The Seattle Public Library Foundation

08/21/2026

Libraries are for everyone—a rare place where every person is truly welcome, no matter your identity or background. In 2025, our libraries faced unprecedented challenges, but thanks to the generosity of our donors, we stood strong and continued to open doors to knowledge, connection, and opportunity for all.

Here’s what your support made possible last year:
📚 102,000+ new books purchased for the Library
🎁 14,000+ books given away at community programs
👩‍🎓 6,000+ students served at Homework Help
🗣️ 3,500+ hours of English conversation practice
…and so much more.

Your commitment keeps our libraries vibrant, inclusive, and free for everyone. See the full impact of your support in our 2025 Donor Impact Report:

https://supportspl.org/2026/07/what-is-the-impact-of-your-foundation-support/

08/17/2026

Last year, we embarked on a community-centric process to set our course for the Foundation's future. Today, we're excited to show you how community feedback was incorporated in our 2026–2030 Strategic Plan.

The themes we heard through listening sessions with patrons, partners, and staff — the Library as a place of belonging, we need to protect public investment, and we collective aspire for the Foundation to be more visible in the community — are reflected directly in our priorities. Your voice is in our plan, which calls for:

- Growing and diversifying philanthropy
- Building and mobilizing a strong base of advocates
- Supporting the Library's transformation and innovation
- Increasing the visibility of the Foundation to grow our community of supporters

Our vision for the future is critical: a Library where knowledge flourishes and people find inspiration and belonging. At a time when feelings of isolation are at all-time highs and immigrants and non-English speakers may be uncertain about where they belong, the Library remains one of the most accessible and trusted spaces in our city.

Thank you for those of you who participated. We encourage you to explore the full plan at:
https://supportspl.org/strategicplan/

08/12/2026

📖 Our Book for Seattle Reads 2026 is... 📖

⭐ "True Biz" by Sara Nović ⭐

Join Seattle's city-wide book group and read the bestselling novel about a seismic year at the River Valley School for the Deaf. Unlimited copies of the e-book will be available to borrow on Libby starting August 15!

Sara Nović will join us to discuss the book on Sept. 25-26:

📕Sept. 25, 11 a.m. at Ballard Branch
📗Sept. 25, 7 p.m. at Hugo House, Lapis Theater
📘Sept. 26, 11 a.m. at SouthEast Seattle Senior Center
📙Sept. 26, 3 p.m. at the Central Library

Register for these events and learn more about Seattle Reads at www.spl.org/SeattleReads.

Thanks to our partners Deaf Spotlight. Sponsored by donors of The Seattle Public Library Foundation and The Wallace Foundation. Additional media support provided by The Seattle Times.
Free and reduced access is supported by 4Culture.

08/06/2026

A note to Foundation supporters and Seattle voters from our CEO Brian Lawrence:

https://supportspl.org/2026/08/2026-library-levy-receives-overwhelming-voter-support/

08/04/2026

It's voting day, and we have a particularly important measure on the line. Have you turned in your ballot yet? https://supportspl.org/2026/07/what-happens-if-the-library-levy-does-not-pass/

07/29/2026

"I hate to think of the possibility of closing branches or reducing hours or people having longer hold times on their books," said Brian Lawrence, Executive Director of The Seattle Public Library Foundation.

Seattle Public Library Chief Librarian Tom Fay said the levy is critical to maintaining services across the system's 27 branches.

06/30/2026

“The library is one of the last truly free spaces we have,” Adem said. “Our families can advocate for what they need. And Foundation funding helps us be responsive and flexible enough to deliver it.”

https://supportspl.org/2026/06/the-library-belongs-to-you/

06/26/2026

With the cooler weather, you may be spending more time inside, and it's the perfect time to sign up for Summer Quest (if you haven't already). Win prizes and learn along the way!

Our new all-ages summer program starts now!

Kids, Teens & Adults - Read, Do and Go to fill in squares on your tracker and win prizes! (Adults, your reading counts for Summer Quest too📚 )

Prizes for each age group include...
🌲Kids: free stickers, books, a ticket to PlayDate SEA and a chance to win a PlayDate SEA pizza party
🌊 Teens: Free 5-piece boneless wings from Wingstop and a chance to win Friends of The Seattle Public Library gift cards
🏔️ Adults: a chance to win Friends of The Seattle Public Library gift cards and a Kobo e-reader
⭐ Everyone gets their name on the Wall of Fame at your local branch!

Get your tracker at any of our locations or at www.spl.org/SummerQuest

06/25/2026

Did you know that the Library's searchable database includes approximately 1.5 million pages of information about LGBTQ+ history, culture and more in the United States and around the world? And, that our donors help support the LGBTQ+ Collection housed at the Capitol Hill Branch and accessible online?

In honor of Pride Month, we invite you to download the Pride Coloring Sheet or visit Sharing Our Voices, a collection of animated oral histories from members of Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community. Check out these resources and more:

We welcome and celebrate people across the LGBTQ+ spectrum through our programming, collections and resources.

05/05/2026

is TODAY – now is the time to show that you support The Seattle Public Library!

Libraries exist to ensure everyone has free access to information and knowledge. And for that, libraries are being targeted more than ever before.

Now is the time to step up and protect libraries. In honor of GiveBIG, all gifts until midnight are DOUBLED up to $20,000!

Donor support is needed to help keep our Library strong and protect everyone's freedom to learn. Make a matched gift: https://www.wagives.org/donate/Seattle-Public-Library-Foundation