The Seattle Public Library Foundation

Now is a critical time to support our library as young learners struggle with literacy. Recent studies show that reading scores are below pre-pandemic levels, and that 40% of fourth graders lack basic reading comprehension skills. Free literacy progams at The Seattle Public Library are essential - and today is the perfect time to help! When you make a gift for #LibraryGivingDay by the end of the day tomorrow, your impact is DOUBLED - all gifts are matched up to $25,000! Give now to help close the literacy gap: https://lnkd.in/gW9Bd9sz

Celebrate #LibraryGivingDay with us at The Flora Bakehouse! Support The Seattle Public Library while enjoying delicious library themed sugar cookies and coffee. A big thank you to Flora team for this partnership - see you there (1511 S Lucile St) on Tuesday!

Recent federal actions propose reducing funds for our nation's libraries. Libraries provide crucial access to information to help people of all ages, economic statuses, and backgrounds learn and grow. Today, we need your help to ensure The Seattle Public Library can provide books and programs that people rely on. That is why #LibraryGivingDay is so important! Right now is the time to give. Your support is crucial to protect libraries and the communities that depend on them. And all gifts are matched now through April 1, up to $25,000! Double your impact on libraries with a gift today: https://lnkd.in/gW9Bd9sz

Now is a time to stand together in support of our public libraries. Read a message from our CEO: https://lnkd.in/gpABWh7j See the statement from The Seattle Public Library and King County Library System on the executive order to dismantle the Institute for Museum and Library Studies: https://lnkd.in/dJAYHsXe Sign up for our advocacy action alerts: https://lnkd.in/gwAWYQcY Make a gift to help our library: https://lnkd.in/gQ8Yesad

We're so excited to return to Rainier Valley Food Bank's third annual book fair tomorrow! Food bank patrons can grab free books thanks to Friends of The Seattle Public Library, learn about community resources, and chat with us about library programs and advocacy. We're grateful to be part of this great event that helps nourish our community.

Celebrate literacy and poetry next Wednesday, March 26, as we kick off the 2025 edition of Seattle Reads! Join us at the Central Library at 6 pm for a special reception and panel discussion on this year's selection for The Seattle Public Library's citywide book club, "You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World." The panel includes: - KUOW Public Radio's Katie Campbell as moderator - Laura Da', a local poet featured in "You Are Here" - Claudia Castro Luna, former Seattle Civic Poet - José Luis Montero, executive director of Hugo House and La Sala Hear about how the themes of "You Are Here" inspire these writers, learn more about the partner organizations bringing this year's Seattle Reads programs to life, and get excited for the many events taking place throughout the city in April and May. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gz9bwiT6

Recent studies show alarming trends in youth literacy. Basic reading skills are declining and fewer kids are reading for fun. But every year since 1995, thousands of Seattle students have discovered the joys of reading thanks to The Seattle Public Library's Global Reading Challenge! The beloved program, supported by Foundation donors, illustrates why the library is so essential for turning around the literacy crisis. It provides 4th and 5th grade students at 70 public schools with eight books. Students read each book and form teams that compete in a trivia competition based on what they've read. Winning teams from each school progress through a citywide tournament that leads to an exciting finals event at the Central Library, taking place this year on April 2 ! The Global Reading Challenge creates fun experiences around books, builds confidence in reading, and helps lead to a lifelong literacy habits for more than 3,400 students who participate annually. Check out this year's books at spl.org/grc and give today to support young readers: https://lnkd.in/gB3miv4J

🚨Deadline alert! Seattle students have until midnight on Saturday to submit essays for this year's Stim Bullitt Civic Courage Scholarship. It's a great opportunity to win tuition support while gaining historical literacy about important local leaders. Dig into the books and records at The Seattle Public Library to find an essay subject who inspires you - and see your winning essay added to the library's permanent collection! Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/gqkXqr45

Are you part of the KUOW Public Radio Book Club? Or have you always wanted to join? Now is the perfect time! We're thrilled to partner with KUOW to promote literacy and poetry in our city through the Seattle Reads program at The Seattle Public Library. The book club will read this year's selection, "You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World," next month. Join us at the Central Library to kick off Seattle Reads on March 26, for a Book Club reading and discussion on April 24, and many more Seattle Reads events throughout the community this spring. More on the Book Club: https://lnkd.in/g2uSfYru

Thanks to everyone who came together at the Green Lake Branch yesterday for a great discussion on reimagining library spaces! Our panel included The Seattle Public Library Chief Librarian Tom Fay, SHKS Architects Principal and Foundation Board member David Strauss, and Historic Seattle Director of Preservation Services Eugenia Woo. We learned about the exciting renovations to the recently reopened Green Lake Branch and at the University Branch now underway, the challenges and opportunities of preserving historic Carnegie libraries, the environmental benefits of library projects, and much more. Special thanks to Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck, MPA for joining us and for her strong support for libraries on the City Council! Sign up for our newsletter to get updates on the next events in our Together at the Library Speaker Series: https://lnkd.in/gR-4k-E6