Seattle summers have gotten hotter over the past century – in fact, the region’s average temperatures during July and August have risen 3 degrees in that time. Seattle Public Library is moving forward on its plan to ensure its branches are a comfortable haven from the heat – and a warm welcome in the winter cold.
Efficient air comfort
The Library’s Northeast and Southwest branches will temporarily close in November for the installation of an air conditioning and more efficient heating systems. The new HVAC systems will help prevent unscheduled branch closures during heat waves and will also reduce the library system’s carbon footprint, library officials say.
Children’s area of SPL Northeast Branch. Photo courtesy SPL.org
The Northeast Branch closure details
The Northeast Branch branch will have an extended closure, from November 1 through December 10. Library officials say the branch improvement includes interior construction work and major improvements to the branch’s mechanical and electrical systems. The Northeast Branch meeting room will close October 2 to be used as staging place for construction.
Book return and pickup lockers at the branch will also be closed.
While the Northeast Branch is closed, nearby Northgate Branch will expand its hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to provide patrons with additional morning and evening access to library services.
Northgate Branch extended hours
From November 1 to December 6, the Northgate Branch schedule will be as follows:
- Monday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (currently noon to 8 p.m.)
- Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (currently 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
- Thursday: noon to 8 p.m.
- Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where to pick up holds
The Northeast Branch and its pickup lockers will be temporarily removed as a holds pickup location from the Library’s website on Sunday, Oct. 22. Any holds being delivered to the Northeast Branch at that time will be automatically rerouted to the Northgate Branch.
Patrons may have their existing holds transferred from the Northeast Branch to an alternate location by contacting staff at the branch in person or by phone at 206-684-7539.
Patrons who have the Northeast Branch or its pickup lockers selected as their preferred pickup location may select an alternate location online at any time or by visiting any Library information desk.
SPL Southeast Branch. Photo courtesy SPL.org
Southwest Branch closure details
The Southwest Branch, including its books return, will be closed November 6-19.
Book holds scheduled at the branch will be held until the branch reopens rather than being rerouted to another location. Holds will be extended and not expire until Nov. 27.
Next up
HVAC installations at these sites and at the Green Lake Branch where HVAC work and a seismic retrofit project are currently underway mean that 22 of SPL’s 27 locations will have air conditioning by next summer. New Holly Branch’s new system was installed earlier this month and the University and Columbia branches will have air conditioning installed over the next 2 to 4 years during planned seismic retrofits.
Fremont, Queen Anne, and West Seattle branches are still on the waiting list. Library officials hope a federal FEMA grant will fund branches without it AC, although an award has not yet been made.
Need to know more?
Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at www.spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information.
