The Seattle Public Library

After Thursday's announcement that South Korean author Han Kang had won the Nobel Prize in Literature, hundreds of holds were placed on The Vegetarian at The Seattle Public Library just in the first 24 hours. While you're waiting for Kang's novels, you might explore these novels by other Korean authors whose work delves into similar themes. https://lnkd.in/ghNUrPSK

Interested in fresh insight on the homelessness crisis? Join housing scholar Gregg Colburn at the Central Library next Tuesday, Oct. 22 to discuss his groundbreaking book "Homelessness Is a Housing Problem, which uses rich and detailed data to explore U.S. cities’ diverse experiences with housing precarity and potential policy solutions. https://lnkd.in/gSeM_ef3

❤️ 🎒 If you need some Friday inspiration, read about one of our Lake City Homework Help volunteers, Eldad Mekuria, who was once a Homework Help student at the Lake City Branch. https://lnkd.in/gvfZMsA9 "I was a Homework Help patron when I was in high school. And it was really nice because I was new to the States, so it felt like a hub. A lot of the students that were there spoke my language and had the same background and maybe had the same struggles. We were excited to be there and we were often getting kicked out at the end of the night. It was like 'OK, guys, pack up.'" "During the renovation of the Lake City Branch, while I was a student assistant with the Library, the branch relocated to the community center. It was a very free environment and I was able to build relationships with the students coming to Homework Help. It was really nice to just interact with the kids and that drew me even more to wanting to work with kids and their families."  "What’s really cool about tutoring or Homework Help program is that the kids are interested in being in that space. They want to write the essay and do that homework. They are willing to solve any problem. You just need to come in with the same energy that they bring. I try to match their energy." "A lot of students are first-generation students; their parents were immigrants. I wanted to be an example to these kids. To show you can also do this. You can go to college, follow your dreams, and still be in community and support your community." Find out more about volunteering at the Library at https://lnkd.in/gc9iMDAd.

📚 🎤 Renowned Irish novelist Paul Lynch is speaking TOMORROW night at the Central Library about his 2023 Booker Prize winning book "Prophet Song," which spins a terrifying, suspenseful vision of an Ireland careening towards authoritarianism. There are still tickets (free, of course) at this link: https://lnkd.in/gBTuZqEV Check out the other amazing authors headlining the Library this fall, from an election preview live podcast taping of "Text Me Back!" with Lindy West to a series on "Midlife: Private Parts in Public" curated by Angela Garbes and featuring a stellar roster of Seattle-area writers and thinkers. https://lnkd.in/gTmGutHa

“You don’t have to hold a conversation ... You can just dance. He feels it and it brings him to life." The Library's Older Adults program recently partnered with The Memory Hub, a dementia-specific community center, on a summer concert series that was directly informed by people with memory loss and their caregivers. Read about the difference that dancing and music in a beautiful outdoor space can make. https://lnkd.in/gzEqX_wu

“In my opinion, the freedom to read is directly correlated with the freedom to think, and should never be denied anybody.” The young people who have signed up for a Books Unbanned card always say it best. Find out more about how this pioneering program is challenging censorship and changing lives in this Seattle Times op-ed by chief librarian Tom Fay and The Seattle Public Library Foundation executive director Brian Lawrence. #BannedBooksWeek Brooklyn Public Library https://lnkd.in/gCMJXb33

Did you know that you can borrow a guitar to strum in a music practice room at the Central Library? Or that you can use your card to use the NYT Cooking app? Or that the Library offers free business and genealogy appointments? What would you add to this list of insider tips? (And happy Library Card Sign-Up Month?) https://lnkd.in/gfvRxyGn

Yesterday, public computers, SPL Lockers, and Suggest a Title were restored - which means that all of our services are back online and ready for you to use. Thank you for your patience and support this summer as we worked to restore our services! With this milestone, we are also kicking off Library Card Sign-up Month with an appropriate theme: Welcome back! It's the perfect time to see what your Library has for you, from author events to small business resources and much more. If you don't have a Library card, it's free and easy to sign up. If you already have a Library card, tell your friends, family, neighbors and coworkers to get one too. Explore everything your local library has to offer at www.spl.org/YourLibrary

An exciting day for our friends at the Foundation!

Make a difference as a Homework Help volunteer for the 2024-25 school year! We especially need volunteers at the Columbia, High Point, Lake City, Rainier Beach and South Park branches. Homework Help is our free after-school tutoring service for K-12 students. Last year our volunteers helped 1,100 students across the city. ⏲ Volunteer shifts are Monday through Thursday between 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Each shift is two hours ✅ Volunteers must be 18 or older 📝 You'll help with homework, play learning games, read together or work on college essays 📚 Speaking another language is a plus! 90% of our students report their parents speak a language other than English at home To apply, please contact the Library’s Volunteer Services Coordinator at volunteer@spl.org. Learn more about Homework Help at www.spl.org/HomeworkHelp.