High Point Branch Highlights
The High Point Branch offers quiet study rooms to concentrate, technology zones, and family-friendly areas.
History
Serving the High Point community since 1942
The High Point Branch opened on Nov. 3, 1942 in a closet of the High Point Housing Project. Originally, the library exclusively served residents of the project. Many of these residents were federal defense workers. In 1944, the High Point Branch opened to the public.
In April 1961, the library branch moved to a renovated duplex provided by the Seattle Housing Authority. In the mid-1970s, the High Point Branch expanded to 1,200 square feet.
After consulting with the community, the Library bought the location from the Seattle Housing Authority and built a new library. The new location, which opened June 19, 2004, is six times larger than the old building.
In 2016, improvements came in the form of a laptop bar in the teen area and upgraded meeting room technology. The children's area added more seating, and the building was re-carpeted.
Architecture
There are windows on every side of the building, letting in 360° of light. The meeting room windows frame the Puget Sound.
From the main area, patrons can view the "bio-swale," an eco-friendly landscaping feature. It uses plants to filter polluted water before it gets into the city’s stormwater system.
The building has two entrances. It has one formal entrance on the west court that opens onto 35th Avenue Southwest. The east court entrance opens to the High Point HOPE VI development. A book return, bike racks, parking, and outdoor reading areas are also located in the east court.
Near the east entry is a Scholar's Tree. It is traditionally planted at places of learning throughout Asia.
Architects: Miller Hayashi Architects, 2004.
Art
Outside the building are terra cotta (clay) relief sculptures by Seattle artist Steve Gardner. They show legends from different cultures about the sky and star constellations. Gardner also made terra cotta "rain chains" suspended from the roof that act as downspouts.