If you live in Seattle and don’t have a library card, allow us to convince you that you need one. You might be surprised to learn about some of the things you can do with a library card here in Seattle. Museum visits, movie streaming, and online classes are just a few of things that you can do for free with your library card. The Emerald City can be expensive, so why not take advantage of every free library card perk that you can?
Here all the things that you can do with a Seattle library card:
1. Get a free museum, zoo, or aquarium pass
We’re so happy this program has resumed after a temporary hiatus! If you have a library card, there’s no need to wait for Seattle’s free museum day every month. You can reserve a free pass to a museum, the zoo, or the aquarium every 30 days after your last visit. Here are all the places that you can visit for free with the Seattle Library Museum Pass.
New passes become available every day after noon. Get yours on the library’s museum pass page.
2. Use a free guitar or piano in a Music Practice Room
The Central Library (located downtown) has two free Music Practice Rooms on Level 8. Each room holds a digital piano and you can also borrow an acoustic guitar for use in one of the rooms. To reserve a guitar you can call 206-386-4636 or visit the Level 8 reference desk.
3. Print, scan, and fax documents
Need to print something? The Seattle Public Library lets you print up to 10 black and white pages and up to three color pages a week—for free. You can also use their scanner. And if you ever have to fax a document, now you know where you can go.
4. Host a gathering in a meeting room
Looking for a free space for hosting a meeting, gathering, or event? The Seattle Public Library has meeting rooms and study rooms available at most of its branches. Study rooms fit two to six people; the meeting rooms vary in size although the largest can hold 100 people. See more info about the various branch meeting rooms here.
Finally, there’s also the meeting rooms at the Central Library located downtown. These vary in size and can be used to “host everything from small staff retreats to corporate training sessions to unique wedding receptions.” However these require a fee to use. Reserve a Central Library meeting room here.
5. Check out books via mail
Books By Mail is a program that allows those with mobility issues to use the local library. The Seattle Public Library will mail up to 15 books (or DVDs or other library materials) to you each month if you’re eligible. It’s free of charge! See more info on the mobile library services page.
6. Enjoy reciprocal borrowing privileges
The Seattle Public Library and the King County Library System share a reciprocal borrowing agreement, which means that if you live in Seattle you can get access to the entire KCLS collection as well, and other nearby library systems as well. See more info here.
You’re not limited to just checking out books either. You can also borrow DVDs, CDs, magazines, and newspapers. You can request items for pickup at any SPL branch (there are 27 locations throughout Seattle!). And as long as no one is waiting for them, you can renew your borrowed items up to two times.
7. Download e-books, audiobooks, and music to your own device
The Seattle Public Library has thousands of e-books and audiobooks that can be downloaded to most devices via OverDrive. You can also have access to the Libby app which makes it easy to sync your borrowed e-books and audiobooks across devices. While you’re at it, use your library card to download free music, videos, and magazines.
8. Bypass paywalls for online articles
Limited by a paywall as you’re trying to read an online article? If you go log into your library account and visit the online resources page, you can read articles from publications such as The Seattle Times for free. See the full list of magazines and newspapers available here.
9. Stream movies and TV on your own device
Did you know your Seattle library card lets you stream music, movies, and TV shows on your own computer or device? Check out the library’s movies and TV page to see the full catalogue and for more information.
10. Use online databases for genealogy and more
Need to do some deep-dive research for a class, your business, or personal use? Check out these online resources and databases that you can access with your library card:
- The general research page has links to resources such as Black Life in America, Consumer Reports, and Driving Tests.
- The student research page has resources such as free online tutoring for students, career information, the online Encyclopedia Britannica, and more resources for students from elementary school to college.
- The genealogy resources page has tools for exploring your family history.
- The consumer and DIY resources page lets you look up consumer reports, product reviews, and information for DIY mechanics.
- Want to apply for a grant? Or invest in the stock market? Maybe you’re trying to start a business. For all of those purposes and more, visit the library’s Business, Finance, and Fundraising page for free resources.
Those are just a few of the categories; see them all on the library’s online resources page!
11. Take free online classes
Want to learn something new? Use your library card to take a free online class in almost any topic from photography to programming, learn a new language (including American Sign Language), or get free online tutoring. Check out the library’s Online Learning page to see all that is offered.
Ready to get your Seattle library card? You can sign up for your Seattle library card here.