Seattle Public Library Card Sign-Up Month Underway Now and New Seahawks Card



All this month is Library Card Sign-Up Month at all branches of the Seattle Public Library:

SEPTEMBER IS LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP MONTH AT THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

           Library Card Sign-Up Month is a national celebration of public libraries and time to make sure that students have the most important school supply of all—a free Library card.

            "The Seattle Public Library provides access and programs for students of all ages," said Marcellus Turner, city librarian. "For preschool-age children we offer early literacy and lap sit story times to encourage school readiness, for older children and teens we supplement education with hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math programs and innovative makerspaces, and for older teens we have information and tools to help them prepare for college and mentoring programs. There’s really something for everyone and it’s all free with a Library card."

This year, to celebrate children getting their first Library card, children age 0 - 6 will receive a special "My First Library Card" tote bag. These bags were specifically chosen to fit picture books and still accommodate young Library patrons. The bags are made possible with the generous support of the Friends of The Seattle Public Library.

            Resources at The Seattle Public Library are available to anyone who has a Library card. Here are a number of things you can do for free at The Seattle Public Library:

1. Visit a museum - we've just added The Living Computer Museum.
2. Learn how to write.
3. Publish your e-book.
4. Watch a movie online or at the Library.
5. Download (and keep!) five songs a week.
6. Send print jobs from your laptop, tablet or smartphone via the Library's free Wi-Fi.
7. Speak a new language - we've got 80 to choose from!
8. Learn programming or Web design with Safari Books Online.
9. Become an Excel spreadsheet guru with Microsoft IT Academy.
10. Find a job.
11. Take an online class.
12. Get healthy with easy-to-browse health and medical journals.
13. Save money with Consumers' Checkbook, a guide to Puget Sound services and stores such as auto repair shops, hospitals, plumbers, banks and insurance companies.
14. Research your purchases - check Consumer Reports online.
15. Download an e-book.
16. Download a magazine.
17. Not sure how to download a book or magazine on your new device? Sign up for Tech Help.
18. Reserve a computer - up to 90 minutes a day.
19. Use Adobe Creative Cloud or MS Office 2013 on computers at every Library location.
20. Scan photos at the Central Library.
21. Research your family history.
22. Start a business.
23. Learn how to invest your money.
24. Attend a story time with your kid.
25. File your taxes. Free tax help is offered every year from January to mid-April.
26. Read a book that the rest of the city is reading - Seattle Reads happens every spring.
27. Preview ballet and opera performances or enjoy a concert.
28. Hold a meeting - non-commercial groups can book one date per month.
29. Use free Wi-Fi when you're at the Library, and check out a Wi-Fi hotspot for when you're at home or on the go.
30. Join a book group to talk about books with other readers.
31. Get personalized book recommendations with Your Next 5 Books.
32. Browse through digitized materials of historic local photos, posters, maps, atlases, menus, art and more online with the Library's Special Collections.

 

            A Library card is free for anyone who lives, works, owns property or goes to school in the Library's free service area. Cardholders from several library systems in Washington may also qualify.

            Apply online if you are 13 or older, or visit a Library branch to sign up. Bring a valid I.D. and proof of your current address, like a utility bill. Young adults and children ages 17 and under do not need to provide proof of their resident address.

            For more information, call the Library at 206-386-4636 or Ask a Librarian.


 

 

THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND SEATTLE SEAHAWKS KICK OFF PARTNERSHIP; NEW SEAHAWKS LIBRARY CARD UNVEILED

 

            The Seattle Public Library and Seattle Seahawks unveiled a limited edition Seahawks Library Card today as part of a new campaign called "Two Teams, One Goal" to promote libraries and literacy. The event took place at Seattle's Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave.

            The Sea Gals helped kick off the press event performing to Macklemore's "Can't Hold Us." The dance ended with a thunderous "SEA…HAWKS!" chant by Library patrons.

"Seattle is known as one of the most literate cities in America, and we also have the best fans in the country," said Mayor Ed Murray. "Today's announcement is a perfect partnership that is distinctly Seattle. As the new season kicks off, I'm excited for folks to showcase their Seahawks pride with their new Library cards. Go Hawks!"

Seattle City Librarian Marcellus Turner said he is excited the Seahawks have teamed up with the Library on this citywide educational initiative. "Getting a Library card is an important first step to discovering the world of books and the joy of reading," he said. "Libraries are often where we have our first reading experience outside of home and school."

            Turner said the Seahawks Library Cards are available at all 27 Library locations in celebration of September's National Library Card Sign-up Month. Approximately 30,000 cards were printed through the support of The Seattle Public Library Foundation.

            Turner said that a Library card provides access to a wealth of resources and services that residents might not know about. "You can download free songs, books and magazines; you can get free passes to EMP and other museums; you can check out a Wi-Fi hotspot for three weeks and much more," Turner said. "The Library also offers hundreds of free educational classes, musical performances and many other activities for children and adults every month. We even served as a gathering spot for fans during Seahawks playoff games."

            Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane and his daughter Mahailey talked about the importance of libraries in their own lives and some of their favorite books.

"Reading is something me and Mahailey can do together," Mebane said.  "I can almost recite 'Brown Bear Brown Bear' by heart. It is one of her favorite books."

Research shows that young children who are read to regularly and have books in their home, have a head start on reading and literacy skills when they enter school. Family members are often a child's first teacher.

Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett noted it is important for parents to take an active role in their children's reading development.

            "Reading is very important to our family, especially my girls," Bennett said. "I'm looking forward to discovering new characters like Ramona, Heidi and Nancy Drew."

Seahawks owner and philanthropist, Paul G. Allen, is a major supporter of The Seattle Public Library.  His mother, the late Faye Allen, was a lover of books who inspired her son to be an avid reader, and the Seattle Central Library is home of the Faye G. Allen Children's Center.

"My mother was passionate about reading and believed in the power of books," Allen said. "She would have been gratified to see the Seahawks and The Seattle Public Library working together."

For more information, call the Library at 206-386-4636 or Ask a Librarian.