2025 Stories of Impact
From record-breaking reading programs to expanded learning and business support, the Library is helping thousands of people discover new stories, build skills and find community every day.
Impact at a glance
- 3.4 million in-person visits
- 430,000 active cardholders
- 12.7 million total checkouts
- 7.2 million digital checkouts
- 5.5 million physical checkouts
- 10th in the world for digital checkouts
- 5,800 programs with 130,000 attendance (65% increase in programs since 2023)
- 400,000 public computer hours
- 10,000 meeting room bookings
- 43,000 Story Time attendance
Enrichment: Book Bingo Goes Big
For the 11th year of our adult summer reading program, we joined with King County Library System and longtime partner Seattle Arts & Lectures to offer Book Bingo at 77 libraries around King County. A record 1,700 people in Seattle (2,700 people in King County) turned in Book Bingo cards, collectively reading 29,000 books. Participants sent in hundreds of comments sharing benefits of the program, such as “being pushed to read things I wouldn’t usually” and experiencing “11 beautiful new worlds, one page at a time.”
“I’ve shed the cobwebs from my brain. I’ve read more than I have in a long while. Thank you.” – Book Bingo participant
Literacy: Growing English Language Learning Programs
In August 2025, the Library received a two-year, $450,000 grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York to expand our free English language learning programs. With demand for English learning far outpacing offerings in the Seattle area, this was welcome news for immigrants and refugees. We are adding more English classes and conversation circles, adult tutoring, and digital literacy classes, as well as piloting free onsite childcare and offering transit solutions. Classes help students build not only language and job skills, but community.
“For me, this class is the only chance to speak English. It’s my only chance to meet friends.” – English Conversation Circle participant
Literacy: Homework Help “like AI but better”
In 1989, the Library introduced after-school academic help at the Douglass-Truth Branch. More than 35 years later, nine Seattle library branches offer weekly drop-in Homework Help sessions for K-12 students. In 2025, over 6,000 students worked with volunteer tutors on everything from reading to math to college essays – no registration or library card needed, and snacks always provided. In fall 2026, we added sessions designed for teens. One student reported: "Teen tutoring was just like AI but better!"
“My children do better with a tutor than at home, and they learn different methods of math, reading, and writing.” – Parent of Northgate Branch Homework Help student
Empowerment: Priceless Business Programs
How much are the Library’s free business services worth? In 2025, the Urban Libraries Council’s Business Value Calculator found that the annual value of services, books, tools, and resources that the Library provides to small business owners was worth $8.3 million. A record 4,100 patrons attended more than 150 business workshops and programs through the Library last year, including 19 programs for Spanish speakers; and almost 400 people attended one-on-one business appointments or legal consults.
“I was blown away by what the Library offered! Before, I was Googling tools and it always pointed to paid options.” – Entrepreneur and business services patron
Enrichment: More Open Hours = More Access to Everything
Story times in multiple languages, Homework Help, meeting spaces, public computers, Wi-Fi, printers, job and business help, tax help, reference help, music practice rooms, safe and welcoming spaces – and, of course, books. These are just a few of the free resources available at our 27 physical libraries. In January 2025, supported by the 2019 levy, we expanded open hours across the system, with all libraries not currently being renovated open at least six days a week and one weekend day. In 2025, the Library recorded 3.4 million visits and offered 5,800 programs.
“The Library helps us feel connected and invested in the local community. [It is] one of the few third-place spots in the city where we can gather without spending money.” - Patron
Enrichment: Bookmobiles Deliver Books and Belonging
The Library’s Mobile Services unit circulates as many materials as a small branch library, 53,000 items in 2025. Five days a week, the Library’s colorful Bookmobiles travel to every corner of the city to bring books, DVDs, tablets and other materials to people who cannot easily access the Library. They make monthly stops at 29 preschools serving low-income families, 75 facilities for seniors or adults with disabilities, and two tiny house villages. Personalized service infuses every aspect of Mobile Services’ work, and community and connection are as important as the books.
“What I love is that the Library staff always remember our names. And if a resident isn’t there that month, they’ll ask about them.” – Senior Mobile Services patron
Literacy: Books Unbanned and the Freedom to Read
In 2022, Brooklyn Public Library had the idea to counter unprecedented censorship by providing a free e-card to teens around the country. In 2023, The Seattle Public Library joined by starting our Books Unbanned program, offering free access to our digital book collection for teens and young adults. 25,000 youth signed up by the end of 2025, collectively checking out 730,000 books. Donors from The Seattle Public Library Foundation generously fund the program, and four other libraries have since joined the Books Unbanned coalition.
“I’ve been able to read books that are about experiences that make me feel like it’s OK to be who I am.” - 16-year-old Books Unbanned cardholder