The Seattle Public Library’s historically landmarked University Branch will temporarily close from Wednesday, January 29, until late 2026 for major renovations, including a seismic retrofit to make the building safer in the event of an earthquake.
When the branch reopens in late 2026 it will have a new electric HVAC system and air conditioning, new study rooms, a music room, remodeled restrooms, an elevator, new furniture, lighting, carpeting and more, according to library officials.
The new HVAC system is part of the library’s commitment to reducing annual carbon emissions—it is estimated it will reduced emissions at the branch by approximately 20-30 metric tons. Similar installations at the Northeast and Southwest branches resulted in 50 metric tons saved in 2024, and the new system at the recently re-openedGreen Lake Branch is expected to save another 20-30 metric tons in 2025.
Closure impact
Tuesday, January 28, is the last day the branch will be open before renovation begins. Any University Branch holds that have not been picked up by the end of that day will be transferred to the holds area of the nearby Northgate Branch for pickup.
Library users may continue using University Branch as their holds pickup location until Friday, Jan. 17, when it will be removed as an option for new holds. Patrons may change their preferred holds pickup location anytime online through My Account or by visiting any Library information desk.
Existing University Branch room reservations scheduled for before Wednesday, January 29 will be unaffected by the closure, but new room reservations have been paused. The branch book return will be closed for the duration of the project, but patrons may return materials to any other Library location.
For access to SPL programs and services during the closure of the University Branch, the library encourages families and other visitors to go to nearby neighborhood branches:
- Green Lake Branch, 7364 E. Green Lake Dr. N., 206-684-7547
- Northeast Branch, 6801 35th Ave. N.E., 206-684-7539
- Northgate Branch, 10548 5th Ave. N.E., 206-386-1980
- Wallingford Branch, 1501 N. 45th St., 206-684-4088
Why the renovations
Seattle voters overwhelming passed the 2019 Library Levy, which helps the Seattle Public Library fund major maintenance work on branches to make them safer, more accessible, and better able to meet the evolving needs of the community.
Among the major maintenance projects funded by the levy are seismic retrofits to the Green Lake, University, and Columbia branches – all historic Carnegie buildings. Renovations to the Green Lake Branch were completed in October 2024. University Branch renovations are expected to be complete in late 2026. Columbia Branch renovations are being designed now.
The University Branch is one of SPL’s oldest neighborhood branches and. Along with the Green Lake and West Seattle branches, it is one of the the library’s three original Carnegie branches, all of which first opened in the summer of 1910. The University Branch was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1988 and designated a historic landmark in 2001. The cultural legacy and historic character of the University Branch will be protected and preserved at every stage of this project.
Additional funding for this project is being provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through Hazard Mitigation and Pre-Disaster Mitigation grant awards. The new HVAC system, SPL officials point out, is part of the library’s commitment to reducing annual carbon emissions. The library estimates it will reduced emissions at the branch by approximately 20-30 metric tons. Similar installations at the Northeast and Southwest branches resulted in 50 metric tons saved in 2024, and the new system at the recently re-openedGreen Lake Branch is expected to save another 20-30 metric tons in 2025.
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