Further Bookish Thoughts

In my previous posting I omitted some of the most interesting information with regards to the Central Library. Aside from the startling aesthetics and refreshing functionality, it is important to share just how  the library came to be constructed and also to gauge its impact on the city. I'm grateful to one of the checking clerk at the Central Library for all the facts and figures. 

In 1998, the residents of Seattle voted (in one of their many, many referendums), 70% in favour for a $196.4 million public bond issue called ‘Libraries for All’. This public funding provided the basis for improvements to 22 existing libraries and the creation of 4 new branches across the city, which included $160 million for the new Seattle Central Library. A further $20 million in funding was provided by variety of philanthropic foundations and individuals including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 

It is clear from referendum results that Seattle has a strong civic sense of literacy and the importance of this value is reflected not only in the architectural grandeur of Central Library but also in its usage. Last year over 10 million items were checked out of the Seattle Public Library system, equivalent to more than 16 books per person. Similarly the people traffic rates within the Library system have quadrupled since the opening of Central Library to over 30,000 visitors a week. 


These statistics are not surprising with a building such as the bizarre but dazzling wonderful Central Library providing the energetic core of the city’s public library system. Personally I would rather swap the 2012 London Olympic games budget for 20 such libraries across Great Britain and then perhaps redevelop our poor public sporting facilities with the spare change. But then I guess improving literacy rates and public health are weak outcomes compared to 4 weeks of international media attention…