Unique Collections
We collect and maintain many distinctive collections, from special collections that are reserved for onsite only research use to circulating collections that focus in on particular subject areas of interest.
Seattle Room Collections
The Seattle Room, located on Level 10 of the Central Library, houses thousands of items from Seattle’s culture and local history.
Seattle Room Digital Collections
Browse items online from the Seattle Room through our Seattle Room Digital Collections. Explore the history of the city through postcards, photographs, periodicals, maps, menus and more.
African American Collection
The Douglass-Truth Branch houses one of the largest collections of African American literature and history on the West Coast. The collection features more than 10,000 items, including biographies, magazines, literature, music and films.
Autograph Collection
View approximately 4,800 autographed letters, photographs, and standard autograph forms, spanning the years 1750-1970.
Aviation Collection
Explore resources on aeronautics and astronautics from around the world, covering everything from the earliest human flight attempts to modern rocketry and space exploration.
Genealogy Collection
Our Genealogy Collection is one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest. The collection supports Seattle researchers in tracing their roots from anywhere in the country and beyond.
LGBTQ+ Collection
Explore our collection of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer fiction and nonfiction books on diverse topics for young adult and adult interests.
Map Collection
Our extensive collection of maps, located on Level 9 of the Central Library, includes National Parks, local recreation, road maps, as well as over 4,000 sheet maps for checkout and reference.
Maritime & Fishing Industry Collection
Explore our collection of maritime and fishing industry nonfiction books, with a focus on the Pacific Northwest.
Zine Collection
The Zine Archive & Publishing Project (ZAPP) Zine Collection features over 30,000 zines, minicomics and other self-published and small press titles which were donated to the Library by Richard Hugo House.