Green Lake Branch Highlights
The current Green Lake Branch was renovated and reopened March 6, 2004. Tall ceilings contribute to a sense of spaciousness and rich detailing and use of wood throughout the interior adds to the warm, historic feel of the branch.
History
Serving Green Lake since 1905
In 1905, the Library opened a small, one-room structure on the east side of the lake. It was several blocks south of the present building. In 1908, wealthy philanthropist Andrew Carnegie agreed to donate $35,000 to build a replacement branch. Local residents raised $3,000 to buy the current branch site; the city contributed another $1,000. The building opened in in July 1910.
Architecture
A renovated Carnegie Library
The renovated Green Lake Branch is the sixth project completed under the "Libraries for All" building program. The renovation was designed by Snyder Hartung Kane Strauss Architects and built by W.G. Clark Construction Co.
Art
"The Seven Liberal Arts" by Dennis Evans
Artist Dennis Evans was commissioned to create two pieces of artwork each for five of Seattle's historic Carnegie-era libraries. Building on the ideas of learning, education, and history, Evans linked the libraries with paintings based on the seven liberal arts. Called the “Seven Liberal Arts Suite,” his work celebrates the seven branches of knowledge that initiate everyone into a life of learning. Each branch features one “reference painting” that is similarly composed at each location. The second art piece at each library is unique to that location and explores one of the seven liberal arts. The unique work featured at the Green Lake Branch explores the art of Rhetoric.
Named Spaces
Mary Alice Cooley Meeting Room
Mary Alice Cooley was a talented drawer and painter, a certified pilot, an avid reader, a generous philanthropist, and a loving mother of six, stepmother of five, and wife of Richard P. Cooley. She is remembered for her courageous spirit, her great sense of humor, her love of life and her love of family.
You can reserve the Mary Alice Cooley Meeting Room through our Spaces room reservation system.