The Seattle Public Library Foundation

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The Seattle Public Library Foundation The Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation 501(c)(3) established in 1980 and governed by a volunteer board of directors.

The Seattle Public Library Foundation helps the Library build its collection and resources, offer programs for patrons of all ages, and better serve the needs of our community. We do this by securing and managing donations from individuals, businesses and foundations to support the Library above and beyond what public funding provides. A professional staff raises and administers gifts and ensures the effectiveness of funded programs. Since its founding, The Seattle Public Library Foundation has raised more than $228 million for the Library to support:

* Building new and revitalized libraries in every neighborhood.
* Programming for children, teens, and adults.
* Books and resources, including funding for special collections.
* Services for those with special needs, such as the disabled, immigrants, and refugees.
* Technology resources for library patrons.

Every week, thousands of young people across the country access books they can’t find at home or school—thanks to Books ...
10/09/2026

Every week, thousands of young people across the country access books they can’t find at home or school—thanks to Books Unbanned and supporters like you.

Since joining Books Unbanned, SPL has helped over 34,000 youth from all 50 states borrow more than 1 million digital books. But demand is growing fast, and we need your help to keep up.

This week, we’re raising $25,000 to keep Books Unbanned strong. Will you help us ensure every young reader has the freedom to read?

Donate today: https://give.supportspl.org/campaign/849353/donate

10/05/2026

Banned Books Week is October 4-10, and October is National Book Month. You can celebrate your love of books by creating letterpress posters about what books and reading mean to you during pop-up events with Partners in Print.

📖 Oct. 9, 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Ballard Branch
📖 Oct. 11, 1-3 p.m. at Central Library
📖 Oct. 17, 1-3 p.m. at Beacon Hill Branch

Learn more at https://www.spl.org/event-calendar?trumbaEmbed=calendar%3Dkalendaro%26search%3Dpartners%20in%20print

Thanks to our sponsor The Seattle Public Library Foundation. Free and reduced access supported by 4Culture.

We’re celebrating Banned Books Week (Oct. 4–10) with a huge milestone: Over 1 million e-book checkouts by teens and youn...
10/02/2026

We’re celebrating Banned Books Week (Oct. 4–10) with a huge milestone: Over 1 million e-book checkouts by teens and young adults through SPL’s Books Unbanned program! 📚

Thanks to nearly $900,000 in donor support from The Seattle Public Library Foundation, youth nationwide can access the books they need—no matter where they live. Help us keep books accessible for all: supportspl.org/2026/10/one-million-checkouts-and-counting/

Discover "Puerto Rico: Beyond the Postcard"—a powerful new series at The Seattle Public Library! Our Artist in Residence...
09/30/2026

Discover "Puerto Rico: Beyond the Postcard"—a powerful new series at The Seattle Public Library! Our Artist in Residence, Jo Cosme, brings her multimedia vision to life with events exploring colonialism, migration, and resistance, all inspired by the Library’s collections.

Join us for artist talks, film screenings, workshops, and a photo essay—September 17 to December 5 at Central Library. Your support makes these vital conversations possible!

See the full schedule and RSVP: https://www.spl.org/programs-and-services/arts-and-culture/artist-in-residence

Curious about your family history? Join us Saturday for a free, all-day workshop with renowned genealogist CeCe Moore at...
09/28/2026

Curious about your family history? Join us Saturday for a free, all-day workshop with renowned genealogist CeCe Moore at the Central Library! CeCe, known for her work on PBS’s "Finding Your Roots" and as "the DNA Detective," will share her expertise in using genetic information to solve historical mysteries and real-life cases.

Tag a friend who loves genealogy and RSVP today!
Learn more: https://www.spl.org/event-calendar?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D207115180

It's 9/25 (Nine Two Five) - Dolly Parton Day in Seattle!Earlier this week City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck stopp...
09/25/2026

It's 9/25 (Nine Two Five) - Dolly Parton Day in Seattle!

Earlier this week City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck stopped by The Seattle Public Library's Queen Anne Branch to deliver an official proclamation at a very special Story Time program with local authors and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

Just like Foundation donors support Story Time programs and literacy efforts across the SPL system, the Imagination Library of Washington promotes reading around the state and provides free books for more than 80,000 children.

As Dolly said, "you can never get enough books into the hands of enough children.” We're honored to help carry on her incredible legacy. Learn more: https://www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org/

Have you been reading "True Biz" with your neighbors? 📚 Seattle Reads is in full swing, and we’re excited to welcome aut...
09/25/2026

Have you been reading "True Biz" with your neighbors? 📚 Seattle Reads is in full swing, and we’re excited to welcome author Sara Nović to Seattle this weekend! Join us for special events at multiple Library locations and be part of a citywide conversation about this powerful novel set at a residential school for the deaf. Don’t miss your chance to connect, learn, and discuss together.

📅 See event details and get inspired: https://blog.spl.org/2026/09/21/ahead-of-her-seattle-reads-events-author-sara-novic-talks-true-biz/

Looking for another way to give back? The Broadview Library is partnering with Bloodworks NW to bring blood drives to ou...
09/22/2026

Looking for another way to give back? The Broadview Library is partnering with Bloodworks NW to bring blood drives to our community!

At our first event in August, 27 donors gave 24 units of blood—making a real difference for patients across the Pacific Northwest. Each donation can help up to 3 local patients, meaning up to 72 lives were impacted!

Join us for our next blood drive at Broadview Library on Saturday, October 17, from 10:30am–4:30pm. Sign up and help save lives! Learn more and register: https://www.spl.org/event-calendar?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D206882417

We’re proud to unveil our 2026-2030 Strategic Plan—shaped by community voices and focused on growing philanthropy, build...
09/15/2026

We’re proud to unveil our 2026-2030 Strategic Plan—shaped by community voices and focused on growing philanthropy, building advocacy, supporting Library innovation, and increasing our visibility. Together, we’ll keep the Library a hub for inspiration and belonging.

Explore the plan and join us in shaping the future: https://supportspl.org/strategicplan/

09/11/2026

The Seattle edition of the renowned Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF International) kicks off at the Central Library! Yann Martel, bestselling author of “Life of Pi,” will give the keynote address on “Why Stories and Imagination Matter more in Uncertain Times.”

📆 Friday, September 18, 7 p.m.
📍Central Library, 1000 4th Ave.

Registration is required. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jlf-seattle-2026-at-the-seattle-public-library-tickets-1993913223125?aff=oddtdtcreator

Thanks to our sponsors The Seattle Public Library Foundation and The Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation, and media sponsor The Seattle Times

Free and reduced access supported by 4Culture

Address

1000 4th Avenue
Seattle, WA
98104

Telephone

+12063864130

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