May 2024 Author Events: Amy Tan, Zoe Schlanger, Seattle Reads and More

May is springing at the Library with events featuring authors Amy Tan and Zoe Schlanger, the launch of Satsuki Ina’s moving memoir about Japanese American incarceration and resistance, a BIPOC Book Fair, Seattle Reads events, as well as writing and reading groups.

All Library events are free and open to the public. Find information and registration through the event links below or at spl.org/Calendar.

AUTHOR AND COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Poet and the Silk Girl: A Memoir of Love, Imprisonment, and Protest. From 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., Saturday, May 11. Central Library, Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium. Satsuki Ina, who was born in the Tule Lake Concentration Camp, will present her moving new memoir, “The Poet and the Silk Girl: A Memoir of Love, Imprisonment and Protest” in conversation with Tom Ikeda, founding executive director of Densho. In “The Poet and the Silk Girl,” Ina recovers the story of how her parents survived and resisted their incarceration in U.S. concentration camps, drawing from diary entries, heart-wrenching haiku, censored letters, government documents, and clandestine messages. Registration is required.

Zoe Schlanger discusses “The Light Eaters.” From 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Tuesday, May 14. The Wyncote NW Forum 1119 8th Ave., Seattle. Atlantic writer Zoe Schlanger will discuss her groundbreaking new book “The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth,” which reveals the astonishing capabilities of the plant world. Registration is required.

Central Library photographer Lara Swimmer presents “Reading Room.” From 7 p.m. to 8:10 p.m., Wednesday, May 15. Central Library, Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium. Architectural photographer Lara Swimmer, who published a book on the Central Library’s construction in 2005, will share her acclaimed new book “Reading Room: New and Reimagined Libraries of the American West.” Registration is required.

BIPOC Book Fair at the Douglass-Truth Branch. From noon to 3 p.m., Sunday, May 19. Douglass-Truth Branch, 2300 E. Yesler Way. As part of guest curator Nisi Shawl’s spring series, the Library’s Douglass-Truth Branch will host a BIPOC book fair featuring a wide selection of books for children of all ages; youth attendees will receive a free book of their choice, while supplies last. All books for purchase are by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) authors and feature BIPOC characters. Local BIPOC authors will appear to meet youth and sign books. Presented with the Carl Brandon Society and Mam’s Books. Registration not required.

Seattle Reads: “The Uterine Files.” From May 25 to June 2. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute. Written by Jourdan Amani Keith and directed by Sadiqa Iman, this Afrofuturist trilogy follows three Black women through living, learning, and a remembering the war against their wombs. Tickets required; there are paid and a limited number of free community tickets available.

Amy Tan Discusses “The Backyard Bird Chronicles.” From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 29. Central Library Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium. Renowned author Amy Tan shares stories and images from her new book, “The Backyard Bird Chronicles,” a witty account of birding, nature, and the beauty around us that hides in plain sight. Registration is required.

WRITING EVENTS AND BOOK CLUBS

Seattle Reads Book Group of “Parable of the Sower.” From 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 7. Northgate Branch. Join a discussions of the Seattle Reads selection “Parable of the Sower,” moderated by librarians Eric Grob and Misha Stone. Registration not required.

Virtual Write With Hugo House. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 8. Join us for an online writing circle for all ages and genres of writing. Facilitated by poet Jeanine Walker, this circle will focus on generative writing through poetry prompts, but it’s designed for all writers. Registration is required.

It’s About Time Writers Reading Series. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 9. Ballard Branch meeting room. Featuring readings by Mary Ellen Talleyand Bethany Reid, new and experienced writers of all genres have been reading together since 1990 in this series. Registration not required.

Low Vision Book Group. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, May 14. Central Library, Level 1, Room 165. Join our Low Vision Book Group for a discussion of the Seattle Reads selection Octavia Butler’s “Parable of the Sower.” Registration not required.

Write with Hugo House: Seattle Writes. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 14. Fremont Branch. A drop-in writing circle for adults of all experience levels. All genres of writing welcome. Registration not required.

Write with Hugo House: Seattle Writes @ Douglass-Truth Branch. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 16. Douglass-Truth Branch meeting room. Facilitated by Miz Portiontè Floes, this group provides a dedicated space to write and connect with fellow writers.

Club Latino. From 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, May 19. El Club Latino. Central Library, Level 8, Meeting Room. Únase al Club de Lectura de la Biblioteca Central. El libro de este mes es “Los genios” de Jaime Bayly. No se requiere inscripción. Join the Spanish book club at the Central Library; the book for this month is “Los Genios,” by James Bayly. Registration not required.

Seattle Reads Book Group of “Parable of the Sower.” From 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 22. Broadview Branch. Join a discussion of the Seattle Reads selection “Parable of the Sower,” moderated by librarian Jane Singer.

Most of these events are supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation.

For many more programs and events, check out The Seattle Public Library’s calendar at www.spl.org/calendar.

– Elisa M., Communications

20 Reasons to Check Out the Central Library at 20 Years

Central Library exterior construction from 4th Ave. and Madison St., May 23, 2003. Photograph by Lara Swimmer

When The Seattle Public Library’s Central Library opened its doors on May 23, 2004, more than 25,000 people lined up in the course of the day to experience Seattle’s striking new public space for knowledge and learning. Designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, it was called “the most exciting new building it has been my honor to review” by the New York Times’ late architectural critic Herbert Muschamp.

Twenty years later, Seattle’s iconic glass-and-steel library is still visited by more than 1,500 people a day to read and play in the Children’s Center; take photos on the Red Floor; explore its many collections; practice in a music room; take in an art exhibit; enjoy heartstopping views; visit the Seattle Room; attend an author event; get help from staff; and enjoy many other free services and programs.

Once called the world’s most “Instagrammable” library, the Central Library has earned its reputation as a beloved Seattle landmark not just for its design, but as a literary and artistic home for Seattle, and a neighborhood library branch for those who live and work downtown.

This May, the Library invites all of Seattle to celebrate the Central Library’s past, present and future with programs including an author program, free public tours and a special display. We also invite you to stop by any day of the week – the Central Library is open seven days a week — to discover something new about your 11-floor, 363,000-foot downtown library.

Celebrating Seattle Reads and ‘Parable of the Sower’ With Performances, Panels and a Party

The Library’s annual Seattle Reads program usually culminates with several days of events featuring the selected author and book.

This year, our citywide book club is celebrating the 2024 selection, Octavia Butler’s “Parable of the Sower,” with more than two months of performances, panels and discussions that will be held in collaboration with community organizations from late April through June.

“Because Octavia Butler was a writer with both deep local roots and global influence, we had a unique opportunity to explore her work with community partners across the city,” said Stesha Brandon, Literature & Humanities program manager for The Seattle Public Library. “We invite everyone to discuss, learn, discover and celebrate ‘Parable of the Sower’ – there is something for everyone, including a birthday party for Octavia on June 22.”

The author, who passed away in 2006 in Lake Forest Park, would have been 77 this year. The selection of ‘Parable of the Sower,’ which begins in the year 2024, is the first time that Seattle Reads has chosen a work of science fiction and the first time that the Library has chosen an author after their passing. It is also only the second time an author with Seattle-area ties has been selected.

Seattle Reads 2024 is presented in partnership with the African-American Writers’ Alliance, ARTE NOIR, Clarion West, Elliott Bay Book Company, Langston Seattle, loving room: diaspora books + salon, Sistah Scifi, Third Place Books and Wa Na Wari. Below are program highlights, which take place in a variety of locations around Seattle.

The Seattle Public Library to implement scheduled branch closures through June 4

The Seattle Public Library is scheduling intermittent branch closures at several locations through Tuesday, June 4 due to limited staffing capacity. The temporary schedule listed below is being implemented to reduce unplanned closures and provide more reliable schedules to patrons.

Several factors have impacted the Library’s staffing capacity, including changes to the Library’s minimum staffing levels, increasing leave usage, and the Library’s current freeze on hiring. Our impacted staffing capacity has led to unplanned closures, as the Library must redirect staff from one location to another if a branch doesn’t have the right number, or right mix, of staff to open and operate a building safely and with full library services. The Library is working to bring on additional staffing support. More information about these impacts to the Library’s current staffing levels can be found below.

While most locations will experience scheduled closures, the Library has identified some locations that will not see schedule changes to ensure ongoing library access in all areas of the city.

Patrons are encouraged to check the Library’s website before visiting one of our branches, as unplanned closures can still occur due to maintenance, safety or other staffing issues.

Below is a complete list of scheduled closures through Tuesday, June 4. Additional information about the Library’s schedule beyond June 4 will be shared this May.

“In Their Own Words”: Youth Voices on Books Unbanned, Censorship and the Freedom to Read

Two years ago, Brooklyn Public Library launched Books Unbanned, an initiative to fight unprecedented levels of censorship by offering a free digital-access library card for young people across the U.S.

The Seattle Public Library joined the effort one year ago. During that time, the two libraries have have received thousands of compelling stories from teens and young adults about why they were signing up for the card.

Today, the two libraries released a new report, “In Their Own Words: Youth Voices on Books Unbanned,” which shares what we’ve learned from these stories about the devastating impact of censorship and how restrictions and other barriers to access build upon and reinforce each other. It’s a unique chance to hear directly from the youth who are most affected and how programs like Books Unbanned are providing joy, representation and escape for a new generation of readers.

“In Their Own Words” analyzes 855 stories shared by young people, ages 13 to 26, who signed up for a free Books Unbanned e-card from either BPL or SPL from April 2022 through December 2023. University of Washington Information School graduate students categorized and tagged the stories to identify common themes.

A key theme uncovered in the analysis was how formal acts of censorship, bans, challenges and restrictions to reading material can create a climate of fear and intimidation for young people. Cardholders also mentioned the impact of more “hidden” forms of censorship — self-censorship, soft or “quiet” censorship (pre-emptively restricting access as a means to avoid controversy), or the threat of future censorship — in affecting their freedom to read.

Young people told stories of librarians commenting on their checkouts, of books being locked up and unavailable, and of small, limited collections not containing the kinds of books they would most like to read.

Some cardholders reported the lack of access to representative materials, especially for LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual) and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) cardholders, and how it exacerbated feelings of isolation and the sense that their identities are under attack. For these young people, digital access to books is essential to the ability to read freely.

While books are often challenged because of misplaced concerns around harm to young people, the youth featured in this report told a very different story – that the real harm is caused by censorship and limiting access to books that mirror their experiences and expand their understanding of the world.