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| Seattle Public Library Wikipedia Photo by Ɱ |
The SPL is one public library in a different league than any other in this series. Not only is its main branch also a FamilySearch Affiliate library, but it has America’s Genealogy, the Seattle Times going back to 1895, and Sanborn Fire Maps that I have not found anywhere else. Most libraries only have Sanborn maps of the State the library is in. The Library of Congress has many maps from locations around the US, but none after about 1920. Seattle has newer and more Sanborn maps. Some of this material is not available even on the big “pay” genealogy sites. And we haven't even mentioned that SPL also has a large genealogy collection if you visit them in person. Seattle has done a lot of stuff wrong, but the library is done right. There are some advantages to living in the region's largest city.
SPL has reciprocity with the TRL system so you can get a card by bringing ID and your TRL card to any SPL banch.
Purchase a SPL Card
If you do not qualify for a free card, there are two types of paid SPL cards:
- Visitor cards cost $25 for people living in Seattle for a short time. They are valid for three months, and cardholders can check out up to five items at a time.
- Non-resident cards cost $85 for Washington residents who live outside the Seattle area. They are valid for one year, and cardholders can check out up to 50 items at a time.
In truth, filling out the online form is the ONLY way to get an SPL card. Even if you go to a branch, they send you over to the nearest computer to fill out the form. Then you get the card after you show the required ID. That being the case, the best approach is simply go to a SPL and then fill it out as the librarian instructs.
Interlibrary Loan at SPL
SPL charges a flat $5 fee for interlibrary loans. Otherwise, it’s more or less the same as ILL in other systems. Since OSPL charges $3 and is closer to home, ILL is probably only worth trying if the OSPL can’t get the item for some reason or the TRL is going to charge a lot due to a large passthrough.
Post Series Roadmap
These posts need not be viewed in any particular order, and Hoquiam residents will be less interested in the “Libraries to Consider” while Ocean Shores residents will be less interested in the “Seattle’s Special” topic.
- North Beach Genealogy Goes to the Library – Introduction to this post series
- Regional Library Access – includes a table of what is offered at many libraries in our region
- Nearby Libraries – Ocean Shores Public Library, Timberland Regional Library, and Grays Harbor College Library
- Washington State Library – Where our State keeps its stuff
- Other Public Libraries for OS – Pierce County Library, Kitsap Regional Library, and North Olympic Library may offer cards to OS residents, or not
- Seattle's Special – This post
- Beyond the Library – All the genealogy you could ever want without a trip out-of-state
