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Seattle Public Library
@spl.org
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🤳 Download our app 📲 Place holds, scan books for checkout, and much more! Find us in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

We bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community 📚
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spl.org
🌼 As we celebrate Día de los Muertos this weekend, the Trans Pride Ofrenda on Level 8 at the Central Library honors the MesoAmerican Trans Lives taken by violence in Mexico. The ofrenda is part of the exhibit Nuestra Euforia/Our Euphora, curated by our Artist in Residence Vaquero Azul.
A photo of the Trans Pride Ofrenda by Vaquero Azul. The altar features framed photos of MesoAmerican trans people whose lives were taken by violence in Mexico.
October 31, 2025 at 6:01 PM
spl.org
During #BannedBooksWeek, we're proud to share the collective impact of Books Unbanned.

Alongside five other library systems, we've provided free e-cards to teens across the country so they can read what they like from our digital collection.
Logo for Books Unbanned. White text on a black background reads: Supporting the freedom to read since 2022 51,217 cards issued 1,016,167 checkouts All 50 states Logos for: Brooklyn Public Library, Boston Public Library, LA County Public Library, San Diego Public Library, The Seattle Public Library, and Long Beach Public Library. www.BooksUnbanned.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:09 PM
spl.org
Tessa Hulls is a Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novelist and patron of the International District-Chinatown Branch!

For Library Card Sign-up Month, Tessa shares how trips to the library helped her write "Feeding Ghosts," and why she's proud to call IDC one of her "home" branches.
September 16, 2025 at 6:01 PM
spl.org
September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and you don't have to get a tattoo of the Central Library to celebrate.

(Though we ❤️ this ink by SPL patrons Alex H. and Jazmine S.!)

Just sign up for a Library card, or encourage your friends and family to get one!
Two SPL patrons show off tattoos on their arms. The tattoos depict the exterior of the Seattle Central Library.
September 12, 2025 at 6:12 PM
spl.org
Whether you need a good book, a place to hang out, help with your resume, or a way to get involved in your community, the Library is here for you.

Happy Library Card Sign-up Month!

www.spl.org/HereForYou
Cartoon characters of library patrons and icons representing library services (such as pencils, an open book, and a light bulb) surround text reading: We're here for you. Happy Library Card Sign-up Month.
September 2, 2025 at 6:51 PM
spl.org
How do you feel about The Seattle Public Library’s spaces, collections, programs, and services? Take our brief survey and let us know: www.spl.org/CommunitySurvey

The survey closes at 5 p.m. on September 24. The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete. Your responses are anonymous.
Image: Take our brief survey and let us know: www.spl.org/CommunitySurvey
August 26, 2025 at 5:11 PM
spl.org
🐺 @sadiehartmann.bsky.social shares dark fiction picks in “Feral and Hysterical: Mother Horror’s Ultimate Reading Guide to Dark and Disturbing Fiction by Women.”

📅 Tuesday, August 26, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
📍 The Central Library
🧟‍♀️ With @izzyvonghoul.bsky.social

Register: www.spl.org/event-calend...
Photos of Sadie "Mother Horror" Hartmann and Isabella Von Ghoul bookend the cover of “Feral and Hysterical: Mother Horror’s Ultimate Reading Guide to Dark and Disturbing Fiction by Women."
August 5, 2025 at 4:52 PM
spl.org
👻 Join us for two haunting author talks celebrating women in horror

👺 @isabelcanas.bsky.social discusses her new book, "The Possession of Alba Díaz."
📅 Tuesday, August 19, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
📍 The Central Library
🧛‍♀️ With @sadiehartmann.bsky.social

Learn more and register: www.spl.org/event-calend...
Photos of Isabel Cañas and Sadie "Mother Horror" Hartmann bookend the cover for Cañas's new book, "The Possession of Alba Díaz"
August 5, 2025 at 4:52 PM
spl.org
Head to the Central Library on Wednesday, July 30 for an amazing conversation between @kuow.org's @katiecampbell.bsky.social and author Kim Fu, whose book of short stories "Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century" is KUOW's July Book Club pick!

Find out more here: www.spl.org/event-calend...
July 23, 2025 at 8:57 PM
spl.org
Our Shelf Talk blog has started a new chapter! We’ve redesigned the blog to be more accessible and easier to explore.

Check out the blog for book recommendations from our librarians, stories about our patrons and programs, and updates on all things SPL. Visit blog.spl.org.
Text reads: Check out our redesigned Shelf Talk Blog blog.spl.org
July 16, 2025 at 5:06 PM
spl.org
The Circle Up! Listen to the Moment exhibit features oral histories from Black Restorative Justice practitioners and Circle-keepers in Seattle—leaders who have fought to create healing-centered schools.

📍 The Central Library
🗓️ Through July 31
🎧 Bring headphones!

Learn more at www.spl.org/Exhibits
July 7, 2025 at 6:36 PM
spl.org
🏳‍🌈 Happy Pride, Seattle!

This Pride Month, check out our collections and resources for LGBTQ+ patrons and allies.

👩‍🎨 And download our coloring sheets for a fun Pride activity

Learn more at www.spl.org/Pride
Text reads: Happy Pride. The image shows two coloring sheets that are themed for Pride Month.
June 6, 2025 at 5:39 PM
spl.org
Take a stand to protect young people's freedom to learn during #TeachTruth Days of Action this June. Learn more: www.spl.org/event-calend...

📚 FLASH MOB ALERT! June 21 at 12:30 PM at the Central Library, on Level 3. Wear all black and help us spell out powerful messages about education freedom!
Library staff at the Central Library wear all black and hold book covers that spell out TEACH TRUTH. Library staff at the Central Library wear all black and hold book covers that spell out FIGHT BOOK BANS.
June 4, 2025 at 6:09 PM
spl.org
Join us and Sông2Sea in celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month with a workshop and interactive art activity this Saturday!

📅 May 31 (Saturday)
⏰ 3:30-5 pm PST
📍 Beacon Hill Library Branch and Zoom
🔗 Register here: tinyurl.com/S2SASAMWorks...
Text reads: Reclaiming Asian American Narratives: Understanding Imperialism and the Creation of Asian Diaspora This workshop challenges the narrative that the Asian diaspora came to the United States for a better life, exposing how the U.S. forced people out of their homelands. Leave this workshop empowered with a clearer understanding of history and the Asian diaspora's role in the fight for social justice and liberation. May 31st 3:30 - 5 p.m. PDT Beacon Hill Library Meeting Room and on Zoom
May 27, 2025 at 5:55 PM
spl.org
2 years ago, we launched Books Unbanned, offering free digital library cards to young people (13-26) across the U.S.

Nearly 16,000 have signed up, borrowing 440,000 e-books and audiobooks.

Hear from them how Books Unbanned has provided joy, escape and so much more: blog.spl.org/.../eight-st...
"I can read books on my phone or listen to audiobooks without having to worry about my local library shutting down." – Books Unbanned Cardholder Age 14, Florida “My area is very rural and conservative. I'm gay and parents don't know it. I use this card to find books that reflect me and help me to not feel alone.” – Books Unbanned Cardholder Age 17, Ohio “I would much rather be reading than doomscrolling!! This helps me read more stories and entertain my brain in a healthier and more creatively fulfilling way.” – Books Unbanned Cardholder Age 22, Maryland Young people ages 13 to 26 living anywhere in the U.S. can access our entire collection of e-books and audiobooks. www.spl.org/BooksUnbanned
May 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
spl.org
Plot twist: King County Library System (KCLS) joins Summer Book Bingo, which kicks off May 19!

Along with Seattle Arts & Lectures, we are excited to welcome KCLS to the annual summer reading program for adults.

Join us for the biggest Book Bingo yet! Learn more at www.spl.org/BookBingo
April 30, 2025 at 5:34 PM
spl.org
📚 For Independent Bookstore Day, we're giving you a sneak peek at one category for #BookBingoNW2025, which starts on May 19!

🥁 The category is... Found Family. Get a head start on your Book Bingo board by visiting your local indie bookstore.

📅 Stay tuned for big Book Bingo news on April 30!
Image is a preview of the board for Summer Book Bingo 2025. It shows one category: Found Family.
April 26, 2025 at 5:17 PM
spl.org
Good news, Android users - our app is now available in the Google Play store! Learn more about the app at www.spl.org/App
Cartoon image of a smartphone character with a smiling face and arms, giving a thumbs-up, presenting a "Get it on Google Play" button. The Seattle Public Library logo is visible at the top left corner.
April 15, 2025 at 6:28 PM
spl.org
The elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) threatens the future of essential library programs in Washington state.

In an op-ed for @seattletimes.com our Chief Librarian Tom Fay explains why - and what you can do to help.

www.seattletimes.com/opinion/libr...
Chief Librarian Tom Fay standing in a library, with a logo for spl.org and text stating "Libraries, Our Anchors to Civic Life, Are Under Threat"
April 14, 2025 at 7:36 PM
spl.org
Today is National Library Workers Day. The love and support you show us today, and every day, means the world to us.

Thank you, Seattle ❤️

📷: Broadview Branch
From our fall display that asked, "What do you love about Your Library?"
A post-it note from a Library patron that reads, "The staff are super duper nice! - Violet"
April 8, 2025 at 5:45 PM
spl.org
🎉 The SPL mobile app is here!

It's a National Library Week surprise! Download the app for your Apple devices (Android coming soon).

Our app is currently in a Beta testing phase. Get the app and tell us what you think at www.spl.org/App.
A hands holds a friendly smartphone giving a thumbs-up. Text says, "Get our app!"
April 7, 2025 at 7:12 PM
spl.org
✨📚 It’s National Library Week!

This year's theme, "Drawn to the Library," has us reflecting on all the magical ways you make our branches a place our community comes back to, again and again.

What keeps you coming back to the Library?
Magician Maritess Zurbano wows the crowd at Magnolia Branch.
April 7, 2025 at 4:43 PM
spl.org
5 years ago today, on March 13, 2020, the day before our libraries closed because of COVID-19, was the highest circulation day in our history. You checked out over 104,000 items - 5 times our daily average!

Browse our Covid-19 Community Collection: cdm16118.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/coll...
Long lines of patrons wait to check out books at Northeast Branch. The Peak Picks shelves are bare. The line of patrons goes down the block outside Greenwood Branch.
March 13, 2025 at 6:58 PM
spl.org
Did you know SPL has tons of public art you can see for free? 🖼 🗿

E.T. Russian's "Reading in Relation" mural is the latest! You can find it outside the ZAPP Zine Room (which also features E.T.’s zines) at the Central Library.

Learn more about art at the Library at www.spl.org/using-the-li...
March 12, 2025 at 6:17 PM
spl.org
We know that when you visit us, you're excited to hurry inside to pick up your holds - but there's plenty to see outside the Library, too! Even this time of year!

Sr. Gardener Mathew Roland shared a few winter blooms at our branches. These are his photos, see more on IG @mrolandphoto!
Witch-hazel at Madrona-Sally Goldmark Branch. Mathew says: "This perennial blooms in late fall or early winter depending on the variety. I especially like its unique flower shape." Oregon grape at Magnolia Branch. Mathew says: "Its berries are tart but have been used to make jam. It makes a great addition to your garden - it's drought-tolerant, and birds and pollinators love them!" Fragrant Sweet Box at Northgate Branch. Mathew says: "The blooms smell sweet like honey or vanilla. Pruning or weeding around this shrub always brightens my day." Hellebore at Douglass-Truth Branch. Mathew says: "Its unique, downward-facing flowers are resistant to deer and pests, making them a beautiful and low-maintenance addition to the garden."
February 25, 2025 at 5:40 PM