Arts & Culture

  • In The Era Of Streetwise: Seattle 1983-1984

    Follow us throughout the fall for posts which highlight library resources and information that supports the Tiny: Streetwise Revisited exhibit at the Central Library and its community programming. Streetwise was a documentary released in 1984 that showed us “even in a town that billed itself as America’s most livable city, there still existed rampant homelessness and… Continue reading

  • Seattle Rep’s A RAISIN IN THE SUN: Beyond the Theatre

    Seattle Repertory Theatre presents A RAISIN IN THE SUN by Lorraine Hansberry from September 30 to October 30, 2016. Librarians at Seattle Public Library created this list of books and DVDs to enhance your experience of the show: Seattle Rep’s A RAISIN IN THE SUN: Beyond the Theatre Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun… Continue reading

  • Streetwise Revisited: Memoirs and Biographies

    Follow us throughout the fall for posts which highlight library resources and information that supports the Tiny: Streetwise Revisited exhibit at the Central Library and its community programming. Memoirs, biographies, and autobiographies are a common way for people to write their own personal history or the history of others. Here are a few books written by… Continue reading

  • Mary Ellen Mark: Eyeing Life

    Follow us throughout the fall for posts which highlight library resources and information that support the Tiny: Streetwise Revisited exhibit at the Central Library and its community programming. The undiffused difference between the placid suburb of her youth and the rough-edged city that surrounded it became quickly apparent. In she went with her lens widening as… Continue reading

  • Streetwise Revisited: Library Resources

    Follow us throughout the fall for posts which highlight library resources and information that supports the Tiny: Streetwise Revisited exhibit at the Central Library and its community programming. The Seattle Public Library is hosting the Streetwise Revisited: A 30-year Journey photography exhibit by Mary Ellen Mark exploring the lives of youth and families experiencing homelessness. It… Continue reading

  • Bumbershoot: A Brief History

    Bumbershoot is the ultimate end of summer arts festival and has featured local and national acts such as Mudhoney and Bob Dylan. Along with music there are art shows and galleries, as well as, author readings, dance performances, street performers, and a variety of acts to tickle the mind. In it’s 46th year it will feature… Continue reading

  • Flaked Soundtrack Appreciation

    We don’t have a cable television home, but the boyfriend and I do have Apple TV, so we like to occasionally choose a new show to watch together. He binge watches CSI when I work my late nights and I binge watch Shameless on my days off, but it’s nice to have something to enjoy together… Continue reading

  • South West Stories: Ken Workman

    “This we know; The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth.  This we know, all things are connected like the blood which unites one family.  All things are connected” –Chief Si’ahl, Namesake of the City of Seattle On Sunday, Aug 21, 2 p.m., Delridge Library hosts Ken Workman, member of Duwamish… Continue reading

  • Anime Appreciation

    I recently heard someone say, “I hate anime.” Since I was in one of our venerable library branches I stifled my indignant gasp. As a neophyte* anime otaku†, my body shook with a barely suppressed pontification. My opening salvo likely would have been to highlight the debate over whether anime is a genre or a… Continue reading

  • Language Learning for Business

    Today’s job market is very competitive and being able to speak another language might just give you an added edge. If your end goal is to be fluent or nearly fluent in a language so that you can put it on your resume then I suggest you start your language learning journey with the resources… Continue reading

  • It’s ALIVE! Celebrate Frankenstein’s 200th Birthday with us!

    This coming June 16 is a big deal. Astronomers have confirmed that it was some time between 2 and 3 a.m. on this date two hundred years ago that a girl of eighteen had a dream, under the influence of which she unleashed upon the world a ghastly and prophetic nightmare from which we have yet to awaken. Continue reading

  • Language Learning Resources for Children

    Learning another language is not just for adults who want to travel. When children learn another language they improve their vocabulary and cognitive ability, so it is no wonder many parents are now starting their kids off young. Even just learning a few words can be useful. There are many fun and easy ways to… Continue reading

  • Wheedle’s Groove: Seattle’s Forgotten Soul of the 1960s and ’70s

    On June 2nd, as a part of the African American Film Series, we will be screening the documentary Wheedle’s Groove: Seattle’s Forgotten Soul of the 1960s and ’70s. This documentary, directed by Jennifer Maas, and distributed by local record label Light in the Attic Records, captures some of the heyday of Seattle’s soul, funk and R & B that… Continue reading

  • Beyond the Screen: Free Angela and All Political Prisoners

    As a part of the African American Film Series this year, librarians have created some amazing resource lists that can help you take your understanding of the people, places, times and themes these films bring to life beyond the screen. For Douglass-Truth’s upcoming screening of the documentary Free Angela and All Political Prisoners, on Sunday,… Continue reading

  • 2016 African American Film Series

    Tomorrow begins our 2016 African American Film Series, celebrating Black actors, directors and films depicting the rich and varied African American experience. This year we’re showing 28 movies in 14 library locations across the city through June. See the full calendar for further details!   Continue reading

  • The Story Behind a Modern Marvel: The Seattle Space Needle

      Fifty-five years ago this month, construction began on one of Seattle’ s most prominent icons – the Space Needle.  Our newest digital collection, the George Gulacsik Photograph Collection, documents the construction of the Needle from its start on April 17, 1961 to its completion in 1962 with the opening of the World’s Fair. Continue reading

  • The Language of Water: Poetry on Buses

    By Library Staff Do you have a thirst for verse? Well, there’s a way to quench it! The Poetry on Buses Public Art Program, a partnership between 4Culture and Metro Transit, invites poets of all inclinations to submit a poem around a particular theme.  The 2016 theme is “Your Body of Water” and the Office… Continue reading

  • FIRST FOLIO! Freegal: Five for Free – Shakespeare Edition

    ~posted by Cameron Friends, Seattleites, King County-men, lend me your ears. In celebration of the First Folio exhibit, here are five suggested downloads using the Freegal music service available using your Seattle Public Library Card. Kiss Me, Kate (Original Broadway Cast Recording) – “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” With music and lyrics penned by American treasure Cole… Continue reading