We have good news: The Seattle Public Library is adding air conditioning to the Northeast and Southwest branches, which will increase our ability to serve as a refuge from heat and wildfire smoke and reduce our carbon footprint. But it does mean that in November, those branches need to close temporarily while their new electric HVAC systems are installed.
The Northeast Branch will be closed from Wednesday, Nov. 1, through Sunday, Dec. 10 for its HVAC installation; the branch meeting room has already closed to the public to provide a staging area for interior construction work. The Southwest Branch will be closed from Monday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 19, but its meeting room will remain open. More details regarding these closures are provided below.
The new HVAC systems will add not just add air conditioning, but also more efficient heating, replacing the branches’ existing heating systems which are powered by fossil fuels. Adding air conditioning will ensure patrons have reliable access to shelter and prevent unscheduled closures during heat waves.
The HVAC installations at the Northeast and Southwest branches are part of a larger push by the Library to provide air conditioning at every branch while reducing the Library’s carbon footprint.
The historic Green Lake Branch will also be equipped with air conditioning for the first time after a new HVAC system is installed during its seismic retrofit, currently underway. The NewHolly Branch, which operates out of space owned by the Seattle Housing Authority, is installing a new HVAC system this week. The Capitol Hill Branch upgraded to an electric HVAC system in September 2023 and the Broadview Branch upgraded in 2022.
This means that by next summer, 22 of the Library’s 27 locations will have air conditioning. Of the five remaining locations without air conditioning – all historic Carnegie libraries – the University and Columbia branches will have electric HVAC systems installed as part of their levy-funded seismic retrofits in the next few years. The Library is also applying for federal funding through FEMA that, if awarded, would fund new electric HVAC systems at the final three branches: the Fremont, Queen Anne and West Seattle branches.
Northeast Branch Closure Details: Nov. 1 through Dec. 10
The Northeast Branch will close from Wednesday, Nov. 1 through Sunday, Dec. 10. The extended closure is necessary due to the extent of the interior construction work, which involves major improvements to the branch’s mechanical and electrical systems. The Northeast Branch book return and pickup lockers will also be closed during this time.
While the Northeast Branch is closed, the nearby Northgate Branch will expand its hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to provide patrons with additional morning and evening access to Library services.
From Wednesday, Nov. 1, through Wednesday, Dec. 6, the Northgate Branch schedule will be as follows (expanded hours in bold):
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- 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.
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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.
If you’re a branch patron, please plan ahead for your holds. You can have your 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.
You can also select an alternate pickup location online at any time or by visiting any Library information desk.
Southwest Branch Closure Details: Nov. 6 through Nov. 19
The Southwest Branch will close from Monday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 19. The branch will reopen on Monday, Nov. 20. The branch book return will also be closed during this time.
Because the Southwest Branch will close for less than a month, patron holds scheduled for delivery to the Southwest Branch will be held until the branch reopens rather than being rerouted to another location. Patron holds remaining at the Southwest Branch at the time of closure will be extended, and will not expire until Monday, Nov. 27. The Southwest Branch will also remain available to select as a preferred holds location.
Patrons are encouraged to contact staff at the Southwest Branch before Monday, Nov. 6 to select an alternate pickup location for their holds during the branch closure. Staff are available to help in person or by phone at 206-684-7455.
We hope our patrons are as excited as we are about adding air conditioning and more efficient heating to two more branches, and we appreciate your understanding of the need for these closures to support this outcome.
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