Hours of Operation & Directions | WA Secretary of State

Hours of Operation

Reading Room and Public Lobby:
Closed to the public until further notice. See Available Library Services Starting July 1, 2025

Ask a Librarian:
Reference services are available by email at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 360-704-5221. Please allow up to one week for a response. If you have specific research needs, feel free to contact us—we will do our best to assist you.

Directions to the State Library

The Washington State Library is located in the Point Plaza East, 6880 Capitol Blvd, near the Olympia Airport in Tumwater, WA.

Coming South to the Library:
Take I-5 South, take Exit 101 (Tumwater Blvd.), go left and stay straight on Tumwater Blvd. to Capitol Blvd (2nd light). Turn left onto Capitol Blvd. The State Library is at the intersection of Capitol Blvd. and Israel Road. Visitor parking is available on the right side of the building.

Coming North to Library:
Take I-5 North, take Exit 101 (Tumwater Blvd.), turn right on Tumwater Blvd. then proceed to Capitol Blvd (2nd light). Turn left onto Capitol Blvd. The State Library is at the intersection of Capitol Blvd. and Israel Road. Visitor parking is available on the right side of the building.

Hours of Operation for the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library

Starting July 1, 2025, the library building will be open by appointment only and phones will go to voicemail due to loss of funding.

Directions to the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library Building

The entrance to the Library is on the corner of 9th and Lenora -- 2021 9th Avenue, Seattle, Washington.

BUS: Most bus lines are within five blocks. Local services include routes 5, 8, 26, 28, 174, and 355. The Library is two blocks northwest of the Seattle Greyhound bus station.

DRIVING: From north or south I-5, exit at Mercer. Turn left at the light onto Fairview. Stay in the right lane. Just beyond the Seattle Times building, cross Denny and Boren. Bear straight ahead onto Virginia. Go one block, turn right onto Terry, then left onto Lenora, then left onto 9th.

PARKING: Parking spots for vehicles with State Disabled Parking Permits are available at the curb immediately in front of the building on 9th Avenue or at the south end of the building up a short ramp off 9th Avenue into the parking garage. Stairs or an elevator provide access back down to the first floor entrance from the garage. Metered parking and pay lots are also available in the area. After 10 a.m., check the commuter parking spaces on 9th between Westlake and Virginia and on Lenora between Terry and 9th -- they are free.