Renovated Green Lake Branch Reopens With Celebration That Draws Neighbors, Families, City Leaders
release date: October 29, 2024
After a lengthy closure for a seismic retrofit and other renovations, The Seattle Public Library’s Green Lake Branch reopened on Monday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration.
The event drew community members, as well as city and library leaders to tour the remodeled spaces and begin enjoying the branch’s services and facilities again.
“We were delighted to see so many patrons return to their home branch right away,” said Chief Librarian Tom Fay. “It was a joyful day, and we were happy to celebrate that the historic Green Lake Branch is more prepared than ever to serve as a vital community resource for generations to come. Thank you to Seattle residents for making this project possible through your support of the 2019 Library Levy.”
People with wheelchairs, walkers and strollers used accessibility improvements, such as the elevator and ramp. Caregivers and kids – including a local day care -- enjoyed the new furniture and books in the kids' area and the new teen area. Patrons used the new study rooms and worked on laptops in the light-filled reading room.
Many praised how the renovations, including the seismic retrofit and interior improvements, had modernized the library while maintaining its historic character.
“HEART OF THE COMMUNITY”: COMMENTS FROM CITY LEADERS
Before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Library held a short press event featuring Library and City leaders who discussed the renovations to the Green Lake Branch, the community importance of public libraries and how investing in public infrastructure helps Seattle thrive.
Speakers included Tom Fay, Chief Librarian; W. Tali Hairston, Library Board President; Deputy Mayor Greg Wong; City Councilmembers Dan Strauss and Tanya Woo; Jessyn Farrell, Director of the Office of Sustainability and the Environment; and Jennifer Chao, director of the Department of Neighborhoods.
You can watch the entire event on this Seattle Channel recording, but a few highlights of the comments included:
- Library Board President W. Tali Hairston reminded the audience that “there are very few places that are free and open to all, where we can connect and engage with each other – where we can strengthen our social bonds.”
- Seattle Deputy Mayor Greg Wong noted that libraries are “the heart of the community” and that, while libraries are free for the users, “they’re actually a reflection of investments … They are where we're putting our dollars, and it's because we see their importance for everybody to come to build their skills, to build their knowledge, to expand their creativity and their imagination.”
- Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss joked that “I'm experiencing something I have never experienced before in the Green Lake Branch library and that is an air-controlled room.” Prior to the renovation, the branch was heated by a gas-fired boiler and due to lack of air conditioning would often close on hot days.” Councilmember Strauss went on to highlight the importance of climate control in providing a space where people can learn, “the very foundation of what a library is here to do.”
- Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment director Jessyn Farrell highlighted the role of libraries in combatting the effects of climate change and investing in community resilience. “Every year, this facility is going to be taking 20 to 30 metric tons of carbon out of our atmosphere,” she said. “It’s another step in achieving our climate goals.”
BACKGROUND ON GREEN LAKE BRANCH RENOVATIONS
The Green Lake Branch first opened in 1910. It is one of the Library’s Carnegie buildings and a protected historic landmark. With expert guidance from the City’s Landmarks Preservation Board, the historic features, original architectural components and important cultural legacy of the branch were preserved throughout this project. Some original structural elements of the branch, uncovered during construction, have been retained and highlighted in public areas.
The renovations included a seismic retrofit to keep patrons safe during an earthquake; an electric HVAC system to reduce carbon emissions and provide air conditioning in the branch for the first time; a new elevator and exterior ramp to increase accessibility; new and improved restrooms, meeting rooms and other interior changes to provide more usable space for patrons.
This project was funded by the 2019 Library Levy, which will help fund two projects of similar scope at the University and Columbia branches.
MORE INFORMATION
You can see photos of the renovated branch and an account of the reopening on the Library’s Shelf Talk blog.
The Library believes that the power of knowledge improves people's lives. We promote literacy and a love of reading as we bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community.
Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at www.spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information.