Seattle libraries changing hours over low staffing

Seattle Public Library cutting back hours

Intermittent closures and reworked schedules will affect most library branches through Tuesday, June 4. SPL officials say limited staffing capacity has forced them to change the schedules.

SEATTLE - Seattle Public Library (SPL) has been forced to adjust hours and intermittently close branches this spring due to widespread staffing shortages.

Intermittent closures and reworked schedules will affect most library branches through Tuesday, June 4. SPL officials say limited staffing capacity has forced them to change the schedules.

Their hope is that the adjusted hours will prevent unplanned closures and provide more reliable schedules to visitors. Staff will be moved between locations to maintain full library services, and SPL says they are working to onboard more staff.

Patrons say the changes will impact families who use the library, especially those who work during the week and have limited time to access the facilities.

"We come probably at least twice a month here," said Ribhi Faraj, a Broadview Library patron. "It depends on the mood of the child-- you can’t force them, so you go with the flow, with them."

Faraj and his grandkids, Tassneem and Tahani, use the Broadview Library branch as an important outlet for family fun. The intermittent branch closures will cause that location to close Sundays through June 4th, giving them one less option for the weekend.

"A lot of people have time on Sunday to come. It would be really helpful to be open. So, hopefully, they will open back up," he said.

"I use it quite a bit, renting movies and I use the computer and, of course, the books," said Harry Haslam, a Broadview Library patron. "I like to use it on weekends, Sundays especially because it’s an off day, plenty of free time. The fact they might be shutting them down on Sunday’s kind of puts a dent in my little schedule."

Scheduling changes include:

Central LibraryNo planned closures
No planned closures
Ballard BranchNo planned closures
No planned closures
Beacon Hill BranchClosed Sunday, April 14, April 28, May 12 and May 26
Closed Sunday, April 14, April 28, May 12 and May 26
Broadview BranchClosed on Sundays through June 4
Closed on Sundays through June 4
Capitol Hill BranchOpening at noon on Thursdays and closed on Sundays through June 4
Opening at noon on Thursdays and closed on Sundays through June 4
Columbia BranchClosed Saturdays through June 4
Closed Saturdays through June 4
Delridge BranchNo planned closures
No planned closures
Douglass-Truth BranchClosed Saturdays from April 20 through June 4
Closed Saturdays from April 20 through June 4
Fremont BranchClosed Fridays through June 4
Closed Fridays through June 4
Green Lake BranchCurrently closed for seismic retrofit construction
Currently closed for seismic retrofit construction
Greenwood BranchNo planned closures
No planned closures
High Point BranchClosed Sundays through June 4
Closed Sundays through June 4
International District/Chinatown BranchClosed Fridays through June 4
Closed Fridays through June 4
Lake City BranchClosed Sundays through June 4
Closed Sundays through June 4
Madrona Sally-Goldmark BranchClosed Wednesdays and Fridays through June 4
Closed Wednesdays and Fridays through June 4
Magnolia BranchClosed Sundays through June 4
Closed Sundays through June 4
Montlake BranchClosed Tuesdays and Fridays through June 4
Closed Tuesdays and Fridays through June 4
NewHolly BranchClosed Mondays through June 4
Closed Mondays through June 4
Northeast BranchClosed Fridays through June 4
Closed Fridays through June 4
Northgate BranchClosed Saturdays through June 4
Closed Saturdays through June 4
Queen Anne BranchClosed Saturdays from April 20 through June 4
Closed Saturdays from April 20 through June 4
Rainier Beach BranchClosed Sunday, April 21, May 5, May 19 and June 2
Closed Sunday, April 21, May 5, May 19 and June 2
South Park BranchClosed Mondays through June 4
Closed Mondays through June 4
Southwest BranchClosed Saturdays from April 20 through June 4
Closed Saturdays from April 20 through June 4
University BranchNo planned closures
No planned closures
Wallingford BranchClosed Fridays and Saturdays through June 4
Closed Fridays and Saturdays through June 4
West Seattle BranchClosed Fridays through June 4
Closed Fridays through June 4

Even with these schedule changes put to paper, SPL encourages visitors to check the library’s website before coming in. Unplanned closures can still happen due to maintenance, safety or staffing issues.

"It’s heartbreaking for so many of our city’s families. The library is an invaluable resource for our community," wrote city councilmember Tammy Morales. "This is a wake-up call for our city. Without urgent action, things will get so much worse than this. The City of Seattle is facing a more than $240 million budget deficit. There’s no way to cut that much from the budget without decimating essential services like our libraries, work on homelessness, and public safety programs for years to come."

SPL says staffing has been gutted since the COVID-19 pandemic, then by the City of Seattle’s 2024 hiring freeze owed to a forecasted budget gap.