Douglass-Truth Branch
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Photo Album: Celebrating 50 Years of Community at Douglass-Truth
On Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, the Douglass-Truth Branch was jamming. Neighbors, families, community leaders, elders, and library staff filled every corner of the branch at 2300 E. Yesler Way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its community-chosen name. Almost exactly a half-century earlier, on Dec. 5, 1975, the branch was renamed in honor of abolitionists… 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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“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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‘Black Activism in Print’ Exhibit Highlights Art and Community Activism
Black Activism in Print: Visual Art from the African American Collection, now on view at the Level 8 Gallery of the Central Library, is more than just an art exhibit. Though it features beautiful art prints by prominent artists and activists Charles White and Elizabeth Catlett, it is also a wonderful opportunity to learn about… Continue reading
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Watch ‘The Legacy of the Soul Pole,’ Converge Media’s New Film
The Soul Pole has stood tall outside The Seattle Public Library’s Douglass-Truth Branch for almost 50 years. Now, the 21-foot tall artwork – which the Black Heritage Society of Washington State has called a “beacon of Black pride” in the Central District – is starring in a short documentary produced by Seattle’s Converge Media. In… Continue reading
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Soul Pole Stories: Conservation and Restoration
As mentioned in our “first Soul Pole story,” the historic sculpture at the Library’s Douglass-Truth Branch in the Central District was deinstalled in 2021 so that it could undergo conservation work. The goal was to preserve the piece so that it could be reinstalled at its original location at the corner of 23rd Avenue and… Continue reading
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Seattle’s Negro Repertory Program
On Saturday, December 1st, the Douglass-Truth Branch will host a lecture and Q&A session on the Negro Repertory Company in Seattle. The program will be provided by Dr. Barry Witham, emeritus professor of Theatre at the University of Washington. A federally-funded theater program, the Negro Repertory Company was a project of the Works Progress Administration.… Continue reading