World Languages Collection
We offer materials in languages other than English at many of our branches, ranging from Amharic to Vietnamese. The Central Library holds the most complete collection of World Language materials and also contains the most complete Literacy and English as a Second Language Collections.
We also offer an extensive collection of digital books in 11 languages via our Overdrive collection along with a collection of language learning materials to learn English and other languages.
Literacy Collection
- The Literacy Collection features materials for Adult Basic Skills, in non-fiction and fiction print, DVDs and CDs, for adults to improve their reading, writing and math skills.
- Materials are selected for learners to use on their own, as well as resources that a tutor might use with an adult learner.
- The collection includes materials on General Educational Development (GED) preparation, parenting, reading and writing skills enhancement, and basic life skills.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Collection
- The ESL collection features materials serving all skills and language levels - Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced. ESL materials are available at most branch libraries.
- Materials are available in book, e-book, DVD, CD and e-audiobook formats.
- We also have bilingual ESL materials.
World Languages Collection
Visit our branches or the digital e-books and audiobooks collection listed below to browse and find materials in your language.
አማርኛ (Amharic)
- Central Library
- Broadview Branch
- Douglass-Truth Branch
- High Point Branch
- Lake City Branch
- NewHolly Branch (Children’s only)
- Rainier Beach Branch
اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ (Arabic)
中文 (Chinese)
- Central Library
- Beacon Hill Branch
- International District / Chinatown Branch
- Lake City Branch
- Rainier Beach Branch
- Greenwood Branch (Children's only)
- NewHolly Branch
- Northgate Branch (Children’s only)
- Overdrive Collection
دری (Dari)
- Central Library (Children’s only)
- Beacon Hill Branch (Children’s only)
Français (French)
Deutsch (German)
ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian)
- Central Library (Children’s only)
- Magnolia Branch (Children’s only)
Italiano (Italian)
日本語 (Japanese)
한국어 (Korean)
Oromiffa (Oromo)
- Central Library
- Broadview Branch
- Douglass-Truth Branch
- High Point Branch
- Lake City Branch
- NewHolly Branch (Children’s only)
- Rainier Beach Branch
پښتو (Pashto)
- Central Library (Children’s only)
- Beacon Hill Branch (Children’s only)
Pусский (Russian)
Af Soomaali (Somali)
- Central Library
- Broadview Branch
- Douglass-Truth Branch
- High Point Branch
- Lake City Branch
- NewHolly Branch (Children’s only)
- Rainier Beach Branch
Español (Spanish)
- Central Library
- Ballard Branch
- Beacon Hill Branch
- Broadview Branch
- Capitol Hill Branch
- Columbia Branch
- Delridge Branch
- Douglass-Truth Branch
- Fremont Branch
- Green Lake Branch
- Greenwood Branch
- High Point Branch
- International District / Chinatown Branch
- Lake City Branch
- Madrona-Sally Goldmark Branch
- Magnolia Branch
- Montlake Branch,
- NewHolly Branch
- Northeast Branch
- Northgate Branch
- Queen Anne Branch
- Rainier Beach Branch
- South Park Branch
- Southwest Branch
- University Branch
- Wallingford Branch
- West Seattle Branch
- Overdrive Collection
ትግርኛ (Tigrinya)
- Central Library
- Broadview Branch
- Douglass-Truth Branch
- High Point Branch
- Lake City Branch (Children's only)
- NewHolly Branch (Children’s only)
- Rainier Beach Branch
Українська мова (Ukrainian)
Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
World Languages Collection in our Catalog
We offer materials in a variety of formats, including physical and digital books, magazines, newspapers, music CDs, DVDs and databases in World Languages.
Search our Catalog to find materials in your language. You can also place a hold to have them delivered to your neighborhood branch.