Your Library is Here for You: Discover What You Can Do With a Library Card
release date: September 4, 2020
Visit your local Seattle Public Library this month, online or in-person with curbside pickup! We've got tons of back-to-school resources to help with remote learning, Peak Picks for fall reading, virtual author readings, downloadable local music and more.
Library Card Sign-Up Month is a national celebration of public libraries and a time to make sure students have the most important school supply of all — a free Library card.
FREE THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR LIBRARY CARD
Resources at The Seattle Public Library are available to anyone who has a Library card. Here are a number of things you can do for free with a Library card:
- Get creative with online writing workshops.
- Publish your e-book.
- Get help with classes as a K-12 student or an adult.
- Borrow, download or stream movies and TV shows.
- Download (and keep!) five songs a week.
- Contribute your pandemic stories, songs, photos and videos to the COVID-19 Community Collection.
- Learn a new language. We've got over 70 to choose from!
- Place holds on physical materials and schedule a no-contact time to get them with Curbside pickup.
- Learn programming, business skills or web design with over 5,000 books from O'Reilly Complete Public Library (formerly Safari Books Online).
- Become an Excel spreadsheet guru with Microsoft Imagine Academy.
- Then take a Microsoft Certification Exam and add your certificate to your resume.
- Find Your Next Job with one-on-one help from a librarian.
- Request a Grab & Go mystery bag of three Peak Picks books when you do Curbside pickup - if your location offers this service, a "daily special" sign will list which book categories are available.
- Get ahead with free online classes.
- Get healthy with easy-to-browse health and medical journals.
- Save money with Consumers' Checkbook, a guide to Puget Sound services and stores such as auto repair shops, hospitals, plumbers, banks and insurance companies.
- Research your purchases with Consumer Reports.
- Download an e-book or e-audiobook.
- Learn about where you live with the Library's Neighborhood History Project.
- Research your family history.
- Start and grow a business.
- Learn how to invest your money.
- Attend a virtual story time with your child.
- Participate in a citywide reading program - Seattle Reads has been rescheduled as a virtual program in October this year.
- Check out a Wi-Fi hot spot for when you're at home or on the go.
- Get personalized book recommendations with Your Next 5 Books.
- Browse through digitized materials of historic local photos, posters, maps, atlases, menus, art and more online with the Library's Special Collections.
- Learn a new language, hobby or skill with a personalized lesson plan from Your Next Skill.
- Get inspired with digital creativity. Learn how to use a camera or sell your work on Etsy!
- Stream and download music from local bands and musicians with PlayBack.
- Dive into online research that's only available to Library card holders.
- Listen to an author reading, discussion or presentation with Library podcasts.
- Read some comics on Hoopla.
- Browse what librarians are reading and recommending at ShelfTalk, the Library's blog.
- Request a one-on-one appointment online to get free help with your small business.
- Watch our new Exploration Guides, which focus on subjects of high interest to learners from grade 3 through high school.
- Host book discussion groups using "Always Available" titles in OverDrive.
- Older adults can register for a virtual arts class, from watercolors to dancing.
- Call the SPL Lit Line at 206-386-4656 and listen to a story, article or poem in English and Spanish.
- Read local, national and international magazines and newspapers.
GET A CARD
A Library card is free for anyone who lives, works, owns property or goes to school in the Library's free service area. Cardholders from several library systems in Washington may also qualify.
Apply online for instant access to Library resources if you are age 13 or older. Applications are available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
MORE INFORMATION
All physical locations of The Seattle Public Library are currently closed in accordance with public health guidelines. Find out more at spl.org/ChiefLibrarian. Visit the Library’s Road to Reopening page for more information on book returns, Curbside Service and other Library services being offered while Library buildings are closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You can now place new holds on physical Library materials.