Updated Monday, June 3, 2024, 12:13 p.m.
The Seattle Public Library updates this page regularly to keep you informed about any unplanned closures or schedule disruptions in our 27 locations across the city.
All Library locations are open as scheduled today.
What Library services are available?
As you may have heard, The Seattle Public Library has been impacted by a cybersecurity event that is affecting our technology systems. What does that mean for you?
Here is what is currently available:
- Open hours: Libraries are open during normal hours, which can be found at www.spl.org/Hours.
- Physical materials: Checking out physical books, CDs and DVDs (please bring your physical library card or library number)
- In-person events: Including story times, author talks and more! See what’s available at www.spl.org/calendar.
- Hoopla: Borrow movies, music, comics and TV shows
- Kanopy: Borrow movies, including comedies, dramas, documentaries, musicals and more
Here is what is currently unavailable:
- Access to e-books and e-audiobooks, including the Libby app
- Access to your Library account
- Access to the Library’s catalog
- Placing new holds
- Access to many digital services, such as online databases, newspapers and more.
- In-building Wi-Fi
- Public computers
- Printing and copying
- Museum Pass
- Your Next 5 Books service
When will these services be available?
At this time, we do not have an estimated time for restoring impacted services. The Library is working diligently with specialists to securely restore our systems. We will continue to keep you updated as services come back online. Check our website at www.spl.org for updates.
What about my e-book/e-audiobook/Libby holds?
At this time, e-books and e-audiobooks cannot be downloaded and new holds cannot be placed. We have posted a message in the Libby app to this effect.
As of Friday morning, May 31, all e-book and e-audiobook holds for Library patrons have been paused. You will not lose the holds you currently have, and you will keep your current place in the queue. Your e-book and e-audiobook holds will remain paused until access to our services is securely restored. We do not have an estimate for when that will occur, but we are working diligently to bring services back online.
Can I return my items?
Please hang onto your physical books, CDs and DVDs a bit longer, as we are unable to check them in. Remember, we do not charge late fines for overdue materials. We will update due dates once our systems are securely restored.
Thank you for your support!
We have been overwhelmed by the community’s support, patience and understanding as we navigate this difficult situation. Be sure to follow our ShelfTalk Blog and social media channels (Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram) for updates as we bring services back online.
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May 28: An update about access to Library technology systems
Dear patrons,
In the early morning hours of Saturday, May 25 — just one day before we were prepared to take our systems offline to conduct planned maintenance on a server over Memorial Day weekend — the Library became aware of a ransomware event affecting our technology systems.
This disruption began impacting access to staff and public computers, our online catalog and loaning system, e-books and e-audiobooks, in-building Wi-Fi, and our website at www.spl.org.
The Library quickly engaged third-party forensic specialists, contacted law enforcement, and took our systems fully offline to interrupt and better assess the nature and impacts of the event. With our external partners, we continue to investigate the source of this disruption and are working as quickly and diligently as we can to confirm the extent of the impacts and restore full functionality to our systems. Privacy and security of patron and employee information are top priorities.
Until we can ensure the security of these systems, they will remain offline. We do not yet have an estimated time of resolution but will update you here as we are able to bring systems back online.
We are an organization that prides itself on providing you answers, and we are sorry that the information we can share is limited. At this time, securing and restoring our systems is where we are focused. We will update you in this space as we make progress on that work.
We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this difficult situation.
We are still open and lending print books and other physical materials!
Despite these challenges, we intend to keep opening our doors as scheduled to welcome you in. You are invited to enjoy our spaces; check out our physical books, CDs and DVDs (using paper forms); and get your reference and referral questions answered to the best of our ability.
Our hard-working staff, whose jobs have become more challenging without technology access, are ready and able to assist you to check out materials and use our spaces and amenities. Although you cannot currently place holds, you are welcome to pick up holds already on the shelves. (One tip: When you visit, please bring your physical library card or library card number.)
You can find our current open hours schedule on this page.
Please hold on to your materials a little while longer
Because we cannot currently check physical materials back into our catalog, we encourage you to hold onto them a bit longer. The Library does not charge daily late fines for overdue materials. Once we get back online, we will update due dates for materials.
We apologize in advance that wait times will be impacted as we work to manage a backlog of returned and newly delivered items.
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ADDITIONAL UPDATES
Notice of Possible Quorum of Library Board of Trustees 6/2
Notice is hereby given that a possible quorum of The Seattle Public Library Board of Trustees may be in attendance at a book launch program and reception at the Central Library on from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 2. No Library business will be conducted, and no decisions will be made.
The Seattle Public Library announces summer hours
The Seattle Public Library will introduce a new summer hours schedule at several locations across the city beginning Thursday, June 20. This new schedule will distribute hours differently across various locations to meet community needs throughout the summer months. It does not reduce or significantly increase the Library’s total hours of operation systemwide, compared to our current schedule.
Learn more about the Library’s upcoming summer hours schedule on our blog.
Visit our Hours and Locations page for current schedules.
Green Lake Branch scheduled to reopen in the summer of 2024
The Green Lake Branch, one of The Seattle Public Library’s historically landmarked Carnegie buildings, is temporarily closed while undergoing a seismic retrofit and other major renovations, including the installation of a new HVAC system, accessibility improvements and interior modernization. We expect the branch to reopen in the summer of 2024.
This project, funded by the 2019 Library Levy, provides a unique opportunity to make the Green Lake Branch safer and better able to meet the needs of the community while preserving its important legacy.
The improvements and renovations to the Green Lake Branch will include:
- Seismic Retrofit: The Green Lake Branch will receive a comprehensive structural upgrade that will significantly increase the safety of the building during an earthquake.
- Accessibility Improvements: The entire building will be made more accessible for patrons with a new ramp from the sidewalk, a new ADA parking stall, new restrooms and a new fully accessible, west side building entrance leading to a new elevator serving both floors.
- HVAC System Replacement: The current gas-fired boiler system will be replaced with a new, highly efficient electric heat pump. The system will provide heating and air conditioning throughout the branch, allowing it to remain open and provide shelter and relief for the community on hot days.
- Interior Renovations: Interior improvements include renovations to the meeting room, two new study rooms, remodeled staff work areas, a new circulation/service desk, new lighting and new furniture will allow more efficient and flexible use of building space.
- Sustainability: The LEED-certified project is designed to meet the City of Seattle’s goals for environmentally responsible design.
Please visit this page or your branch webpage on spl.org before visiting to learn about any unanticipated closures or delays in opening.
– Find a list of Library locations and hours at spl.org/Hours
– Find a list of community shelters at spl.org/Shelter
– Bookmark spl.org/Today for daily schedule updates
Shelf Talk 