Cleo Brooks is such a fixture at the Library that even Camille Jassny’s guide dog knows where to find her office at Central Library. Brooks has headed LEAP—the Library Equal Access Program—for 30 years. Next year, she will retire from her decades of service as the Library’s ambassador for patrons with disabilities. “She’s just so … Continued

How will you remember the covid-19 era? Betsy Kluck-Keil posted a joke of the day in the front yard of her Crown Hill home to entertain her neighbors. Ruth Quinet, inspired by a pre-covid Library rental of “American Gigolo,” watched nearly every Richard Gere film—and reviewed them each. These memories and more will be kept … Continued

Seattle’s oldest and longest-running newspaper is now available to the public on the Library’s website at spl.org. The Library used Foundation support to secure the archives of The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, which can now be explored via the Library’s website. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, which started as “The Seattle Gazette” in 1863, printed weekly – and then … Continued

Nov. 25 marks The Seattle Public Library Foundation’s 40th birthday – and while 2020 has thrown so many challenges our way, our decades of uplifting our beloved Library give us so much to celebrate. Most importantly, we extend our gratitude to the people who make the Library the community cornerstone it is: You, our donors, … Continued

The Foundation kicked off its fall giving season with a special $50,000 challenge match, which helps to make donor support have twice the impact. The challenge was provided by a donor who believes in the power of libraries to strengthen our community for everyone, regardless of age or economic circumstance. Funding from the fall campaign … Continued

While grown-ups strive to stay safe during a global pandemic, juggle work and childcare, and keep stress down during a contentious election season, anxious feelings can also extend to kids – especially Black children whose families are disproportionately affected by systemic racism and its related effects. “The stress of COVID for children in addition to … Continued

In a partnership with Seattle Public Schools, The Seattle Public Library has offered middle and high school students automatic access to Library books and resources since 2017 through a program called Library Link. But when COVID-19 shut down in-person schooling, SPL accelerated its plans to expand the program to elementary grades, bringing access to all … Continued

The Monday after nationwide protests first broke out decrying the May death of George Floyd, Frank Brasile found that demand for digital books about race at The Seattle Public Library suddenly skyrocketed. The Library tries to keep the holds down to five or fewer people for every book. But Brasile, a selection services librarian, found … Continued

Wi-Fi hotspots are The Seattle Public Library’s most-circulated item, with 675 devices checked out nearly 8,000 times last year, bringing free internet access to people three weeks at a time. But another set of hotspots are intentionally distributed to local organizations and housing communities in need for up to six months at a time to … Continued