Amenities Highlights

  • Free Public Computers
  • Wi-Fi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Meeting Rooms
  • Hugh and Jane Ferguson Seattle Room
  • FriendShop
  • Chocolati Coffee Cart
  • Paid Parking
All Central Library amenities & equipment
share your ideas! tell chief librarian how the library can better serve you

Community Conversations

Join Marcellus Turner, Executive Director and Chief Librarian, in Community Conversations about the future of The Seattle Public Library at Columbia, Southwest and Northeast Branches this fall.

Explore Community Conversations

Peak Picks: No holds. No wait.

We reserve copies of books that are in high demand to check out on a first come, first served basis at your branch.

Stop by any Library location to see what is on the shelves today!

Download a branch coloring sheet

You can download and print a coloring sheet for your branch. Coloring sheets are available for all 27 Library locations.

Download the coloring sheet

Featured Events

All Central Library Events

About the Central Library

The new Central Library opened May 23, 2004. The 11-floor building contains an innovative "Books Spiral," a 275-seat auditorium, and open spaces where patrons can meet, study, search the web or read. The Library has centers for children, teens and adult readers, along with expanded collections and a large computer lab. It also has underground parking for about 143 vehicles.

Central Library Highlights

Central Library photo gallery

A closer look at the Ann Hamilton floor on level 1 at the Central Library
Patrons in the children’s area at the Central Library
Reader’s services librarian with patron in the living room at the Central Library
Patron reading in the living room at the Central Library
Staff walkways in the spiral section at the Central Library
Level 4 hallway with living room lookout
Stairwell on the red floor at the Central Library
A computer classroom for patrons at the Central Library
Performers pose in the living room at the Central Library
Patrons on public computers in the mixing chamber at the Central Library
View from the 6th floor at the Central Library
Yellow stairwell in the spiral area of the Central Library
Patrons on the escalator at the Central Library

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Ask Us

If you need help or have a question or suggestion, we want to hear from you. You can reach Library staff by chat, email or phone during open hours.

Support your Library

Find out how you can support your Library by donating money, books or your time as a volunteer.