Communications
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3 Ways to Celebrate the Freedom to Read, and a Milestone!
It’s always the right time to celebrate books and reading, but October brings new opportunities. Not only is it National Book Month, but next week (Oct. 4 through 10) is Banned Books Week, which the American Library Association started in 1982 to highlight the value of free and open access to information. Here are three… Continue reading
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Holocaust Center for Humanity Joins Museum Pass Program
We are delighted to share that the Holocaust Center for Humanity in downtown Seattle (2045 2nd Ave.) has joined the Library’s Museum Pass program to provide free access to Library patrons. You can now reserve a pass to the Holocaust Center that is good for Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and accommodate up… Continue reading
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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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13 Not-to-Miss Author Programs at the Library in Fall 2026
Get out your calendar! The Seattle Public Library has an incredible lineup of book-related events and author talks this fall, from the kickoff of the Jaipur Literature Festival Seattle to Seattle Reads events featuring “True Biz” author Sara Nović to an evening with Douglas Stuart, Booker Prize award-winning author of “John of John.” All Library events… 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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7 Page-Turning Nonfiction History Books
It is a truism that we ignore history at our own peril. However, few of us want to page through dusty textbooks, and often what we want is entertainment. Fortunately, enjoyment and learning go hand in hand in these nonfiction history books that are written with the flair of a novel. These titles, a mix… 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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Thank you, Seattle! Voters say yes to the 2026 Library Levy
Dear patrons, This week, Seattle voters approved the $480 million, seven-year 2026 Library Levy with currently 72% of voters saying yes to the measure. While important votes are still being counted, we believe this is a strong win for our libraries. We are so thankful that Seattle voters continue to support and fund a strong… 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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7 Summer Book Bingo Recommendations
Book Bingo season is a time to reconnect with reading for joy and discovery. To help readers across King County find great picks for their Book Bingo board, the owners of West Seattle’s Paper Boat Booksellers join a Seattle Public Library Reader Services librarian with suggestions for three bingo categories. Learn about Book Bingo and get… 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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Call for community representatives: Library Art Review Committee (ARC)
Do you have background and interest in public art? The Seattle Public Library is seeking applications from members of the public to serve as representatives to the Library’s Art Review Committee (ARC)! The Library is currently seeking three (3) members of the community with excellent knowledge of the arts and strong familiarity with local Northwest arts,… 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