Established in 1853, the Washington State Library is the oldest cultural institution in Washington, at the service of Washingtonians for almost 160 years. The shelves of the library were populated with books purchased on the east coast and shipped around the horn of South America to Olympia. On July 1, 2002, the State Library became part of the Office of the Secretary of State. We proudly serve all residents in Washington State.

Through the library’s historical collections, both in print and digital, the collection of state newspapers, state and federal government publications, and our Ask-a-Librarian service, the Washington State Library provides a rich variety of material, information and resources for the residents of Washington State and beyond. The State Library serves marginalized people through our prison and state hospital libraries. Our Washington Talking Book & Braille Library provides a free public library service which includes easy access to the informational and recreational reading materials needed by individuals in the State of Washington who are unable to read standard print material.. Our administration of federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds allows us to help library staff all over Washington provide new and innovative programs for the benefit of all of the state’s  residents. Download our One Page Flyer.

Visit us at our Tumwater Central Library or, in Seattle, at our Washington Talking Book & Braille Library. Discover who we are and what we have to offer you. Let’s connect!  Find out more about Washington State Library programs and resources at http://www.sos.wa.gov/library/default.aspx.