Seattle Public Library – Northgate Branch

One of the more smaller libraries that I’ve been to in the Seattle area, without question. This library is located in close proximity to the Northgate Mall. Convenient? I would think so when it comes to its location. Yet is parking & the interior convenient? I dunno.
For starters, this library’s hours are just weird. Just all over the place at any given week. For a library that is in a fun city like Seattle, you would expect something more consistent. While the library is quiet, the seating area around some of the tables can get somewhat cramped in a way. The WiFi is decent, provided that patrons aren’t downloaded 500 GB worth of games while you are trying to maintain a good connection on whatever.
The resources are what you would expect from a smaller library, and that’s fine. The librarians are extremely helpful and seem to be genuinely interested in what you are trying to do in terms of referencing (especially the University of Washington student-​employees). They seem to know who the out-​of-​towners like myself are, as well as the mall rats that just want to hang out & pick up girls. The employees can read my WTF-​like expression from a mile away when it comes to finding what I need here, yet they are proactive in helping me.
Provided that my rental isn’t door-​dinged in the parking lot as a result of cars being packed in tight from the design of close confines, the area can be so-​so. What makes up for that is the majestic scenery around it from various flowers & other foliage that were provided by King County employees.
Altogether, this library is okay for a return trip.

Smaller library located across the street from the Northgate Mall with a bus stop right in front. Great location, library is on the small size, but not bad.

It is wonderful to see so many people of all ages enjoying the library today. Every section was filled with people. We found a new book and a bonus — they have a summer reading program, 2015 Summer Of Learning — Wild Science! AND, children get to pick a free book to take home to keep! Thanks!

I love going to the library, reading is one of the things I really enjoy whenever I have any down time outside of going to the gym. The Northgste branch is centrally located and is clean and helpful staff.
I’ve just about checked into every library in the Greater Seattle area, beasuse of convenience. Northgate is one of the convenient locations, because It’s close to the commuter lot and on my way home.
I love the idea of been able to return your rentals to any locations and this makes it easier to do so. Parking can be a bit dicy sometimes, but you can always park across the strret at the mall and walk over.
They provide computer training here, you can print and copy, but you must have a valid
library card to take advantage of their free service with the exception of priting and copying there’s a 15 cents per copy/​print no pennies.
Only service dogs are allowed at all of the locations inlcuding this branch. Don’t like thst rule.
Anyway, Thanks to the Librarian who helped me today with mt reseach.

A delightful small library located very close to the Northgate Mall, the Northgate Branch of the Seattle Public Library system contains many of the amenities often reserved for bigger branches. There is a quiet study room space, an ample selection of magazines, & even some rocking chairs with side tables that face a nice little patch of grass.
The Northgate branch also includes a number of small touches that make it stand out. There is a reading poster that references the Lego movie, and die-​cut labels with small notes made by the librarians scattered around the stacks.
The hours are a little odd, but there is a night drop. Additionally, the location is literally a stop on the route of the number 41 bus– so I guess there is no longer any excuse for mall-​rats to have overdue library books.

Parking can be difficult, but there is more parking across the street at the mall.
My favorite part of the library: reading in one of the rocking chairs looking out through the large windows. Outside? A grassy park. Allowing myself to be engrossed in a book here in one of these ticking chairs is like reading in an outdoor park, without the bug bites. Like my little oasis in the city.
It’s a small library, but if there is something I really want, order online for pickup.

This library is a fairly small relative to the other public libraries I’ve been to. However, it’s got nice big windows where you can sit by and just soak in the weather. It’s quite calming.
Like most if not all public libraries, there is free wi-​fi and a couple study rooms. Parking is actually not too bad either. I didn’t have any trouble finding parking in their lot.
I did knock it 1 star because I found the book selection to be a bit slim.

What’s wrong with the front desk people??? Are they mad at the public???

Recently I signed up for a library card at the Seattle Public Library (SPL). Little did I know that having a library card in Seattle is awesome. I have been checking out books slowly, but steadily. I just read ‘Outliers: The Story of Success’ by Malcolm Gladwell and I am currently on ‘Ready Player One: A Novel’ by Ernest Cline. Both books that I have been wanting to read, yet didn’t want to drop money on. Thus, the library.
g_​spl_​logoI also had no clue that the library has kept up the the times. SPL is part of different media share platforms like hoopla, Freegal music, and OverDrive. Each platform gives you an opportunity to stream, download, and/​or check-​out media! And lots of it.
I just discovered hoopla today. So far I have been able to listen to Jay-z’s, Pearl Jam’s, Bruno Mar’s, Lorde’s and the Arctic Monkey’s new albums. All in one day. And that is just what I have found so far. I am sure there are many other albums I would like to listen too, oh and they have movies, audiobooks, and tv shows. In hoopla’s case you have to ‘check-​out’ the material, to be returned at a set date. Saves me tons of cash on media that I just want to check out first before I buy. Also, there is an app for that…
Freegal lets you download three songs a week (or one music video and a song). As far as I know that is what you get, no returns, no problems. Lots of selection too. I just got a KRS-​One album and working on a newly discovered artist’s album by ‘Meklit Hadero’. So chill. They also have a ‘Wish List” you can populate with music you want to have in the future. I am using this as an opportunity to obtain music I normally would not want to have for money, but enjoy none-​the-​less.
OverDrive I have been using for audiobooks. I have the app on my phone and I have listened to the bulk of «4-​Hour Work Week» (once I hit how to be rich by selling crap part I got sick of it, but learned a bunch about time management and good work habits) and have started into «Spark:The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain». So far it has just been providing evidence of how good exercise is for the brain, so it better pick up soon I will drop it fast. This is the beauty of the library system, I am not invested! I can drop books and music without the regret of a huge monetary investment.
Maybe I am late to the party, but if you have a Seattle area address, get hooked up with a library card stat! There are branches all over the place. If you are in another part of the world, check out you library. Maybe you will be amazed with the new media capabilities, and save a butt load of cash. Either way, my life has totally been enriched just from this simple discovery, so mark me down for a win.

Great interior, opens everyday, decent collection (DVDs, manga, comic books. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can always have books from other branches to be delivered here). Parking can be an issue because of the small lot, but plenty more at the mall across the street.
The big negative? They should rename this into a day care center. Everyday you have people with kids that are running around, yelling, crying, banging on things, etc. If you want a peaceful library, this may not be a good spot.
3 star day care center that also let you borrow books.

O Seattle Public Library! I wish you had more books that weren’t romance novels or bad mass paperbacks. I actually asked a reference librarian here for a list of Pulitzer prizes and he ran to the reference section, clearing not realizing (like I did later) that 1) There was a printed copy of them on a bookmark on the wall opposite his desk 2) They have an entire online database of recommended books that he should have told me about.
Because of the lack of «real» books here, I have to request everything in from the main branch, which is yuck-​o. Also, interlibrary loan costs a whopping $ 25. That is pure craziness. What is going on with our public libraries and education system that is it so hard to learn something these days???
Parking is bad. Seating– there is some of it, but this place gets crazy busy so don’t expect a lot of it.

I’m so glad I ended up here. The Lake City branch is kind of sad and old and depressing. This is so sunny and clean and there is a fantastic kid’s area. I had a meeting in one of their meeting rooms and that was very nice and clean. The staff was very helpful. I just wish they had baby story time! I’ve only been here at around 10 or 11 AM and at that time of day there is plenty of parking.

This is my neighborhood Seattle Public Library so I come here a lot with my daughter who has discovered the joy of reading. There is a nice children’s area with comfortable seating so you can read with your little ones. If you’re in a hurry, I love that you can put holds on items online and when they come in, you get a notice and you can easily pop in, get your books/​dvds and pop out.
Parking can be a challenge some days. The public library shares the same parking lot as the Northgate Community Center and depending on the time of day you may need to park across the street in the mall parking.
I’ve also come here to do some work during the day and have taken advantage of the quiet and free wifi. There are also study rooms you can reserve and use for an hour if you really need some extra peace and quiet.
Overall, most of my visits and experiences here have been very positive. The staff is helpful and friendly.

I recently discovered this branch of the library up by Northgate and really fell in love. I stopped by to print some things for school. I knew I owed some fines so I also wanted to pay these. When I went in to ask about getting my fees paid with a debit card the wonderful gentleman who worked the counter walked me to a computer and helped get me set up. He walked me step by step through locating the webpage for fine paying and then how to add money to my print account for the library. I thought this was really nice that he went above and beyond to get things done. The other attendants I met were also very nice.
The library is very well lit and has several walls of windows. On the far side from the entrance they have a row of rocking chairs looking out from a large bay of windows and looking out on to a nice green lawn of the neighboring community center. It is a great place to curl up and read a good book. If you are there to study they have a quiet room or a row of tables and chairs. If you explore there are little corners with comfy spots if you like privacy.
The computer I use was old, but it seemed pretty fast when I was pulling up my syllabus online for my college classes. It has limited usability only allowing web browsing, word processing, calculator, and such. This is oddly regulated by some software loaded on the pc. The printing is 15cents a page which is kind of steep compared to the college, but not too bad if you only are printing a few pages at a time.
I cannot comment on parking as I do not drive, but there is a bus stop right in front of the library doors and the busses run fairly often by it so getting here on public transportation shouldn’t be difficult. Overall this is a smaller branch that makes a big impression. I will be back to check it out again and again mostly for those super sweet rocking chairs!

The CD and DVD selections are extensive, especially for foreign films.
The parking issue has been raised in other reviews: no one will mind if there’s a five-​minute drop-​off parking spot, although those are readily abused by illiterates in many library parking lots.
I do like the abundance of solitary spots to read, study areas, availability of stations for catalogue lookups. The washrooms are readily accessible. The children’s area is perfectly sequestered and comfortable for parents and children to share books and terminals. I’m grateful for the library as I’ve been living in the area before the library showed up, and having one within walking distance is very important to me.
Some of the people bother me. True, libraries are for all, but you’ll find that «all» includes people who disregard the «silence your cell phone» signs, who sit in front of the computer you’ve booked and wonder why they can’t log in, people have taken to stealing the New York Times: really? you don’t have fifteen cents to photocopy a page, or a card to read it online? Common courtesy in this commons isn’t.
I know this could be a violation of copyright law, but I feel the library has a revenue stream opportunity of offering 25 cents a copy for the daily New York Times crossword.

I freely admit that I do not know the Seattle libraries as much as I should.
I grew up around libraries and used to feel more comfortable in one than I did at the mall.
This location is tiny but meant to be as there are so many branches within Seattle.
I had a last minute issue and needed to use the printer. I knew it’d cost me $ 0.15 copy (highway robbery!) but I was desperate and short on time.
I was amazed at how many people were sitting on computers, surfing Facebook and just in general taking up space.
You’re unable to use the computer without signing up for a library card. That process took another 10 mins or so and then I had to wait for a computer to free up.
The setup is a bit strange as you have to use a computer to send your job to the printer. Once that is done, you have to go to a smaller room where the ‘printers’ are. Then you have to insert cash into the machine and then select your print job.
Perhaps the library was just having a bad day I was there but it seems the process and things are just a lot slower than I recall them being when I was 8.

This is a great place to sit and read a book. I love the rocking chairs that look out over the little greenspace in front of the community center. I love the Seattle Public Library system! Just about everything can be managed on line.
As a teacher, I also like that students seem to have homework resources after school. It is a wonderful community gathering place with the option of just sitting alone by yourself with a good book.

Farewell to the NG branch, I’m heading to Broadview.
Seriously, parking fail. Like the serious of seriousness. The couple dozen spots they have are used by the library AND the community center. Both library and center have various programs during the day which result in their parking being occupied for lengths of time.
How about setting up one or two 10mins only spots? I only had to drop off books (and there was a hold to pick up, but it became a casualty), but there was NO where to pull over, even my fake side of the curb was taken and there were several cars just sitting in the lot taking up space, waiting for non-​existent car people to leave their spots. With only one direction of traffic flow allowed, this caused further back-​ups. Not very smart.
In the end, I just pulled up against a row of cars, ran to the drop off and left. My book on hold wound up expiring and now I’m one zillionth in line for it. But it wasn’t worth jeopardizing my car or blocking anyone else by going in. (Gee, wish other people were that considerate? Haw.) With my luck that day, there would have been a thousand problems with self-​check out and I’d come out to see my car towed.
Good riddance to bad parking at a tiny library that somehow gets maximum occupancy every time I head over. Boo-​urns!

I agree with the folks who have given poor reviews to this branch because of the noisy, obnoxious patrons. I wouldn’t come here to study, that’s for sure, and the computers are always solidly booked
However, I’m usually an in-​and-​out library girl (I put all my books on hold, then pick them up on my way home from work), and everything is always very neat. The folks who work there are kind and helpful. So for my purposes, this branch is a solid 4-​star place.
Parking is important to me, because I’m usually arriving during rush hour and I’m usually in a hurry. I’m almost always able to find a spot. If I don’t, I (illegally) park in the doctor’s parking lot to the north. The traffic light makes turning in off 5^th simple, despite the mall congestion.
To respond to the reviewer who was disappointed by the amount of time it took them to receive a popular book on hold, I try to make sure I always have a few less popular books on hold to tide me over until I’m at the top of the 562 person wait list. Then, when my long-​awaited book does arrive, it’s a bit of a surprise and a treat. :)

Poor Northgate always gets a bad rap — it’s far from downtown, it’s uncool, there’s nothing good there. Now, I have a fierce sense of Northgate pride, but in the case of the Northgate library branch, even I have to admit that it’s kind of lame.
The library is actually nicely located next to the community center and park, so you can see the potential for fun family outings there — walk the dog, let the kids play in the sandbox, pick up some reading material. Unfortunately, the selection just really isn’t there. The new books section is a mere one shelf, the YA section is just a book nook, and the sci-​fi and mystery sections together don’t even take up one aisle, or even one side of an aisle. They do have some computers with Internet access — you can either sign up for an hour-​long session, or use the drop-​in ones for no more than 15 minutes. This branch is not a wireless hot spot and does not have plans to get wireless access until summer 2007.
Of course, you can (and will have to) place holds on any book in the public library database, although that can be a tedious and time-​consuming affair when you’re requesting a popular book. A few weeks ago, I put a hold on a book that already had 500+ holds, and since then I’ve moved only forty or fifty spaces up the queue — a lively pace, I grant you, but at this rate I’m still going to have to wait several months to see that book. At least at the larger downtown branch, you can find plenty of other books to help you wait, but at Northgate you’re just taunted with the abstract concept of a book you’d like to read.
However, they do have a book group that meets on the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm, plus some children– and teen-​oriented activities, like their animé club or their teen book group with free pizza. And, since they’re so close to the community center, you can kill two birds with one stone when there’s events going on (this weekend, 10÷19−−−10÷22, is the Arts & Crafts Fair, with baking demonstrations, games, and food).
So, you know, it’s not bad for a distant outpost of the public library, but there’s really not enough here to satisfy the serious reader. If you want books now, and lots of ‘em, you’re better off saddling up the horses and making the epic journey downtown to the main branch. Sorry, Northgate, but I cannot tell a lie, even for you.