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05/25/2004 Archived Entry: "Seattle Public Library -- Nothing Fancy"

For months, maybe even a couple years I have been telling friends that the new Seattle Central Library better be good for all the mystique behind Rem Koolhaas. On opening day, only two days ago, I went to the grand opening of the new library, saw the crowds, and decided even a fancy new library wasn't worth waiting in line filled with screaming children, sweaty grown-ups, and point-and-shoot toting tourists. The estimated number of first day visitors was predicted to be 30,000. They got close at 25,631.The next day, somewhat to my surprise, I found the library was relatively quiet. I came, I saw, I wandered, I saw some more, I got lost a couple of times, read a few pamphlets, took some pictures, and now, a day later, I write this review.

The main entrance is a plain revolving door. Nothing fancy, which might be said of the building itself. Many people might have the illusion that the library is a lush artistic experience. In truth the building is rather austere, much like it's modernist derived exterior. A local NPR announcer commented how the building across the street at 1001 4th Avenue would remind people how far we have come since the 70's. In fact that building is relatively luxurious compared to the new Seattle Public Library. The SPL by comparison feels very institutional.

Near the entrance is the kids section of the library. Wood floors and floor make it probably the most cosy area of the building. It was after I wandered through the children's area when I started to get a little confused.

For all the self-congratulatory praise of the building layout, the library can be easily disorienting. I figured I would learn the building by simply meandering. Isn't this what most people do in these situations? While I began to figure things out, it wasn't always easy. There were times I would be glancing about trying to find a way to go down a level. I would lose track of what level I was on. There are sections, like the meeting section, which were interesting, but I wasn't really sure what the area was for. The garish escalators are actually a good idea. A simple metallic finish would have make the escalators difficult to spot.

As I glanced about, I was impressed by the space. There is space for large expanses of computers. There is space to hang-out and read. There is space for check-out lines. There is space for lots and lots of stacks (good thing), and there is space for expansion. Yes, the new library is spacious. The space tends to be either spectacularly open, or squeezed along long stacks. The lack of intimacy of the space might be off-putting to some.

If you want to really enjoy the library, do not read the absurdly glowing reviews of the building. It seems that reports want to make the structure to be some grand artistic statement, or a showcase of hip design. In fact the building has only a small amount of "art" in the conventional sense of the word, and overall the building comes across as utilitarian, democratic, perhaps betraying some socialist leanings. The most beautiful thing I saw in the building was the play of light from the impressive fenestration and the bright sun. I'm looking forward to seeing the inside with different weather. The light made it a fun place to take photos, which I will post soon. The view from the windows does not help navigating the building very much, but some of the views are impressive. The most impressive views are contained inside the SPL itself looking down. Some have commented that they would have preferred the guard railing to be just a few inches higher.

The elevators are ugly and slow to arrive. I simply didn't like the elevators. The impression I get is that the elevators were not expected to be used much, and are not nicely integrated into the building design.

The spiral arrangement for the stacks sounds nice, but I'm not convinced that it works as well the handouts suggested. The Dewey Decimal numbers on the floor looks nice, but conventional labeling on the end of the shelves actually works better. The trouble with the numbers on the floor is that people stand on the floor. Furthermore the don't differentiate the range of numbers for each side of the bays.

In short, the library isn't perfect, but it has lots of space, mostly good design, nice light, and a coffee cart. Don't let the hype make the library a disappointment.

Entries and Images Copywrite M. Stewart