29 December 2004

Greenwood Branch opens Jan. 29

Seattle Public Library's new Greenwood Branch, 8016 Greenwood Ave. N., will open its doors with a festive community celebration beginning at noon on Saturday, Jan. 29.

The 15,000-square-foot building is the 13th project completed under the 1998 "Libraries for All" voter-approved building program.

The architect was Buffalo Design. W.G. Clark Construction Co. was the contractor. Fernanda D'Agostino and Valerie Otani created artwork for the new library.

Program schedule

The dedication ceremony for the new branch will begin at noon with City Librarian Deborah L. Jacobs, Mayor Greg Nickels, Library Board Trustee Gilbert W. Anderson, City Council President Jan Drago, representatives from the Friends of The Seattle Public Library, the Library book fairy "Lulu" and the Cajun band "Les Femmes d'Enfer."

The rest of the opening day program schedule is as follows:

12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. - "Les Femmes d'Enfer" perform in the main area of the library;
12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Arts and crafts in the children's area;
12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Refreshments served;
1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Taproot Theatre Improv performs in the meeting room;
1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. - "Journey of the Strings" string quartet performs in the main area of the library;
2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. - "School's Out - Teachers Rhythm Ensemble," performs in the meeting room.

The branch will remain open until 6 p.m.

The Greenwood Branch opening celebration is made possible by premier sponsor Starbucks Coffee, signature sponsor Safeco Insurance and The Seattle Public Library Foundation.

About the building

The $7.1 million building replaces the former 7,094-square-foot branch constructed in 1954 at the same location. The new building is twice the size of the former branch, features nearly four times as many computers, has a collection capacity for more than 66,700 books and materials, includes a meeting room, has upgraded computer work stations, large homework program areas for children and teens and more parking.

Libraries for All

In 1998, Seattle voters approved a $196.4 million bond measure to fund improvements to all 22 existing branches, build new branches in underserved areas and construct a new Central Library. There are currently 10 projects in the active design or construction phase. For more information about the building program or opening, visit www.spl.org, or call 206-386-4636.

(For more information, call Caroline Young Ullmann, assistant communications director, 206-615-1627.)

Return to the Libraries for All capital projects page

Return to the list of Libraries for All press release headlines

Content modified: 8 February 2005

12/30/2005