2020 News Release Index
Read news about upcoming Library programs, new services and policy updates. News releases are organized by date of the news release, not the program date.
December
- Free law advice for small businesses and non-profits this winter
- Take a virtual art class in January
- Free printing now available at select Library locations
- Teens and children can take art workshops with teaching artists in December
- Library installs Seattle's first short-story dispenser at the Station Coffee Shop
- Local libraries band together to help job seekers during economic crisis
- Browse the Seattle Post-Intelligencer digital archives
November
- Learn how to create a Power of Attorney document on Dec. 9
- Learn about ‘Washington’s Undiscovered Feminists’ with writer Mayumi Tsutakawa on Dec. 5
- Take a virtual art class in December
- Startup Weekend EDU: Join a weekend design sprint for education from Nov. 20 to Nov. 22
- Tutorías Virtuales Gratuitas Ofrecidas Por La Biblioteca Pública De Seattle Para Estudiantes K-12 Que Hablan Español
- Chương Trình Dạy Kèm Trực Tuyến Miễn Phí Dành Cho Học Sinh Nói Tiếng Việt Từ Mẫu Giáo Đến Lớp 12 Được Cung Cấp Bởi Thư Viện Công Cộng Seattle
- Fasalo maqal iyo muuqaal ah oo bilaash ah oo k-12 ardayda ah ay siinayaan Seattle Public Library
- Free virtual tutoring for K-12 students offered in three languages
- Author readings in November and December
- Two more Library branches open for Curbside Service on Nov. 4
- Five Library locations closed on Nov. 3 to reduce crowding near ballot boxes
- The reading list for 2021's Global Reading Challenge is now available
October
- Fifth annual evening of "Legendary Children" performances on Nov. 21
- Black and Indigenous people’s virtual dance festival at freshly re-opened Pier 62 on Nov. 12
- Attend a writing event in November
- Take a 'Medicare Made Clear' workshop on Nov. 7 & 14
- Due dates for Library materials resume in November
- Pick up voting materials at the Library before Nov. 3
- Contribute your story to the Library's COVID-19 Community Collection
- Día de los Muertos craft and story available on Oct. 25
- Free virtual tutoring launches on Oct. 15
- Curbside Service expands to Northeast and Greenwood Branches on Oct. 14
- Discuss 'An American Sunrise': poetry from U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo on Oct. 14 and 28
- IMLS grants The Seattle Public Library funds for teen mental health in virtual reality
- Native and Indigenous voices celebrated with 2020 Seattle Reads
- Start a business: workshops begin Oct. 13
- Peak Picks now available at seven Library locations
September
- Virtual arts programs for older adults begin Oct. 2
- The Library's 2019 Impact Report highlights digital circulation and community impact
- Boo! The Library’s ‘Thrilling Tales’ podcast to post haunted new episodes each week in October
- 2020 winners of the Washington State Book Awards
- Develop your professional skills with the Library's online job workshops beginning Oct. 8
- Go on an autumn adventure with the Library beginning Oct. 3
- Curbside and Book Drop Services Closed Sept. 18 at the Library Due to Unhealthy Air Quality; Restrooms Open at Select Locations
- Digital business strategy workshops begin Sept. 21
- Curbside service closed due to air quality on Sept. 17; book drops and restrooms open at some locations
- Curbside service closed due to air quality on Sept. 16; book drops and restrooms open at some locations
- Practice English conversation skills: groups start Sept. 28
- Curbside service closed due to air quality on Sept. 15; book drops and restrooms open at some locations
- Fall author readings begin Sept. 15
- Seattle Writes workshops begin on Sept. 20
- Curbside service and book drops closed due to air quality on Sept. 14
- Curbside service suspended on Sept. 11
- Improve your job skills with free workshops beginning Sept. 16
- Historian and photographer Paul Dorpat donates local history collection to the Library
- Take a digital creativity workshop beginning Sept. 15
- Energize your business with workshops beginning Sept. 15
- Release party for Seattle City of Literature's anthology "Seismic" on Sept. 15
- Find Your Next Job With Help From the Library
- September writing activities
- Your Library is here for you: discover what you can do with a Library card
- Build a business website on Sept. 8 & 21
- Virtual reality book experiences for kids
August
- Virtual arts programs for older adults begin Sept. 5
- The Library is setting students up for remote success this school year
- Find late summer fun (and learning) with the Library
- The Library's Mobile Services vehicles are on the road again
- Free law advice for small businesses and non-profits this fall
- Curbside service opens at seven Library locations
- 2020 Washington State Book Award Finalists
- Closing the digital equity gap with Wi-Fi hot spots
- Listen to a nationwide Ray Bradbury Read-a-thon on Aug. 22
- Our Chief Librarian is a featured speaker at an event for older adults on Aug. 20
- Experience Black joy and mindful movements at the Library's teen-led story times beginning Aug. 18
- From sharks to Spacex, The Seattle Public Library engages students in Exploration Guides
- PlayBack local music collection is open for submissions on Aug. 17
- Culture clubs are meeting online in August
- Curbside pickup begins Aug. 6
July
- Learn how to negotiate at work with free online seminars that begin Aug. 5
- Free law consultation for small businesses and non-profits in August
- August programs for adults ages 50+
- The Seattle Public Library distributes more than 13,000 books to children and teens as part of Summer of Learning
- Three more locations to begin accepting book returns
- The Seattle Public Library to Begin Accepting Book Returns at 9 Locations Starting Tuesday, July 21
- The Seattle Public Library Launches 'Lit Line' to Connect People to Literature
- Upcoming summer author readings
- Explore music, magic and STEAM fun with the Library’s Summer of Learning 2020 video series for kids
- Learning Buddies and Team Read head to online service
- The Library's culture clubs are meeting online in July
- Attend a local history lecture 'Let It Not Happen Again: Lessons of the Japanese Internment' on July 9
- Attend a summer SF/fantasy author reading
- Tax forms available in-person beginning July 6
- Love in the Time of COVID: a BIPOC celebration on July 9
- Find your next job with help from local libraries
June
- Tell your story: contribute to the Library's COVID-19 Community Collection
- Find your next anti-racism read at the Library
- 2020 Summer of Learning: Every Day is Earth Day
- The Greenwood Branch is collecting pandemic stories
- Pride 2020 with The Seattle Public Library
- Library Loans Wi-Fi Hot Spots to Connect Communities During COVID-19 Crisis
- The Seattle Public Library is Named 2020 Library of the Year
May
April
- Digital library cards now available
- The Library has online help for entrepreneurs and nonprofits during the Covid-19 closure
- Book Bingo, a summer reading program for adults, launches April 30
- Restroom-only access begins April 23
- Virtual Thrilling Tales: a new podcast series
- Celebrate Earth Day
- Learn something new with Your Next Skill and virtual job help
- Financial Literacy Month launches April 18
- Get connected to social services for food, shelter and COVID-19 resources in April
- Support your library during Library Giving Day on April 23
- Book Bingo returns for a sixth year of summer reading for adults
- Virtual story times begin on April 6
March
- Digital library cards launch March 26
- Carmen Bendixen and W. Tali Hairston Appointed to Library Board of Trustees
- Digital Resources at The Seattle Public Library Provide Entertainment and Education for Home-bound Residents During the Coronavirus Outbreak
- City of Seattle to Temporarily Close All Library Locations, Community Centers to Public to Prevent Further Spread of COVID-19
- All Library programs canceled in March
February
- Window repair at the Queen Anne Branch to finish May 22
- Thrilling Tale in March
- All Library locations will be closed March 3
- Author readings in March
- Global Reading Challenge finals are on March 24
- Learn how to fix household items on March 7
- Art, film, theater and music in March
- Attend a regional history conference on March 7
- Attend a patent and trade secrets workshop on March 2
- Discuss Seattle's homelessness crisis on March 1
- Writing events in March
- Book sale on March 13-15
- Viktor Sirotin reads from 'Abyss' on Feb. 23
- Learn how to identify fake news on Feb. 20
- Thrilling Tales in February
- Art, film, theater and music in February
- Frame by Frame: Northwest art exhibit opens Feb. 6
- Tax help at 11 Library locations through April 18
- Writing events in February
January
- Author readings in February
- Build a business website on Feb. 3
- Seattle has an award-winning library system
- Tax help starts on Jan. 13
- Drop-in help for insecurely housed people begins Jan. 8
- Workshops on analyzing and visualizing data begin Jan. 22
- Law workshops for entrepreneurs begin Jan. 13
- English Circle conversation groups begin Jan. 6
- Extended Sunday hours begin on Jan. 5
- Activities for seniors begin Jan. 6
- The Library implements a new fine-free policy on Jan. 2