The Seattle Public Library

After yesterday's storm, all 27 of our locations are open according to schedule today, though some services may not be available at certain locations. Stop by, stay warm, charge your devices, enjoy our spaces, and check out materials, as always. A reminder that?www.spl.org/Today?is the best place to check for any schedule changes.

We asked our staff -- true experts -- about some of their favorite "under-the-radar" things about the library, and they keep sharing. Here's part 2 of this mini-series, which includes raves for: ??Cookbook collection: “The Library has a fantastic collection of cookbooks! When you discover how broad the collection is, and how contemporary and varied the choices are, it feels like a great gift." ??Consumer help: "The Library's consumer resources have saved me thousands of dollars, and I’ve found plumbers, electricians and fence-builders, as well as major appliances and other household items." What's your favorite under-the-radar Library service? https://lnkd.in/gkcHUEh8

?? Need humor? Our monthly books recommendation column in The Seattle Times, reprinted with permission on our blog, highlights four funny books to read right now: ?? a "feminist empowerment narrative in which a young woman finds her voice and ditches respectability politics" ??a gamified post-apocalyptic romp about the adventures of a Coast Guard vet in pink Crocs and a show cat named Princess Donut who aspires to intergalactic stardom ??a comic memoir by a writer who has "taken the awkward stuff of growing up in the Ozarks in the early 2000s and spun the sticky details into comedy gold." ?? a book of "delightfully cheeky" essays about growing up Black, gay and Christian by an author who?went viral in 2016 for a post?about President Barack Obama, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pe?a Nieto Find the full reviews and links on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gBnXy3wp

?? ??THE GREEN LAKE BRANCH IS BACK! Monday was such a joyful day at the Library -- after a lengthy closure for a seismic retrofit and renovation, the historic Green Lake Branch reopened its doors to its community. Neighbors, families and city leaders streamed in to join the celebration, visit the remodeled spaces and marvel at how well the renovations brought the branch into the future while honoring its beloved past. Let's hope all our buildings look this good at 114! Thanks to Library Board President Tali Hairston, City Councilmembers Dan Strauss and Tanya Woo, Deputy Mayor Greg Wong, Office of Sustainability & the Environment Director Jessyn Farrell, and Department of Neighborhoods Director Jennifer Chao for sharing their thoughts on the importance of this project for the community and for celebrating with us! Thanks to the project's principal architect Matt Aalfs of BuildingWork for being on hand to give impromptu tours and telling the stories behind the renovation. Thanks to The Seattle Public Library Foundation and Friends of The Seattle Public Library for all their support during the project (and during the reopening party!). Most of all, thanks to our community for your patience and support during this project. We know that a library closure is a real hardship, and we'd love to hear what you think about the results. As one patron said, "“It’s a great space for people to study or read or come together without having to buy anything. It’s the most democratic space we have.” **WATCH: Thanks to the Seattle Channel for capturing the reopening and all the good vibes! https://lnkd.in/de_HAWaD **READ: Read about reopening day and see photos from the celebration https://lnkd.in/g9dQTz2u

The Green Lake Branch will reopen on Monday, October 28 at 10 a.m. Join us for an opening day celebration with refreshments, Library swag, tours, special programming and more! The historically landmarked branch has been temporarily closed for major renovations, including a seismic retrofit; HVAC installation; a new elevator, restrooms and furniture; and more modern and usable space for patrons. While these renovations took longer to complete than originally planned, we know you will be happy with the results. Thank you to Seattle residents for making this project possible through your support of the 2019 Library Levy. We are so excited to reopen our doors and welcome you back inside. https://lnkd.in/ggmqDFjM

????? ??Short Run Comix Festival is coming up on Nov. 2 at Seattle Center! It’s free, open to the public, and showcases hundreds of emerging and established artists from the PNW and beyond. Get a glimpse of what’s in store in this The Seattle Times column by Arts Librarian Abby Bass and Short Run Co-Founder Kelly Froh, featuring Eddie Ahn, Megan Kelso, Sarah Leavitt, James Spooner, Cara Bean and Mita Mahato. https://lnkd.in/gjh6b84m

After Thursday's announcement that South Korean author Han Kang had won the Nobel Prize in Literature, hundreds of holds were placed on?The Vegetarian?at The Seattle Public Library just in the first 24 hours. While you're waiting for Kang's novels, you might explore these novels by other Korean authors whose work delves into similar themes. https://lnkd.in/ghNUrPSK

Interested in fresh insight on the homelessness crisis? Join housing scholar Gregg Colburn at the Central Library next Tuesday, Oct. 22 to discuss his groundbreaking book "Homelessness Is a Housing Problem, which uses rich and detailed data to explore U.S. cities’ diverse experiences with housing precarity and potential policy solutions. https://lnkd.in/gSeM_ef3

?? ?? If you need some Friday inspiration, read about one of our Lake City Homework Help volunteers, Eldad Mekuria, who was once a Homework Help student at the Lake City Branch. https://lnkd.in/gvfZMsA9 "I was a Homework Help patron when I was in high school. And it was really nice because I was new to the States, so it felt like a hub. A lot of the students that were there spoke my language and had the same background and maybe had the same struggles. We were excited to be there and we were often getting kicked out at the end of the night. It was like 'OK, guys, pack up.'" "During the renovation of the Lake City Branch, while I was a student assistant with the Library, the branch relocated to the community center. It was a very free environment and I was able to build relationships with the students coming to Homework Help. It was really nice to just interact with the kids and that drew me even more to wanting to work with kids and their families."? "What’s really cool about tutoring or Homework Help program is that the kids are interested in being in that space. They want to write the essay and do that homework. They are willing to solve any problem. You just need to come in with the same energy that they bring. I try to match their energy." "A lot of students are first-generation students; their parents were immigrants. I wanted to be an example to these kids. To show you can also do this. You can go to college, follow your dreams, and still be in community and support your community." Find out more about volunteering at the Library at https://lnkd.in/gc9iMDAd.

?? ?? Renowned Irish novelist Paul Lynch is speaking TOMORROW night at the Central Library about his 2023 Booker Prize winning book "Prophet Song," which spins a terrifying, suspenseful vision of an Ireland careening towards authoritarianism. There are still tickets (free, of course) at this link: https://lnkd.in/gBTuZqEV Check out the other amazing authors headlining the Library this fall, from an election preview live podcast taping of "Text Me Back!" with Lindy West to a series on "Midlife: Private Parts in Public" curated by Angela Garbes and featuring a stellar roster of Seattle-area writers and thinkers. https://lnkd.in/gTmGutHa