Public Libraries in Seattle, Washington

Q: What are the hours of the Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill libraries in Seattle?

The Beacon Hill Branch is open Mon–Tue 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Wed–Thu noon–8 p.m., and Fri–Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m. The Capitol Hill Branch is open Mon–Tue 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Wed noon–8 p.m., and Thu–Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Book returns are available 24/7. Always confirm holiday hours on spl.org.

Q: Where are these Seattle Public Library branches located?

The Beacon Hill Branch is at 2821 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144, and the Capitol Hill Branch is at 425 Harvard Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102. Both are neighborhood branches of the citywide Seattle Public Library system.

Q: How do I get a Seattle Public Library card?

A Seattle Public Library card is free to anyone who lives, works, attends school, or owns property in Washington State. You can sign up online at spl.org or in person at any branch with photo ID and proof of address, and use it immediately for digital borrowing.

Washington — United States

Public Libraries in Seattle, Washington

Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill branches of The Seattle Public Library — real hours, addresses, and free digital access for Washington residents.

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Libraries

Libraries in Seattle

Beacon Hill Branch

📍 2821 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144

📞 206-684-4711 · 🕑 Mon–Tue 10–6, Wed–Thu 12–8, Fri–Sun 10–6

Capitol Hill Branch

📍 425 Harvard Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102

📞 206-684-4715 · 🕑 Mon–Tue 10–6, Wed 12–8, Thu–Sun 10–6

The Story of the Library in Seattle

The Seattle Public Library was established as a city department in 1890 and opened to the public in 1891 on the fifth floor of the Occidental Building in Pioneer Square. Today the system spans 27 locations, headlined by the glass-and-steel Central Library that opened in May 2004 — designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas of OMA with LMN Architects, it remains one of Seattle's most celebrated pieces of modern architecture.

Both of the branches serving this listing are modern buildings funded by Seattle's 1998 "Libraries for All" bond, not Carnegie-era libraries. The Capitol Hill Branch at 425 Harvard Ave E opened on May 31, 2003, replacing a 1954 building on the same site and featuring a distinctive living green wall and a two-story south-facing glass reading room. The Beacon Hill Branch at 2821 Beacon Ave S opened on July 10, 2004, built with stone from the same quarry used for the downtown Central Library and crowned by "The Dream Ship," a kinetic sculpture rising through its roof.

About Public Libraries in Seattle

Both the Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill branches are part of The Seattle Public Library (SPL), a citywide system of 27 locations anchored by the landmark Rem Koolhaas–designed Central Library downtown. A free library card is available to anyone who lives, works, attends school, or owns property in the state of Washington, and it unlocks the physical collection at every branch plus SPL's full digital library of eBooks, audiobooks, streaming film, and research databases.

With a free Seattle Public Library card, residents can borrow eBooks and audiobooks through Libby / OverDrive, stream films and documentaries on Kanopy, and access music, movies, comics, and more on hoopla — all online, 24/7, at no cost.

📚 What You Can Access

📚 Books, DVDs and physical collections across 27 SPL locations
📱 eBooks & audiobooks via Libby / OverDrive
🎬 Film & documentary streaming on Kanopy
🎧 Music, movies & comics on hoopla
🖨️ Public computers, printing, copying & scanning
📶 Free Wi-Fi, study rooms & meeting spaces
🧒 Kids, teen & family programs at neighborhood branches

🏛️ Quick Facts

Libraries	2 (Beacon Hill & Capitol Hill branches)
System	The Seattle Public Library (27 locations)
Beacon Hill	2821 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
Capitol Hill	425 Harvard Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102
Phone	206-684-4711 (Beacon Hill) / 206-684-4715 (Capitol Hill)
Library card	Free for Washington residents
Digital	Libby / OverDrive, Kanopy & hoopla

Explore more public libraries in Washington

Tacoma →Spokane →Everett →Renton →

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hours of the Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill libraries in Seattle?

The Beacon Hill Branch is open Mon–Tue 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Wed–Thu noon–8 p.m., and Fri–Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m. The Capitol Hill Branch is open Mon–Tue 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Wed noon–8 p.m., and Thu–Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Book returns are available 24/7. Always confirm holiday hours on spl.org.

Where are these Seattle Public Library branches located?

The Beacon Hill Branch is at 2821 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144, and the Capitol Hill Branch is at 425 Harvard Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102. Both are neighborhood branches of the citywide Seattle Public Library system.

How do I get a Seattle Public Library card?

A Seattle Public Library card is free to anyone who lives, works, attends school, or owns property in Washington State. You can sign up online at spl.org or in person at any branch with photo ID and proof of address, and use it immediately for digital borrowing.

What free eBooks and streaming does Seattle Public Library offer?

With your free card you can borrow eBooks and audiobooks on Libby / OverDrive, stream films on Kanopy, and access music, movies, and comics on hoopla — plus research databases, all available online 24/7.