The Seattle Public Library – Ballard Branch

I love the Seattle Public Library. I often place items on hold and use the library’s app and email service to see when they are available to pick up. The app is also nice because it saves a copy of your library cards barcode which you can use to check out materials should you not have your physical card handy. And I love that instead of scanning your books you need only place them on top of the reader and it scans three or four at a time. The staff is friendly and helpful should I have any questions.
The Ballard branch itself is beautiful! Its architecture is stunning and modern. It also has free parking in a garage beneath the library for use while you are patronizing the establishment. Be careful not to tarry elsewhere because their signs don’t lie: parking closes at the same time as the library and your vehicle will be locked in for the night.
All in all, I love this place. I have yet to visit any of the other branches so I can’t speak to their building/​parking but The Seattle Public Library is definitely my favorite library I have ever belonged to!

This is a great library. I only wish the people using the computers smelled better. They have story time once a week (Wednesday’s at 10 I think) which is great if you have toddlers. It seems like a lot of… displaced people hang out there. I don’t know if they are homeless or just grungy. I guess it’s a public place so that’s cool. Kind of awkward for the kiddies though.

Well, ding dong dingies! I came on a childrens day and the screaming and yelling was not my thing. I appreciate the books and computers, but for this day and review the «free pass» to scream is not ideal for my liking.

This library would be perfect to hang out in if they didn’t place the only comfortable seats in the ENTIRE LIBRARY in the teen zone, which is supposedly an off-​limits to adults on weekends and evenings (aka: when we can actually go to the library).
Seriously?

I love the Ballard library.
Pros:
*Free parking
*Great book selection
*Helpful staff
*Clean
*Great location
I’m a fan.

I wish this branch was up back in the day when I lived in Ballard! No matter, I still go there from time to time.
The design of the building was one of the first that I really turned my head at. I mean, it’s a library, right? The «green» roof is what turned my head. I wish I had plants on top my roof (I’m just sayin’).
This branch is peaceful and great for all ages! Whether you’re in a meeting room, there for children’s story time, or just looking to pick up some books, it seems like there’s something for everyone. Staff members are friendly and super helpful. Oh! Did I mention the FREE parking garage? Who would have thought that somewhere in Seattle, there would be a free parking garage at a government building. Awesomeness!

Thank you for helping to make our company Treasure Hunt a great success!

People in Seattle should be thankful for all the elegantly designed, modern public libraries.
Our Ballard location is streamlined and sexy and right in the thick of Ballard’s action. The staff are super helpful and always available.
As a bonus there is underground parking that is free, if not a little tight to maneuver through.
This branch is frequented by many members of the homeless community so sometimes the lobby can be a bit tricky to get through but the staff are very respectful and thoughtful to both these folks and library users.
I am proud of our city for maintaining so many pleasant, hospitable free spaces.

Ballard is my favorite neighborhood of Seattle. Yes, it can be crowded, but I still get a smaller town feel when I walk the avenues here. Now if you’re walking the avenues north of Market, you may come across this cool-​looking structure: The Ballard Library.
With it’s artistic and eco-​friendly design, this building makes you cool by association. This building will make you wanna do some book-​learnin’!
I don’t have a library card here, but I walked around after using their low/​no water restroom. There is a cool exhibit in front which covers many of the state of the art features of this space. One of the cool things I liked was the periscope inside which lets you look at the living garden roof.
Places like this are why Ballard’s the bomb.

I love you guys. Seriously.

It’s great! I love this library. I’ve been pleased with SPL as a whole and their online system of reserving and managing holds. I use the library heavily and have never had a problem.
Kudos for having an actual parking lot! Sometimes you have to wait for a spot here, but it’s worth it to park for free.

Great place to pick up holds with the best roof in town!

Nice library in the heart of Ballard. Was trying out the connection of my new Wi-​Fi iPad so I popped into here. The iPad connected wonderfully to this location. I even sent my first check-​in from here. The library is just one tenant in a multi use building. There is a parking garage here too which is great for the neighborhood.
Though the library seems a little bit small. It does remind me sort of, the Capitol Hill location because of its compactness. The space is comfortable though with plenty of seating. Can not critique the library collection found here though since I did not really peruse. I will say that they have good Wi-​Fi here.

The Ballard Library is awesome, and my favorite of all the Seattle libraries (okay, I haven’t been to every one, but I’ve been to many).
I’ve been a regular long enough that the staff know me (Holla!) and they look out for me if I’ve got a giant pile of books on my lap and no Handsome Gentleman to help me out.
When I was in architecture school, I chose this building to study, and I made a SketchUp model of the entire building, although I only had to draw the floor plan. That’s love, I tell ya.
The SPL system is an amazing library system, and if I die without any benefactors, they’re getting all my money.

Ballard Public Library is a beautiful building with an airy atmosphere, and I can usually find a few good DVDs and books here. Unfortunately, their selection is quite limited, so don’t expect to walk in here with a specific list and find what you’re looking for — best to reserve the books and movies ahead of time and pick them up.
On Sunday, they don’t open until 1pm, which seems a bit late to me. Oh well. Furthermore, most times I come here the public is a bit unruly: loud old people on their cell phones, scary homeless people ogling instead of reading, and energetic children weaving about the aisles. Sometimes, though, the reading areas are quite pleasant. Overall, if you are in Ballard I would recommend stopping in for a browse, but otherwise, pick up your holds and walk to Verite Coffee or somesuch shop.

I got kicked out at 4:58pm on a Sunday. It was a little surreal. Toys «R» Us is open later than that. I know most Seattle city libraries close at the same time, it really would’ve been nice to stay an hour or two longer. Last I checked, our libraries aren’t places to worship.
Anyway, the branch is a huge improvement from the older one. It’s comfortable, modern, and surprisingly quiet. It’s not the closest branch to me but it’s an alternative should the occasion ever arise to enjoy some alone time in a quiet place filled with an excellent selection of books and multimedia.

What a happy, modern little liberry.
I got my Seattle library card here, and I’m glad I did. The info desk was about 5 feet from the catalog computer which was 5 feet from the checkout desk, so I completed the whole process in under ten minutes. I’ve also never signed up for a library card electronically before — when did libraries get so digital? Does it have to do with Obama?
I haven’t checked out books from this location yet, but it was a pleasant modern local library with an intuitive layout, so I’ll definitely go back. On the plus side, if you can’t find your book here it’s a quick drive to the nubbin-​sized Wallingford library.

I’m a book nerd, I’ll admit it. I am.
I enjoy the library.
I put books on hold with the help of the internets (yes, the internets, w/​an «s»), and POOF! I get a notification via email that my book is waiting for me.
On top of that, it’s freakishly easy checking books out.
If you’re one of those people that buys books on a regular basis, which I was, stop! Use the library. It’s much much cheaper. And you’ll use up less storage space in your house… unless you have an actual room dedicated to books… in which case you’re a lucky bastard.

Things I like:
Books
The Internet
Free things
Quiet spaces
Well designed buildings
Eames chairs
Lattes and baked goods
If they served coffee here and stocked Besalu macaroons then this place would be my permanent home. I guess this is why all the tables have signs on them requesting you to «Please limit the size of your personal items to no larger than 14wx17hx20d» because otherwise this would be a Yuppy flop house.

A charming branch library.
The grass-​covered roof and modern architecture are an exciting find.
If you don’t live in Seattle, they will give you a guest pass for the internet computers. You can even print for ten cents a page.