Programs & Services

  • Julia Glass: Book Group Darling

    When Julia Glass’ first book, Three Junes, came out in 2002 and won the National Book Award, it became a book group trailblazer. Book groups everywhere rejoiced in a new author of contemporary fiction whose writing was fresh and confident and featured complex, memorable characters. You’d think that would be easy to do, but it… Continue reading

  • Halloween Costumes – DIY

    If you’re anything like me, and studies show you are, Halloween has already got you in a tizzy. The big question is how to outdo your friends and families with an amazing, clever and altogether unforgettable Halloween costume. As we all know, the best Halloween costumes are DIY (Do-it-Yourself) through and through. The venerable CityRag… Continue reading

  • Emerald City Search and Year of the Frog

    Here is another opportunity to celebrate frogs this year. The third annual Emerald City Search will take a frog theme in honor of The Year of the Frog. The goal is to find a special medallion hidden in a public place somewhere in Seattle, and whoever finds it first will win $2,500 in cash and… Continue reading

  • October Question of the Month: An irregular series

    The reference librarians at Seattle Public Library are pretty darn amazing. They don’t know everything, instead they know where to find everything. As part of an irregular series of posts we salute the talented and dedicated reference staff at your local library. Names and other identifying information have been removed from the questions we showcase.… Continue reading

  • Top Ten Things to Do in our Music Practice Rooms

    Drumroll Please! You’ll have to imagine you are hearing one of those amazing announcer voices reading the list below (with no apologies to any TV show): #10 Play 1 piano 4 hand duets with a friend. #9 Play your favorite song with different keyboard sounds. #8 Improvise on that tune you can’t get out of… Continue reading

  • The Russians Are Coming

    Seattle is a city of communities – neighborhoods, ethnic groups, churches, schools, clubs, etc. And even if you don’t belong to a particular group, they often sponsor events throughout the year that may be of interest to you. One of my favorite annual smaller events is the St. Spiridon (Russian) Orthodox Cathedral Annual Bazaar, which… Continue reading

  • Immigration in your Family’s History

    It’s not Ellis Island, or Angel Island, or even Castle Garden, but this graceful brick and stone building on Airport Way in south Seattle was the beginning of an American life for thousands of immigrants for more than 70 years. The former Immigration and Naturalization Services building was built in 1932, replacing a dockside processing office.  The… Continue reading

  • Record Industry a bunch of Luddites?

    While riding the bus a while ago I noticed a fellow bus rider was reading an article in Entertainment Weekly. I had trouble remembering what the article title was but I remembered it was about the recording industry and also about their resistance to modern technological breakthroughs that enable music to be shared. I decided… Continue reading

  • Nightstand Reading: Eric Liu

    Editor’s note: Whether he’s interviewing Daniel Schorr at Town Hall, inspiring leadership or talking about patriotism, local author Eric Liu manages to get us thinking—and to get the conversation going. In The True Patriot, a book written in the pamphleteering style of Thomas Paine, Liu and co-author Nick Hanauer offer a lively challenge to look… Continue reading

  • September Question of the Month: An irregular series

    The reference librarians at Seattle Public Library are pretty darn amazing. They don’t know everything, instead they know where to find everything. As part of an irregular series of posts we salute the talented and dedicated reference staff at your local library. Names and other identifying information have been removed from the questions we showcase.… Continue reading

  • Bungalow Nation

    I love craftsman bungalows. I love the open floor plans, the overhanging eaves with the knee braces, the porches with the pillars, the classic bungalow interior wall with a fireplace flanked by windows and built-in bookcases, the nooks and crannies, the stained glass, wood, stone and tile work, the sconces and the chandeliers. What’s not… Continue reading

  • I love my libraries

    I live about halfway between Green Lake and Northgate. And when I say that, I mean the Green Lake Library and the Northgate Library. I claim them both as “my” libraries, but here’s the thing: I could live anywhere in Seattle (and believe me, I’ve lived all over) and I would happily find “my library”… Continue reading

  • Bored No More

      Kids-can’t live with them and can’t live without them,  but you can keep them reading no matter where they are or what time it is! Your online children’s reading resources are waiting for you. The Seattle Public Library’s Web site has a Children’s section with great resources and reading ideas for your kids.  There… Continue reading

  • Pacific Northwest Ballet Previews at The Seattle Public Library

    Plan now to attend the free lunchtime previews of Pacific Northwest Ballet’s wonderfully adventurous 2008-2009 season. PNB’s Education Programs manager, Doug Fullington, will offer entertaining insights on the ballets, complete with video excerpts. These lecture/video previews take place at noon, in the Central Library’s Microsoft Auditorium, First floor,1000 Fourth Ave. Everyone is welcome! Tuesday, September 23… Continue reading

  • Washington Wines & Wineries

    There is a lot of talk these days about eating locally produced food.  Should this also extend to drinking locally produced wine? I think so!  Washington state is home to many fine wines and wineries, and you can learn all about them at the Library.  If you’re interested in visiting – or learning about – any of… Continue reading

  • Preview the UW World Series Fall Line-up

    In their publicity the UW World Series says, “Each season we strive to bring a varied and exciting, (and yes, occasionally challenging) season of dance, world music and theater, piano and chamber music to Meany Hall.” At The Seattle Public Library,  we’re thrilled to be bringing previews of the 2008-2009 UW World Series to Microsoft Auditorium of… Continue reading

  • Chinese Herbal Medicine

    If you walk into a Chinese herb shop usually there is a Chinese Herbalist available. They usually don’t charge you a fee if you purchase your herbs there for your illness. Herbs are very important in the Asian community.  Chinese people use herbs to strengthen and balance their body’s Qi. They believe Qi is a… Continue reading

  • Spending the afternoon in a Japanese Garden

    Seattle is a city of garden aficionados, so it is fitting that we have one of the best Japanese gardens outside of Japan. With sweeping vistas and decades-old plantings tended with exquisite care, the Seattle Japanese Garden is a spot of meditative beauty. It is also host to a variety of festive events. If you… Continue reading