Programs & Services
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Winter 2026 Author and Community Events at the Library
Soak in creative and cozy winter vibes at Library programs in January and February. Browse zines and make your own on Saturdays at the ZAPP Zine Collection, celebrate the 60th anniversary of “Dark Shadows,” enjoy love poetry on the Central Library’s Red Floor with guest curator Amber Flame, and more. All Library events are free… Continue reading
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The Seattle Public Library to add Monday hours at the Montlake Branch and update hours at the Capitol Hill, Douglass-Truth branches on Jan. 27
Starting Tuesday, Jan. 27, The Seattle Public Library will update hours at three locations and expand the number of libraries that are open seven days a week – from 13 to 14 locations – with the addition of new Monday hours at the Montlake Branch. The Capitol Hill Branch (425 Harvard Ave. E.) will continue to be open… Continue reading
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‘Leveling the Playing Field’: How the Library Supports Nonprofits
As the year winds down, many of us will support nonprofits that make a difference in our communities. The Library is proud that we also support these community organizations by offering a range of free tools and resources to help nonprofits launch and grow. “We are seeing more nonprofits use our services,” says Jay Lyman,… Continue reading
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What Seattle Read in 2025: The Library’s Most Popular Checkouts
It’s always fascinating to compile The Seattle Public Library’s top checkouts for the year to get a sense of what’s been on the minds of Seattle’s readers. In 2025, they turned closer to home and explored local voices — perhaps not surprising given the state of national dialogue. Several of our most checked-out print books… Continue reading
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Winter Break 2025 Activities at The Seattle Public Library
Looking for family fun and community while the kids are on winter break? Our libraries have planned board game bashes, crafternoons, maker events and early New Year’s parties. We are also hosting regular story times and other family programming. You can also stop by one of The Seattle Public Library’s locations any day we’re open… Continue reading
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“The Librarians” Takes You to the Front Lines of Democracy
“I never imagined that what’s happening right now could ever happen. It didn’t dawn on us that we would come under attack.” In the opening scene in the documentary “The Librarians,” a woman sits, her face obscured for anonymity. She is a school librarian, telling the story of what happened in Texas in 2021, after… Continue reading
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December 2025 Author and Community Events
Head to the Library in December for stirring author talks, artist tours, a special community celebration at the Douglass-Truth Branch, a screening of “The Librarians” and more! All Library events are free and open to the public. Find information and registration through the event links below or at www.spl.org/Calendar. Registration is not required unless noted.… Continue reading
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Power of Community: Celebrating 50 Years of “Douglass-Truth”
A half-century ago, the Central District came together to rename its library to reflect its community. On Saturday, Dec. 13, from noon to 5 p.m., all of Seattle is invited to celebrate this milestone at the Douglass-Truth Branch, and honor its rich community histories. The branch library opened in 1914, but it didn’t become the… Continue reading
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Mossback’s Northwest: Early Roots of Seattle’s Libraries
How did Seattle become a literary city? The roots to that accomplishment began “in the muck and mire of the frontier city,” says Cascade PBS host of Mossback’s Northwest, Knute Berger (aka Mossback). Mossback recently aired a fascinating episode on the city’s literary roots, and its connection to Skid Road. It was filmed partly in… Continue reading
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Eve L. Ewing, Author of “Original Sins,” Presents the Bullitt Lecture on December 4
If you’ve wondered about the roots of inequality in our educational system, Eve L. Ewing has answers for you. Ewing — bestselling author, cultural organizer and Marvel comics writer – will visit Seattle on Thursday, Dec. 4 to present the 2025 Bullitt Lecture in American History about her new book “Original Sins: The (Mis)education of… Continue reading
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‘The Secret Lives of Library Books’ — Seattle Times Follows the Journey of a Hold
Every wonder how your library holds “magically” appear at your branch? Seattle Times reporter Sara Jean Green and photographer Karen Ducey explored this question by diving into a behind-the-scenes story of how millions of books travel around our region each year to serve the needs of our region’s Library users. Sara and Karen joined SPL… Continue reading
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Attention, Libby Users: You May Need to Take This Step
If you use Libby or OverDrive to check out e-books or e-audiobooks, you may need to take a simple step next week. After planned maintenance on OverDrive/Libby occurs on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 7 a.m., users may need to re-verify their accounts. Here’s how to re-verify your library card in Libby Continue reading
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‘Nuestra Euforia’: New Exhibit Celebrates the Work of Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Artists
Artist in residence Vaquero Azul says his new exhibit at the Central Library is “a love letter to our transcestors and queer ancestors who have been here since time immemorial.” “Nuestra Euforia / Our Euphoria” opened Oct. 18 at the Central Library’s Level 8 gallery. Curated by Azul, it showcases artwork by Azul and other… Continue reading
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Understanding AI for Older Adults
By popular demand, Seattle Public Library is excited to announce a fall series of workshops about understanding AI, in partnership with the AI Safety Awareness Project. The AI Safety Awareness Project is a volunteer organization dedicated to raising awareness about modern AI, highlighting its benefits and risks, and informing the public on how they can contribute to… Continue reading
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Day of the Dead – Día de los Muertos at the Library
It’s almost Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos, which is celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2 in Mexico and Latin America. Join us as we explore the history of Día de los Muertos and explore the variety of ways this holiday remembers and honors deceased loved ones. Join us to learn and honor your… Continue reading
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LEAP Interns 2025: What We Learned at the Library
This summer, The Seattle Public Library was thrilled to have Jesse and Gideon join us as part of a multi-week summer paid program focused on career preparation for Washington’s blind and visually impaired young people. They helped out in the Library Equal Access Program (LEAP), made zines that are being added to the ZAPP collection,… Continue reading
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Books Unbanned: 1 Million Checkouts
In 2022, Brooklyn Public Library launched Books Unbanned to provide access to digital books for young people impacted by censorship. The Seattle Public Library joined in 2023, with our foundation generously funding the program. Three and a half years after Brooklyn’s big idea, The Books Unbanned coalition has grown to six libraries. For Banned Books… Continue reading
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“Beautiful New Worlds”: Biggest Book Bingo Yet
Summer might seem like forever ago, but we’re briefly revisiting the season of blackberries and beach reads for an official wrap-up of Summer Book Bingo 2025, which ended just over a month ago. We’ve done the numbers. We’ve tallied the boards, the books and the blackouts. And we have news. In the 11th year of… Continue reading