Communications
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Seattle Public Library Resources for a Great School Year
Whether or not you or someone in your family is starting school this fall, there’s something about September that promises a fresh start. It’s a great time to grab some school supplies and write a new script for yourself. Your local library can help! Here are some of our favorite library resources for channeling back-to-school… Continue reading
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27 Libraries, 27 Postcards
Want an excuse to get to know your neighborhood libraries better? Or perhaps you need a cool library-themed bookmark as you sink into fall reading? In honor of Library Card Sign-Up Month (September), The Seattle Public Library is inviting Seattle residents to learn about their neighborhood libraries and how they’re here for you through a… Continue reading
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The Library’s 2024 Impact, in Numbers and Stories
In 2024, The Seattle Public Library received more than 2.9 million visits to its 27 locations; 300,000 patrons used their Library card, either online or in person; 10.8 million materials were checked out, with digital materials again proving more popular. These are just a few highlights of the Library’s 2024 Impact Report, an annual accounting… Continue reading
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The Seattle Public Library Wants to Hear from You!
How do you feel about The Seattle Public Library’s spaces, collections, programs, and services? Take our brief survey and let us know! Not a Library user? We want to hear from you, too! The Seattle Public Library is conducting a survey from Monday, August 25 through Wednesday, Sept. 24 to hear from the community, including… Continue reading
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Why Old Trees Matter: A Conversation with Lynda Mapes
As August draws to a close, our summer book club series with KUOW is wrapping up with a topic relevant to any northwesterner: the connections between trees, salmon, and Indigenous knowledge. On Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 6:30 p.m., Lynda Mapes will be at the Central Library auditorium to talk about her recent book, “The Trees… Continue reading
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Q&A with Vaquero Azul, SPL Artist in Residence | Preguntas y respuestas con Vaquero Azul, artista en residencia de SPL
Shelf Talk recently caught up with SPL Artist in Residence, Vaquero Azul – read on to learn about their art practice, inspiration, and an upcoming public workshop at the Library! [Para leer en español, consulte a continuación.] SPL: How would you describe the work you create? VQ: I would describe it as the years of… Continue reading
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U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal Gets an Inside Look at University Branch Renovations
In our blog post last May, we announced that construction had begun at The Seattle Public Library’s University Branch, which is undergoing major renovations to improve the safety, accessibility and usability of the branch while reducing our carbon footprint. On August 11, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) joined Chief Librarian Tom Fay; The Seattle Public… Continue reading
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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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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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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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July and August 2025 Author Events at the Library
From a pop-up book sale to KUOW Book Club events to two programs that will show you that horror can be a summer genre, the Library’s upcoming book and author events will inspire and engage. We also have many amazing programs for kids and families, from magic to music to artmaking, which you can find… 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