Friends of The Seattle Public Library

A great city deserves a great library.

Friends of The SPL: Home     About Us     Contact Us     Get Involved     FAQ     FriendShop     Grants     Advocacy     Book Sale     Calendar      
Frequently Asked Questions
 

A: The Friends of the Seattle Public Library is a non-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to promoting our Library as an essential institution of our society. Our volunteer members advocate, educate, and raise funds on behalf of the Library, its patrons, and the larger Seattle community. 

BOOK SALE
 
Q: What kind of items are you looking for? Not looking for?

A: Support the Library by donating:

  • Art prints and posters (framed or unframed)
  •  Audio cassettes
  • Hardback and paperback books
  • CDs
  • Computer software
  • Sheet music
  • Videocassettes and DVDs

 

 Items that may not be donated:
 
Q: Where do book donations go?
 
Q: How do I make a book donation?
A: Donations can be delivered to the Friends Book Sale sorting room at Warren G. Magnuson Park in northeast Seattle. If you have three or fewer boxes of books, the donation may be made at a branch library. If you have a large donation you cannot deliver to Magnuson Park, please call or email the Book Sale office for a pick-up at 206-523-4053 or e-mail book.sale@spl.org.

Please deliver any book donations for the upcoming sale no later than 14 days prior to the Book Sale. If this is not convenient, please phone the Book Sale office at 206-523-4053. Donations are gladly accepted at Magnuson Park after 1:00 p.m. on Monday after the Book Sale ends, then we are closed for donations for approximately two weeks following the sale. After that hiatus, book sorters work year-round to prepare for our twice-yearly sales and will welcome your donations (check Book Sale phone recording for specific dates). Donations of up to three boxes may be delivered to branches during any of their open hours.
 
 
  FRIEND SHOP
 
Q: What is the FriendShop?
A: The Friends of The Seattle Public Library operates an innovative 300 square foot retail shop in Seattle’s new Central Library. The shop is the public face of the Friends and represents our longstanding commitment to serve The Seattle Public Library. Shop revenue supports programs, services, events, and special initiatives of The Seattle Public Library.
 
Designed by internationally acclaimed Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, the Seattle Central Library is a major draw for tourists and locals. The FriendShop is a legacy of those who started the original shop years ago, and those who supported, nurtured, and volunteered there. We cordially invite all former FriendShop volunteers, as well as all other Friends supporters and library lovers, to visit the FriendShop.

 

Q: What Does the FriendShop Sell?
A: The FriendShop offers a delightful collection of gifts including original work by Northwest artists. You’ll find jewelry, cards and books as well as distinctive merchandise with images from the striking architecture of the Central Library.
Q: What are the shop hours?
A: Shop Hours, Location & Phone

Hours
Monday through Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 - 5 p.m.

Location
Seattle Public Library, (on Level 3, Fifth Avenue side)
1000 Fourth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104

Shop Telephone: 206-733-9015
Office Telephone: 206-615-1332
 
Q: Shop Architecture
A: Check out our Flickr account to see the innovative architectural design of the FriendShop, which is based on library compact shelving. The shop opens and closes using a track mounted in the floor, creating a one-of-a-kind space to display many exciting kinds of merchandise.
Q: How can I volunteer in the FriendShop?
A: A professional retail management team directs the FriendShop, but it is the volunteers who make the Shop special. Volunteers welcome and assist visitors and library users, sell and stock an exciting array of gift items, and provide information about the Friends.
 
Volunteers must be comfortable working with the public, supportive of the Library and the Friends and willing to assist others. Responsibilities during each shift include selling, cashiering, stocking and merchandising. Most volunteer shift commitments are 3-4 hours once a week.

Please contact us at friendshop@spl.org with any questions about volunteering your time for the FriendShop.
 
Q: Do you sell your email lists?
A:  No. Please review our Privacy Policy

The Friends of The Seattle Public Library do not share their membership records with any other organization. On rare occasions, we have sent to our membership information regarding an event we believe will be of interest, but in those cases, we retain control of membership data and do not transmit that information to any other individual or organization.