The downtown Seattle Public Library is turning 10 years young this month, and it deserves a celebration. Mayor Murray has declared next Friday (May 23, it’s official 10th birthday) “Seattle Public Library Day” and it was featured on PBS’s new architecture program “Cool Spaces!” last night:
As for how to celebrate, that begins tomorrow. Here’s the full agenda:
Joshua Prince-Ramus presents “Agency” – 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 15, Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Microsoft Auditorium. Joshua Prince-Ramus, co-architect of the Central Library, will discuss the impact that the library has had on other important buildings and public spaces.
Central Library Exhibit – Thursday, May 15, Central Library 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 8 Gallery. View photos and documents showing the history of all three library buildings on the existing Central Library site. See the evolution of this Central Library from early design to completion.
Harry and the Potters – 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 16, Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 3. Doors open at Fourth Avenue entrance at 6:30 p.m. Join us as Harry and the Potters bring their wizard brand of rock to the Library! For all ages.
Caspar Babypants – 10:30 a.m.to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17, Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 3. Dance, wriggle and laugh to a live musical performance of funny songs featuring sing-along lyrics and call-and-response interaction. For ages 6 and younger.
“Authors Gone Wild: A Celebration of Bookish Proportions” – 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 17, Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 3. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Join us for a lively program featuring music, entertainment, performances, author readings and more by Seattle7Writers and the band The Rejections (and Trailing Spouses). Authors Erik Larson and Garth Stein are the masters of ceremony. Get your photo taken in the Central Library in the free photo booth. Book signing from 9 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
Panel Discussion: “Building the Central Library” – 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22, Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Microsoft Auditorium. The people behind the design of the internationally acclaimed Central Library will talk about their vision, their challenges, and their dawning realization that the new building would make history, as well as discuss the future oflibraries.
Panelists include: Joshua Prince-Ramus, co-architect of the Central Library and principal of REX in New York City; former City Librarian Deborah L. Jacobs, now head of Global Libraries for the Gates Foundation; Sam Miller, partner at LMN Architects in Seattle; Gilbert W. Anderson, former Library Board member and emeritus member of the Library Foundation board of directors; and City Librarian Marcellus Turner. Moderator is Eric Liu, former Library Board member and current member of the Library Foundation board of directors.
Central Library Anniversary Day Fun – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday, May 23, Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Fourth Avenue Plaza
- 10 a.m. – Party kicks off with an exciting Lion Dance by Kung Fu Northwest and Fitness, Fourth Avenue Plaza. Enjoy free mini cupcakes and get a free 10th anniversary tote bag.
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Take your photo with Lulu the Library Book Fairy, who will be on the plaza and in the children’s area. She will hand out temporary tattoos of the Central Library and will use her wand to encourage reading and to honor young readers.
- 10:15 a.m. – Docent-led building tour. Meet at Level 3 Welcome Desk by Fifth Avenue entrance. (Space limited to first 20 people).
- Noon – Music by brass band Tubaluba, free mini cupcakes and free 10th anniversary tote bags.
- 12:15 p.m. – Docent-led building tour. Meet at Level 3 Welcome Desk by Fifth Avenue entrance. (Space limited to first 20 people).
- 2 p.m. – Music by brass band Tubaluba, free mini cupcakes and free 10th anniversary tote bags.
- 2:15 p.m. – Docent-led building tour. Meet at Level 3 Welcome Desk by Fifth Avenue entrance. (Space limited to first 20 people).
- 4 p.m. – Music by brass band Tubaluba, free mini cupcakes and free 10th anniversary tote bags.
- 4:15 p.m. – Building tour. Meet at Level 3 Welcome Desk by Fifth Avenue entrance. (Space limited to first 20 people).
{Photo from Wikicommons, by Moody75.}
