In late May of 1972, a small ad appeared in the classifieds section of the University District-Herald, a community newspaper in Northeast Seattle:
“Broadview & Haller Lake: Want a library at 130th & Greenwood? Join us for a “READ IN” on Thursday, June 1, 3 p.m. Bring Friends!”
The ad was just four lines, but represented years of community outrage. After a decade of campaigning for a library by the neighborhood, the city had finally purchased a site at Greenwood Ave N. and N. 130th Street in 1967. Plans were drawn. But then, a curve ball: The city diverted library funds to renovate Sicks’ Stadium to house Seattle’s first major league baseball team, the Seattle Pilots.
Broadview residents weren’t having it. With a community group called Broadview Library Now leading the charge, they vigorously protested, from showing up at City Council budget meetings to organizing the read-in on June 1, 1972, which was a success. Two hundred residents sat on cardboard boxes and read in the rain.
Funds were re-allocated and the library was approved. With a longhouse-inspired design and art by Native artist Marvin Oliver, the new library opened on Dec. 15, 1975. It was dedicated on Jan. 25, 1976.
Celebrating 50 years with a listening party, cake and a marching band in the stacks
Next week, the Broadview Branch is celebrating this hard-won history, and 50 years of serving as a community hub, and all of Seattle is invited.
On Thursday, Jan. 22, from 5 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. the branch will host a Listening & Games Party featuring hits from groups like Wings, Boston, Heart, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, ELO, and more. The era’s most popular games will also be on hand, or bring your own!
On Saturday, Jan. 24, the branch will host a day-long 50th Anniversary Celebration. Join community members and staff for games and artmaking; Native storytelling; a sound bath; live music including a marching band through the stacks; a cake-cutting and a rededication.
You will also have the opportunity to learn about Broadview’s history from local historians and to create your own memory at a Youth in Focus photo booth. Festivities will kick off at 11 a.m. and continue until 5:30 p.m.See the full schedule of events on the Library’s calendar.
The Friends of the Seattle Public Library will be on hand to give away like-new books and stickers, and have also put together a fun community reading list of books published in 1975–76.
Both events are sponsored by the donors of The Seattle Public Library Foundation and neither requires registration.
Visit the Broadview Branch: Music, movies, tutoring and more
We also encourage you to visit the Broadview Branch any time during open hours to explore its collections, use its services, and enjoy one of its wide-ranging programs.
The branch hosts movie screenings, regular live concerts by neighborhood music groups (Broadview Bands), and active Homework Help and adult tutoring programs. Kids enjoy the story time and weekly Artist Playground program. And all ages are invited to play board games every Saturday afternoon from 1 p.m.
Take a moment to admire the art and architecture, too. The cedar and wood branch underwent a significant expansion in 2007. Art pieces by Theresa Batty were added, including a striking canoe that hangs from the ceiling. Marvin Oliver was only 29 when he created the art for Broadview’s original library, and his murals and print continue to grace the branch. A member of the Haida nation, his heritage was Quinault, Isleta-Pueblo, and Laguna-Pueblo.
And what happened to the Seattle Pilots, you might ask? They just lasted one season in Seattle, went bankrupt and moved to Milwaukee.
In short, the Broadview Branch has outlasted the Seattle Pilots by 49 years, and continues to host read-ins (or at least reading) six days a week.
