On a recent rainy day, members of the SPL and Foundation Boards toured an unassuming building in Georgetown that is essential to our library. What they saw, and the people they met, amazed them. The group was touring The Seattle Public Library’s Maintenance and Operations Center (MOC), which opened last year, and is home to … Continued

As part of our advocacy work, the Foundation and Friends of The Seattle Public Library sent a survey to all 14 candidates running in the 2023 general election in Seattle’s seven City Council districts. Eleven candidates responded, demonstrating strong support for the library. Overall, candidates affirmed that the City should fund upgrades to library facilities … Continued

Seattle welcomes Boston, LA County, and San Diego to the Books Unbanned movement! In honor of Banned Books Week (October 1-7), The Boston Public Library, LA County Library, and San Diego Public Library have announced free digital cards for young people, joining Brooklyn Public Library and The Seattle Public Library in standing up for the … Continued

Much like libraries, art brings people together. But for many older adults, mobility issues can present a challenge to engaging with art, supportive services – or each other. The Seattle Public Library’s Creative Chats in Community program, supported in part by Foundation donors, aims to provide an accessible, welcoming space to gather, work on art … Continued

Poetry rang out through the stacks of the Central Library one night in July. Community members filled the gallery space on Level 8 for the soft opening of the new exhibit, “Black Activism in Print: Visual Art from the African American Collection.” One by one, members of the African American Writers’ Alliance (AAWA) strode to … Continued

“A group of parents are trying to remove certain ‘problematic’ books from my high school’s English curriculum,” wrote one 17-year-old from Michigan. “I want to be able to read these books and others, but I can’t always afford to buy them.” Equitable access to knowledge is an essential value of our library — and our … Continued

Our 2022 Annual Report on Donor Impact illustrates a few of the ways the library serves as a hub for connecting people – with resources, with services, and with each other. The connections forged by donor-supported programs are essential for everyone’s sense of belonging, ability to fully participate in society, and civic engagement that sustains a healthy … Continued

Our 2022 Annual Report on Donor Impact examines how the library is providing free access to trusted information – for everyone, and from everywhere. When knowledge is more available and equitable, whether at a branch or through innovative outreach and technology, more people are able to gain the skills, insights, and experiences that help them thrive.   Modernizing … Continued

Our 2022 Annual Report on Donor Impact details the ways that the library drives storytelling in our community – through reading, programming, and elevating voices. These stories improve literacy, enrich lives, and represent diverse perspectives. More people have more opportunities to learn, and to express their own stories and hear from others, thanks to these … Continued