Library Podcasts
Each year the Library hosts readings, lectures, and discussions by authors and other public figures. You may watch video recordings of recent programs on our YouTube channel. Our archive of audio recordings goes back more than 10 years and includes thousands of memorable Library events.
Quick search for podcasts
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'Writing the West'
As part of the 2007 Adult Summer Reading Program, KUOW Public Radio's Marcie Sillman talked with award-winning Northwest writers about the influence of the West in their work in a "Writing the West" program held on Wednesday, June 13 at the Central Library. The writers featured included Kathleen Alcalá, Karen Fisher, Jana Harris and Kirby Larson.
Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 59 MB] [Play time: 0 hr 00 min]
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Michael Beschloss: 'Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America, 1789-1989'
In his latest work, Beschloss outlines how several occupants of the Oval Office - including Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan - combined courage with wisdom to change the future of the country, notwithstanding the criticism they earned. Beschloss was recently appointed NBC News presidential historian, the first time any major network has created such a position. This program was presented on Thursday, June 7 at the Central Library.Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 32 MB] [Play time: 0 hr 00 min]
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Joyce Carol Oates: 'The Gravedigger's Daughter'
Oates, award-winning author of novels, short stories, poetry, plays and nonfiction works, discussed her latest novel, "The Gravedigger's Daughter" on Monday, June 4 at the Central Library.Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 40 MB] [Play time: 0 hr 00 min]
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Jim Crace, in conversation with Jonathan Raban
British novelist Jim Crace, winner of the Whitbread and National Book Critics Circle awards, discussed his latest work, "The Pesthouse," on Thursday, May 24 at the Central Library. Crace was joined by Seattle author Jonathan Raban.Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 56 MB] [Play time: 0 hr 00 min]
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An Evening with poets Ted Kooser and Dan Gerber
The Library and Copper Canyon Press presented an evening with former U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser, winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for "Delights and Shadows," and his longtime friend and fellow poet, Dan Gerber, on Thursday, May 24 at the Seattle Art Museum.Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 49 MB] [Play time: 0 hr 00 min]
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2007 Seattle Reads - An evening with Jhumpa Lahiri in conversation with Nancy Pearl
In this ninth year of the "Seattle Reads" series, The Seattle Public Library selected "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri. Lahiri visited Seattle May 14-15, to talk with readers about her critically acclaimed first novel.
Seattle librarian Nancy Pearl, former director of the Washington Center for the Book, bestselling author, and regular commentator on National Public Radio and KUOW, interviewed Lahiri on stage at Town Hall.View the video [play time: 1 hour, 11 minutes]
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Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 61 MB] [Play time: 0 hr 00 min]
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The changing face of Metropolitan Libraries: Inventing the future, but anchored in the past.
The Metropolitan Libraries Section of IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) aims to be a platform primarily for libraries of cities with 400,000 or more inhabitants. Members regularly exchange ideas and information on a range of professional topics. The 2007 Metropolitan Libraries Section conference was held in Seattle May 6 - 11, 2007.
Deborah Jacobs: Welcome
Download Audio (mp3) [play time: <1 minute/file size: 530 KB ]
Stephen Abram: Social Libraries: The 2.0 Phenomenon
Download Audio (mp3) [play time: 53 minutes/file size: 74 MB ]
Joshua Prince-Ramus: Libraries and Architecture
Download Audio (mp3) [play time: 32 minutes/file size: 43.6 MB ]
Joseph Janes: Staying Relevant and Managing Change
Download Audio (mp3) [play time: 50 minutes/file size: 69 MB ]
George Needham: New Services, Technology, Customer Service Orientation
Download Audio (mp3) [play time: 42 minutes/file size: 57 MB ]
Mike Eisenberg: A Library WOT and SWOT
Download Audio (mp3) [play time: 46 minutes/file size: 62.7 MB ]
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Atul Gawande: 'Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance'
Atul Gawande, Harvard-trained surgeon and 2006 MacArthur Fellow, discussed "Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance" on Thursday, May 3 at the Central Library. The program was part of the Library's celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 35 MB] [Play time: 0 hr 00 min]
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Nancy Pearl: 'Book Crush'
The Seattle Public Library celebrated the publication of author Nancy Pearl's newest book, "Book Crush: For Kids and Teens-Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment and Interest" with a launch party on Monday, April 30 at the Central Library.Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 44 MB] [Play time: 0 hr 00 min]
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2007 Seattle Reads - Writing India in the Pacific Northwest
Join the Library for a discussion with local South Asian novelists Bharti Kirchner and Indu Sundaresan that took place on Wednesday, April 25 at the Central Library. The program is part of "Seattle Reads: 'The Namesake."Listen to Audio (mp3) [file size: 37 MB] [Play time: 0 hr 00 min]