Broadview Branch - The Seattle Public Library — Attraction in Seattle

Love that it's "banned book week" (Sept 22-28) and they have an amazing display to show us what books have been banned in the past. The display serves as a reminder to fight censorship because reading a book is an active resistance. Freedom of expression and freedom of speech go hand-in-hand with freedom to read.

Amazing, amazing staff. A wonderful, wonderful, wonderful branch. Library cards are free with ID. You might be late with your book return but there's no penalty because they're not trying to punish anyone, imagine that. And if you lose the book you just have to pay the cost of replacement. Meanwhile they give you $1.50 worth of free printing per week -- bc who has a printer anymore? -- which translates to 10 black-and-white copies or three color copies. Best of all it's a clean quiet environment where you can sit comfortably and read, write, think…I love libraries: they bridge gaps in access and build equity quietly, one book at a time.

And I love this library where my parents come. It was my elderly parents who are in their twilight years that first prompted my coming here. While visiting they took a walk and came here so mom could read the New York Times, and dad the Wall Street Journal. In last years, my dad will also order Chinese kung fu novels to be brought to the library so he can pick them up and read. We used to go to the Central library so he could peruse the collection there but that trip is becoming increasingly difficult for him. So it means the world to us that the library system is connected and he can have the comfort and convenience of his favorite local library here at Broadview But the selection of the kung fu novels and the Chinese books and the Korean books from a larger system. He reads entire series at a time and is a voracious reader. Has been his whole life. Thank you for existing. Just in case you didn't know it, this library, and others like it like the one down in Columbia City that my dad used to go to when we lived there, and of course the central library, make a huge difference in the lives of elderly as well as children. Don't forget our parents are the OG generation who advocated for libraries. They taught us to love books by taking us to the libraries when we couldn't afford to buy them.

Today, I think the person explaining the policies to me was named Sarah . But if I got her name wrong I'm so sorry. She was fantastic. Somebody give her a raise! I should've recorded her spiel ~ it...

Big shoutout to the librarian Darren! :) Darren is the ultimate example of someone who goes above and beyond in customer service and clearly loves their job. Helpful mentality, very kind, and even part detective. :) Let me explain. I had emailed the library this week with a question regarding something in the history of my account. I was told that that that information was not kept. I wanted to press further because I was thinking.... there is no way that that information can't be found. So I called this branch and luckily got Darren! He searched further and was able to find out the answer! He really is a stellar example of wanting to research and help people and does so in the nicest way. Big kudos to him because he didn't give up! He's one of those people that shows that he WANTS to work and clearly loves his job. Honestly that is a rare quality to have in an employee. Thank you Darren! In addition, this library is always so organized, clean, and great setting...

You can enter from Greenwood Ave or the parking lot. There are book returns outside by the parking lot doors. When you enter there's a community room to the right and men's and women's restrooms to the left. No unisex or family. The children's book section is large with several computers, tables, and a comfy couch to read on. There's an indoor book return by the check out desk. You can self check out (very convenient) or check out with a clerk. Lots of windows and tall ceilings make it nice and...