Earlier this year we went down to Seattle to visit the student ALA group there. We had a great time! Here are photos of some of the things we saw.
Here’s part one, part two, part three, and part four.
Okay, so remember how in the last post I said we didn’t just go to libraries while we were in Seattle? I lied.
![](http://i.imgur.com/HCGKayY.jpg)
We got a super sweet tour of the Central Branch of Seattle Public Library! (Photo actually from an earlier trip.)
![](http://i.imgur.com/Ppv1Mk8.jpg)
Their automatic sorting machines.
![](http://i.imgur.com/MKzD2UN.jpg)
Their break room was on a floor that is mostly for admin staff, and is completely empty on the weekend.
![](http://i.imgur.com/PejyUai.jpg)
A long way down!
![](http://i.imgur.com/T9mGOBb.jpg)
From leff: Daisy, David, Eka, Matthew, Kelsey, Anna, Sarah.
![](http://i.imgur.com/ytVWf7a.jpg)
Models of the library from before it was built.
![](http://i.imgur.com/CufqG1R.jpg)
![](http://i.imgur.com/xBx1Orq.jpg)
![](http://i.imgur.com/KjAMxup.jpg)
A boat! What doesn’t this library have?!
![](http://i.imgur.com/2po3uUE.jpg)
Checking out the non-fiction section with our awesome tourguide Lisa!
![](http://i.imgur.com/H8DePNT.jpg)
![](http://i.imgur.com/wQyAv4V.jpg)
All libraries need a cat right?
![](http://i.imgur.com/7gGqngo.jpg)
All libraries need a negative round right?
![](http://i.imgur.com/bnWnbnz.jpg)
![](http://i.imgur.com/H8FcD3Z.jpg)
The nonfiction section is super neat, it’s a series of ramps in a spiral, so you can walk through the entire thing from 000 to 999.
![](http://i.imgur.com/3cDbO7j.jpg)
![](http://i.imgur.com/EYRNQ4k.jpg)
On the computer level (or “living room”) they have this super neat sign. I think this one is showing representations of what people have checked out.
![](http://i.imgur.com/Tq5EODP.jpg)
Computers!
![](http://i.imgur.com/l2tnqNA.jpg)
All libraries should have these. So cool!
![](http://i.imgur.com/7ZJulP0.jpg)
Also, weirdass video art you have to watch while riding the escalator. All libraries should have these too.
![](http://i.imgur.com/NrG0eRC.jpg)
Up to the “red floor”.
![](http://i.imgur.com/HYnSXNQ.jpg)
It’s like a weird sci fi movie set or something.
![](http://i.imgur.com/YcehW1J.jpg)
Apparently there’s meeting rooms on this floor, but they were all locked.
![](http://i.imgur.com/AlEpPYj.jpg)
![](http://i.imgur.com/62jjuaj.jpg)
![](http://i.imgur.com/GmeIWGm.jpg)
The second floor.
![](http://i.imgur.com/SSYJtVK.jpg)
Games in the teen section!
![](http://i.imgur.com/MLoBpuo.jpg)
The Starbucks teen section. Lots of corporate sponsorship around.
![](http://i.imgur.com/OCWFs6T.jpg)
We were there while there was a playoff game happening.
![](http://i.imgur.com/Q74YRMw.jpg)
People were super excited to watch the game on huge projection screen. Also, this room is pretty nice.
![](http://i.imgur.com/QvMg8A9.jpg)
Kids section.
![](http://i.imgur.com/Q12PrLt.jpg)
Anna is short.
![](http://i.imgur.com/qhvuuV2.jpg)
![](http://i.imgur.com/VNMPp1h.jpg)
The floor.
![](http://i.imgur.com/rLEnJUj.jpg)
Disability services.
![](http://i.imgur.com/QuSAzp4.jpg)
While I think this is super cool, I really think it exists because there aren’t enough Chinese speaking staff members to catalogue the material properly.
![](http://i.imgur.com/uBT4a6Z.jpg)
![](http://i.imgur.com/1mKUTro.jpg)
On the way to the bus back to Vancouver.
![](http://i.imgur.com/fA47ijB.jpg)
The end! Thank you Seattle! Thank you SALA at UW! We’ll come see you again soon, but first you have to visit us!