2 August 2006

NEW MONTLAKE BRANCH TO OPEN AUG. 12

The new Montlake Branch of The Seattle Public Library will open to the public with a festive community celebration beginning at noon Saturday, Aug. 12.

The 5,652-square-foot branch at 2401 24th Ave. E. is the 19th project completed under the 1998 "Libraries for All" voter-approved building program.
The architect was Weinstein Architects + Urban Designers. Graham Contracting Ltd. was the contractor. Seattle artist Rebecca Cummins created a colored glass sundial/skylight for the new building.

The dedication ceremony will begin at noon with City Librarian Deborah L. Jacobs, Mayor Greg Nickels, Library Board Trustee Gilbert W. Anderson, City Councilman David Della, the Library book fairy “Lulu” and Cajun band “Jamais Trop Tard.”

12:30 p.m. - Jamais Trop Tard will perform Cajun music inside the branch.
1:14 p.m. - Artist Rebecca Cummins will use her artwork to point out solar noon inside the branch.
1 p.m. - Montlake children’s author and illustrator Arthur Dorros will deliver a presentation for families titled “Everyone Has Stories to Tell” in the branch meeting room.
2 p.m. - Seattle folk singer Ginny Reilly will perform in the branch meeting room.
3 p.m. - Stokley Towles will deliver a presentation titled “The Library: A Physiological Study” in the branch meeting room. Towles will share his “special collection” of mistreated books, discuss a library curse and answer questions patrons fear to ask.

Children can make “Lulu” hats in a craft program in the library’s children’s area. Starbucks Coffee Company will provide free coffee and snacks in the plaza. The branch will remain open until 6 p.m.

The Montlake 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 new branch will have an updated and expanded collection capacity of 18,700 books and materials, more seats, a meeting room, upgraded technology services and equipment, and parking. The overall project budget is $5,240,274, which includes the Library Board-approved addition in September 2005 of $982,964 to pay for additional construction costs.

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. Many projects are currently in the active design or construction phase. For more information about the building program or branch opening, visit www.spl.org, or call (206) 386-4636.

(For more information, call Andra Addison, communications director, at 206-386-4103.)

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Content modified: 3 August 2006

08/03/2006