Book worms unite! Today we are talking about everything Seattle Central Public Library. Here in Seattle we are incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful library system, and we are even luckier that our central branch in downtown is a truly incredible and inspiring location! I mean, seriously, who doesn't want to go visit this building??
Seattle Central Library
This year represents the 125th year the public library has been open in Seattle, so we would like to pay homage to a place we love to go to for books, events, or inspiration!
Seattle's Central Branch as we know it today opened in 2004 and is located on 4th Ave and Madison St. It is a building you have probably stopped to examine if you live in Seattle and if you are visiting we recommend a trip! It is free (yay!) and extremely enjoyable to walk around. The architecture and design are so unique it leaves you feeling a little stunned at certain points throughout the building. Our favorite spots are the Reading Room on the 10th floor (this floor also has the highest viewpoint which you should go see only if you are not scared of heights) and the Red Hall for its incredible strangeness. We also love to keep up with their events; they get big name authors to come do readings and also host great events for kids!
We love the neon yellow escalator.
The red hall...you'll know when you've found it.
Just to get you even more excited about the library here are 10 fun facts about the Seattle Central Library Building:
- The library is 11 stories and holds over 1 MILLION BOOKS!
- Non-fiction books are located on the "Dewey Ramp," a four-story ramp that lets you wind your way through the complete collection.
- The library used over 4,000 tons of steel in construction, which could build 20 Statues of Liberty (Statue of Libertys?)!
- The architects built this library to be inviting, not "stuffy" like many libraries feel to the public. We like to think this is where the open spaces, many entrances, and bright colors came from.
- The Seattle Central Library was voted as one of America's Favorite Structures by the American Institute of Architects.
- It cost over $169 million to build and Bill Gates, being his usual generous self, donated a humble $20 million to the project.
- The design is meant to accommodate all kinds of information in this new digital age, not just books. You can find over 400 free computers on Level 5.
- There is enough glass in the library to cover the I-90 bridge 25 times and for people who don't live here, that would be 5 1/2 football fields! Whoaahhhhhh.
- There is a gift shop located on the third floor that any book lover should avoid if they are trying to save money.* It is full of adorable things that will tell the world you love books (which is obviously important).
- There are seven permanent public art installations throughout the library. You can read more about each one here.
*This one is more of an opinion with a fact inside, but just go with it.
The incredible steel walls.
You'll find many places to sit quietly and work or read.
Where the Wild Things Are located in the kids room.
