In September, we published an article in the Seattle Times (and on this blog!) that shared insider tips from Library staff about cool, lesser-known Library services or collections. Since we couldn’t begin to fit all of the ideas in one article, here’s an encore, shared by staff in a variety of roles. (Share your ideas in the comments!)
Tasty cookbook collection: “The Library has a fantastic collection of cookbooks! When you discover how broad the collection is, and how contemporary and varied the choices are, it feels like a great gift. We cart home armloads of new cookbooks each week, and have enjoyed the latest books on craft baking (“Bake it! Slice it! Eat it!” by Tom Oxford and Oliver Coysh) and wandered afar into regional cuisines from around the world. We are now eagerly awaiting the release of “Ottolenghi Comfort: a Cookbook.” And it all comes to us at our local branch.” – Rob, Administrative Services
Consumer help: “Through the Library, you can access a very powerful trio of resources (Consumer Reports, Puget Sound Consumer Checkbook and Consumer Lab) that don’t accept advertising and provide unbiased information on products (Consumer Reports and Consumer Lab) and local service providers and services (Checkbook). My first job out of college was as a consumer columnist for a small daily (I still have the clips), so I myself have subscribed to all three sites over the years. It’s not an exaggeration they’ve saved me thousands of dollars (that much on my roof replacement alone), and I’ve found plumbers, electricians and fence-builders, as well as major appliances and other household items. Definitely my favorite ‘under-the-radar’ resource provided by SPL!” – Jay, Financial Services
Virtual tutoring for everyone: “The Library’s in-person Homework Help is wonderful, but I love that we also have a virtual tutoring service for those who can’t make it to in-person sessions. Tutor.com offers one-on-one online tutoring in three languages (Spanish, Vietnamese, English) in any subject. And it’s not just for kids. Tutor.com has an adult education center where you can get help with college papers, test preparation and job readiness. They even have a 48-hour turnaround for feedback on resumes and cover letters.” – Elisa, Communications
Seattle Room Digital Collections: “Did you know that the Library has rich and varied digital collections around Seattle culture and history? Our digital collections include a variety of local publications, periodicals, maps, photographs, postcards, and ephemera documenting Seattle’s past. A recent addition is the digital archives of the Northwest Asian Weekly, which provides a unique look at the past 40 years of the northwest Asian community and beyond, and is now broadly available to the public. We also have collections around topics such as neighborhood history, Century 21, Black Culture and History, and more. – John, genealogy librarian
And there’s more …
- World Language story time: Kids get exp0sed to literacy, language and fun at a variety of story times, including baby story times, bilingual story times and story times in a variety of languages.
- Discover Passes: Visit a Washington State Park for free by borrowing a Discover Pass, through our Outdoor Recreation resources.
- Museum passes: We offer free museum passes to participating institutions (including the recently renovated Seattle Aquarium) through www.spl.org/MuseumPass.
- Animated stories online: Access animated stories and interactive games through BookFlix, in both Spanish and English.
- Learn new business, creative and career skills with online courses at LinkedIn Learning.
- Oxford English Dictionary: Look up the roots of words and so much more with the Oxford English Dictionary.
- Personalized reading recs: Fill out a Your Next Five form for customized reading recommendations based on recent books you’ve read and enjoyed.
- No late fines: Here’s one thing you’ll never get at The Seattle Public Library – a late charge on an overdue book. Overdue fines were eliminated in January 2020, thanks to the 2019 Library levy.
– Elisa M., Communications
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