Foundation CEO Jonna Ward, who joined the organization in 2001 and became its executive director in 2008, will depart her role this summer. She said the timing is ideal for a transition at the helm of the library’s nonprofit partner. “The Foundation’s team, board, finances, and leadership position in our sector are incredibly strong, thanks … Continued

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of several Seattle libraries built, expanded, or renovated thanks to the Libraries For All campaign that so many Foundation donors supported – including the world-famous Central Library. The Rainier Beach Branch reopened on January 17, 2004, after a Libraries For All expansion added room for books and materials, more natural light and … Continued

Started by Brooklyn Public Library in 2022, Books Unbanned offers teens and young adults across the country free access to digital books and audiobooks. The program counters the increasing attempts to censor what young people read — and is powered by a growing network of foundations and donors. The Seattle Public Library joined Brooklyn earlier … Continued

The library brings people together in many different ways. For many successful or budding entrepreneurs in Seattle, the donor-supported Library to Business program (L2B) provides essential connections to funding, information, and partnerships. One afternoon in October, members of the local small business community filled a room at the Central Library for an L2B business resource … Continued

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