Group Visits for Youth
School classes and youth-serving community groups are always welcome at the Library.
Visits for Youth
You are welcome to bring your class or youth-serving organization to visit the Central Library any time during our open hours. The Children’s Center is staffed during all open library hours and the Teen Center is staffed from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. each day. You are always encouraged to ask our staff for assistance with orienting to the building and finding relevant materials for your group.
If your group is larger than 35 people, please contact us through Ask Us so that we know to expect you!
Self Guided Tours for Youth
To see all that the Central Library has to offer, we suggest dividing into small groups of 5 or 6 to follow our self-guided tour for kids, families and school groups or our self-guided tour for teens. We recommend allowing about one hour to see the building, including dedicated time spent in the Children Center and/or the Teen Center. If you would like to visit a different branch, please contact the branch directly.
Library Cards for Youth
If you would like your students to receive library cards on the day of your visit, we require that you send us all children’s application forms at least two weeks before you arrive and include the following information: coordinator name and contact information, group/school name, and planned visit date. You are welcome to scan and email all applications to us at chi@spl.org or you can mail all applications to:
Attn: Borrower Services
1000 Fourth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104-1109
This allows our staff time to prepare your group's cards and have them ready for you. We’ll have the cards available in the Children’s Center for you to pick up and distribute to your students on the day of your visit (this applies for teen groups, as well). Applications submitted without the requested two-week advance notice may result in cards being unavailable on the day of your visit.
If you have any questions or need additional assistance planning your visit to the Central Library, please reach out via Ask Us or call 206-386-4636. We look forward to seeing you!