Essential (Complimentary) Library Benefits Every Family in the Seattle Region Should Be Aware Of

Discover the Wonders of Your Local Library

Your local library is more than just a quiet place to read. It's a treasure trove of resources, offering a wide range of services for free.

In the Puget Sound region, both the Seattle Public Library and the King County Library System provide access to a wealth of knowledge and entertainment. From full-text access to esteemed newspapers like The Seattle Times, The Washington Post, and The New York Times, to a vast collection of online language courses, movies, audiobooks, and e-books, there's something for everyone.

For those learning a new language, libraries offer Mango language classes in multiple languages, and Pronunciator offers instruction for 315 languages. Children can enjoy a variety of age-appropriate content with services like Kanopy Kids, which offers a dream list of terrific documentaries, indie movies, and shows, as well as Scholastic video books.

Libraries also cater to your educational needs. Seattle Public Library offers regular story times in multiple languages, while both systems provide homework help through volunteer tutors and virtual tutoring in multiple languages.

If you're looking to explore the outdoors, Seattle Public Library lets you borrow a Discover Pass for outdoor adventures, and Pierce County Library System offers passes to five South Sound attractions, although these have to be reserved in person at a branch location.

Libraries also offer access to multimedia entertainment such as movies, TV shows, documentaries, newsreels, and more through services like Hoopla, BookFlix, and Kanopy.

For those seeking to create, libraries offer 3D printer use, and Seattle Public Library even allows patrons to "check out" a mobile hot spot for 21 days.

And let's not forget about the community aspect. Libraries offer meeting rooms for free use, and local libraries have volunteer opportunities for teens to earn work experience and community service hours.

So, next time you're looking for a new book, a language course, or even a pass to a local attraction, remember to visit your local library. It's more than just a library—it's your community's knowledge centre.