August 29, 2015

Seattle Aims to Become Second American City of Literature

Seattle Central Library

Seattle, regularly a contender for the title of most literate city in the United States by Central Connecticut State University’s annual ranking, is doubling down on its reputation as a book-loving burg. This March, the city submitted its application for designation as a UNESCO City of Literature, a bid that would make Seattle the second city in the United States and the eighth city in the world to receive the title.

Creation Nation | Library by Design, Fall 2013

SEATTLE DREAMING Top row, l.-r.: Design thinkers gathered at Seattle PL’s Central Library, a city icon now rivaling the landmark Space Needle Once welcomed and signed up for the day’s challenge session, the fun began. Bottom row, l.-r.: Joining in were (l.–r.): King County Library System’s Bill Ptacek and Adrianne Ralph and Seattle PL’s Marcellus Turner. The library’s auditorium did double duty hosting panels and challenges. Bottom right photo ©2013 Koshtra Tolle/Getty Images; all other photos by Kevin Henegan

There are few more exciting places to contemplate the evolution of library design than Seattle’s Central Library, designed by Rem Koolhaas. Opened in 2004 and still surprising, it proved to be a vibrant setting for LJ’s 13th daylong Design Institute (DI), held there May 10 and developed in partnership with Seattle Public Library (SPL) and neighboring King County Library System (KCLS). Some 100 participants gathered with architects and vendors for a confab about the changing shape of library spaces as collections alter in response to digital content and budget-driven, ever-morphing staff levels.

Seattle Public Library Puts Books on Bikes

Books on Bikes Librarian Jonathan Koroschec arriving at TOPS

A small group of Seattle Public Library (SPL) staff will be pedaling—and peddling—books on the pavement this summer, thanks to the new Books on Bikes pilot program. Librarians on bicycles are traveling to several outdoor events across the city with a custom-built book trailer that can carry 500 pounds of materials and display 75 books at a time. The bicycling librarians will hold book talks, pop-up story times, and information sessions at venues large and small in public parks, farmers markets, and at other community events.

Seattle Librarians Fact Checking Voter Guide

The University of Washington’s Living Voters Guide, presented in partnership with Seattle’s CityClub, is adding fact-checking by Seattle Public Library staff in its third year.

Locals Create ‘People’s Library’ During Seattle Public Library Closure

Locals Create ‘People’s Library’ During Seattle Public Library Closure

Just because citywide budget cuts have forced the Seattle Public Library to close its doors for a week starting Monday, doesn’t mean kids will be left without good books or fun things to do during that time. A group is organizing a “People’s Library” in the Central District—and it needs children and YA titles.

Seattle Public Library Partners With KEXP Radio

Seattle Public Library Partners With KEXP Radio

The Seattle Public Library (SPL) has partnered with the University of Washington‚Äôs acclaimed KEXP radio (90.3 FM) to offer access to KEXP‚Äôs collection of approximately 3,200 live, in-studio performances recorded at the station. The recordings‚Äîincluding performances from up-and coming local groups, as well as nationally popular acts such as Arcade Fire, Wilco, Death Cab for Cutie, Norah Jones, and the Black Keys‚Äîcan now be discovered and streamed via SPL’s online public access catalog.

Update: Seattle Council Approves Putting Library Levy to a Vote

This article has been updated to include the results of the council vote. On April 9 the Seattle City Council unanimously approved placing  a property-tax levy on the August primary ballot on behalf of the Seattle Public Library, according to the Seattle Times. The Council held a hearing on April 3 to hear testimony on the […]
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