Seattle Public Library Offers Rich Summer Calendar Of Free Events

Seattle Public Library is offering a packed lineup of late-summer arts and author events throughout August, including the return of the popular Silent Reading Party, a new exhibit celebrating Black life in the Northwest, and a summer book club finale with environmental journalist Lynda Mapes. All events are free and open to the public. Event details and registration (if required) are available at spl.org/Calendar. Families can also explore kid-friendly programs on the Kids and Families calendar. Many of these events are supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation.

Here’s what’s coming up:

• Silent Reading Party at Seattle Center Saturday, Aug. 9, 4–6 p.m., Mural Amphitheatre

Grab a blanket and your favorite book for a peaceful afternoon of quiet reading on the lawn. This community gathering, hosted with Seattle Arts & Lectures, Third Place Books, KCLS and others, includes local booksellers, book swaps, Summer Book Bingo celebrations, and prize giveaways.

• Rooted & Rising: Stories from the African American Archive Aug. 11 – Oct. 5, Level 8 Gallery, Central Library

Curated by interdisciplinary artist Imani Sims of Vivid Matter Collective, this new exhibit draws from the Douglass-Truth Branch’s African American Collection. It features powerful archival materials exploring the richness of Black life in the Pacific Northwest, brought to life through artistic collaborations. Workshops and a live performance will accompany the exhibit. The opening celebration is Sunday, Aug. 17, from 2–4 p.m.

• Ray Nayler and Nicola Griffith: “Where the Axe is Buried” Thursday, Aug. 14, 7–8:15 p.m., Central Library, Microsoft Auditorium

Author Ray Nayler returns following his debut success, The Mountain in the Sea, with a new geopolitical thriller set in the near future. Registration required.

• Book Bingo Celebration Sunday, Aug. 17, 3–5 p.m., Green Lake Branch

As Book Bingo wraps up for the summer, readers are invited to swap book recommendations, finish off their bingo cards, and celebrate with fellow participants.

• Isabel Cañas and Sadie “Mother Horror” Hartmann: “The Possession of Alba Díaz” Tuesday, Aug. 19, 7–8:30 p.m., Central Library, Microsoft Auditorium

Set in 1765 Mexico, this gothic horror tale follows a young woman haunted by a demon in a plague-stricken town. Cañas will discuss the novel with horror curator Sadie Hartmann. Registration required.

• Watercolor Workshop with Vaquero Azul Saturday, Aug. 23, 1–3 p.m., Central Library, Level 4, Room 1 Artist-in-residence

Vaquero Azul leads a creative session spotlighting trans and gender non-conforming icons in MesoAmerican culture.

• Rainbow City Orchestra: “Summer Strings” Concert Sunday, Aug. 24, 3–4 p.m., Central Library, Microsoft

Auditorium Enjoy classical arrangements of pop hits from the 1970s, 1990s, and early 2000s, performed by Rainbow City Orchestra’s string ensemble.

• Lynda Mapes: “The Trees are Speaking” Wednesday, Aug. 27, 6:30–7:30 p.m., Central Library, Microsoft Auditorium

At the final event in the Library’s KUOW Book Club series, Seattle Times journalist Lynda Mapes shares insights from her new work focused on salmon forests and environmental resilience. Registration required.

• ZAPP Zine Collection Open Hours Saturdays through Aug. 23, 3:30–5:30 p.m., Central Library, Level 7

Zine Room Drop in and explore more than 30,000 zines, minicomics, and independent press publications in the Library’s expansive ZAPP collection.

• Magnolia StoryWalks Through Aug. 31

In its fifth year, the Magnolia Branch’s StoryWalks® series places picture books by Indigenous authors in three community locations: the Magnolia Branch, the Magnolia Farmers Market, and Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center. Books were selected by Daybreak Star preschool teachers and transcribed into Braille through a partnership with the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL).

The Seattle Public Library continues to offer enriching, free programs that connect the community to literature, culture, and one another. For more details, visit www.spl.org/Calendar. For help or questions, contact Ask Us at 206-386-4636 or spl.org/Ask.