Today is Holi or the "Festival of Colors," a Hindu tradition that marks the beginning of spring. People celebrate Holi with dancing, food, and throwing colored powders called "gulal." Check out our kids' booklist to learn more: bit.ly/HoliReads.
Remember when reading got you free pizza? We're bringing it back! Sign up online at kcls.org/kcls-rewind or in person at your library. A huge thank you to the King County Library System Foundation for making our '90s dreams come true and to Pagliacci Pizza for their generosity!
Women's History Month booklist graphic. The graphic features 9 books from the booklist including: For the Sun After Long Nights by Fatemeh Jamalpour, The Bodyguard Unit by Clรฉment Xavier, Milloo's Mind by Reem Faruqi, A Bookshop of One's Own by Jane Cholmeley, Toni at Random by Dana A. Williams, At Last She Stood by Erin Entrada Kelly, The ABCs of Women's History by Rio Cortez, Be the Light by Daria Peoples, and Seeds of Discovery by Lori Alexander.
Happy Women's History Month! This month we reflect on the resilience, achievements, and contributions of the women who have shaped our world. Find stories of women who support both people and the planet in our booklist: bit.ly/WomensHistoryReads.
The Bellevue Library will be closed March 7โ8, with limited computer availability on March 6 after 3pm, for the KCLS Foundation's Literary Lions Gala: https://www.kclsfoundation.org/llg2026.
Today is Japanese Internment Day of Remembrance. We honor the Japanese Americans forcibly incarcerated during World War II. Visit Bellevue Library to see the art installation "Emerging Radiance: Honoring the Nikkei Farmers of Bellevue" and check out our booklist: bit.ly/DayOfRemembranceReads.
![Graphic showcasing 9 book covers from the KCLS Ramadan booklist. The book covers are [in left to right, top to bottom order]; Desified by Zaynah Din, Ali The Great and the Eid Party Surprise by Saadia Faruqi, Once Upon an Eid by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed, Almost Sunset by Wahab Algarmi, Ramadan on Rahma Road by Razeena Omar Gutta, Rooza by Nadiya Hussain, The Month of Ramadan by Inda Ahmad Zahri, Salaam, With Love by Sara Sharaf Beg, and Sadiq and the Ramadan Gift by Siman Nuurali.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:3pht5ou5l5bcdrprwhc75nau/bafkreibb5sp2tqwmm7s5iejp6essiqtw62mkcuyf3dm3cbuocy4k65ogxa@jpeg)
Graphic showcasing 9 book covers from the KCLS Ramadan booklist. The book covers are [in left to right, top to bottom order]; Desified by Zaynah Din, Ali The Great and the Eid Party Surprise by Saadia Faruqi, Once Upon an Eid by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed, Almost Sunset by Wahab Algarmi, Ramadan on Rahma Road by Razeena Omar Gutta, Rooza by Nadiya Hussain, The Month of Ramadan by Inda Ahmad Zahri, Salaam, With Love by Sara Sharaf Beg, and Sadiq and the Ramadan Gift by Siman Nuurali.
Ramadan starts today at sundown and will last through March 19. Muslims observe this holy month as a time of spiritual growth and self-discipline. Discover the traditions, heritage, and history of Ramadan with our booklist: bit.ly/RamadanBooklist.
Lunar New Year Events at KCLS, organized by date. A horse illustration (for the Year of the Horse) and two paper lanterns in KCLS colors decorate the graphic. On 2/14 there are 3 events; Celebrate Lunar New Year with Mak Fai Lion Dance 2:00โ2:30pm Bothell Library Lunar New Year Celebration! 2:00โ4:00pm Renton Highlands Library Lunar New Year Chinese Story Time ๆญกๆ ถๆฅ็ฏ ไธญๆๆ ไบๆ้ 3:00PMโ3:45pm Bothell Library On 2/18 there is one event; Mandarin Story Time ไธญๆๅฎถๅบญๆ ไบไผ 1:00PMโ2:00pm Shoreline Library On 2/19 there is one event; The Story of the Zodiac Animals (Story Time) 12:00PMโ1:00pm Issaquah Library On 2/20 there is one event; Lunar New Year Vietnamese Story Time 11:00โ12:00pm Renton Highlands Library
More events listed on this second slide as follows. On 2/21 there are 4 events; Lunar New Year Chinese Story Time ๆญกๆ ถๆฅ็ฏ ไธญๆๆ ไบๆ้ 11:00โ12:00pm Online event (Registration Required) Lunar New Year Story Time with Illustrator Michelle Jing Chan 11:30โ12:30pm Newport Way Library Tang Yuan (Sweet Rice Ball Desserts) Workshop 11:30โ1:00pm Bellevue Library (Registration Required) Saturday Crafterday: Lunar New Year 11:30โ12:30pm Valley View Library On 2/23 there is one event; Mandarin Story Time ไธญๆๅฎถๅบญๆ ไบไผ 11:30โ12:00pm Sammamish Library On 2/24 there is one event; Celebrating Lunar New Year: Lucky Knot Workshop 5:30โ7:30pm Bellevue Library (Registration Required) On 3/1 there is one event; Newcastle's Lunar New Year Celebration 2026 1:00โ4:00pm Risdon Middle School
Celebrate the Year of the Horse at one of our many Lunar New Year events! Listen to a story, learn a new craft (or recipe!) or watch a performance. Find all the events on our website at bit.ly/KCLSLunarNewYear.
Bright yellow background with eight book covers from the KCLS Black History Month Booklist. The book covers are as follows (top to bottom, left to right); Black in Blues by Imani Perry, Black Hair Can by Sylvia Rodriguez, Driven by the Movement by JoNina Abron-Ervin, The History of We by Nikkolas Smith, The Afterlife of Malcolm X by Mark Whitaker, This Is Not a Small Voice Poems by Black Poets, Afrofuturism by a History of Black Futures, and How Sweet the Sound by Kwame Alexander.
Happy Black History Month! This year marks the 100th anniversary of celebrating Black history in the United States.
Read about Black and African American history and stories of resistance from our booklist here: bit.ly/KCLSBHMReads.
Join our facilities team as a Project Manager! KCLS is looking for highly organized, detail-oriented applicants to help guide facilities projects.
Learn more about the position and apply before Thursday, 1/22: bit.ly/facilitiespm.
Celebrate the unveiling of the refreshed Sammamish Library children's area this Thursday, January 8 at 10:30am! Join us for a ribbon-cutting and special Story Time with the artist behind the refresh (and one of our library cards), Bethany Fackrell.
Find more info at bit.ly/sammamishchildrensarea.
2026 Ins and Outs Ins: - Reading instead of doomscrolling - Using your library card for more than just books - Personalized book recommendations as gifts - Cancelling your streaming services (and using Kanopy and Hoopla for FREE instead) - Becoming a regular at your local library Outs: - Feeling bad about not finishing a book - life is too short to read books you're not vibing with! - Expecting to ever fully get through your TBR - Shaming book genres or mediums (we audiobooks and Romantasy here!) - Spoilers - Gatekeeping your favorite reads
Anything we forgot to add? Let us know in the replies. ๐ #2026InsAndOuts #InsAndOuts
It should be working! Reach out via chat, email or call if you're still experiencing issues: kcls.org/ask/
Today is the start of Kwanzaa! The African American and Pan-African holiday focuses on seven principles: Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith.
Find books about Kwanzaa traditions here: bit.ly/kwanzaareads.
Merry Christmas to all who are celebrating this week! Whether you're spending time with family and friends or finding joy in your own way, we hope you experience the love and generosity of the holiday.
Find stories about holiday traditions from around the world: bit.ly/kclschristmasbooklist.
The KCLS Board of Trustees approved our 2026 Budget, which goes into effect January 1, 2026. Check out our finalized strategic priorities, revenue overview and more at kcls.org/budget/.
We just hit 11 million digital loans in 2025! This huge milestone is thanks to all of you who enjoy KCLS's digital resources. Looking forward to millions more in 2026. ๐ฅณ ๐
A cycle diagram with a stack of books in the middle. The cycle shows "Returning a book to the library" then "Checking out a new book from the library" then "Returning home to my stack of other library books" and finally "Finishing a book from the library," where the cycle starts again.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs; a triangle signifying "Basic needs" "Psychological needs" and "Self Fulfillment needs," all the categories are covered with the words "Going to the library."
"the only card that never declines," followed by 4 of the KCLS library card designs and text that reads "(a kcls library card)."
The best holiday gift is a KCLS library card! Get one today and find out more at the link in our bio.
Tonight marks the start of Hannukkah (or Chanukah)! The eight-day Jewish celebration known the "Festival of Lights" is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, food, games and gifts. Explore our holiday booklist here: bit.ly/KCLSHanukkahReads.
Update: The Thursday 12/11 event at Snoqualmie Library, "Weaving Cedar Reindeer with the Snoqualmie Tribe" has been cancelled due to area flooding and will be rescheduled.
Tonightโs talk with Bethany Fackrell, โSalmon and the Snoqualmie: a Tribal Memberโs Perspectiveโ at Fall City Library has been cancelled due to flooding in the area. KCLS plans to reschedule the event.
Apply to be our Collection Management Services Project Specialist! Build and improve processes with your strong administrative and planning skills and serve as a resource for community library staff.
Find a full list of qualifications at bit.ly/CMSProjectSpecialist. Applications close on 12/11/25.
Photo of Snoqualmie Indian Tribe display at the Snoqualmie Library. The display features a table with Cedar bark artifacts, Lushootseed language flashcards, and selected Children's books.
Weave a Cedar bark reindeer with the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe next Thursday, 12/11, at the Snoqualmie Library! Find out more: bit.ly/cedarweaving.
Can't make it? Visit the North Bend, Fall City, or Snoqualmie Libraries before 12/11 to see artifacts, learn about the Lushootseed language, and more!
Discover a new favorite book! Check out these reviews from KCLS staff in the Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/king-county-library-system-staff-share-their-favorite-books-of-2025/
Our Best Books lists are live! Find great recommendations from King County Library System's knowledgeable staff at kcls.org/best-books/.
Make comics with a pro at White Center Library next week!
Learn about Michelle Jing Chan's journey to become a full-time author-illustrator and her viral comics. Then join in for a comic-making activity.
Registration is required for this event and space is limited. Sign up at bit.ly/michellejingchan
Artist Bethany Fackrell holding the library card she designed for KCLS. The card features fish swimming with traditional Salish patterns.
Join us at the Sammamish Library this Sunday for a special guest story time! Celebrate Native American and Snoqualmie (sdukสทalbixสท) traditions and culture through stories and songs with library card artist Bethany Fackrell.
Learn more about the event at bit.ly/nahmstorytime.
We've extended the deadline for our patron engagement survey. Let us know what's important to you by November 24 for a chance to win a $50 gift card!
Take the survey: thepollingplace.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Did you know that you can record your own music at the library? Stop by our Federal Way Makerspace this Saturday for a Sound Booth Open House and stick around for pro tips in our "Music Business Fundamentals for Teens" event.
Find the information for both events at our website: bit.ly/fwsoundbooth.
Today marks the start of Trans Awareness Week. We take this time to celebrate and uplift our trans community and advocate for a world in which trans people are no longer targeted.
Read stories about transgender identity and the fight for trans rights: bit.ly/transawarenessbooklist.
