News & Stories
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“Rooted & Rising” Explores the Stories of the African American Collection
A new exhibit at The Seattle Public Library’s Central Library’s Level 8 gallery features artwork inspired by archival materials from the Douglass-Truth Branch’s African American collection. “Rooted & Rising: Stories from the African American Archive” is curated by local interdisciplinary artist Imani Sims of Vivid Matter Collective. Sims brings a personal and innovative lens to the… Continue reading
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The Young Adult Resource Fair (YARF) Brought All the Things
Books, bánh mì, banking, pet care, health care, haircuts, job resources, legal resources, ID cards, tarot cards, clothes, compassion, community. All of these resources and more were in abundance at The Seattle Public Library’s second annual Young Adult Resource Fair (aka YARF) on Wednesday, July 30, at the Central Library. Between 150 and 200 young… Continue reading
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‘My One Happy Place’: The Library That Saved a Life
When Elsa Sjunneson was a teenager, she regularly visited the Central Library. She picked up holds, browsed the stacks, and talked about books with Reader Services librarians David Wright and Misha Stone. In some ways, these were fairly normal interactions between a librarian and patron. After all, helping patrons find books they love is part… Continue reading
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Silent Reading Party, a New Exhibit, and More August 2025 Arts Events
Is a silent reading party the ideal event for an introvert? Find out this Saturday, Aug. 9, at a fun program at the Seattle Center, which includes book swap opps and Book Bingo tips. Other not-to-miss late summer events include the final program in our KUOW Book Club series, an exhibit celebrating the African American… Continue reading
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Magic, Music, Movies: Late-Summer Library Programs for Kids
Looking for things to do with the kids in August? Our libraries are hosting dozens of Summer of Learning and other programs for kids and families, from magic shows to music and dance workshops to end-of-summer celebrations. All Library events are free and open to the public. Registration is not required unless noted. Find information… Continue reading
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You Can Do It! Book Bingo Tips and Recs for the Final Stretch
It’s almost August – how’s your Book Bingo card coming along? If you need inspiration and recommendations for filling up those final (or first!) squares, we’ve got you. We asked a few veteran Book Bingo players for their favorite reads, and how they keep Book Bingo motivation strong through August. Tips included poetry, sticky notes,… Continue reading
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Museum Pass Expands, Adding Two Sites
The Library’s Museum Pass program is expanding! Museum Pass offers Library cardholders free admission to participating museums and cultural organizations. As of last week, Seattle Parks and Recreation has joined Museum Pass to provide free admission to the Seattle Japanese Garden, located in the Washington Park Arboretum, and the Volunteer Park Conservatory. The passes are… Continue reading
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6 Titles for Mid-Summer Book Bingo Inspiration
It’s mid-July, which means we’re halfway through Book Bingo season and you have six solid weeks to read books in fun categories and fill up that bingo card. For the uninitiated, all summer long, The Seattle Public Library, Seattle Arts & Lectures and new partner, King County Library System, celebrate Book Bingo, a program that encourages… Continue reading
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Staying Cool at the Green Lake Branch on the Hottest Day of 2025
How do you stay cool at the Library? On Wednesday afternoon, July 16, when outdoor temperatures hit 90 degrees, we stopped by the Green Lake Branch to check in with a few patrons about how the branch’s first summer with air conditioning was treating them. The branch was packed all afternoon, with most seats in… Continue reading
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Celebrating Shelf Talk’s Next Chapter
Do you notice something different about the Library’s Shelf Talk blog? We’ve given it a new look and feel! Started in 2008 by the Library’s Reader Services team, the Library’s Shelf Talk blog has served our city’s lively and diverse community of readers for 17 years. We’ve redesigned it and updated the platform to make… Continue reading
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Want to Talk to Someone at the City of Seattle?
Do you have a question for the city but you don’t know where to start? The City of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods and the Library are here for you! Over the next few months, the Department of Neighborhoods (DON) is hosting monthly community office hours at select Library locations to make it easier for Seattle… Continue reading
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StoryWalk® in Magnolia: Growing Connections
We’re so excited to celebrate the 5th year of our StoryWalk® partnership with Daybreak Star Preschool teachers! Over the years, this program has become a beautiful bridge connecting the urban Native community with our neighbors here in Magnolia. We’re also thrilled to continue working with the Magnolia Farmers Market, which has been an amazing partner.… Continue reading
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12 Ways to Enjoy Summer at the Library
Summer is here, and The Seattle Public Library is here for you. Head to your neighborhood library with your kids to pick up a Summer of Learning activity booklet, go to a fun program, check out some books, explore, and chill out! Here are 12 ways to turn up the summer fun and learning, library… Continue reading
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Keep Kids Learning All Summer: Summer of Learning Kicks Off Today
School’s almost out, but reading, learning and growing are in! The Seattle Public Library’s 106th annual Summer of Learning kicks off today with free activities, programs, and reading challenges designed to keep kids curious, creative and engaged all summer long. Get started by visiting your closest Library location (www.spl.org/Hours) to pick up a Summer of… Continue reading
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Free English Language Programs at the Library to Expand with Significant Carnegie Grant
The Seattle Public Library is excited to announce that it’s received a prestigious $450,000 grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York that will fund a significant expansion of the Library’s free English language learning programs over the next two years. The grant to the Seattle Public Library Foundation is part of Carnegie’s “Libraries as Pillars… Continue reading
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Green Lake Branch Renovation Project Achieves LEED-Gold Certification
This May, the Seattle Public Library’s Green Lake Branch renovation project received LEED-Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the nation’s foremost nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering energy-efficient and environmentally responsible building design. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green-building certification system in the world. It evaluates building… Continue reading
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Super Summer Reading Series with KUOW: 3 Books, 3 Authors, 3 Events
Seattle summer reading just got better! This summer, the KUOW Book Club and the Library invite you to join a book club adventure featuring three books by local authors. Each month, read along with the KUOW Book Club’s selection, and then bring your friends (and your questions) to an event at the Central Library that… Continue reading
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June 2025 Events: ‘Banned Together,’ Octavia Butler Birthday Bash and More
Looking for something to do while you wait for summer to start? We’ve got you. From a documentary screening about student activists fighting book bans to a birthday bash for legendary writer Octavia Butler, there’s something for everyone at the Library in June. All Library events are free and open to the public. Find information… Continue reading