On Saturday, Jan. 24, more than 1,100 community members streamed into the Broadview Branch to celebrate its 50th anniversary with storytelling, speeches, cake, music, puzzles, games, and five decades’ worth of history, stories and memories.
The day started off with Native storytelling with Siobhan Kekoa – with many adults and kids attending.
An early special guest to the festivities was Ron Chew, Library Board member, local historian, community leader, and author. In the photo above he is holding Broadview’s copy of his book “My Unforgotten Seattle.”
Broadview Operations Manager Jonis Black officially opened the celebration at 1 p.m. with a rousing speech, followed by remarks by City Councilmember Maritza Rivera, who spoke glowingly about the Broadview Branch and its role in the community.
And of course, there was cake.
The Friends of The Seattle Public Library were on hand to distribute many books, FriendShop coupons, and Broadview-branded totes and pencil pouches.
History was an important theme of the day. Although the site for the Broadview Branch was purchased in 1967 and plans were drawn, the city diverted the funds to refurbish a stadium for the ill-fated MLB team the Seattle Pilots. The branch was delayed for years, to the dismay of the community. Neighborhood activists vigorously protested, including a 1972 read-in at the library site, and it finally opened on Dec. 15, 1975, with Mayor Wes Uhlmann in attendance.
Patrons found out more about Broadview’s illustrious history at An Ask-A-Historian table at the celebration. Community historians Gloria Butts and Ray Langberg were on hand to share stories and answer questions. It was a huge hit!
The Broadview Branch is known for its live music performances. The 50th celebration featured some of the wonderful groups that regularly perform at the branch.
Here’s the Portage Bay Quartet performing in the magazine reading area.
The branch’s puzzle table, which is always popular, was in full swing.
The Youth in Focus Photo Booth in the Older Adults nook was also a big draw — community members and staffed stopped by to take fun 50-themed selfies.
Many families spent time decorating a banner that children’s librarian Louisa had ingeniously set up in the Children’s Room the night before.
It was rewarding to see neighbors fill every inch of space in the branch. Our door counters recorded more than 1,100 visitors that day! Numerous current and former staff members also visited and took part in the celebration, including Chief Librarian Tom Fay, Director of Library Program & Services Kai Tang, Will Livesly-O’Neil from The Seattle Public Library Foundation, Library Board members Ron Chew and Faith Pettis, and City Councilmember Maritza Rivera.
The Library is grateful to the many partners who participated, including Native story teller Siobhan Kekoa, Portage Bay Quartet, Three Horn Quartet, Youth In Focus, The Friends of The Seattle Public Library, our Ask-A-Historians Gloria Butts and Ray Langberg, and volunteers from the hula group and from adult tutoring. A special thanks to The Seattle Public Library Foundation, which sponsored the event.
A huge shout-out also to our wonderful Broadview Branch staff, who spent months planning this event and organizing materials, including the infographics that told the story of the branch.
During the celebration, staff sported Broadview Branch baseball jerseys, a nod to the fact that the branch has outlasted the Seattle Pilots 50 years to 1, with may more to come.
We are also grateful to the Broadview community, whose persistent community activism literally made this branch happen 50-plus years ago, and who continue to value and use the library and contribute to it in so many ways.
More information about the Broadview Branch
- KUOW story: It Took a Community to Get This Library Built. Now It’s Celebrating 50 Years of Service
- Upcoming Broadview events: https://www.spl.org/event-calendar
