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October 13, 2016

Library Lover? This One Is For You!

12 Comments/ 782/ 0

Any one who knows me knows that I love books and libraries.  I have been a huge fan of libraries since my younger days when a very kind librarian took me under her wing. Mrs. Chandler made a immature, awkward, shy young girl feel important.  She always had time for me.  Maybe that was the whole thing.  She always made me feel like I was really important. I wrote a post about her here if you want to wander over to read it.  I’ll be right here when you come back.

I fall in love easily with libraries.  You might remember my raving about the North Carolina State University Library a couple years ago.  You can read that post here.

It should be no surprise that on a recent trip to Seattle I convinced Chris to explore the Central Library  that is located at 1000 Fourth Avenue.   The structure is imposing from the outside but in a beautiful way.  When we visited it was buzzing with activity and I suspect that is the case most days.  It is definitely a library that is used.img_2246

A few facts about the library:

  • It opened in May 2004.
  • Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and former Seattleite Joshua Ramus were principal designers on the project, working closely with the Library’s board, staff and the public during its development phase.
  • The project of $165.5 million was fined through a 1998 Libraries for All bond measure.
  • It is 363,000 square feet with 11 levels.
  • It has the capacity for more than 1.4 million books and materials.
  • It has over 400  public computers and wireless internet access.img_2251
  • img_2262

I also found out that it has a very unique book delivery system that basically is a fabric conveyor belt that gently wraps around the books to protect them as they travel around they library.  Most of this is hidden from public view which is why I did not see it in action.  Technology at its best, don’t you think?img_2260

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Chris and I wandered around and loved the Spiral which includes levels 6 through 9.  The Spiral houses the majority of the nonfiction that the library has in a continuous run with floor mats that show the Dewey Decimal numbers that correlate with the nearby stacks. img_2258

img_2252

But the most fun thing was the elevator which I shared in an earlier post entitled Stairway to Heaven.  Don’t you love it?  img_2247

img_2248

If you are a library lover like me do you have a favorite library to share?  I would love to hear all about it in the comment section.  Every comment this month goes to support CROP Walk — our Comments for a Cause.

To learn more about the Central Library in Seattle check out their website here.

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books great libraries library places to visit in Seattle Seattle Central Library Seattle WA
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12 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Darlene Foster
    October 13, 2016 at 06:12 am

    Wow!! What a great library. There are so many cool libraries these days. I also spent some happy times in the local library as a child and then with my children. Guess what! I am doing a presentation of my latest book at the Medicine Hat Library next month! I am so excited about this event. Who would have thought all those years ago I would be reading from one of my books? I just had to share that with you. xo

    Reply
  2. Dawn
    October 13, 2016 at 07:39 am

    Well, as you know, I love libraries too. In fact it was sitting in one, after my parents’ deaths that I realized I wanted to work in a library. So I went to school and got my masters and for one year I did get to work in a library. And then the economy crashed and that was over. Still. I have friends who graduated with me who went to work in the Seattle Library. It was still very new then. And I see it’s still beautiful today. Makes me want to get back into a library as an employee. Even though I’m retired now.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      October 14, 2016 at 07:54 am

      It is an amazing library, Dawn.. I think it is very neat you know people who worked in this very library. It is such a small world sometimes.

      Reply
  3. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    October 13, 2016 at 09:51 am

    That’s one interesting and amazing library.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      October 14, 2016 at 07:52 am

      It really is a spectacular place and so many people were in there taking advantage of it when we were there. I am sure it is used all of the time.

      Reply
  4. Ann
    October 13, 2016 at 10:32 am

    wow, I think I could live there!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      October 14, 2016 at 07:51 am

      I will bring the blankets and we can set up camp!

      Reply
  5. Kathy Weiland
    October 13, 2016 at 12:19 pm

    Wow! I love all libraries too! My library here in Jersey Shore is housed in a former church – still has the stained glass windows and is just a lovely, small place to sit and read, use the computers or find a new cozy mystery to read!
    Our small library has the advantage of being affiliated with a larger library system and so I can order a book online and pick it up right here in Jersey Shore!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      October 14, 2016 at 07:49 am

      I love that your library is in a former church! That is amazing and a great way to use a space that would otherwise not be used. Being part of a bigger system definitely has its advantages as well.

      Reply
  6. Dianna
    October 13, 2016 at 08:26 pm

    Wow – that is some library!
    Oh, this is so sad, but I can’t remember the last time I was in a library… 🙁 My sister was a research “technician” at a library for many, many years, and loved it.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      October 14, 2016 at 07:49 am

      It is an amazing library. I think any library is amazing ,though, so I am not too particular. I am surprised you are not a library goer! It seems like something you would do! 🙂

      Reply
  7. josh
    October 14, 2016 at 10:28 am

    What a coo
    l library! You tricked me. I thought for sure an escalator that big would be in an airport. Jokes on me. Happy reading!

    Reply

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