West Seattle, Washington
28 Monday
Thanks to Andrea for the report and photos from a big event tonight!
Seattle Public Library hosts the Global Reading Challenge annually for teams of Seattle 4th and 5th graders. Two West Seattle teams advanced to the citywide finals on April 2 – Genesee Hill Elementary and Lafayette Elementary. The Genesee Hill team, the Book Bandits, tied for second place in the citywide final! Those seven Genesee 5th-graders worked for months reading and re-reading the books selected for the challenge and won their school and semi-finals to advance. They competed against 10 other teams. Genesee Hill librarian Lindsay Yost has been helping the team prepare and cheered them on from the audience on the big night.
The Book Bandits – Avery, Collin, Henry, Laird, Lake, Si, and Tommy – deserve big kudos for their hard work!
Learn more about the Global Reading Challenge here.
We’ve mentioned a few sessions in our daily event lists but with two months to go until the federal tax deadline, local branches of the Seattle Public Library want to be sure you know they’re offering free tax help at some branches – three in this area, Southwest, West Seattle (Admiral), and South Park. Here’s what you need to know:
Trained volunteers will answer questions and help prepare personal tax returns. This service is free and available to individuals only. The service is not available for business tax returns. Drop-in tax help is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Southwest Branch: Fridays, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm through 4/11 via AARP Foundation (Appointments preferred)
West Seattle Branch: Thursdays, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, & Saturdays, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm via AARP Foundation (Appointments preferred)
South Park Branch: Saturdays & Sundays, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm through 4/19 in English and Spanish, via United Way of King County (this service has eligibility requirements)
What to Bring to Free In-Person Tax Help
Required:
-Photo identification
-Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for everyone listed on the tax return
-Proof of income, for example, W2s and 1099s (Social Security benefits)
-Official documents on Social Security Administration letterhead
-Medicare card (if Social Security number is followed by an “A”)
-Be prepared to provide information about health care coverage for each person on the returnRecommended:
-Last year’s tax return, if available
-Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of refundsPhotocopies or computer print-outs of any these documents will be accepted. Original documents highly recommended.
Same-day appointments have been available, we’re told, but looking further ahead is your best bet.
P.S. Reminder that all Seattle Public Library locations will be closed Monday (February 17) for Presidents Day.
Thanks for the texted tip. High Point Library is closed today. Unplanned, says this note on the branch’s webpage:
The High Point Branch will be closed on Sunday, Feb. 9 due to insufficient staffing. The book return will remain open and holds will be extended.
P.S. SPL says this is one of two branches in the system – along with the Chinatown/ID branch – closed today for a staffing shortage.
(Lincoln Park path – WSB photo by Aspen Anderson)
Also in from the city, changes in Seattle Public Library and Seattle Parks facilities because of the snow:
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY: Delayed opening:
On Wednesday, Feb. 5, given the present accumulation of snow and ice in Seattle, all branch locations of The Seattle Public Library will open on a 2-hour delay. The Central Library will maintain normal open hours. All Bookmobile stops have been canceled for the day.
Branch locations will be scheduled to open from noon to 6 p.m. or noon to 8 p.m. The Central Library will open with regular hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. View our schedule at www.spl.org/Hours. We may experience other impacts to our schedule, so please check this page again before planning a visit to one of our locations.
SEATTLE PARKS: Various changes to facility operations; most notably for West Seattle, the golf course is closed, and Southwest Pool is on a delayed schedule. Full systemwide info is here.
Artists of all skill levels and talents are invited to be part of the annual Southwest Artist Showcase at Southwest Library. The four-day window to bring in your creations for display starts tomorrow – here’s the invitation we received today:
It’s that time of year again: the 32nd annual Southwest Artist Showcase is gearing up for October 6 – November 4! This free, month-long event features artists from all over west and southwest Seattle.
We welcome submissions from people of all ages and experience levels for our non-juried, non-profit showcase. Submit up to 3 pieces of art between Tuesday, October 1 – Friday, October 4 at the Southwest Branch during our open hours.Artwork will NOT be offered for sale at the Library. All works must be picked up by 6pm on Sunday, November 10. You may have another person drop off (or pick up) your art. If you have an easel or display structure that you’d like us to use to display your work, please bring them along with your art.
Please note: we strive to display all submitted works, as space allows. Some works may not be included if their size or construction prevents their effective display in the library. Library staff will determine the placement and display of each piece, and artwork will not be moved once it has been placed.
For more information about the Southwest Artist Showcase, please visit spl.org/southwestartistshowcase or call the branch at 206-684-7455.
The branch is at 9010 35th SW; its hours are listed here.
The Seattle Public Library has announced its fall schedule, which increases its systemwide open hours by six percent – 77 more hours, from 1,283 hours per week to 1,360 hours per week. None of those added hours will be in West Seattle; we compared the fall schedules for local branches to the current schedules – (corrected) two branches have changes.
Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 25, Library locations will operate according to the schedules listed below, which will also be posted at the Library’s Hours and Locations page. When branches are scheduled to be closed, their book returns will remain open and patron holds will be extended.
Delridge Branch - no change
Mon 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tue 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wed Noon to 8 p.m.
Thu Noon to 8 p.m.
Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sun ClosedHigh Point Branch – Wednesday/Thursday hours change
Mon 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tue 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wed Noon to 8 p.m. (currently 10 am-6 pm)
Thu Noon to 8 p.m. (currently 10 am-8 pm)
Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sun 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Southwest Branch – no change
Mon 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tue Noon to 8 p.m.
Wed Noon to 8 p.m.
Thu 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat Closed
Sun 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.West Seattle Branch – (corrected) Wednesday hours shift
Mon 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tue Noon to 8 p.m.
Wed 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thu 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fri Closed
Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sun 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more info on the state of SPL, including an update on the aftermath of the summer-long tech crisis, you can watch the briefing during the City Council’s Libraries, Neighborhoods, Education Committee meeting tomorrow (Thursday, September 12) at 9:30 am – here’s the agenda. (And here’s the slide deck, mostly about the tech crisis.)
The end of summer means a new start of sorts for the Seattle Public Library – SPL says it’s now restored the last of its services affected by the tech crisis resulting from a “ransomware attack.” That means you can again use the library’s public computers and SPL Lockers, plus its “Suggest a Title” is back. SPL said via X/Twitter that this “means that all of our services are back online and ready for you to use. Thank you for your patience, support and kind words this summer as we worked to restore our services.” The trouble began just before Memorial Day, and SPL services have been coming back online incrementally ever since.
(WSB photos)
As noted in today’s highlight list, the High Point branch of the Seattle Public Library is having a party right now! This summer marks the 20th anniversary of the branch, which opened in June 2004, funded by the “Libraries for All” bond measure that built or remodeled more than two dozen branches citywide. Treats and book raffles are part of it:
Voters passed “Libraries for All” in 1998, and as explained in this HistoryLink.org essay, it was supplemented by other funding, from donors including the Seattle Public Library Foundation. That’s who’s sponsoring today’s party, which features other partners including DNDA (screening tote bags, below) and the West Seattle Food Bank.
Visit the branch before 7:30 pm tonight to join the celebration – also a good time to get reacquainted with the library, now that SPL’s recovery is almost complete from the tech attack that hit just before Memorial Day.
The branch is on the southeast corner of 35th/Raymond.
(Photo from spl.org)
Back in June, we mentioned that Seattle Public Library was seeking federal funding for air conditioning at five branches that didn’t have it yet, including West Seattle (Admiral). Today, the city announced it’s getting that funding – a $5.5 million FEMA grant. The installation isn’t just for comfort, the city says, but also to allow these libraries to join these others as cooling and clean-air centers in times of extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and other crisis conditions. The five installations will be done one at a time over the next two years; two of the other branches, University and Columbia, are up first.
The Seattle Public Library Foundation – a nonprofit that supports SPL – has just announced its new CEO, and sent us the announcement while pointing out that he’s a West Seattle resident:
The Board of Directors of The Seattle Public Library Foundation is thrilled to announce that following an extensive national search, Brian Lawrence has been selected as the Foundation’s new Chief Executive Officer.
Lawrence previously served as Deputy Executive Director for the Foundation, The Seattle Public Library’s nonprofit fundraising partner. He stood out in a field of outstanding candidates due to his overall vision for advancing the library’s mission, his stellar reputation in Seattle and beyond, and the track record he has established at the Foundation.
“Brian has been an integral part of the Foundation’s success, and he is highly respected in our organization, at the library, and by donors and many others in our community,” said Board President Sarah Stanley. “His energy and enthusiasm for stepping into this role, and his vision for expanding equity and access, are clear. We’re excited about how he will move the Foundation forward.”
Since 2017, Lawrence has spearheaded the Foundation’s fundraising campaigns, overseen key investments to grow library programs and collections, and strengthened partnerships with library staff and community organizations. He has established himself as a thoughtful voice on the role of libraries in our society, recently demonstrated by his key leadership role in the national Books Unbanned initiative.
“We couldn’t ask for a better partner at the head of the Foundation than Brian,” said Tom Fay, Chief Librarian & Executive Director of The Seattle Public Library. “He has shown great commitment to our library, our staff, and our patrons. Many of our services have been enhanced through the work of Brian and his team, and he’s been a great thought partner as we’ve developed our strategic framework this year. He is well-positioned to support our objectives and has deep connections to our supporter network.”
Brian grew up in Michigan and worked in the auto racing industry before moving to Seattle. He obtained a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University and has worked for organizations including the Pacific Science Center, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and The Mockingbird Society. Brian lives in West Seattle, serves on the Seattle University Alumni Council, and enjoys reading (of course!) and recreating in the North Cascades.
After longtime CEO Jonna Ward announced her departure earlier this year, the Board engaged with a global search firm to select a leader who could steer the organization into the future. The Board expresses its gratitude to each of the candidates who applied and to the donors, advocates, and community leaders who provided thoughtful input during the search process.
For 30 years, the Seattle Public Library has welcomed volunteers to help local students with their homework during drop-in after-school hours. This year, they’re recruiting volunteers for free Homework Help tutoring at the High Point and South Park branches. Citywide, last school year, SPL says 1,100 students used Homework Help more than 4,400 times, aided by more than 180 volunteers. SPL says 60 percent of the students reported better grades as a result of the help they received. You can be part of kids’ success this year! Here’s what SPL wants prospective volunteers to know:
Volunteers must be 18 or older. Having competence in another language, especially Amharic, Tigrinya, Somali, Oromo and Spanish, is also helpful. The majority of students served by the program are youth of color, with 90% of students reporting their parents speaking a language other than English at home.
Volunteer tutors receive an orientation and additional materials about working with youth and concepts such as social-emotional learning and growth mindset.
During Homework Help sessions, volunteers help students with homework, play learning games, read to students, or work with them on academic worksheets. Volunteers work with students individually and in small groups. High-school students can get help with not just academic subjects but with other priorities such as college essays.
Because Homework Help is a drop-in program, students can show up any day to receive help, and they do not need to have a Library card to attend. Snacks are provided at every Homework Help session, courtesy of The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Hunger Intervention Program.
Can you help? Or, have a question? You can email SPL’s Volunteer Services Coordinator at vo*******@*pl.org (and find more info here). They’re hoping to hear from new volunteers ASAP as the new school year approaches, but they do also accept volunteer applications throughout the year.
Two and a half months after what was described as a “ransomware attack” dramatically disrupted the Seattle Public Library‘s operations, another milestone in restoration: As of today, the online catalog is accessible again, says SPL:
Online catalog available, including placing new holds. You can now log in to the Library’s online catalog, see your checkouts and holds, and place new holds on all items. (Please note that new holds may take longer than usual to fill initially, as we may receive a large number of requests.) … When you log into your account, please update your holds list and cancel those you’re no longer interested in, which will help us and help you! If you see anything missing or have questions, feel free to contact us at www.spl.org/Ask
SPL continues to list the status of its services here; what’s not available yet – including computers and pickup lockers – should be available by the end of this month.
If you have computers, phones, or other electronics you no longer need – even if they’re not working – Southwest Library is collecting them for e-cycling!
They’ve partnered with InterConnection this summer. Here’s the library announcement:
From now until September 30, the Southwest Library is accepting a wide variety of used technology on behalf of InterConnection – items do NOT need to be in working condition! When you donate your laptops, phones, tablets, speakers, video game consoles, cables, modems/routers, and other devices, InterConnection will:
completely wipe all existing data on the devices
refurbish them into good working order
help to bridge the digital divide by making the devices available to low-income communities
Here’s the list of everything InterConnection accepts.The library is at 9010 35th SW; it’s open every day but Saturday, and hours are listed here.
Seattle Public Library wi-fi is expected to be available again next week. That’s one of the timelines just announced by SPL for the restoration of services that aren’t yet back from the outages it blames on a “ransomware attack” back in May. The full list of what’s available now, what’s available soon, and what’ll be a while longer is here; we’ve distilled the list of “what’s not back yet” to these key points:
NO ESTIMATED RETURN DATE YET
Physical item returns / due dates
EXPECTED TO RETURN NEXT WEEK
Wi-Fi
Printing (via Wi-Fi and Email)
Catalog stations (in-building)
EXPECTED TO RETURN IN MID-JULY
Scanning/Faxing with ScanEZ
EXPECTED TO RETURN IN LATE JULY
Physical item self-checkout
Microfilm/microfiche
EXPECTED TO RETURN IN LATE JULY/EARLY AUGUST
New Library cards (online)
Patron account access
Placing new holds (physical items)
SPL Pickup Lockers
EXPECTED TO RETURN IN MID-TO-LATE AUGUST
Computers
In summary, SPL’s update says, “The Library expects that most, if not all, remaining offline services will be restored in the next 6-8 weeks.”
Two and a half weeks into its technology crisis, the Seattle Public Library has big news this afternoon:
The Library is very happy to share that we have reached another important milestone in our recovery from a recent cybersecurity event. On Thursday, June 13 at 12 p.m. (noon), patrons will once again have access to the Library’s digital book collection through OverDrive and Libby.
The full announcement is here, including this caveat:
Please note that the Library has been unable to purchase new titles since prior to our technology outage. As a result:
*No titles published since May 21 will be available in our collection.
*Wait times may be longer than normal
*You may encounter some titles that have no copies available.
Here’s SPL’s newest update on where everything else stands.
As reported here, the West Seattle (Admiral) branch of the Seattle Public Library was closed on Sunday, with a phone outage cited as the reason. It’s back open today, regular Monday hours (10 am-6 pm), SPL spokesperson Laura Gentry told us when we followed up this morning. As for why the branch had to close because phone service was out, she explained: “This outage impacted phones at all locations in our Southwest service region, but the difference for the West Seattle Branch was that its emergency phone line also experienced the outage. That wasn’t an impact at the other branches. Given our significant technology outage with computers and internet access still down, we felt it was a safety concern to not have an operational emergency phone line if it was needed. That’s why we closed the branch and redeployed staff to other locations.” (As noted yesterday, SPL opened the High Point branch for the day instead.) Overall, though, Gentry says the phone trouble was “not related to our ongoing technology situation.” (Here’s the latest SPL update on that.)
(Added – WSB photo)
Thanks for the tip! The West Seattle (Admiral) library branch is closed today because of a phone outage. The High Point branch is open instead, until 6.
(Added: Reader photo, sign on Southwest Library door)
A week and a half after first word of “disruptions,” the Seattle Public Library still isn’t operating at full speed. Their webpage listing which services are available and which aren’t hasn’t been updated in a few days, so we asked SPL spokesperson Laura Gentry about the status. She says they’re working on an update for later today or tomorrow morning, but they still don’t know how much longer it’ll be until all services are available: “Unfortunately, we are still not in a place to be able to provide a ballpark timeline, as too many factors are in play for the secure restoration of systems.” On May 28, SPL said a “ransomware event” was the cause of the trouble.
The Seattle Public Library has published another update on its tech troubles, blamed on a “ransomware event” first disclosed Tuesday. Here’s one major point:
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.
SPL says you can check out physical materials but you can’t yet return them, so hold onto whatever you have until they say they’re ready – SPL promises to “update due dates once our systems are securely restored.” Go here to see the full current list of which services are available and which are not.
An update is just in from Seattle Public Library, one day after SPL announced a “ransomware event” had led to disruption of online and other tech-related services:
www.spl.org is back online. You can now once access our Event Calendar, as well as some digital services, such as online versions of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post.
Hoopla is accessible. Please note: If you borrow a Hoopla item that isn’t displaying properly, please try 1) logging out of your account and then log in again, or 2) try deleting and redownloading the Hoopla app.
The Library continues working to securely restore more technology services, such as e-books, computers, Wi-Fi, printing and more.
The update was added atop Tuesday’s original SPL post about the disruption.
Commenters pointed out this morning that the Seattle Public Library‘s online outage – which we mentioned on Sunday – continues. SPL has just explained why:
This disruption began impacting access to staff and public computers, our online catalog and loaning system, in-building Wi-Fi, and our website at 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 are 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.)
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.
Many explanations of ransomware are available online – here’s one from a company specializing in security.
Thanks for the tip! Seattle Public Library branches are reporting some tech trouble today:
Due to disruptions to the Library network, several services will be unavailable including public computers, public printing, and some online services. Library technology staff are working to restore services, but at this time there is no estimated time for restoration.
A post on the SPL X/Twitter account shows some system work was already planned for today anyway. All SPL facilities are scheduled to be closed for the Memorial Day holiday tomorrow.
Seattle Public Library has just announced its summer schedule – and only one of West Seattle’s four branches will be open seven days a week, High Point; the one that’s currently open daily, Delridge, will join Southwest and West Seattle (Admiral) in being open 6 days a week. The new systemwide schedule starts June 20; the current schedule – originally announced as being in place at least through June 4 – will continue until then. Here’s the new schedule:
Summer Hours schedule effective Thursday, June 20
Delridge Branch
Mon 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tue 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wed Noon to 8 p.m.
Thu Noon to 8 p.m.
Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sun ClosedHigh Point Branch
Mon 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tue 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wed 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thu 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sun 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Southwest Branch
Mon 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tue Noon to 8 p.m.
Wed Noon to 8 p.m.
Thu 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat Closed
Sun 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.West Seattle Branch
Mon 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tue Noon to 8 p.m.
Wed Noon to 8 p.m.
Thu 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fri Closed
Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sun 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
So why move the closure day from High Point to Delridge? Systemwide, SPL says it made the closure decisions based on maximizing hours at larger, air-conditioned branches. The SPL announcement also notes that our area’s one branch without air conditioning, West Seattle (Admiral), is one of five SPL Carnegie-era branches for which it is seeking federal funding for HVAC modernization. After semi-recent upgrades, the Southwest Branch is now fully air-conditioned.
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