The Seattle Public Library's Northeast and Southwest branches to temporarily close in November for HVAC installation
release date: October 2, 2023
The Seattle Public Library’s Northeast and Southwest branches will temporarily close in November for the installation of new electric HVAC systems that will provide air conditioning and more efficient heating to the branches, preventing unscheduled branch closures during heat waves and reducing the Library’s carbon footprint.
The closures are required for the safety of patrons and staff while the HVAC systems are installed on the roofs of the branches and because of the lack of temperature and air-filtration controls during the project.
HVAC installation at the Northeast and Southwest branches was made possible through funding provided by the Seattle City Council in 2021.
NORTHEAST BRANCH TO CLOSE NOV. 1 THROUGH DEC. 10
The Northeast Branch will close from Wednesday, Nov.1 through Sunday, Dec.10. The branch will reopen on Monday, Dec. 11. The extended closure is necessary due to the extent of the interior construction work, which involves major improvements to the branch’s mechanical and electrical systems. The Northeast Branch book return and pickup lockers will also be closed during this time.
While the Northeast Branch is closed, the nearby Northgate Branch will expand its hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to provide patrons with additional morning and evening access to Library services.
From Wednesday, Nov. 1, through Wednesday, Dec. 6, the Northgate Branch schedule will be as follows (expanded hours in bold):
- Monday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (currently noon to 8 p.m.)
- Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (currently 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
- Thursday: noon to 8 p.m.
- Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Northeast Branch meeting room will close on Monday, Oct. 2 in advance of the branch closure and will reopen when the branch reopens. The meeting room will be used as a staging area while preliminary construction work is underway. Patrons with meeting room reservations have been contacted so they may reschedule, move or cancel their reservations.
The Northeast Branch and its pickup lockers will be temporarily removed as a holds pickup location from the Library’s website on Sunday, Oct. 22. Any holds being delivered to the Northeast Branch at that time will be automatically rerouted to the Northgate Branch.
Patrons may have their existing holds transferred from the Northeast Branch to an alternate location by contacting staff at the branch in person or by phone at 206-684-7539.
Patrons who have the Northeast Branch or its pickup lockers selected as their preferred pickup location may select an alternate location online at any time or by visiting any Library information desk.
SOUTHWEST BRANCH TO CLOSE NOV. 6 THROUGH NOV. 19
The Southwest Branch will close from Monday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 19. The branch will reopen on Monday, Nov. 20. The branch book return will also be closed during this time. The branch meeting room will remain open until the branch closes on Nov. 6.
Because the closure of the Southwest Branch lasts less than a month, patron holds scheduled for delivery to the Southwest Branch will be held until the branch reopens rather than being rerouted to another location. Patron holds remaining at the Southwest Branch at the time of closure will be extended, and will not expire until Monday, Nov. 27. The Southwest Branch will also remain available for patrons to select as a preferred holds location.
Patrons are encouraged to contact staff at the Southwest Branch to make plans for accessing their holds during the branch closure. Staff are available to help in person or by phone at 206-684-7455.
When the Southwest Branch reopens, patrons may experience a short delay in the delivery of their holds to the branch while staff work through the backlog.
ELECTRIFICATION AND HVAC INSTALLATION AT LIBRARY BRANCHES
With the installation of electric HVAC systems at the Northeast and Southwest branches, and at the Green Lake Branch as part of a larger seismic retrofit project currently underway, we expect 22 of The Seattle Public Library’s 27 locations to have air conditioning available during the summer of 2024.
The NewHolly Branch, which operates out of space owned by the Seattle Housing Authority, is having a new HVAC system installed this week, Oct. 2 through Oct. 6, 2023.
The Columbia, Fremont, Queen Anne, University and West Seattle branches do not yet have air conditioning installed. The University and Columbia branches will have air conditioning installed over the next 2 to 4 years during planned seismic retrofits.
The Library has applied for a federal grant through FEMA that, if awarded, would be used to fund the installation of air conditioning at branches currently without it.
The Library is also upgrading existing air conditioning systems at multiple locations to make them more reliable and reduce their carbon footprint. Last year, we replaced the air conditioning system at the Broadview Branch, which was powered by fossil fuels, with an electrical HVAC system. The Capitol Hill Branch was similarly upgraded in September 2023.
MORE INFORMATION
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. Find more events at www.spl.org/Calendar.
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.