A-Z Programs & Services
If you know the name of the program or service that you are looking for, click on the first letter of its name to find it quickly.
All
-
2018 Adult Book Bingo
Every summer we partner with Seattle Arts and Lectures (SAL) to create a Summer Book Bingo card for adults. If you achieve bingo or blackout you will be entered to win fabulous prizes!
-
2018 Teen Book Bingo
Every summer we play Teen Book Bingo! Even though the 2018 contest is over, you can still download a bingo card and play just for fun.
-
Art on the Plaza
Join us each August for a series of programs on the 4th Avenue plaza at the Central Library.
-
Arts Programs
We host many free arts programs throughout the year, from outdoor music and dance performances in the Central Library outside plaza to opera, symphony and ballet previews.
-
Ask Us
We are here to look up information for you, help you with your Library account, offer reading recommendations and more.
-
Banned Books in Drag
Some of Seattle’s best drag artists and comedians give performances inspired by their favorite banned books.
-
Basic Skills
We offer in-person tutoring, informal conversation groups, classes, and online learning options to suit all learning styles.
-
Begin with Books
Nurture a love of learning with our “Begin with Books” theme kits for children ages 0-6.
-
Beyond the Frame
Beyond the Frame was a community-wide initiative revisiting the photographs of Edward S. Curtis and sparking conversations on Native identity, race and resilience, art and culture.
-
Bird Week
We celebrated Seattle Bird Week April 23-30. In partnership with the Seward Park Audubon Center and other local organizations, we hosted nature writing classes, bird sketching and more.
-
Book Groups
We host book groups for adults, children, teens, families, and low-vision, deaf and hard of hearing, and Spanish- and Chinese-speaking patrons.
-
Books on Bikes
Books on Bikes brings our Library services to community events around Seattle.
-
Booktoberfest
Each fall, our librarians visit your favorite bars and pubs for Booktoberfest, our celebration of books, beer and good cheer.
-
Citizenship Help
We have free classes and resources to help you prepare to become a United States citizen.
-
College Readiness
We can help high school students prepare for graduation and college with the help of trained volunteers at your Library.
-
Community Conversations
Executive Director and Chief Librarian Marcellus Turner invites you to join him in a discussion about current and future Library services at a series of "Community Conversations." Everyone is invited to attend these conversations. Thank you for sharing your ideas for the future of The Seattle Public Library.
-
Community Programs
We offer free programs and events to strengthen our community and celebrate Seattle’s many cultures.
-
Criminal Justice
Criminal justice and the impact of incarceration is a social justice topic we explore through programs, discussions and resource lists.
-
Digital Creativity
Learn how to use the latest technology for creative projects.
-
Digital Equity
Working with the City of Seattle, we promote digital equity through our programs and services.
-
Digital Learning
Our digital media learning programs are designed as a fun way for the community to learn how to use digital media to succeed at work, school, and life in general.
-
Early Learning
It’s never too early to share #SPLJOY! Nurture childhood development through our early learning programs.
-
Equity at the Library
We actively commit our programs and resources to help eliminate institutional racism.
-
Exhibits
Visit our level 8 gallery space at the Central Library for touring exhibits, pieces from our Special Collections or works from artists addressing a current theme.
-
Fresh Start
Share joy with a teen who owes Library fines or fees when you support our Fresh Start program.
-
Gaming
Experience the joy of board games, chess and video game console sessions at your Library.
-
Genealogy
Trace your family history with our genealogy resources.
-
Global Reading Challenge
The Global Reading Challenge is a Battle of the Books program for 4th and 5th graders enrolled in Seattle Public Schools.
-
Graphic Medicine
"Graphic Medicine: Ill-Conceived & Well-Drawn!" is a traveling banner exhibit that explores how the increasingly popular field of graphic medicine uses comics to tell personal stories of illness and health. The exhibit was on view at Central Library from May 21 to June 30, 2018.
-
History Cafe
The History Café is an ongoing series of free forums to help foster community conversations about local history.
-
Homelessness
The homelessness crisis in Seattle is a social justice topic we explored in 2016 through programs, discussions and resource lists.
-
Homework Help
If you are working on a tough homework assignment or have questions about a lesson, come to the Library for Homework Help.
-
Immigrant and Refugee Services
We help immigrants and people preparing for citizenship with programs and media in English and other languages.
-
Indigenous Sovereignty
Join us for programs celebrating Indigenous Sovereignty.
-
Indigenous Stewardship
Protecting the x̌ʷəlč: Indigenous Stewardship of the Salish Sea exhibit illuminates how water is intertwined in every aspect of living.
-
Intellectual Freedom
We are strongly committed to intellectual freedom, one of our guiding principles and the cornerstone of all public libraries.
-
Job Resources
Free job search and career development programs are offered at the Central Library and Ballard Branch.
-
Kids and Families Spanish Calendar
Organizamos decenas de eventos gratuitos en español o bilingües para niños cada mes.
-
Kids Cafe
Free meals and snacks are available for kids and teens in need after school during the school year and all summer long at select branches.
-
Know Your Rights
We can help you understand your legal rights as an immigrant or refugee.
-
Ladies Musical Club
We host frequent concerts sponsored by the Ladies Musical Club, an organization of women whose mission is to foster appreciation of classical music in the Seattle community through education, performance and awards.
-
Learning Buddies
Learning Buddies is an education enrichment program for K-5 students at the Beacon Hill, Columbia, Douglass-Truth, NewHolly and West Seattle branches.
-
Legendary Children
Legendary Children is a late night of extravagant style that spotlights all the gorgeousness of QTPOC communities.
-
Lego Mania
Come to your Library to build your own creation with Lego bricks.
-
LGBTQ
The Library is a place for everyone, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation. We work with local organizations and community members to offer programming for LGBTQ patrons and allies.
-
Library Link
Library Link is a pilot collaboration between The Seattle Public Library and Seattle Public Schools to connect middle school student with online resources and media.
-
Library Lounge
Raise a glass to literature in the Library Lounge, a moveable feast of events and celebrations all around Seattle that combine literature and libations.
-
LibraryLab
LibraryLab is a place where science, technology, engineering and math are fun and interactive!
-
Living Cultures
Living Cultures is a photography exhibit that explores contemporary Native American/First Nations life of the Haida, Lummi, Tlingit, and the Kwakwaka’wakw nations by Sharon Eva Grainger with narratives by tribal elders.
-
Make and Build
Come to your Library and learn how to program robots, create a mobile app, make crafts with electrical circuits and other fun projects.
-
Microsoft Imagine Academy
Learn technology skills online through the Microsoft Imagine Academy.
-
Mobile Library Services
With Mobile Library Services, we ensure that everyone in Seattle has access to information, ideas, and stories.
-
Movies
We screen free movies at many of our neighborhood branches and we also occasionally host curated film festivals covering a wide spectrum of topics and interests
-
Museum Pass
Your Library helps you get free admission to participating Seattle museums.
-
Music and Performance
We offer free performances all year at many of our branches and other locations.
-
My First Library Card
To celebrate children getting their first Library card, children age 0 - 6 will receive a special "My First Library Card" tote bag.
-
Opera Ballet and Symphony
Throughout the year, we host preview lectures of upcoming performances by the Seattle Opera, Seattle Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra.
-
Poetry
Join us for a poetry discussion group at one of our neighborhood branches and discover new and familiar poets with fellow poetry lovers.
-
Race and Social Justice
We participate in the Mayor’s Race and Social Justice Initiative to promote and support racial equity in our workplace.
-
Resources for the Formerly Incarcerated
We offer court-involved individuals, and their families, information and resources to help during and after incarceration.
-
Safe Place
The Seattle Public Library is a member of the King County Safe Place program.
-
School Break Activities
During each school break, the Library plans fun activities! From teen reading challenges to summer learning, we have something for kids of all ages.
-
Schools and Teachers
We offer many services to Seattle-area daycares, elementary schools, and other community agencies serving children.
-
Seattle History
Learn more about Seattle’s past at through our free history programs.
-
Seattle Reads
Seattle Reads is a "one book, one city" program, where people are encouraged to read and discuss the same book.
-
Seattle Reps 2017 2018 season
Find related resources for Seattle Repertory Theatre's season.
-
Seattle Writes
Explore free classes and workshops on creative writing and publishing.
-
Sharing our Voices
Hear oral histories of life in Seattle.
-
Social Services Referrals
We can help those facing homelessness get immediate help.
-
Somali Book
We work with Seattle’s Somali community to publish Somali books for children.
-
Southwest Artist Showcase
Each year we display works by local artists at the Southwest Branch.
-
Southwest Stories
Join us for a series of monthly lectures and presentations that focus on the history of West Seattle, the Duwamish Peninsula and the birthplace of Seattle.
-
Special Collections
Our Special Collections celebrate Seattle’s history and place in the Pacific Northwest.
-
Spilled Ink
Spilled Ink Music and Art Night is a free, fun after-hours celebration of Ballard High School musicians, artists and writers.
-
Start Up Weekend
Find people with complementary skills and the passion to build an education product or program in a single weekend, receive coaching from experienced education designers and industry professionals, and win prizes that will help take your idea to the next level.
-
Story Time
Our story times are active learning opportunities where kids of all ages enjoy stories, rhymes, songs and fun with our children's librarian.
-
Storyhood
Story’hood is a series of workshops where you can learn to design a location based game.
-
Student Success
We offer programs and services to help students of all ages succeed in school.
-
Summer of Learning
We have offered summer reading and learning programs for Seattle youth since 1919.
-
Tax Help
We have partnered with AARP and the United Way of King County to offer free tax help at Library branches throughout the city.
-
Technology for Beginners
If you are new to using computers or the internet, we can help. Come to your Library for a one-to-one Tech Help session, or attend one of our technology classes.
-
Technology Skills
We offer a wide range of classes and programs to help you develop and improve the technology skills that are so important in the digital age.
-
Teen Service Learning Opportunities
Our Teen Services librarians offer service learning opportunities for high school students.
-
Thrilling Tales
Join us for Thrilling Tales, a lunchtime story time for adults, which features exciting short stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
-
Veteran Services
We sometimes offer drop-in help for U.S. military veterans who are currently homeless or living on low incomes.
-
WA Center for the Book
The Washington Center for the Book promotes literacy, celebrates our state’s robust literary heritage, and highlights the way libraries and reading help strengthen communities and foster civic engagement.
-
Your Next 5 Books
Tell us a little bit about what you like to read and we'll email you a list of five books chosen just for you.
-
Your Next Skill
Tell us what skill you want to learn and librarians are standing by to help you!
Sign up for our email newsletters
Get the latest about Library events, new programs and services and other Library news delivered to your inbox.
Sign up now