Amenities Highlights

  • Free Public Computers
  • Wi-Fi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Meeting Rooms
  • Hugh and Jane Ferguson Seattle Room
  • FriendShop
  • Chocolati Coffee Cart
  • Paid Parking
  • Single-Occupant All-Gender Restroom
  • Multi-Stall Single-Gender Restrooms
  • Multi-Stall Single-Gender Children’s Restrooms
All Central Library amenities & equipment
No More Late Fines graphic

No More Late Fines

Starting on Jan. 2, 2020, we will no longer charge daily late fines for overdue items, thanks to the 2019 Library Levy.

Explore No More Late Fines
Civics and social services

Community Resource Specialist

Our Community Resource Specialist can help you find shelter, mental health counseling, job training, food assistance, legal help, domestic violence support or medical help. We also loan Wi-Fi hotspots and books to those living in encampments.

View Community Resource Specialist Drop-in Services

Featured Events

All Central Library Events

About the Central Library

The new Central Library opened May 23, 2004. The 11-floor building contains an innovative "Books Spiral," a 275-seat auditorium, and open spaces where patrons can meet, study, search the web or read. The Library has centers for children, teens and adult readers, along with expanded collections and a large computer lab. It also has underground parking for about 143 vehicles.

Central Library Highlights

Central Library Photo Gallery

A closer look at the Ann Hamilton floor on level 1 at the Central Library
Patrons in the children’s area at the Central Library
Patrons at speaking engagement in the Microsoft auditorium at the Central Library
Reader’s services librarian with patron in the living room at the Central Library
Mural created by Urban Artworks artist Will Schlough on Level 3 at the Central Library
Patron reading in the living room at the Central Library
Musical performers in the Microsoft auditorium at the Central Library
Staff walkways in the spiral section at the Central Library
Mural created by Urban Artworks artist Will Schlough in the Level 8 spiral at the Central Library
Level 4 hallway with living room lookout at the Central Library
Stairwell on the red floor at the Central Library
A computer classroom for patrons at the Central Library
Musicians performing in the Microsoft auditorium at the Central Library
Patrons on public computers in the mixing chamber at the Central Library
View from the 6th floor at the Central Library
Yellow stairwell in the spiral area of the Central Library
Patrons on the escalator at the Central Library

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