Home Page Hero
-
Notes on the Page: Books on the Power of Music
Music in literature is having a big boom right now, exploring the life, creativity, and torments of musicians in fiction. Check out one of these recent novels to get your music fix on the page! Yiyun Li’s latest novel (and Peak Pick!) Music Against the Night uses the true story of 18th century married musicians… Continue reading
-
Adult Fiction for Native American Heritage Month
National Native American Heritage Month, observed in November, honors the histories, cultures, and contributions – historical and ongoing – of Turtle Island’s native peoples. One way to do this is through reading the stories of Indigenous authors. Check out one of these recent titles in adult fiction! Louise Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Band, Chippewa) is one… Continue reading
-
Another Win for Library Access, 7 Years after Eliminating Overdue Fines
We have good news to share about expanded access to The Seattle Public Library. During the Library’s recent technology upgrade, we had the opportunity to make a change that should decrease the number of patrons whose accounts are suspended because of overdue items. Previously, if you didn’t return a book or other physical item on… Continue reading
-
6 Books That Speak to the Enduring Appeal of Monsters
For Halloween season, these books explore our enduring fascination with monsters in new and surprising ways, from fresh takes on vampire tales to a bestiary that spans time and worlds. Monsters come in many forms and illuminate deeper truths about our fears and even our hopes. Portland author Keith Rosson infuses his horror novels with… Continue reading
-
Book Bingo 2026: A Record Summer of Reading Far and Wide
Summer might be in the rearview mirror, but we’re taking one more moment to celebrate a season of great reads, new discoveries, new connections, and a little friendly Book Bingo competition! It’s time to wrap up Summer Book Bingo 2026. For the second year, The Seattle Public Library (SPL) and Seattle Arts and Lectures (SAL)… Continue reading
-
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
-
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
-
Washington State Book Award Winners
The Washington Center for the Book just announced the winners of the 2026 Washington State Book Awards for works published in 2025 by writers from our wonderful state. Across genre, form, and audience, these winners represent outstanding titles by authors who currently live in Washington, as judged by other local authors, librarians, and booksellers. Creative… Continue reading
-
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
-
University Branch Renovations Move Forward, Air Conditioning and Elevator Installed
In our March 2026 University Branch update, we announced the completion of the seismic retrofit portion of this project and highlighted some of the significant work planned for the summer, including the installation of the new branch HVAC system and elevator, major interior renovations, and several accessibility improvements in and around the building.We are pleased… Continue reading
-
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
-
Book Groups: What to Read Next
Welcome to a semi-regular series that answers the question: What should my book group read next? The titles featured were chosen for their complexity and ability to sustain a discussion, as well as for having enough copies at the Seattle Public Library (as of this posting) for a book group of 8-12 members to place… Continue reading
-
Carceral Injustices: Beyond Living with Conviction
If you wind your way up the famous book spiral at the Central Library in downtown Seattle, you’ll often find interesting exhibits in The Gallery on level 8. The current exhibit, Living with Conviction: Sentenced to Debt for Life in Washington State, with its moving visual stories of dealing with overwhelming debt incurred from incarceration,… Continue reading
-
Book Bingo NW 2026: Women’s Sports
I’ve become an avid women’s sports fan over the past few years. I dedicate most of my time and interest to women’s soccer, but I’m proud to call myself a casual WNBA and PWHL fan, too. I’m super excited that women’s sports is a Book Bingo category this year! Part of what hooks me is the storylines and personalities… Continue reading
-
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
-
Lambda Literary Award Winners
The Lambda Literary Awards, highlighting LGBTQ+ writers across genres, identities, experiences, age ranges, and categories, are the perfect blend of Pride Month and the library, showcasing the best in queer books. The 2026 winners were just announced, and any of these would be great options for your Queer/Trans voices Book Bingo square! With 26 categories… Continue reading
-
LGBTQ+ Books Worth Seeking Out This Pride Month
This June, we’re going beyond the bestseller lists with books we keep pressing into people’s hands because we can’t stop thinking about them. “Hurricane Envy” by Sara Jaffe Portland writer Jaffe’s collection of short stories finds her characters caught in liminal moments. Jaffe deftly captures the palpable tension when all options feel like a compromise. Her… Continue reading
-
Find Your Library Joy – Evening Magazine Reports from the Central Library
Tuesday, April 21 was an especially fun day at the Central Library. King 5’s Evening Magazine spent a few hours at the Library filming a story in honor of National Library Week. Host (and Almost Live alum) Chris Cashman interviewed our head of Library Experience and Engagement Kai Tang, visited the art gallery and music… Continue reading