The Seattle Public Library

Libraries for All

Proposed
1998 Capital plan
for the
Seattle Public Library

Submitted March 13, 1998

Beacon Hill Library

Needs and Opportunities:

The present library occupies a converted retail store dating from 1927 and offers users a mere 3,200 square feet of space. It is utterly inadequate to serve an important and vibrantly diverse Seattle neighborhood, despite $55,300 in repairs and improvements made since 1986.

Recommendations:

Replace existing library with a new building to provide:

  • Total program space of 10,000 square feet

  • Expanded capacity for at least 30,000 books

  • Development of special collections in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese

  • Seating for up to 90 patrons

  • Special areas for young adult and homework programs

  • Modern computer work stations and instructional spaces

  • A multi-purpose meeting room

  • Adult reference and reading areas

  • Adequate parking

  • Possible co-location of a Neighborhood Service Center

  • Expanded service at 48 hours per week

  • Expanded book collection

Estimated capital costs: $4,751,000

Next Steps: Assuming approval of capital bonds, the community will be invited to participate in siting, service development, and design discussions for a new Beacon Hill Library to open in 2001.

Beacon Hill at a Glance:

Current address: 2519 15th Ave. S., 98144
Phone: 684-4711
Librarian: Carlene Barnett
1997 circulation: 74,438 materials checked out
In-house activity: 7,482 uses of materials
Information services: 4,300 reference questions answered
Current facility: Built 1927; 3,200 square feet
Currently open 40 hours, 6 days per week

Service profile: Beacon Hill's Asian-language collection attracts a large number of Vietnamese-, Chinese-, and Japanese- American readers. It has also developed a large patronage of Spanish-speakers through collaborative programs with El Centro de la Raza. Its homework assistance programs serve numerous K-12 students, as does its after-school "SPLASH" program for building the reading and writing skills of children ages 6 to 12.

Return to the Neighborhood Libraries Directory page
Return to the Capital Plan Contents page

Last modified: 24 March 1998