Seattle Public Library’s South Park Branch turns 20 this month, and the library is marking it with a free, day-long party on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Families are invited to come for a short time or for the full day to enjoy music, folklórico and Aztec dance performances, a Lotería game, cupcakes, crafts, a selfie station and book giveaways.
The branch, located at 8604 Eighth Ave. S., is the library system’s youngest. Neighbors first asked the city for a library in the area in 1908, not long after South Park was annexed into Seattle, according to the library. But for decades, the community made do with a book deposit station and a bookmobile. The full branch finally opened on 2006, funded by the 1998 voter-approved Libraries for All bond measure. The 20th anniversary party partially mirrors the library’s grand opening, which included a mariachi band.
A tight-knit community
During the branch’s opening event, roughly 100 people signed up for library cards within the first hour, according to the library.
“The South Park Branch is one of the library’s smaller branches, but we have BIG community support,” supervising librarian Lupine Miller said in a statement. “We’re excited to celebrate with the families, neighbors, and community partners who make our library the beloved space that it is.”
Shawna Murphy, who has lived in the neighborhood since 2004 and says the promised branch opening was part of why she moved to the area, described it as a gathering place as much as a library. “Staff are so friendly and kind, and they really care about their patrons,” Murphy said in a release. “People will come in just to chat and see neighbors.”
As with other South Park Branch programming, the anniversary event will be presented in both Spanish and English. Donors to The Seattle Public Library Foundation are funding the celebration.
Schedule
- Noon: Welcome remarks and cupcakes
- 1 p.m.: Tlalokan Aztec Dance performance
- 2 p.m.: Ruta Xclusiva performance
- 3 p.m.: Joyas Mestizas Folklórico performance
- 4 p.m.: Lotería game
- All day: Arts and crafts, a selfie booth, and book and library-bag giveaways from Friends of the Seattle Public Library, while supplies last
A branch built around its neighborhood
Because South Park has a large Spanish-speaking population, much of the branch’s collection is in Spanish, and many staff members speak the language, the library says. Regular programming includes bilingual story times, a Tech Help program and an English Conversation Circle. The branch also hosts an annual Día de los Muertos celebration, scheduled this year for Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Details
What: South Park Branch 20th Anniversary Celebration
When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: South Park Branch, 8604 Eighth Ave. S., Seattle
Cost: Free
