The venerable space still feels the same, which is good news for those who love the look and feel of the old Queen Anne branch of the Seattle Public Library.
The library, closed for renovation since Dec. 16, will mark its reopening with a community celebration from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25 (see sidebar for details).
Now, library officials say, everything's up to date in the landmark structure at 400 W. Garfield, which first opened its doors on New Year's Day 1914.
"The goal was to make sure the shell and systems inside would last another 100 years," said branch librarian Bob Hageman. "We will have wireless in a 100-year-old building."
Much of the $850,000 renovation, part of the 1998 Libraries for All bond measure, won't be visible to the public: improved ventilation and electrical connections, a new boiler, repaired mildewed walls, better drainage around the perimeter.
Apart from the more mundane necessities, though, some improvements, including a new paint job and carpets, are obvious. There are now 20 computers instead of eight. The old, horseshoe-shaped circulation desk is gone. Patrons looking for help, or to check out a book, will be greeted by a long counter on the right as they enter through the main doors.
There are more work areas, improved seating and 4,500 new books to go with the 33,500 volumes previously in stock. And Seattle artist Dennis Evans has created two painted, mixed-media works for the branch.
Library patrons will notice another change: The kids reading section has switched places with the adults and young adults reading area, a change that hearkens back to the original design.
And veterans of the downstairs meeting room can now take heart - no longer will their proceedings have to compete with the sounds of little feet pattering and sometimes thumping around overhead. Leaving nothing to chance, the contractors, Biwell Construction, Inc., have installed acoustical tiles in the ceiling in order to reduce noise.
The branch library, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, owes its origins to Andrew Carnegie. In 1911 the philanthropist donated $70,000 to build two branch libraries in Seattle, one of which was to be on Queen Anne.
The two-level, 7,931-square-foot building, characterized as Late Tudor Revival, was designed by M. Marbury Somervell and Harlan Thomas. Thomas, who died in 1953, also designed the Sorrento Hotel and Chelsea Apartments.
Over the years the downstairs auditorium has gotten a multi-use workout. Bandages were rolled there during World War I. Boy Scouts have met in the room, and so has the Earwig Club, a group dedicated to eradicating the insect. It has also been used as a polling place.
The Queen Anne branch has been upgraded several times over the past century. Hoshide Williams Architects was the design firm for the current upgrade.
LIBRARY REOPENING CELEBRATION
...speeches, music, children's activities and free coffee
The Sat. Aug. 25 festivities marking the reopening of the Queen Anne branch of the Seattle Public Library will close off West Garfield between Fourth Avenue West and Fifth Avenue West between 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The dedication ceremony begins at noon and will feature city librarian Deborah Jacobs, Seattle mayor Greg Nickels, library board trustee Gilbert Anderson and city councilman David Della.
Here's rest of the schedule:
12:30-1:30 p.m.: Cajun band Folichon performs.
2-3 p.m.: Queen Anne husband-and-wife duo Chris and Ruth Sereque perform classical music on the library's main floor. Chris is the principal clarinetist for the Seattle Symphony, and Ruth is a violist for the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra and Seattle Baroque.
Starbucks Coffee Company is providing free coffee and snacks. Artist Dennis Evans will be on hand inside the library to talk about his new artwork for the branch and answer questions.
A children's craft project will take place all afternoon in the downstairs meeting room.
The Queen Anne branch will remain open until 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.spl.org or phone 386-4636.
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