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Where can you learn a language, watch a movie, listen to an audiobook, get online tutoring help at 8 p.m., learn to use a 3D printer, entertain your kids and borrow a pass to go hiking in a state park?
Hint: At this magical place, all of these services are available absolutely free.
You know the answer, right? Your local library! And you probably also know that the activities listed here are only a portion of the services available to families at Puget Sound–area library systems. These services go far, far beyond just checking out books.
Want to make sure your family is taking full advantage? Here’s a nearly complete A-to-Z list of some of the coolest family-oriented library services around.
Audiobooks
Cancel that Audible account and start using your library to check out e-audiobooks — every road-tripping family’s best friend. The Libby app — a delivery vehicle for OverDrive’s e-books and e-audiobooks — makes accessing e-audiobooks super simple.
Fewer (sometimes no) fees
Thanks to the 2019 Library Levy, The Seattle Public Library hasn’t charged late fines since January of 2020. But remember, you still have to return those books! If you lose or damage a book, you may be charged for a replacement and your account could be temporarily suspended (just return the item and you’re back in good standing, though). Snohomish County’s Sno-Isle Libraries hasn’t fined patrons in more than 30 years.
Dogs
If you have a reluctant or anxious reader, one of the local “read to a dog” programs, often hosted at libraries, might be your kid’s best helper. Kids settle in next to a trained dog, open a book and begin reading to their gentle, nonverbal companion. Check your library’s calendar for upcoming events offered by programs such as Reading With Rover and Project Canine’s children’s literacy program.
Multimedia entertainment
We all know library systems offer a ton of online media for families (and grown-ups), but take some time to really dig in. Warning, you may not emerge for a few days. Through services such as Hoopla, BookFlix and Kanopy (more on Kanopy below), families can access literally hundreds of movies, TV shows, documentaries, newsreels, e-books and much more. On Hoopla, for example, you can filter offerings by children and families categories, and download full graphic novels.
Fresh book picks
Public libraries offer so many ways to discover new-to-you books. At The Seattle Public Library, a rotating selection of staff-curated book lists will point you to your next read, or you can fill out a “Your Next 5 Books” form and they’ll send you a personalized list back. KCLS has a similar program called BookMatch, as well as many other tools for helping you identify your next read. If you’re an e-book fan, be sure to check out the Always Available titles for e-books that you can check out instantly. (Physical libraries are, of course, also a great source for booklists and librarian recommendations.)
Homework help
Outsource that homework struggle. At SPL, volunteer tutors help kids at Homework Help sessions offered a nine branches, with snacks. SPL also offers virtual tutoring in three language through Tutor.com. KCLS offers in-person Study Zone and access to tutor.com as well. Pierce County Library System offers a similar service in English and Spanish, from 1–10 p.m. every day.
Meeting rooms
A friend of mine regularly reserves a meeting room at Seattle’s Northgate Library (one of many available at libraries around the city) for a group of parents to meet and plan summer camps together, while the kids play outside. Brilliant! KCLS and other libraries also offer event rooms for use free of charge. Other local library systems, such as Pierce County, have similar policies for meeting rooms.
Jobs for teens
Does your teen need something to do? Local libraries have volunteer opportunities that will earn kids work experience, community service hours and actual skills. Pierce County Library System has a Teen Volunteer League program (2025 program information will be coming soon). KCLS allows teens age 15 and older to volunteer.
Adventure access
Take the library outdoors! As part of the program, Seattle Public Library patrons can borrow a Discover Pass. You can also check out outdoor recreation guides and maps through the Library.
Kanopy Kids
Head to the “online” section of your library system’s website to find one of our favorite family entertainment choices — Kanopy, whose tagline is “thoughtful entertainment.” At Kanopy Kids, find a dream list of (mostly) terrific documentaries, indie movies and shows, as well as Scholastic video books. Don’t forget to check out the offerings for you, too.
Language education
Got an international trip coming up? Your library website can connect your family to Mango language classes in multiple languages; and you can track your progress, too. An app called Pronunciator also offers instruction for 99 languages, and is also offered in Spanish. Tacoma Public Library also offers Rosetta Stone “dynamic immersion” classes through its website.
Museum passes
At KCLS, you can check out tickets to many attractions by reserving two weeks ahead; new passes are available at 2 p.m. every day. Pierce County Libraries offer passes to six South Sound attractions (including Washington State History Museum and Museum of Glass), but you have to reserve them in person at a branch location. Tacoma Public Library offers a similar program.
The New York Times
If you’re dying to read a New York Times article but have hit your limit for the month, The Seattle Public Library offers full-text access to The New York Times, including its app, and including NYT Cooking, Games and Wirecutter. SPL also offers full-text access to The Seattle Times and The Washington Post. KCLS also offers The New York Times, and you can also access useful magazines such as Consumer Reports.
Magazines
Every library location has a great selection of physical magazines and newspapers, sometimes in multiple locations. However, you can also access online magazines through Flipster and PressReader. SPL’s subscription to PressReader offers access to more than 7,000 international publications, for example.
Read-along stories
Want entertainment that also teaches early literacy skills? TumbleBooks, which most local library systems subscribe to, has a large library of animated, talking-picture books in which kids can easily follow the words in the story; online chapter books for older readers, where kids can read along with audio or read silently, and can also adjust the font, color and line spacing; and videos on nature, history and biography. BookFlix is a similar service, with read-along Scholastic books and much more.
STEAM learning
Have a budding coder, comic artist, 3D crafter or superhero fanatic? Libraries have been upping their STEAM game so much in recent years that it’s hard to keep pace. A sampling of upcoming events at KCLS’ Makerspaces offer access to tools like 3D printers, recording studios, glow forges, sewing machines, 3D glasses and more. Pierce County Library System lets kids check out a Science to Go backpack with five themed books the whole family will love.
Uncatalogued books
Books that you can take without checking out and that have no due date are a library fan’s dream — these are called uncatalogued books, or honor-system books, in Seattle Public Library parlance. Head to the children’s section of your SPL branch to find a great selection of board books and kids’ chapter books that fall into this dreamy category. While you’re there, check out the toys available for a quick play session, from Legos to Magna-Tiles.
World story time
Whether you have a child whose native language is not English, or you’d like to expose your child to new languages, local story times have got you covered. The Seattle Public Library has regular story times in multiple languages.
Hot spots
When you’re out and about and need to connect your laptop or tablet online, you can use your Seattle Public Library card to “check out” a mobile hot spot, and continue to use it for 21 days (reserve ahead if you can, though, as hot spots are popular).
More free things to do for Puget Sound families: |
Editor’s note: This article was first published in 2019 and was updated by the author in December 2024 with current information and additional resources.
