Central Library

Seattles new Central Library is located in the heart of downtown. While its been praised for its interesting design and stylish looks, I do not think the library is a welcoming place for people living in Seattle. The primary colors used in the buildings dcor were fluorescent yellow and silver, giving it a hard and cold look. In addition, the hallways and bathrooms often look dirty and smell. I would much rather go to my neighborhood library to spend time book hunting.

Posted 05/04/05 | Report Abuse

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Everyone in Seattle needs to visit this library. I didn't hang out in librarys too much after school until I visited this one. It's huge. I sually go for the free hour of internet usage I get everyday with my library card. Just the architecture alone is cool enough. Good selection of DVD and books, of course.

PROS:
CONS: none

Posted 04/21/05 | Report Abuse

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my boyfriend olin was so excited when this library was finally built and finished, and i can understand deeply. the architecture of the library is outstanding. it is almost like a gehry project. there are escalators that move you from floor to floor. the ceilings are composed of triangular shaped window so people can actually gaze into the skies. the services are amazing as well. conveniently sitting right in front of the entrance doors of the library, are people to assist to your library needs. these people are ever so kind and will actually walk you through whatever your question may be. i must say though again, the architecture is absolutely spectacular!

Posted 04/18/05 | Report Abuse

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We visited the Seattle library as soon as we moved here to see what all the fuss was about. We heard that the architecture was impressive and innovative. We arrived to find how true it was. There are several floors and it takes about 8 good minutes of riding escalators to get to the top. The amount of glass and the placement of it brings on a sense of awe. The acoustics of the building have been thought through and so there is very little echo for the amount of large space, metal and cement fixtures. If you're into the retro look then the colour choice of bright green and yellow will attract your eyes.

We now have a library card there and they have a very huge extensive collection of books, video and music. Their online catalog is easy to use and to follow.

Parking is free when validated and falls within their time restrictions. As well, it's always a blessing to be able to use their computers for free (as a library member) and to have access to their printers.

Just note that you only get three weeks to take out most items.

Posted 04/04/05 | Report Abuse

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The first time you go the Central Library, allow yourself quite a bit of time just to wander around, visiting the maze which makes up each floor. While it's design is modern and interesting it can be a bit of a hassle to the person who wants to just "run in" and check-out a book quickly. Perhaps I havent been their enough yet, but it still takes me a while to find what I'm looking for. Which is why i try to make my visits somewhat of an event by taking time to relax in the library's various, sky-lit, seating areas.

Posted 03/30/05 | Report Abuse

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This will soon become another Seattle attraction because of its outlandish structure. I believe this buildings creator is also the EMP(another strange structure near the Space Needle).
Inside, the space is huge and well lighted. This is the ultimate library experience. You'll have to see so for yourself.
You'll soon enjoy all the other reasons why we love librarys. Many areas to read in, desks, computers, etc.

PROS: beautiful structure(inside & out), well lighted, huge
CONS: none

Posted 03/27/05 | Report Abuse

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OK, I guess I see this as more of a tour than a library. When I need books, I go to my local branch. When I want vertigo, or to impress and out-of-towner, we head to this Rem Koolhaus-designed, um, thing. It's hard to miss in the downtown, and hard to find your way around, what with the odd colors, the circular design, and the poor signage. Perhaps I am just not an artiste. Perhaps I am just old-fashioned. Perhaps I do not like bathrooms in loud neon colors. Really.

Posted 02/28/05 | Report Abuse

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This new lovely library is in a great location. My son and I ride the bus downtown and love to read books at the library. It is nice and new and has a wonderful childrens section. What's really nice about this library compared to the old one is that it doesn't have a huge amount of transients inside. This is a wonderful place to read alone, study or read to your children.

Posted 02/25/05 | Report Abuse

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When I first saw the new Central Library getting erected, I expected it to turn out to be an eyesore. Not the case. This is the coolest library I've ever seen, even if it is a little bit eerily reminiscent of Disney World's Tomorrowland and the entrance to Space Mountain. Go up to the top floor and look down at the totally rad grass tiles on the ground floor and the diagonally placed bookshelves. The top floor also boasts quiet private areas where you can just hang out and read. The internet stations area freaks me out a little bit, I can't really say why. But it satisfies my inner bibliophile to see a library attract tourists and provoke them to pull out their cameras.

Posted 02/21/05 | Report Abuse

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Aside from being a touristy must-see and an architectural masterpiece, the Central Library is magnificent, spacious, and comprehensive. If the book was written, it's here. You can curl up on the top floor, under the huge glass-tiled ceiling, and surf the Internet--they have free wifi. And if you get hungry, you can take one of the swooshing glass elevators down to the 4th floor to the FareStart cafe. All in all, the only downer is finding parking.

Posted 01/20/05 | Report Abuse

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