwest Native Plant Primer by Kristin Currin and Andrew Merritt Discover the… Continue reading

  • WA Do I Read Next: Recent Non-Fiction Faves by Washington Authors

    Each year a group of librarians from around the state take the stage at the Washington Library Association conference to share some of their favorite recent titles by Washington State authors. This year’s presentation took place on March 31, in Wenatchee, with Andrea Gough and David Wright of Seattle Public Library, as well as Jenna… Continue reading

  • WA Do I Read Next: Recent Fiction Faves by Washington Authors

    Each year a group of librarians from around the state take the stage at the Washington Library Association conference to share some of their favorite recent titles by Washington State authors. This year’s presentation took place on March 31, in Wenatchee, with Andrea Gough and David Wright of Seattle Public Library, as well as Jenna… Continue reading

  • Poetry for Teens

    For National Poetry Month, here are fifteen books of teen-centered poetry, all as novels in verse. See these titles in our catalog. In Kwame Alexander’s The Door of No Return, Kofi’s peaceful life in Upper Kwanta is changed forever when his older brother wrestles – and accidentally kills – a boy from Lower Kwanta. As… Continue reading

  • Thrills for your Monday

    Having a hard time getting started this dreary, rainy Monday morning? How about a thriller to give you a quick shot of adrenaline? Here are some of the latest, from our collection: Regrets Only, by Kieran Scott. A single mom goes undercover to investigate a host of disturbing secrets held by the leaders of a… Continue reading

  • Short Stories Now Dispensed at the Fremont Branch

    The 102-year-old Fremont Branch has a new attraction: The Short Edition story dispenser. In between browsing the collection, using a computer or other services, you can now print out a 1-minute, 3-minute or 5-minute story to enjoy on the spot (more on the five-minute option later).  The story dispenser was moved last week from its… Continue reading

  • Verse Novels for National Poetry Month

    Looking to add something to your nightstand reading to commemorate National Poetry Month, but long for the narrative pull of a good novel? Welcome to the world of novels in verse, a fascinating corner of the fictional universe that picks up where classic verse epics and other traditional narrative poetry leaves off. No matter your… Continue reading

  • After dispensing with fines, Seattle Public Library dispenses with fine dispensers.

    Back on January 2, 2020, joining a movement being embraced by many public libraries across the country, the Seattle Public Library decided to end its longheld practice of charging late fees for items returned after their due dates. The move has been a rousing success, restoring access to many Seattlites for whom excessive late fees… Continue reading