Branching Out

Our Favorite Libraries In and Around Seattle

Books, get your books here.

03/20/2025 By Seattle Met Staff

Book Time

When in Doubt, Trust a Peak Pick

The cult classic library program has won over Seattle readers. Who is making the selections?

02/20/2025 By Taylor McKenzie Gerlach

Borrowed Time

Love Letters: SPL's Libby App Has a Hold on Me

Seattle Public Library's e-reader platform is low-key, free, and makes my life immeasurably better.

05/30/2023 By Allecia Vermillion

Parental Controls

What Banned Books Week, 40 Years After Its Founding, Means for Seattle Readers

Our liberal bubble doesn’t shield us from a rising tide of book bans nationwide, nor should it foreclose critical engagement with controversial titles.

09/23/2022 By Sophie Grossman

Obsession

Seattle's Ever-Renewing Relationship with the Public Library

Checking in on SPL's mission to serve everyone.

06/03/2022 By Zoe Sayler

PSA

Where to Beat the Record-Breaking Heat in Seattle Today

Or at least cool off for a hot minute.

06/28/2021 By Benjamin Cassidy

CULTURE FIX

What to Stream in Seattle July 24–30

Northwest Film Forum hosts a memorial performance while the Royal Room placates cravings for live music.

07/24/2020 By Sam Luikens

Giving Back

Yes, You May Now Return Your Library Books

Seattle Public Library is ready for you to load up the outdoor book drops, starting today. But you don't need to return anything until August 15, so be cool.

07/21/2020 By Stefan Milne

MORE THAN A PARADE

A Guide to Seattle's (Mostly) Online Pride 2020

Seattle Pride is postponed, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate.

06/17/2020 By Nicole Martinson

Fine-ally

Rejoice, Nerds! No More Daily Library Fines in Seattle

A sad day for the Library Cop is a great one for just about everyone else.

01/02/2020 By Benjamin Cassidy

Ticket Alert

Seattle Public Library's Booktoberfest Returns

Like its titular portmanteau suggests, the event series combines books and beer.

10/07/2019 By Annika Lindburg

Autumn Preview

30 Seattle Events to Catch This Fall

From a monthlong festival at Town Hall to Bon Iver to fresh takes on Jane Austen and Dracula, this season is packed.

08/20/2019 By Stefan Milne

Culture Fix

What to Do After Work August 12–15

A trumpeter adds spoken word to jazz classics, a cartoonist draws 23 Seattle neighborhoods, and boozy popsicles takeover a rooftop bar.

08/12/2019 By Lily Hansen and Jonathan Olsen-Koziol

Explainer

The Seattle Public Library Has a Long, Illustrious History

(Practically) everything you’ve ever wanted to know about our bookish institution—including the levy on your ballot.

07/23/2019 By Jaime Archer

Monthly Planner

10 Seattle Events to Catch This June

Our conductor says farewell, Tacocat’s back, and Hannah Gadsby follows up Nanette.

05/29/2019 By Stefan Milne

Quote Unquote

Citizen University Founder Eric Liu Preaches the Good Word of Civic Engagement

"Democracy works only when enough of us believe democracy works. That’s it!”

05/29/2019 By Allison Williams

YOUR BEST SHOT

Reader's Lens May 2019

Each month we choose a photo from Seattle’s Instagram community to highlight in our print issue and online. (Tag #seattlemet in your posts for a chance to be featured!)

04/23/2019