• Council Votes Increase For 2008 Materials Budget

  Good news, Friends! On November 19, 2007 the Seattle City Council adopted a $2 million increase for The Seattle Public Library`s 2008 materials budget.  In addition, the council set a significant new funding guideline for future library materials budget proposals.

  The 2008 budget increase stems from the 2006 Friends of The Seattle Public Library campaign. In 2006, at the beginning of the biennial budget cycle, the Friends testified that materials circulation was climbing and funding levels were inadequate. City Council responded by adopting a Statement of Legislative Intent requesting that the library present the ideal level of resources needed to accommodate the growing library system and resulting patron demand. This materials analysis, presented in June, 2007, identified a $2.5 million gap in funding.

  By October, patrons and supporters of The Seattle Public Library began to speak up about their concerns over lengthened hold list queues and strained resources.  Media reflected the concern and blogs started to talk about the issue. On October 10 and 30, patrons from across the city came down to Seattle City Hall to testify about the need for increased funding. On November 13 the Budget Committee recommended a $2 million dollar increase in materials funding in 2008. In addition, funding guidance was adopted for future library materials budgets, setting a baseline increase of $1.5 million above the mayor's 2008 proposal.  The full council unanimously approved these recommendations on November 19, 2007.

  To become informed on the issues:

  ---November 7, 2007 Seattle Times opinion piece by Friends President Mimi Winslow and Library Foundation President David C. Williams.

  ---November 6, 2007 Seattle Times article about our library collections issues.

  ---City Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck's and Friends [immediate past] President Hollis Williams' opinion piece from October 30 Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

• The Calendar is Back!

  Click here to check upcoming dates - book sale, branch openings, annual meeting - it's all there.  Stay informed.

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• We are Live!

  Can't get down to the Central Library to pick up the perfect gift? Then shop online. The FriendShop now has its own e-commerce site, www.efriendshop.org. Both the Shop and the Web site are full of Seattle Public Library custom items, gifts for readers and book-lovers and much more. Check them out!

  Like the Shop, the e-site relies on help from our loyal volunteers. Our e-commerce volunteers contribute photography, writing and editing.  If you would like to assist in building our Web business, please contact friendshop@spl.org.

  

  Find great items such as this SPL Book Tote with '07 Summer Reading Project artwork available online.

• The FriendShop needs volunteers to staff our retail shop at the Central Library in downtown Seattle. Make new friends and meet interesting people from all around the globe.  Days and times are flexible, so please contact the FriendShop.

  

  

The Friends of The Seattle Public Library is a non-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to promoting our Library as an essential institution of society. Our volunteer members advocate, educate, and raise funds on behalf of the Library, its patrons, and the larger Seattle community.

The Friends have been supporting the Seattle Public Library since 1941. Today, we have 13,000 members.

The Friends believe public libraries are essential to our society. Public libraries, like public schools, are part of the bedrock that supports American communities. They inform and educate, they encourage the exploration and discussion of ideas, and they bring together people from all walks of life.

The Friends are involved in these core activities:

• The Friends support the Library as it strives to provide outstanding library services to Seattle-area residents. We promote awareness of the Library in the community and encourage use of Library services in our neighborhoods.

• The Friends conduct advocacy efforts on behalf of the Library, as well as fund special Library programs and services. We keep city officials informed of Library needs and were instrumental in ensuring the passage of a major library bond issue that today is transforming our Library system. Recently, the Friends provided funds to begin a cultural communities outreach program based at the Beacon Hill.  Additional programs are under developement for Seattle neighborhood libraries.

• The Friends serve the wider community through our twice-yearly book sales that make available to the public thousands of books, as well as art and music goods, at exceptionally low prices. The book sales are a cultural institution in Seattle and are the preeminent means by which the Friends raise funds for services.

• The Friends host visitors, patrons and out-of-town guests at our FriendShop, located inside and to the left of the Fifth Avenue entrance of Seattle's spectacular new downtown Central Library. All FriendShop profits are used toward enrichment and benefit programs.

The Friends of The Seattle Public Library operate an innovative 300 square foot retail shop in Seattle’s Central Library. The shop is the public face of the Friends and represents our longstanding commitment to serve The Seattle Public Library. Shop revenue supports programs, services, events, and special initiatives of The Seattle Public Library.

Shop hours are:
Monday through Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 - 5 p.m.

learn more ..

The Friends of The Seattle Public Library holds two major book sales each year. At each sale, over 200,000 books and other items are offered to the general public, including:

* Art prints and posters
* Audiocassettes
* Books
* Compact discs
* Computer software
* Records
* Sheet music
* Videocassettes and DVDs

Next Book Sale:    April 11-13, 2008

Most books cost $1.00, but the sale also features "better books" including recent releases, and rare and collectible books, which are available at affordable prices even though they are higher priced than the majority of books. The price of other items varies, but all are "good deals."

learn more ..