Step into the Glass Atrium of the Central Library
Push through the doors on Fourth Avenue and the city noise falls away into a light-filled space wrapped in glass. This is the Central Library of the Seattle Public Library, designed by Rem Koolhaas and opened in 2004, and it is one of the downtown architecture highlights worth building a morning around. The building's enormous glass-fronted atrium and nearly 10,000 windows make it as much a piece of contemporary architecture as a place to read. Come in and you are walking through a working library that doubles as one of Seattle's distinctive modern landmarks.
Ride the Books Spiral and Find Your Corner
The Central Library is an eleven-floor building holding a collection of over one million books, and its most talked-about feature is the Books Spiral, a continuous shelving ramp that lets you follow the collection without stairs or elevators. The design was conceived as an "information store," presenting all media equally, so you will find open public spaces for meeting, studying, reading, and web access throughout.
- Wander the dedicated centers for children, teens, and adult readers, each with its own character.
- Head to the seventh floor to see the ZAPP Zine Collection, over 30,000 zines donated by Richard Hugo House.
- Look into the special collections: Autograph, Aviation, Genealogy, Map, Seattle Room, World Languages, and Zine.
- Settle into the large computer lab or use the free public computers and Wi-Fi.
- Check the schedule for the 275-seat auditorium, which hosts talks and events.
- Browse the on-site FriendShop and grab something from the coffee cart.
Make the Most of Your Visit
Treat the Central Library as a destination in itself rather than a quick stop. Give yourself time to ride the Books Spiral from top to bottom, then linger in the reading areas where the glass walls frame the city. The building is air-conditioned, which makes it a welcome refuge on a warm afternoon, and the meeting rooms and music practice rooms are there if you need them. If you are driving, note that parking is underground and paid, with space for about 143 vehicles; there is also a book return box on the west side of the building on Fourth Avenue, to the left of the entrance. Single-occupant all-gender restrooms and multi-stall single-gender restrooms, including children's restrooms, are available, and a power wheelchair charging station is on hand.
What Else Is Close By
The Central Library sits in the downtown area, which is easily traversed on foot, so you can pair your visit with other nearby sights. The Space Needle, north of Downtown in Seattle Center, is a natural onward stop if you want a 360-degree view of the city and the surrounding landscape. Beyond that, let the library be your starting point for a day of walking downtown.
Set aside an afternoon, arrive with no particular agenda, and let the Books Spiral pull you upward. The Central Library rewards curiosity, and it is the kind of place that turns a spare hour into a reason to plan a return trip.