Cope Construction Co. will begin work on Friday, July 20 on the renovation of The Seattle Public Library’s Madrona-Sally Goldmark Branch.
The 1,707-square-foot branch at 1134 33rd Ave. opened in a converted firehouse in 1973 and is heavily used by residents and schoolchildren.
Heliotrope Architects designed the reconfiguration of the interior so patrons and staff could more efficiently use the branch, which included separating activities such as busy children’s story times from the holds pickup area.
In addition, the main entry will move north along the west side of the building toward Union Street to improve visibility. The new entry will include an exterior book drop and a canopy to protect patrons from the weather.
The project also will include new seating, upgraded technology services and equipment, better electrical, communication and computer connections, improved ventilation, a modern mechanical system and an updated book collection.
The overall project budget is $868,213, which includes the Library Board-approved addition in June of $476,000 for additional anticipated construction costs.
The renovated branch, which will emphasize materials for children, popular fiction, DVDs, and space for holds pick-up, is projected to open in early 2008 after the furniture, equipment, books and other materials are moved back into the building.
The project is part of the $196.4 million “Libraries for All” bond measure that Seattle voters passed in 1998. The bond money, which can be used only for construction of libraries, is funding new and improved branches, in addition to the new Central Library.
To date, the Library has completed the new Central Library and the Ballard, Beacon Hill, Capitol Hill, Columbia, Delridge, Douglass-Truth, Fremont, Green Lake, Greenwood, High Point, International District/Chinatown, Lake City, Montlake, NewHolly, North East, Northgate, Rainier Beach, South Park, Southwest, Wallingford and West Seattle branches. The renovated Queen Anne and University branches will reopen Aug. 25 and Sept. 15, respectively. Several other branches are under construction.
The Seattle Public Library Foundation continues to raise funds from private sources to keep pace with the demands of patrons for the most comprehensive and dynamic library facilities and services. Every dollar raised by the Foundation will ensure a level of excellence in the Library’s facilities, collections, and programs that would not be possible through its tax-based support alone.
For more information, visit the Library’s Web site at www.spl.org.
(For more information, call Caroline Young Ullmann, assistant communications director, 206-615-1627.)
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Content modified: 18 July 2007
07/18/2007
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