You probably know that you can borrow books, use public computers and even reserve meeting rooms, all for free, through the Seattle Public Library. But did you also know that you can access digital newspapers and magazines, streaming services, job resources and personal tutoring in three languages?
In honor of Library Card Sign-Up Month this September, we asked library staff to give shout-outs to some of their favorite under-the-radar services, including those that support our community in less visible ways. Check out spl.org for (many) more ideas.
The Seattle Public Library loves to promote books and reading. This column was published by the library on The Seattle Times to highlight lesser-known library services. It is republished here with permission from the Seattle Times.
Borrow a music practice room — and a guitar!
“The sound of music often brightens Level 8 of the Central Library where two Music Practice Rooms offer a space to practice, and are the only — to our knowledge — free music practice rooms in the city. Each room features a digital piano, and now, thanks to a pilot program funded by The Seattle Public Library Foundation, acoustic guitars are available by request. Reserve in person at the Level 8 reference desk or by phone at 206-386-4636.”
— Richard Visick, arts librarian, Central Library
Cook with The New York Times
SPL offers 72-hour access to The New York Times as well as streaming services such as Hoopla, access to online magazines and much more. (Courtesy of Seattle Public Library)
“SPL offers 72-hour access to The New York Times — including articles, cooking, games, Wirecutter and The Athletic. And it works with the app! … We also have many other local, national and international publications.”
— Kai Tang, director of Library Programs and Services
Library by mail and on the road
“Books by Mail is a lifeline for people with mobility issues: The library will mail, for free, up to 15 items (including books, DVDs, CDs and CD audiobooks) each month to eligible city residents who cannot reach one of our branches. Our Mobile Services vans, including an all-electric bookmobile, also bring materials to low-income senior housing, assisted-living facilities and preschools.”
— Tom Fay, chief librarian
Learn a language
“I took French for four years in high school, but I’ve forgotten virtually all of it. Mango Languages has been great for refreshing my memory in short, easily accessible lessons that I can jump into throughout my day.”
— Morganne Denae, Training and Development manager
Realize your business goals
“I will always hype the library’s Special Collections and the Seattle Room, but I am also grateful for our Library to Business program, which offers opportunities to entrepreneurs who have historically lacked, and continue to lack, equitable access to resources. Services such as credit consultations and market research assistance are impactful for community health and for individuals working to realize their business goals.”
— Sean Lanksbury, Special Collections service manager
Hoopla for the win
“Hoopla, an online streaming service, lets you borrow comics and graphic novels (like ‘Saga’), movies (like ‘Past Lives’) and music! Did you know that you can journey through every single Taylor Swift era using Hoopla?”
— Erika Miller, supervising librarian, International District/Chinatown branch
ZAPP Zine Collection
“The ZAPP Zine Collection, housed on Level 7 of the Central Library, contains some of the most personal, vibrant and unique art and writing you’ll find at the library — or anywhere. You can visit this collection of over 30,000 zines, comics and other self-published periodicals from Seattle and beyond by making an appointment at spl.org/zines.”
— Abby Bass, arts librarian, Central Library
Print for free
“When the need comes up in this digital era, I greatly appreciate the library’s printing services, available at all 27 locations. You can send your print job to an email address, and print up to 10 black and white pages (or 3 color pages) free per week. I’ve seen many grateful patrons printing off résumés and cover letters, important documents and family pictures.”
— Micah Scheff, security operations analyst
Flip through online magazines
“The library’s online magazine collection on Flipster and PressReader is a wonderful service! I’ve been using PressReader, which offers access to more than 7,000 international publications, to practice my Italian by reading magazines like ‘Dove,’ a travel magazine and ‘Focus: Wild,’ a children’s magazine about animals.”
— Karina Reyna, supervising librarian, Delridge branch
Find your roots
“As one of two genealogy librarians at the library, the free genealogy help we offer is one of my favorite ways to connect with folks. At the Central Library, we’ve got two major collections to help: the Seattle Room, which has resources such as Seattle Public Schools high school yearbooks, and the Genealogy Collection, which is one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest. And you also have us as your partners in research.”
— Mahina Oshie, genealogy librarian
More library services to bookmark
You can reserve meeting rooms, such as this room at the Beacon Hill branch, for free, and you can use study rooms at branches on a first-come, first-serve basis. (Courtesy of Seattle Public Library)
- Tutoring and job support: In addition to after-school Homework Help for K-12 students, the library offers online one-on-one tutoring in English, Spanish and Vietnamese through Tutor.com. Job seekers, alert: Tutor.com also has a career center that reviews résumés with a 24-hour turnaround.
- Author inspiration: SPL organizes author talks all year, featuring nationally known authors, up-and-coming local writers and community-curated series.
- Driving-Test.org: Practice for the Washington state driver’s test with this super useful tool for student drivers.
- Scan, fax and translate: ScanEZ kiosks at all library locations offer high-speed scanning, faxing and translation.
- Host a gathering: Reserve meeting rooms of every conceivable size for free, and you can use study rooms at branches on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Citizenship and English classes: Prep for the U.S. citizenship test, attend an English conversation class and more.
- Wi-Fi hot spots: SPL loans Wi-Fi hot spots through its general collection as well as on a long-term basis to communities impacted by the digital divide, such as tiny house villages.
- Your Next 5: The library’s Your Next 5 service crafts customized reading suggestions for all kinds of readers.
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