Seattle’s Central Library And Nine More Neighborhood Branches To Reopen Next Week
release date: June 15, 2021
On Tuesday, June 22, the glass and steel walls of The Seattle Public Library’s Central Library will fill with visitors for the first time in 15 months when three levels of the internationally acclaimed building reopen to patrons. Nine other Library branches will also reopen the week of June 21.
The Columbia, Delridge, Greenwood, High Point, International District/Chinatown, Magnolia, Queen Anne, South Park and University branches all join the Library’s growing list of reopened locations.
Patrons can browse books, pick up available holds, use computers or Wi-Fi, speak to Library staff, charge devices and more at these locations beginning the week of June 21. A complete list of reopening dates and operating hours is provided below. Meeting rooms, study rooms and in-person programs are not yet available at these locations.
At the Central Library, Levels 1, 3 and 5 will be publicly accessible and will include access to the Children’s Area, Adult Fiction and World Languages, as well as computers, Wi-Fi, self-checkout, reference assistance, Library card sign-ups, device charging, courtesy phones, the FriendShop, restroom access and more. Other levels of the Central Library are not yet available to the public, but will reopen in coming weeks.
The Library is making other changes: Reopened locations will no longer close for a one-hour midday cleaning break, as routine cleaning will occur during open hours. This will allow for uninterrupted service throughout the day and more open hours. All open libraries will continue to operate under Gov. Inslee’s currently mandated Phase 3 guidance for Washington state libraries until at least June 30. Physical distancing and mask requirements remain in place until further notice.
With this latest expansion, 17 of 27 Seattle libraries are reopened in advance of the governor’s anticipated statewide reopening on July 1. In addition to providing In-Building Services at these 17 reopened libraries, The Seattle Public Library will continue to provide Curbside Services at the Northeast, Northgate and West Seattle branches; material return service at the Green Lake Branch; and returns service and public restroom access at the Capitol Hill Branch until these libraries are able to reopen. Five libraries – the Fremont, Madrona-Sally Goldmark, Montlake, NewHolly and Wallingford branches – have not been able to provide services during the pandemic due to either staffing constraints or spatial limitations that cannot accommodate physical distancing.
Several more libraries are expected to reopen the week of July 5. The Library will announce those locations the week prior to reopening.
The Library will continue to reopen additional locations as staffing levels allow. The schedule of newly reopened libraries will vary depending on staffing. Open hours for Library locations are expected to increase throughout the summer.
COMPLETE LIST OF REOPENED LOCATIONS AND HOURS
Reopened libraries will operate on the following schedule. Newly reopened libraries are listed in bold. Visit our Hours and Locations page for a complete list of locations and services currently available.
- Ballard Branch
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays
- Beacon Hill Branch
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays
- Broadview Branch
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays
- Central Library (Levels 1, 3 & 5)
- Reopening: Tuesday, June 22
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays
- Columbia Branch
- Reopening: Tuesday, June 22
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays
- Delridge Branch
- Reopening: Wednesday, June 23
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays
- Douglass-Truth Branch
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays
- Greenwood Branch
- Reopening: Wednesday, June 23
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays
- High Point
- Reopening: Wednesday, June 23
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays
- International District/Chinatown Branch
- Reopening: Sunday, June 27
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays
- Lake City Branch
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays
- Magnolia Branch
- Reopening: Wednesday, June 23
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays
- Queen Anne Branch
- Reopening: Tuesday, June 22
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Rainier Beach Branch
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays
- South Park
- Reopening: Thursday, June 24
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays
- Southwest Branch
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays
- University Branch
- Reopening: Thursday, June 24
- Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays
MASKS REMAIN A REQUIREMENT
Masks remain a requirement for all patrons and staff in Library spaces, regardless of vaccination status. This requirement remains mandated for all Washington libraries, as well as all City of Seattle buildings, and will continue until further notice.
As vaccination rates increase and pandemic restrictions ease in our community, the Library urges visitors to remember that we serve people from every age, demographic and background, including young children, medically-vulnerable individuals and others who are not yet vaccinated. The mask requirement helps us protect those who may still be at risk from COVID-19.
Patrons should continue to practice physical distancing while in Library spaces. As always, Library visitors are expected to follow the Library Rules of Conduct to ensure the safety of patrons and staff.
MORE INFORMATION
Learn more about In-Building Services at our reopened libraries at spl.org/InBuilding. Check spl.org/hours for a complete list of hours and services at each branch. The Library’s Road to Reopening page shares the latest updates on our reopening process.
Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information.