Spring is around the corner, so I’m told. As a newcomer to the Pacific Northwest, I was struck by the fact that last weekend, people could choose between snow skiing and Opening Day of boating season. We all love having choices, and the King County Library System offers plenty of them this month. Programs, classes and events are being held as we celebrate Older Americans Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Asian American Heritage Month and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. KCLS joins these nationwide campaigns to bring our diverse communities together and to increase know ..read more

Greetings King County! My name is Heidi Daniel, King County Library System’s new Executive Director. I’d like to welcome everyone to an exciting month of literacy, learning and celebration at KCLS. April is packed with events and programs to help King County residents grow, connect and honor others. Whether you are interested in poetry, a reading challenge, multicultural Story Times, volunteerism or environmental stewardship, there is something for everyone. This is a month when we celebrate the importance of public libraries, workers and volunteers. KCLS is offering many ways for patrons to p ..read more

Heidi Daniel started as the new executive director for King County Library System (KCLS) on March 11, 2024. Her journey began with children and teen programming in Oklahoma City and Houston before transitioning to library administration. Her first Executive Director job was overseeing the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. Before joining KCLS, she was the CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore for over six years. She has a strong commitment to breaking down barriers of access, and made the Pratt one of the first public library systems on the East Coast to eliminate fin ..read more

Heidi Daniel comenzó como nueva directora ejecutiva del Sistema de Bibliotecas del Condado de King (King County Library System, KCLS) el 11 de marzo de 2024. Su trayectoria comenzó con la programación para niños y adolescentes en Oklahoma City y Houston antes de pasar a la administración de bibliotecas. Su primer trabajo como directora ejecutiva fue supervisar la Biblioteca Pública de Youngstown y el condado de Mahoning. Antes de incorporarse al KCLS, fue directora general de la Biblioteca Gratuita Enoch Pratt de Baltimore durante más de seis años. Tiene un firme compromiso con la eliminación ..read more

The King County Library System is ready for a busy month in March. Our new Executive Director, Heidi Daniel, arrives at KCLS March 11, and we are eager to start a new chapter under her highly capable leadership. Heidi led the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Maryland for over six years and was selected after a nationwide search. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, and we are so pleased she agreed to move across the country to take the KCLS reins. Heidi comes at a time when KCLS is launching its 1 Million Reads challenge, celebrating Women’s History Month, hosting a popular c ..read more

Hello and welcome to a New Year with the King County Library System! We have many exciting programs and services planned for 2024, starting with some great book suggestions and events this month honoring diversity and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. But first, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Angie Miraflor, and I have been KCLS’ Interim Executive Director, following Lisa Rosenblum’s retirement last month. Prior to this appointment, I served as KCLS Deputy Director for Public Services. My career has taken me to library systems from Brooklyn and the West Bronx to San Jose and St. Louis. &nb ..read more

This will be my last blog prior to retiring after a long library career, including the past five years as KCLS Executive Director. There is so much to say, to reflect on, and to be grateful for. First, I would like to thank our patrons for their heartwarming support of our 49 public libraries, our programs, collections and services. Many of you have written me over the years, or thanked staff, on what libraries mean to you and how they have made a difference in your lives. Positive impacts are what KCLS staff works so hard to achieve. Another way we know patrons value their libraries is throug ..read more

It’s November already, and the King County Library System plans to honor and reflect on a number of important dates and monthly celebrations. In this busy month, KCLS will celebrate Veterans and caregivers, mark a momentous anniversary, hold a public hearing on our 2024 budget–and much more. While I prefer to devote this blog to a single theme, there is so much going on, it seemed appropriate to let patrons know about their many options. First, a fun fact: KCLS was established as the King County Rural Library District after voter approval in 1942. That makes us 81 years old. However, some of o ..read more

The King County Library System is excited to launch a campaign this month called Celebrate the Freedom to Read. While the campaign ties in with a nationwide Banned Books Week, October 1-7, KCLS is focusing not on particular books or challenges but on the public library’s critical role of building communities and offering deep and broad access to ideas and information. Our message is a positive one, focused on choice: All patrons have the right to read, view and/or listen to items of their own choosing, within the law, and to get engaged and connected with their local library. This access and f ..read more

A Service to Bring Young Children and Books Together Books to Grow On are theme kits filled with wonderful books to read aloud, music, videos, and other materials on a variety of curriculum topics. These theme kits are perfect for early childhood professionals, teachers, and busy parents to use with their toddlers and preschoolers. Browse the list of available themes in the catalog.  You can also find them listed at the end of this post. If a theme kit is not available when you need it, ask a library staff person to print out the theme kit curriculum sheet and booklist for you. Check to ..read more