Seattle

  • Mary Ellen Mark: Eyeing Life

    Follow us throughout the fall for posts which highlight library resources and information that support the Tiny: Streetwise Revisited exhibit at the Central Library and its community programming. The undiffused difference between the placid suburb of her youth and the rough-edged city that surrounded it became quickly apparent. In she went with her lens widening as… Continue reading

  • Libraries Where You Least Expect Them: Library Stations of the 1920s

    2016 marks the 125th anniversary of The Seattle Public Library. After it was adopted as a department of the city in 1890, the Library opened its first reading room in Pioneer Square on April 8, 1891. To honor this milestone, we will be posting a series of articles here about the Library’s history and life in… Continue reading

  • Wheedle’s Groove: Seattle’s Forgotten Soul of the 1960s and ’70s

    On June 2nd, as a part of the African American Film Series, we will be screening the documentary Wheedle’s Groove: Seattle’s Forgotten Soul of the 1960s and ’70s. This documentary, directed by Jennifer Maas, and distributed by local record label Light in the Attic Records, captures some of the heyday of Seattle’s soul, funk and R & B that… Continue reading

  • City Council Reads – Lorena Gonzalez, Citywide Position

    The Seattle City Council was sworn in last month, and we here at ShelfTalk thought asking them about books would be a great way to learn more about our councilmembers. We asked them to tell us about books they’ve read (or almost read), books they want to read, books that inspired them, books they feel guilty… Continue reading

  • City Council Reads – Sally Bagshaw, District 7

    The Seattle City Council was sworn in last month, and we here at ShelfTalk thought asking them about books would be a great way to learn more about our councilmembers. We asked them to tell us about books they’ve read (or almost read), books they want to read, books that inspired them, books they feel guilty… Continue reading

  • City Council Reads – Tim Burgess, Citywide Position

    The Seattle City Council was sworn in last month, and we here at ShelfTalk thought asking them about books would be a great way to learn more about our councilmembers. We asked them to tell us about books they’ve read (or almost read), books they want to read, books that inspired them, books they feel guilty… Continue reading

  • City Council Reads – Mike O’Brien, District 6

    The Seattle City Council was sworn in last month, and we here at ShelfTalk thought asking them about books would be a great way to learn more about our councilmembers. We asked them to tell us about books they’ve read (or almost read), books they want to read, books that inspired them, books they feel guilty… Continue reading

  • City Council Reads – Rob Johnson, District 4

    The Seattle City Council was sworn in last month, and we here at ShelfTalk thought asking them about books would be a great way to learn more about our councilmembers. We asked them to tell us about books they’ve read (or almost read), books they want to read, books that inspired them, books they feel guilty… Continue reading

  • 20 Essential Seattle Books, Part 1: History.

    Here at the library, we’re often asked by old timers and newcomers alike, “What are must read books for people living in Seattle?” While others have offered intriguing suggestions, librarians aren’t really big on shoulds and musts, knowing how readers have such diverse tastes, moods and motivations. That said, we thought we’d venture a little list of titles… Continue reading

  • A Taste of Turkey from the Seattle Room Menu Collection

    ~posted by Jade D. Looking for inspiration for your Thanksgiving menu? Take a look at our Seattle Room Menu Collection to start gathering ideas for your turkey dinner from some of Seattle’s historic restaurants. Continue reading

  • Future Books about Seattle’s Past (and Present)

    ~posted by Frank From history and science to food and music, there are a bounty of books about our fair city and environs being published over the next few months. Here are a dozen of the most noteworthy titles. Classical Seattle: Maestros, Impresarios, Virtuosi, and Other Music Makers. Profiles of 35 musicians and arts leaders who have made Seattle a world-class city… Continue reading

  • Seattle Cooks…Digitally

    Everyone knows that The Seattle Public Library has an outstanding cookbook collection. But you may not know that you can check out “e-cookbooks” through OverDrive. If you’re a messy cook prone to spilling ingredients on page after page, then this could be the best option for you! OverDrive has more than two dozen cookbooks, food and wine… Continue reading

  • Movie Mondays: Recently Set in Seattle

    ~posted by Frank In the past year, four movies have been set in Seattle – one needs no introduction, two flew under the radar but deserve to be watched, and the fourth…well, um, hmmm. Fifty Shades of Grey is based on the publishing phenomenon of the same name by British novelist E.L. James. Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson)… Continue reading

  • Hidden Parks In West Seattle…and Beyond

    I recently read a magazine article about hidden parks in Seattle and it made me think about those little gems that I grew up with in West Seattle. Westcrest Park is a stone’s throw away from where I grew up. It has one of the most amazing views of Downtown Seattle I have seen, besides the deck… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Fridays: NW SF & Fantasy Authors Part 1: Rising Stars

    The Northwest doesn’t just have the best coffee and the greenest trees, we also seem to be a breeding ground for science fiction and fantasy authors. In addition to our plethora of local litfic and narrative nonfiction authors, genre authors are here in great numbers. This is bound to be the beginning of a long… Continue reading

  • Nightstand Reads: Seattle writer Nicola Griffith

    Nicola Griffith will be reading from her new historical novel, Hild, at the Central Library on December 10 at 7 p.m. Hild is set in 7th century Britain and follows the life of the young seer, St. Hilda of Whitby. Seattle author Nicola Griffith, originally of Yorkshire, England, has received several awards for her writing… Continue reading

  • Are you registered to vote?

    The Seattle Public Library is partnering with the League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County on National Voter Registration Day, a nation-wide, nonpartisan effort to register thousands of voters on one single day. On September 24th, volunteers from the League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County will be joining a host of others across the… Continue reading

  • Civil Rights in the 1940s: When Seattle began to grow up

    The 1940’s were times of change for Seattle, as the world war and social pressures associated with it brought the beginnings of maturity to the city. Seattle’s African American citizens experienced much of this change directly. Populations from the south, and elsewhere in the country, were drawn to better-paying war work in Seattle and brought cultural… Continue reading