Programs & Services
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6 Great Books to Read in Translation This Fall
There are many lofty reasons to read translated literature: understanding other cultures, seeking out diversity, bragging to your bookish friends. But at the end of the day, there’s only one reason you really need: These books are good! Read on to discover suggestions from a former bookseller at Third Place Books and a librarian at… Continue reading
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Ahead of her Seattle Reads Events, Author Sara Nović Talks “True Biz”
Sara Nović is the author of “True Biz,” a New York Times bestselling novel about a seismic year at the River Valley School for the Deaf. “True Biz” is also the 2026 selection for Seattle Reads, The Seattle Public Library’s “one book, one city” program that started in 1998 and has since been replicated around the world. Nović… Continue reading
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Hot Awards News About SPL-Connected Authors
Over the last three days, the National Book Foundation announced its longlist for the five categories of the National Book Awards — a slow drip of literary celebration. It was super cool, and not surprising, to see some Library-adjacent authors among those selected. First up is Sara Nović, the author of this year’s Seattle Reads… Continue reading
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Happy 20th Birthday, South Park Branch!
Twenty years ago, on Sept. 9, 2006, South Park neighbors streamed into their new library branch at the corner of Eighth Ave. S., and South Cloverdale. As a mariachi band played, more than 100 people signed up for a library card within the first hour, and community members marveled that the branch – after decades… Continue reading
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A Century of Discoveries: Genealogy at The Seattle Public Library
Every day, visitors ride the elevators to Level 9 of Seattle’s Central Library looking for family stories. Some are tracing immigrant ancestors. Others are searching for military records, newspaper clippings, or clues to a long-standing family mystery. In 2026, The Seattle Public Library’s genealogy collection marks 100 years of helping people uncover their family stories.… Continue reading
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Planned System Upgrade in September: Temporary Service Disruptions to Expect
Last month, The Seattle Public Library announced that we are excited to transition to a new integrated library system (ILS), the behind-the-scenes system that manages collections, circulation, and patron accounts. Our current ILS is outdated and no longer supported by its vendor. We will replace it with a new, more reliable, secure, and efficient system… Continue reading
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And the 2026 Seattle Reads Book Selection Is …
Consider the rest of your summer booked! Today, we announced that the 2026 selection for our citywide book group Seattle Reads is Sara Nović’s wonderful novel “True Biz.” “True Biz” is Nović’s second book, a New York Times bestseller about a seismic year at the River Valley School for the Deaf. With a fast-paced storyline,… Continue reading
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StoryWalk in Magnolia Summer 2026!
We’re so excited to celebrate the 6th year of our Summer 2026 StoryWalk partnership with Daybreak Star Preschool, Magnolia Farmers Market, and the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library! Over the years, this program has become a beautiful bridge connecting the urban Native community with our neighbors here in Magnolia. Each year, the teachers at… Continue reading
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August 2026 Events: StoryWalk, Book Talks, El Vez and More
Savor summer by taking a StoryWalk in Magnolia, enjoying a talk with “Raised by Ferns” author Maya Jewell Zeller, or honoring the first Day of Remembrance with Frank Abe and Densho at the International District/Chinatown Branch, among many other library programs in August. All Library events are free and open to the public. Many of… Continue reading
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Upgrading and Modernizing the Library’s Integrated Library System (ILS)
We are excited to announce that The Seattle Public Library is preparing to transition to a new, modern integrated library system (ILS), which is critical operational infrastructure for Library collections and services. This major project was a promise we made to Seattle residents in the 2019 Library Levy and is an important part of our… Continue reading
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Air Conditioning Coming to the Fremont and West Seattle Branches
Air conditioning is coming to the Fremont and West Seattle branches! This work is part of the Library’s larger Cooling Center Project, which is providing air conditioning and improved ventilation to the Library’s Carnegie buildings, allowing them to serve as shelters from extreme heat and wildfire smoke, preventing unscheduled closures during hot weather, and significantly… Continue reading
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The Northgate Branch Celebrates 20 Years of Community Connection
What makes a library essential to its community? 95-year-old Harry Coles, who has been a patron of the Northgate Branch since it opened in 2006, has an answer. “In all the years that I have gone to libraries, this is the friendliest, the cleanest, and the nicest,” he says. Harry is among many Northgate patrons… Continue reading
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Listen Up: Looking at Seattle’s Love of E-Audiobooks
Have you become an e-audiobook convert in recent years? Perhaps you’ve discovered the appeal of full-cast recordings, the satisfaction of making your way through a book while walking or weeding, or the joy of being read to by Meryl Streep. If so, you’re in good company. The Seattle Public Library’s e-audiobook checkouts have more than… Continue reading
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Summer 2026 Author and Community Events
Stay cool and cultured by attending one of the Library’s author and community events this summer, including a conversation between KUOW’s Katie Campbell and cabin-builder Patrick Hutchison, an evening with science fiction author with Rebecca Roanhorse, and a Book Bingo silent reading party at the Seattle Center’s Mural Amphitheater. Also check out Summer Quest, our… Continue reading
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From Library Kid to Book Bingo Artist: Vivian Li
Comics artist, zine maker, and illustrator Vivian Li fell in love with Book Bingo on her second day living in Seattle. It was July of 2018, and she stopped at The Seattle Public Library’s Queen Anne Branch for a break after hiking up Queen Anne hill. A longtime fan of summer reading programs, she immediately… Continue reading
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Start Your Summer Quest: Read, Do, Go, and Win
Summer has a new name at the Library! Launching today, Summer Quest is an all-ages program that encourages reading, discovery, and exploration all summer long. Head to your closest Library location, or to www.spl.org/SummerQuest, to pick up your Summer Quest activity tracker, which challenges kids, teens, and adults to log 30 days of Read, Do,… Continue reading
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Goal! Watch World Cup Games Live at the Library
Libraries have a reputation as places where quiet is encouraged, but not this June! As part of the city of Seattle’s efforts to celebrate FIFA World Cup 2026, the Library is thrilled to host 15 livestream watch parties for FIFA World Cup 2026 games at three locations: the Central Library (Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium), the Lake City Library, and the Southwest Branch. Like all… Continue reading
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3 Ways to Celebrate Pride 2026 With the Library
Happy Pride Month! We invite you to celebrate with the Library all month long, and we have a few special things planned this June and beyond. Attend a Pride event Calling all “Heated Rivalry” fans: On Saturday, June 13, check out this Queer Joy & Hockey program with Seattle Pride Hockey at the Northgate Branch. It… Continue reading