Remodeled Lake City Branch Library Celebrates Reopening Saturday, Jan. 12
release date: January 3, 2019
The public is invited to celebrate the reopening of The Seattle Public Library’s Lake City Branch, 12501 28th Ave. N.E., 206-684-7518, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019.
The event will feature opening remarks with Seattle’s Chief Librarian Marcellus Turner, Seattle City Councilmember Debora Juarez and The Seattle Public Library Foundation CEO Jonna Ward. A special story time, scavenger hunt and other activities are planned for children throughout the afternoon. There will be light refreshments.
The 53-year-old branch closed May 7, 2018 to make improvements that support the changing ways patrons are using libraries. The branch reopened Jan. 2, 2019.
This renovation allowed us to more effectively serve a growing, diverse community and support a wide variety of patron uses, services and local partnerships,” said Turner. “Our priority is to make sure our libraries meet the needs of the community.”
The renovation added about 1,600 square feet of public space to the branch by opening up the entrance and corridor and created flexible spaces for children, teens and adults. Public computers were moved to be closer to the service desk, and the addition of movable walls makes meeting spaces in the branch more flexible. Patrons also will see more comfortable seating and more outlets to charge their devices.
The Lake City Branch has increasingly seen a strong demand for collaborative space and basic computer instruction. It also operates the busiest Homework Help program for students in the entire Library system.
The $3.2 million budget for the remodel included funds from the 2012 voter-approved Library levy, the real estate excise tax, a Library gift fund, and a targeted fundraising campaign by The Seattle Public Library Foundation.
The Library gives everyone the opportunity to learn and excel and pledged to protect the public’s investment in its buildings as part of the levy. Originally built in 1965, the Lake City Branch was expanded as part of the 1998 voter-approved "Libraries for All" bond measure that renewed and revitalized libraries across the city. The Lake City Branch improvements are part of the Library’s commitment to keeping its buildings well-maintained, clean and comfortable for patrons.