The renovated Green Lake Branch reopens on Monday, Oct. 28 with a celebration
release date: October 23, 2024
The Seattle Public Library’s historically landmarked Green Lake Branch will reopen on Monday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m., after the completion of a 20-month renovation project funded by the 2019 Library Levy.
Those renovations include 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.
“We are incredibly excited to reopen the historic Green Lake Branch and welcome our community back inside,” said Tom Fay, Chief Librarian of The Seattle Public Library. “Thank you to Seattle residents for making this project possible through your support of the 2019 Library Levy; we know you will be happy with the results.”
REOPENING CELEBRATION ON OCTOBER 28
Everyone is invited to celebrate the reopening of the Green Lake Branch from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, Oct. 28, which will begin with an official ribbon-cutting on the steps of the branch. Join us for refreshments and coffee, special programming, live music, a pop-up book sale, and guided branch tours with the project architect. Registration is not required. For more information about this event, please visit our Event Calendar.
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 Green Lake Branch closed in February 2023 for the renovations and was originally scheduled to reopen in April 2024. However, delays in the manufacturing and delivery of critical equipment, along with challenges in bringing a century-old branch into compliance with modern fire safety codes, prevented reopening the branch until now.
This project was funded by the 2019 Library Levy, which will help fund two projects of similar scope at the University and Columbia branches. Both projects include a seismic retrofit and installation of an electric HVAC system to provide air conditioning and improved ventilation.
RENOVATIONS PLANNED FOR UNIVERSITY AND COLUMBIA BRANCHES
Like the Green Lake Branch, when work is complete at the University and Columbia branches, they will be able to function as cooling centers during summer heat waves, as well as clean air centers during periods of poor air due to wildfire smoke. Such improvements help increase neighborhood resilience to the harmful impacts of climate change.
As announced in August 2024, a FEMA hazard mitigation grant award of $5.5. million is funding the HVAC installations at the University and Columbia branches, as well as the Fremont, Queen Anne and West Seattle branches. When work is complete at these five Carnegie buildings over the next three years, all Library locations will have air conditioning.
The University Branch will close for renovations in early 2025 and is projected to reopen in late 2026. The timeline for renovations to the Columbia Branch is still being determined.
FULL SERVICE AT THE GREEN LAKE BRANCH BEGINS OCTOBER 28
Patrons of the Green Lake Branch can enjoy everything the Library has to offer when it reopens on Monday, Oct. 28.
Beginning on reopening day, patrons will once be able to select the Green Lake Branch as their preferred holds location, check out and return materials, use the book return and reserve its meeting rooms.
The Green Lake Branch weekly schedule will be as follows:
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Green Lake Branch Schedule Mon 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tue Noon to 8 p.m. Wed Noon to 8 p.m. Thu 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fri Closed Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
As always, current schedules for all Library locations can be found online on our Hours and Locations Page.