The Seattle Public Library 2012 Annual Report

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Marie McCaffrey McCaffrey Marie

Library Board President President Board Library

Anne Repass, Repass, Anne

Foundation President President Foundation

Maggie Taylor, Taylor, Maggie

Friends President President Friends

Marcellus Turner, Turner, Marcellus

City Librarian Librarian City

clockwise, left top From PER PER ThE LIbrary LEVy IssuE

ThE maGaZInE

The library board oF TruSTeeS

President: Marie Mccafrey Vice President: dan dixon Jane noland Theresa Fujiwara eric liu/Kristi england

The SeaTTle Public library FoundaTion

President: anne repass Vice President: lynn Pigott Mowe Secretary: ross baker Treasurer: irene yamamoto Directors: Susan Potts Susan adkins dennis Quichocho Greg berkman deborah rosen John S. calhoun ryan Sawyer robert P. carlile david Schneiderman Theodore collins annie Searle Patricia dawson, Md claudia Skelton Macon howard brian Stading carla lewis William Staford eric liu Peter Steinbrueck dan Mcconnell dan Sudit david McShea neal Sullins Tyler Mickey ina Tateuchi PErcEnT oF Grace nordhof Patricia Walker sEaTTLE Glenna olson catherine S. Wilson VoTErs saId “yEs” To ThE LIbrary LEVy. 62 FriendS oF The SeaTTle Public library President: Maggie Taylor Vice President: Susan baker Proposed 2012 Library Levy Secretary: Jane roll Trustees: Joan abrevaya INSIDE carmen bendixen neil bergquist TaMiya dickerson 4 THE NUMBERS 6 THE LIBRARY LEVY 10 YOU SHOULD 14 TROPHY CASE dave Gelfand Library leaders, Library Key elements of the KNOW The Central Library leon Kinsley users, elected offcials, successful levy package. Improve your Library pulls off several Sarah Kohut and the community rally experience with these notable awards. omar Manuelian behind a seven-year, 9 ZOOM new online services. ed Marquez amy Mikel $123 million effort to A look at the book 15 IN THE YEAR 2012 Jill novik rebuild services. sorting system. 12 MATCH TOUGH A breakdown of Library deborah Prince Reading contest for statistics. Sarel rowe By Marie McCaffrey and Seattle students takes connie Templeton Marcellus Turner off. rona Zevin

2 The Seattle Public Library ThE maGaZInE 2012O P did you know? IF YOU SIGN UP FOR THIS:

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AND IT’S FREE! To get a card, simply go to: www.spl.org/card ThE numbErs by marcellus Turner, city Librarian, and marie mccaffrey, Library board President

serving the next generation of readers.

[A LEVY TO IMPROVE LIBRARY FUNDING] for essential services, such as operating hours, technology and books, scores a home run in the primary election! [ ] fter years of cuts, a funding plan to rebuild Library services and address fans and followers on Facebook and Twitter. the changing needs of the community was put before Seattle voters in A The Library partnered with CityClub on its Living Voters Guide to help with fact-checking August. Residents showed how much they cared about the future of the Library and their and started a program that allows Library patrons to visit 10 Seattle museums for free! The city by approving a seven-year, $123 million Library levy. Like the 1998 bond measure for Friends group is working on an interim plan for holding book sales while the city prepares Library buildings, the levy benefts residents in every Seattle neighborhood. to upgrade the building at Warren G. Magnuson Park, the location of the large semi-annual Beginning in 2013, the Central Library and all 26 branches will open on Sunday for the events. The Friends secured a new location for book sale operations at the Washington frst time in the system’s history. In addition to new Sunday hours, the busy Northgate and Talking Book & Braille Library. The Friends also held its frst Party for Literacy, designed Columbia branches will open on Friday as well, providing seven-day-a-week service. Thanks to educate young professionals about the Library, which was attended by 275 people to the levy, patrons will no longer experience weeklong budget closures in the summer. and raised $3,000 for Homework Help. In addition, the Friends provided 75 teachers with book vouchers in this eighth year of its Books for Teachers program. Vouchers are given to After a 13 percent cut in the budget for books and materials, patrons will soon see many teachers to purchase books from Friends book sales. new titles of books, both in print and electronic formats. In addition, outdated computer technology will be replaced and the maintenance budget for the Library’s 27 locations – The Seattle Public Library Foundation made grants to the Library totaling $4.12 million many award-winning and iconic – will be fully funded. in 2012. These grants supported expansion of the Library’s collection, free public programming and capital improvements. The Foundation participated in the Seattle The levy priorities were a direct result of community input from nearly 40,000 residents Foundation’s GiveBIG event for a second consecutive year, raising an incredible $146,000 over two years. from 1,044 donors on a single day. We are grateful to City Councilmember Richard Conlin, whose leadership and support We were proud to see The Seattle Public Library ranked frst in circulation, in-person visits initiated a study of alternative funding options. We appreciated the support of the entire and virtual visits in a survey by the Metropolitan Libraries section of the International City Council for making sustainable Library services a priority in its 2012 Action Plan. And, Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. Seattle ranked ahead of libraries in we were pleased to have Mayor Mike McGinn as a partner with the council and Library on comparably sized cities, including Boston, Helsinki and Vancouver, B.C. This put the Library this effort. at the top of the rankings for cities with a population of between 500,000 and 749,000. Finally, we are thankful for the work of the Strategic Plan Advisory Committee, participants We would like to take this opportunity to thank Library staff members for their dedicated in the Civic Leaders Workshop on the Library levy, the Friends of The Seattle Public Library, hard work in providing exceptional service to you, our public. We also thank our board The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the thousands of residents who participated of trustees, elected offcials, volunteers, Library Friends and Foundation for their ongoing in open houses, meetings, focus groups and surveys. Their work, participation and commitment and support. engagement were instrumental in helping shape the plan. We are looking forward to a bright 2013 and continuing to deliver on our promises to the In addition to our work on the levy, the Library was busy planning educational and community. literary programs and introducing new services to beneft patrons. The Library hosted activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of Seattle’s World Fair, hosted author Amy Waldman for Seattle Reads and launched streaming music of live performances recorded at KEXP 90.3 FM radio – a frst for a public library. To further our mission of supporting the love of reading, the Library installed a reading suggestion desk near the Fifth Avenue entrance of the Central Library. In addition, patrons can now request personalized book recommendations through a popular service called “Your Next Five.” Even the Library’s Social Media Team is hosting reading suggestion days, providing book recommendations to

4 The Seattle Public Library ThE maGaZInE 2012 the 12th man

THREE CHEERS TO OUR WONDERFUL LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS

Thank you to our 498 volunteers, including 90 high school students! The Library’s talented and dedicated volunteers contributed 19,214 hours of their time in 2012 to helping students with homework, facilitating Talk Time conversation groups for immigrants and refugees, mending books, gardening, facilitating book groups, providing event support and more.

Josh Aamodt Ben Chan Sandra L. Gran Michael S. Lanthier Lora Nelson Nancy L. Shawn Toni R. Webb Faduma Abdi Dexter Chan Cameron Grow Suzy P. Lantz Tema S. Nesof Elizabeth Sheets Allie Weinig Joan R. Abrevaya Tulha Chaudhry Evelyn D. Guerra Kate W. Laughlin Chelsea A. Nesvig Annabella Sherman Paula K. Weir Ali Adam Timothy Chen Andrey Guiao Ben D. Lee Nancy R. Neuerburg May Y. Shimbo Deanna K. Wells Robbie M. Adams Eric Chin Heather L. Haack Tifani N. Lee Raney B. Newman Brooke S. Shoostine Melanie E. White Ibrahem Adem Vivian Chung Karen A. Hagan Todd Lee Christina H. Nguyen Wally P. Shoup Lindie L. Wightman Susan G. Adkins Brennon A. Church Janelle K. Hagen Elizabeth S. Leemon Liem T. Nguyen Jessie L. Simpson Robert L. Wightman Siri Alderson Emily S. Clark Cyndy L. Hammond Anita Legsdin Lina Nguyen Leigh E. Sinni Hollis R. Williams Judith M. Allison Carmen Clayton Ted Hanley Nancy Leon Gonzales Mai Chi Nguyen Graham R. Skelly Amy Williamson Krista M. Andersen Jim B. Clevering Erika Harder Wenpei Mify Li Phuong Nguyen Emily Small Rick W. Wilson Althea S. Anderson Linda M. Clevering Beth A. Hartwick Xiao Hua Rachel Liao Thanh-Tran Nguyen Chris A. Smith Maia Wiseman Norine S. Anderson Ivaly Cline Lilli Harwood Madalene L. Lickey Vi K. Nguyen Loreley J. Smith Lew L. Witham Ruth A. Anderson Lin J. Coker Paige Hatcher Lawrence Andy Lilliston Grace A. Nordhof Marissa A. Smith Kesanet Woldemariam Sue R. Anderson Aaron D. Collins Beata Hay Debbie R. Lin Shyril O’Steen Matt R. Smith Fritz E. Wollett Rachel Andres Susan P. Copeland Arlene N. Heath Calvin W. Locke Joan F. O’Sullivan Tianshu Song Michelle H. Wong Jean Anton Jose N. Cortes Annette Hedden Ann W. Lockhart Andrew J. Oberland Alena Sorensen Nick H. Wong Joe A. Aprile Sheila Cory Mark C. Henley Gary London Rose C. Oliveira Kelly Speight John L. Woodbury Maria T. Arcorace Lynn A. Couch Mabel Hernandez Collazo Kaisa M. London Yamato Onuki Giselle I. Springer-Douglas John A. Wylie Susan M. Avery Deidre Coyle Lindsey Herron Daisy Lopez Ginna Owens Sarah A. Staf Steve Xu Amy Baily Richard E. Crew Robert S. Herron Amber D. Loranger Mariel L. Pachucki Abby N. Stalsbroten Connie Yau Brodie Bain Nick L. Crivello Esther Herst Sandra K. Lorenzen Lily Parker Tricia M. Stanley Sanigiah Ysa Kim Baker Dagmar R. Cronn Joel Mal M. Higgins Pamela J. Love Margaret G. Parker Phillip D. Stark Anne K. Yu Laurie A. Barenborg Patrick K. Cummings Sheila A. Holtgrieve Sophia Lucas Rachel Pearson Tim Stetter Coreen Yuen Sally L. Barns Carolyn Curtis Jennifer S. Hopkins Kathy Lusher Evan Pengra Sult Laura Stocker Jonathan Zegers Wren M. Baron Emma D’Alessandro Ruth E. Howard Monica G. Luu Amy Perez John K. Stowell Bethel Zegeye Laila E. Barr Patty D’Almeida Angela P. Hsiao Jillian G. MacKenzie Lynda S. Petersen Shirley A. Stubben Hui Zhang Margaret S. Barrie Mark D’Aprile Aaron Huang John C. Maikisch Ryan F. Petersen Sonya Suarez Kai Zhu Pete J. Baum Lillian D. Dabney Kay Hubbard Robyn C. Maikisch Alex C. Peterson Nancy L. Sundberg ShanShan Zhu Sara Bawden Amy L. Dahl Kayla E. Huggins Caela Mandigo Kristina L. Peterson Jonathan D. Sunga Jingyi Zhuang Elisabeth F. Beaber Nance E. Daiker Rufaro D. Huggins Freyja Markee Betsy H. Peto Gary M. Swenson Julie Zunker Ross G. Beaulaurier Carol Dapogny Richard C. Hulbert Dan Marks Cherl E. Petso Eura G. Szuwalski Morgan F. Bell Steve Degermark Susan R. Hurst Albert Martin Minh-Tam Pham Kelly Taft Corporate and Nonproft Greg E. Bem Matthew Dirks Kat Huybers April Martin Annie M. Plank Lily Y. Takatsuka Volunteer Teams: Carmen A. Bendixen Carole Dombroski Linh Huynh Jane S. Mason Josh D. Platis Pat A. Tempinski Casey Family Programs Amanda M. Berry Mary Virginia Dombrowski Adrianna Ibrahim Diana M. Matlock Amy Popp Charles Thai City Target Kathy Biever Christina M. Doty Kristine C. Ilgenfritz Lynda Matthias Marcia L. Porus Yogita Thakkar OCLC - WebJunction Megan Black Denise M. Douglas-Baird Dennis T. Inouye Elizabeth Mauro John Prater Abinaya Thanigaimani Serials Solutions Marlana B. Blackburn Nick A. Drobot Sudi Isse Ned Mawhirter Robert Prater Elissa Thomas Julie G. Blackwood Laura B. Dunn Kyeesa M. Istatia Cheryl M. McArthur Deborah A. Prince Martha Thomas Ellen E. Blair Holly A. Eckert Kim Iwersen Teresa M. McCormick Bryan Pule Olivia M. Thompson Jef A. Blair Elizabeth A. Edleman Jeanne L. Jacobs Steve H. McDonald Ed Putman Olivia Thomson Scott J. Blaufeux Madee Ehrenberg Kimberly Jacobs Betty J. McGhee Rita D. Range Laurel Throssell Maria K. Blees Jason R. Ekholm Fardous A. Jama-Alol Billie R. McLaughlin Lora C. Reed Jess Tobin Robert K. Blumenthal Robert F. Elliott Suzanne E. James Lois M. McMahon H. Steve Reigh Julia H. Tracy Mary K. Bonaci Cathy Elofson Karen M. Jensen Megan R. McNelis Shawna Reimers Dang Tran Nicole Boner Bretnie R. Eschenbach Jason W. Johnson Meredith A. Means Connie Resch Ryan N. Tran Magan Bouriot Yasmine Fairchild Matt R. Johnson Emma Meersman Damaris S. Rice Tho Tran Barbara I. Bowen Jennifer Ferguson Dorothy M. Jones Patricia Meinhold-Barber Melissa J. Rickey Tommy (Hoang) Tran Stephanie Bowen Ruth Dianne Ferris Mike F. Jones Marites Mendoza Sean P. Riley Signa M. Treat Brittany D. Bowles Drew Fillipo Norma L. Jones Elda Mengisto Pat C. Ritzman Susan Tripp Amy Boyer Moira Finnegan Tamara Jordan Holly Merrill Jenna M. Robert Karen Tripson Pat S. Braus Laura V. Finney Margie A. Joy Anne Miano Kathy A. Robertson Frances Trowbridge Kelly L. Britz Lovee L. Flood Joyce M. Joyner Joe C. Midgett Sean C. Robinson Troika J. Tuggle Brant Broome Pat L. Foote Robert A. Joyner Florin Milea Christine Robles Brenna C. Tuller-Ross Barbara B. Brower Jennifer Foster Paul M. Jurek Caty Miller Emily L. Romeijn-Stout Bob B. Turner Cheryl Brower Jed F. Fowler Neelab Kamiab Elizabeth A. Miller Nancy M. Ross-Bruels Maria Turner Kindree A. Brownbridge Natacha Frazier Ruth H. Kaufman Lindsey Miller Genevieve B. Rullan Anne R. Tuttle Zz Bruce Abigail Fredrickson Marilyn Kawasaki Nicole Miller Riza J. Ryser Irina Ulanova Maria Brusher Adam J. Friend Breean A. Kay Elyse Minkler Alyssa L. Sampson Priya Uppal Angela Buck Mitsie Fujii Yeji Keating Anna M. Mishra Erin Sampson Yerenia Urbina Calvillo Troy W. Buckley Nigel Gardiner Mekdes Kelemework Gail Mitchell Priya Sandhu Esmeralda Valenzuela Sarah Z. Buhayar Kathryn L. Garnett Rebecca A. Kettwig Zoe Mitchell Ashley K. Sands Kevin Van Natalie A. Bumgardner Danielle J. Gayman Surena Khatir Kanako Miyagi Shadia L. Savo Rachel A. Van Ness Chris K. Burke Kaitlin Geddis Carlton Kim Farhia Mohamed Judith S. Schainen Judith S. van Praag Susan Burke Traiz N. Ghattas Ian R. King Rowalda Mohammed Leslie A. Schear Jessica Vasquez Carl N. Burnett Bogdan Gheorghe Kitty Kingsley Sahakvimol Mok Michelle T. Schewe Kendall Vinyard Emmy Burns Lorenzo Giacani Berit Klotveit Elizabeth Morris Ann Schlossman Gavin B. Viriyincy Liz M. Byrd Laura E. Gibbons Dalwyn N. Knight Stephanie R. Morris Ernest H. Schott Jeanne A. Vitalich Jessica Cai Alison G. Gile Noah Knight Joe T. Morrow Mavis I. Schraeder Fong H. Vong Xin P. Cai Erika R. Giles Jane M. Koltracht Giulia Morseletto Helen Schuda Corinna Wagner-Smith Marilyn Campbell Natalie Glore Christa J. Kriesel-Roth Carolyn Mueller Linda B. Schwartz Heather L. Walker Andy Cao Bob H. Goldberg Laurie E. Kriesel-Roth Marlee Mukai Gary J. Scrivner Erin M. Wallace Luis E. Carbajal Marcia J. Goldoft Elly L. Krumwiede Sarah Murphy Kathleen Scrivner Nina N. Wallace Callan Carow Annie T. Gorman Art Kuniyuki Zola Myers MaryAnne Seibert Jennifer H. Wang Christy Carriveau Jade Graddy Chau T. Lam Abby Nafziger Mubarek N. Shaf Sarah H. Wang R. Shane Casebeer Rebekah S. Graham Casey Lansinger Esther Nelson Phillip Shaw Joyce Warshavsky LIbrary LEVy

The levy plan, “Libraries for all: WHY I WILL a Plan for the Present, a Foundation for the Future,” grew out of a two-year VOTE ‘YES’ process that involved the thoughtful THE DIGITAL contributions of tens of thousands of BENEFITS seattle residents. Patrons said they WHO Gary Kunis

wanted more hours, books, online CRED CHECK Board member at Center for Advanced Microelectronic Manufacturing, Center for Small Scale services and building maintenance. Systems Integration and Packaging, Singapore Institute The levy was approved in the aug. 7 for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and The School of Economics at Singapore Management University. Former primary election. vice president at Cisco Systems. Responsible for the initial National Science Foundation’s deployment and operation of the Internet in the Northwestern U.S. in the 1980s. Outlined below: HIS MOMENT “The Seattle Public Library is an essential The path to the fnish line. service. This is the one resource of the city for addressing the digital divide. People who are on the other side of the fnancial curtain for digital access rely on the Library. The Library is that resource - that window to the employment world - for jobs training and for even getting a GED. If you go to the Library today, you can even get your taxes done. The Library provides a world class distributed computing environment second to none. It provides 1,200 virtual desktops to anyone who needs them. The Library is a key resource for the disadvantaged in Seattle. We must fnd a way to fund it.”

-AS TOLD TO CITY COUNCIL AT APRIL 3 PUBLIC HEARING ON LEVY PROPOSAL STRATEGIC PLAN AREAS OF NEED CIVIC LEADERS PUBLIC HEARING COMMUNITYWIDE ADOPTED IDENTIFIED WORKSHOP The Library Board SUPPORT The Library adopted a Recognizing the The Library Board presented a levy Mayor Mike McGinn, City new Strategic Plan in impact of declining city convened a group of proposal to the City Council members and 2011, which included revenues on essential civic leaders in February Council in March 2012. Library patrons gathered the participation of Library services, the 2012 to give feedback In April, more than on April 9 for a press nearly 33,000 residents. City Council directed on four key priorities: 50 people turned out event to talk about the The Library held open the Library to engage Improving open hours, for a public hearing to fnal levy package. The houses, citywide with the community the collection of testify in support of council unanimously forums on technology around priorities for a books, technology and the proposal. PubliCola approved the levy for the and the future of potential levy package. building maintenance. quoted City Councilman August primary election, libraries, hosted a Citywide meetings Civic leaders included Richard Conlin saying where it was approved panel discussion were held at the representatives from it was the “best public overwhelmingly by titled, “Library User Central Library, Beacon schools, business, hearing ever.” Seattle voters. Experience in the 21st Hill and Northeast technology, arts and the Century,” surveyed branches in early immigrant and refugee patrons, met with key 2012. In addition, community. community partners nearly 5,000 people and received feedback submitted comments from a 19-member online. Strategic Plan Advisory Committee.

6 The Seattle Public Library ThE maGaZInE 2012 SPECIAL SE VICE

LIbrary LEVy aT a GLancE YOUR NEXT 5 monEy LInE Your Next 5 BOOKS KEY PRIORITY WHY WE WANT IT WHAT WE’LL GET THE COST

Since 2009, 190 hours a week 6,551 more open hours of service systemwide have per year, including Sunday been cut – the equivalent hours systemwide, seven- Get MORE of closing four branches. day-a-week operations at $3.8 M The result? The majority of the busy Columbia and personalized OPEN branches are closed Friday and Northgate branches, on- 7 YEARS recommendations HOURS Sunday, eight branches have site reference assistance at no on-site reference staff and eight branches and 1,613 that keep you in the Library shuts down for an more hours of free Internet the game. entire week each year. access systemwide. Your Next Five is designed A 13 percent cut to the book 5,000 new titles per year, to support readers budget resulted in 27,000 more copies of popular who fnd themselves MORE fewer books purchased each materials to shorten wait $2.5 M year, longer waits for popular times, the addition of desperately searching for BOOKS 7 YEARS titles, and the inability to 11,000 new e-content that next good book. AND keep pace with demand for fles annually, more online subscriptions, increasing Your Next Five ensures MATERIALS digital content. Also, patrons were limited to placing 25 the number of patron personalized attention holds. holds to 50. and research into your reading needs. Don’t settle The Library’s technology Timely replacements for imitation brands or infrastructure, computers and and upgrades for public services. Get your next IMPROVED other equipment have not computers and software, $1.5 M COMPUTER been upgraded on a timely new public printers and reading recommendation schedule because of restricted copiers and an improved 7 YEARS from real people who AND budgets. The website design website and website ONLINE and navigation have not functionality. care about your reading been overhauled since 2003. passion – librarians at The SERVICES Copiers and printers haven’t changed since 2008. Seattle Public Library.

The budget for major Libraries that are clean, maintenance has been cut by welcoming and functional. MAjOR MAINTENANCE: MAINTAINING 50 percent since 2009 and Regular maintenance $2.2 M BUILDINGS is now just $820,000 for all of roofs and exteriors, 7 YEARS FOR THE 27 buildings. It’s important to periodic updates to heating, protect the public’s investment cooling, plumbing and DAILY MAINTENANCE: NEXT in its new and renovated other systems, replacement/ $1.5 M GENERATION buildings, which was made repair of high-wear possible through a 1998 interior elements and deep 7 YEARS capital bond measure. cleaning.

The Seattle Public Library ThE maGaZInE 2012 7

Zoom

SORTING THINGS OUT The Central Library’s hardworking materials sorting system processes about 1,550 books an hour. books enter the system through automated book slots at the central Library circulation desks, book drops on Fourth and Fifth avenues near the central Library’s main entrances, or from branch delivery trucks. Items travel via conveyor system to a sorter. The system consists of about 250 feet of incline, decline, curve and horizontal belt conveyors. The radio Frequency Identifcation system checks in each item using a microchip on each item identifed by an antenna.The rFId system interacts with the Library’s catalog system software to identify whether an item goes to the central Library or one of the branches, or whether the item is on hold for a patron. $5,000,000 cost to purchase books and materials in 2012. 50,000 number of new e-books and e-audiobooks added to the digital collection in 2012. 10 0 Total number of premium reference databases for research, recreation and lifelong learning the Library offers. 8,000 number of streaming videos from the greatest documentary studios in the u.s. and britain, including Pbs, a&E, the bbc and history channel and a wide range of “how-to” and educational videos.

The Seattle Public Library ThE maGaZInE 2012 9 you shouLd Know

NEW TECH FEATURES ENHANCE YOUR LIBRARY 3EXPERIENCE The Library already makes it easy for you to check out and renew books from your phone, get homework help online and even chat with a librarian 24/7. here are some new technology features added in 2012 to enhance your Library experience.

1. JUST CALL. Friends visiting from out of town who want to tour the Central Library? Don’t forget your cellphones. The Library now offers free, self-guided cellphone tours of the world-renowned Central Library. There are 19 tour stops. Just call 206-686-8564.

2. SCAN IT. Ever been browsing books at the airport or book store and wondered if the book on display was available at the Library? BookLook, now available on the Library’s mobile app, lets you scan or type in the barcode from the back of a book jacket to fnd out if it’s in the collection. If so, you can immediately put the item on hold!

3. SMOOTH SURFING. Search, browse, request, check out and download e-books and e-audiobooks directly from our online catalog. Previously, patrons had to visit vendor websites and log in again to view availability and to request or download copies.

10 The Seattle Public Library ThE maGaZInE 2012 SPECIAL advertisEment AUTHOR PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS IN 2012 MORE THAN 400 FREE PROGRAMS EACH MONTH AT THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR UPCOMING LISTINGS, GO TO WWW.SPL.ORG

Daniel Okrent presented the 2012 A. Scott Bullitt Lecture in MONDAY, APRIL 2 American History: “Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition”

John Irving read from “In One Person”to a crowd of more than 600 THURSDAY, MAY 17 at Town Hall

Celebrated sportswriter and NPR commentator Frank Deford THURSDAY, JUNE 14 told stories from his memoir “Over Time: My Life as a Sportswriter”

Terry Tempest Williams read from “When Women Were Birds: 54 Variations on Voice”; the book signing went on until 10 p.m. FRIDAY, JUNE 22

Seattle author Ivan Doig read from his latest novel “The Bartender’s Tale,” which revisits the Montana of his boyhood MONDAY, SEPT. 10

Junot Diaz talked about his new story collection, “This Is How You Lose Her” to a packed house at Town Hall MONDAY, SEPT. 17

Ivan doig, author of “The bartender’s Tale” sToPwaTch

VIEW GETTING AHEAD OF THE GAME

The Library plays a key role in helping all children start school ready to learn. cikeithia Pugh is the Library’s early learning manager. we chatted with her about programs that engage children and families in reading activities.

Q. WHAT’S THE LIBRARY’S MOST POPULAR LITERACY PROGRAM? A. It would have to be our story times – classes that teach the foundations of reading. More than 80,215 children, parents and caregivers attended a story time in 2012. In addition, the Library also PLAYREAD offers these sessions in multiple languages. Nearly 4,700 patrons attended story time programming in Somali, Mandarin Chinese, MATCH TOUGH Vietnamese and Spanish. more than 3,000 fourth- and ffth-graders from seattle Public schools competed in the Library’s 17th Q. WHAT ARE OTHER EARLY annual “battle of the books” Global reading challenge program. The program promotes reading and fun LEARNING PROGRAMS? through a Quiz bowl-style competition. students from different schools form seven-member teams that A. We also offer a take home “book study a set of 10 books. The teams then participate in various school challenges, where they are asked a bag” program called Raising a Reader. The program targets low income families where variety of questions about the books, including the plots, characters and settings.This year, teams from two parents are low level readers, or English schools tied for the seattle championship – the “Lightening round readers” from adams Elementary and is not their native language. Each week, the “George’s magicians Treasures” from alki Elementary. children bring home a red bag with books to enjoy and share. Parents and caregivers are trained in read-aloud strategies. At the end of the program, children receive a blue library bag to keep and continue the practice of borrowing books. In 2012, RECORD BREAKING YEAR Raising a Reader served more than 700 children in 21 toddler and preschool class E A D Y O U R WAY This year’s 93rd summer reading Program turned out to be our most popular R programs and four home-based programs. yet! more than 24,000 children, teens and adults read 193,333 books this Q. ARE THERE DROP-IN PROGRAMS? summer. For the frst time, patrons could sign up through the online catalog, A. Yes! Kaleidoscope Play and Learn where they could also create an avatar, and track and review books. This Groups provide fun, age-appropriate was our third record-breaking year in a row, mainly due to gains in the learning environments for children up to

participation by children. nearly 21,000 children signed up and 10,300 age 5. Early childhood educators guide children, parents and caregivers through fnished the program by reading 10 or more books.The Library also hosted SUMMER READING PROGRAM 2012 educational activities that promote learning. 209 educational activities, which received extra support from the stocker In 2012, 166 sessions were held in Foundation. branches.

12 The Seattle Public Library ThE maGaZInE 2012 seattle reads 2012 THE SUBMISSION – by AMY WALDMAN

A New York Times Book Review Notable Book of the Year

An Entertainment Weekly Best Novel of the Year

An NPR Top Ten Novel of the Year

A Washington Post Notable Book of the Year aLso Esquire Book of the Year aVaILabLE In E-booK

[A] jury chooses a memorial for the victims MORE of a devastating terrorist attack on OPENManhattan, only to learn that the anonymous designer is an American Muslim. His selection reverberates across a divided, traumatized country and, more intimately, through individual lives. This debut novel is written by Amy Waldman, a former reporter for The New York Times and a national correspondent for The Atlantic.

‘A very powerful account of the shifting emotions, which certainly had to be present during the aftermath of the 9/11 era.’ – hendersoni, patron comment, Library catalog

‘I wanted to let you know how much the Seattle Public Schools EXploratory Internship Program students enjoyed the Book-It presentation of “The Submission.” They thought it was GREAT. . . . Following the session, they discussed their concerns about racisim and acceptance and did not understand how a garden, any garden, with growing beautiful things could be seen as negative.’ – Cleo Brooks, Library Equal Access Program Coordinator PowErFuL ParTnErs

THE LIBRARY COLLABORATES WITH A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO OFFER NEW EXPERIENCES AND ENRICH THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL PATRONS. HERE’S A LOOK AT SOME INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS INITIATED IN 2012.

MUSEUMS FUSION ON THE RUN LIBRARIES The Library and 10 seattle museums have with a new city ordinance expanding street-food The seattle Public Library joined more than 70 other partnered to offer free museum admission to vending in seattle, Fusion on the run now offers its library systems in the u.s. and canada to improve Library cardholders. Patrons can reserve a pass hawaiian and asian-inspired food outside the central e-book access and services for public library users. to an individual museum once every 30 days and Library 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. monday through Thursday. The initiative is called readersFirst. by combining may use one pass per week. This program is The food cart is parked on the Fourth avenue side of forces, libraries are working to instigate changes to made possible through support from The seattle the building. ensure patrons have the same open, easy and free Public Library Foundation. Participating museums access to e-books that they have come to rely on with include: physical books. unlike print books, publishers are not KEXP (90.3 FM) required to sell e-books to libraries and many do not. This is a complex and evolving issue. Libraries also • The Burke Museum The Library catalog now offers streaming music of are working to change how e-content is delivered to live performances recorded at seattle-based KEXP • The Center for Wooden Boats library patrons, which is often a cumbersome and Fm, a service of the university of washington. KEXP frustrating experience for patrons. • The Children’s Museum is known as an innovative, infuential cultural force • EMP in the seattle community and beyond. The KEXP CITYCLUB collection of approximately 3,200 live in-studio • Henry Art Gallery performances include an eclectic variety of music, The Library partnered with cityclub to provide reference • The Log House Museum such as indie, hip hop, reggae, roots, country, Latin, assistance for users of the Living Voters Guide. The modern global and more, many by northwest artists. guide provided information on washington state ballot • Nordic Heritage Museum Each recorded performance measures in the november election. Patrons could ask • Northwest African American Museum runs about 20 minutes and librarians to check the facts of a claim on the Living includes four or fve songs. Voters Guide, and librarians responded to each request • Seattle Art Museum about 200 new recordings will within 48 hours. Librarians assigned • Wing Luke Museum be added to the collection at each claim a status of “accurate,” regular intervals each year. “questionable,” or “unverifable” and Patrons do not need a Library posted a response with further card to stream the music. information and the sources used to evaluate the claim.

TROPHY CASE

CERTIFICATE OF BEST PLACE FOR COOLEST WORLD’S TOP WEBSITE OF EXCELLENCE VISITORS LIBRARY IN THE LIBRARIES THE YEAR The Seattle Public DailyCandy listed the WORLD Delta Magazine listed Ingeniux presented Library was awarded a Central Library as one of CNNGo.com featured the the Central Library The Seattle Public 4,029 Certifcate of Excellence the best places to bring Central Library as the as number six in its Library with the 2011 tax returns were fled this year at the Central Library from TripAdvisor out-of-town guests. No. 1 Coolest Library in ranking of the world’s Government Website through a partnership with United Way’s tax preparation because of exceptional the World in its list of top libraries. of the Year Award. service. The Central Library consistently ranks as United traveler ratings over the seven. Way’s busiest site of all locations in King County since past year. the program’s inception. The Seattle Public Library also regularly partners with AARP to provide tax preparation assistance in branches.

14 The Seattle Public Library ThE maGaZInE 2012 sTrEnGTh In numbErs

OUR ASSETS MOVING ON BOOK POWER PATRON VENUES FACILITIES 2012 CIRCULATION 2012 COLLECTION SIZE EVENT SERVICES adult books: central Library: 1 + 26 Managing Central Library meeting facilities and central Library, 26 neighborhood 3,692,714 1,225,066 building tours branches and mobile services. children’s books: branches: STAFF 2,335,446 1,028,379 MEETING 616 media (dVds, cds, audiobooks): Virtual Library: ROOMS (505.1 full-time equivalents) 4,399,582 182,075 250 private groups rented space digital/downloadable media: 36 nonproft groups used free meeting 1,007,560 room spaces 513 public TOTAL 11,435,302 TOTAL 2,435,520 Library events 799 total Library programs CROWD PLEASERS BOTTOM LINE OUR FANS

2012 SERVICE LEVELS 2012 OPERATING BUDGET 2012 PATRON VISITS VISITORS AND PROGRAMS Personnel: WELCOME $41,070,857 central Library (door count): 857 people took 899,568 private guided tours reference questions answered (in person, books and materials: 1,817,484 of the central Library. phone, fax, mail, email, text, Live help chat) Guided tours included $5,005,649 branches (door count): delegations from Thailand, hong Kong, 226,380 maintenance, security and utilities: 4,652,632 denmark, china, people attended 7,023 programs at the and Kazakhstan. $2,237,248 In February, the central Library, neighborhood branches and Virtual visits (internal and external web site): mobile services supplies: Library started a cell 7,120,945 phone tours program. $389,400 1,800 people took cell 70,804 phone tours in 2012. podcast downloads of Library programs other: $3,100,480 TOTAL $51,803,634 TOTAL 13,591,061 BRING YOUR CAMERA HAVEN’T WE MET? Facebook Twitter fans: 18,389 followers: 4,034 20 photo shoots

The Seattle Public Library ThE maGaZInE 2012 15 Mobile Services

Library Locations

Central Library & Douglass-Truth Branch Lake City Branch Queen Anne Branch Mobile Services 2300 E. Yesler Way 12501 28th Ave. N.E. 400 W. Garfeld St. 1000 Fourth Ave. 206-684-4704 206-684-7518 206-386-4227 206-386-4636 Fremont Branch Madrona-Sally Rainier Beach Branch Ballard Branch 731 N. 35th St. Goldmark Branch 9125 Rainier Ave. S. 5614 22nd Ave. N.W. 206-684-4084 1134 33rd Ave. 206-386-1906 206-684-4089 206-684-4705 Green Lake Branch South Park Branch Beacon Hill Branch 7364 E. Green Lake Dr. N. Magnolia Branch 8604 Eighth Ave. S. 2821 Beacon Ave. S. 206-684-7547 2801 34th Ave. W. 206-615-1688 206-684-4711 206-386-4225 Greenwood Branch Southwest Branch Broadview Branch 8016 Greenwood Ave. N. Montlake Branch 9010 35th Ave. S.W. 12755 Greenwood Ave. N. 206-684-4086 2401 24th Ave. E. 206-684-7455 206-684-7519 206-684-4720 High Point Branch University Branch Capitol Hill Branch 3411 S.W. Raymond St. NewHolly Branch 5009 Roosevelt Way N.E. 425 Harvard Ave. E. 206-684-7454 7058 32nd Ave. S. 206-684-4063 206-684-4715 206-386-1905 International Wallingford Branch Columbia Branch District/Chinatown Northeast Branch 1501 N. 45th St. 4721 Rainier Ave. S. Branch 6801 35th Ave. N.E. 206-684-4088 206-386-1908 713 Eighth Ave. S. 206-684-7539 West Seattle Branch 206-386-1300 Delridge Branch Northgate Branch 2306 42nd Ave. S.W. 5423 Delridge Way S.W. 10548 Fifth Ave. N.E. 206-684-7444 206-733-9125 206-386-1980