Learn about some of the unique spaces where Foundation support brings the vision of the Central Library to life every day!
Two decades ago, thousands of donors supported the Libraries for All campaign that built, expanded, or renovated public libraries across Seattle — including the Central Library. The world-famous building opened its doors in 2004, and it remains a signature attraction for visitors and an essential hub for our local community.
Pictured: Jose (second from left) introduced out-of-town friends to Seattle in the Maritz Map Room on Level 9. (Photo by Anthony Martinez)
Achieving goals at the LEAP Lab
Every week, Eleni takes a Metro Access van to the Central Library to the back of Level 1: the Library Equal Access Program’s Drop-in Assistive Technology Lab (LEAP Lab).
LEAP helps patrons with disabilities access library programs and resources. Thanks to support from Foundation donors, the Lab provides equipment such as screen magnification, braille displays, and ASL-interpreted calling, as well as direct assistance from trained staff.
Eleni, a person with blindness, participated in the community advisory process more than two decades ago when the Central Library was being built. She said her goal then and now remains the same: “The community wants to see accessibility.”
Originally from Ethiopia, Eleni has lived in Seattle for decades and has visited the LEAP Lab for many years. She regularly refers other people with disabilities to its services. “It’s the one place where you can come where your challenge or your disability is not an issue,” Eleni said.
Recently, she has worked with LEAP staff on a personal goal: applying to graduate school. Eleni wants to study vocational rehabilitation counseling to help those with barriers to employment.
The application process presents many of its own barriers, including simple things like reading attachments or filling out forms. The technology and staff support in the LEAP Lab helped at each step. Eleni was accepted to a program at Western Washington and credits the LEAP Lab not only with assisting her application, but also treating her with respect and empathy throughout the long process.
“For blind people, trust can be an issue in some places. Not here,” Eleni said. “Coming here, they welcome you unconditionally. You’re understood, your needs are met. You know you can get help for whatever you ask. It’s a lifesaver.”
Finding creativity in the Writers’ Room
“Like a lot of bookish people, I’ve long had the desire to live in a large library,” said author Josephine Ensign. “The Writers’ Room is fairly close to that fantasy.”
The Eulalie and Carlo Scandiuzzi Writers’ Room on Level 9 is a special place for Seattle’s literary community. Named for longtime Foundation donors, it offers space and resources to help writers pursue new projects.
Writers can apply for a residency in the room each year, creating a supportive cohort of people working in the same space and using the library’s collections to advance their work. The Writers’ Room Residency features writers working in a wide variety of fields and genres, and includes both established and emerging writers.
Novelist Elise Hooper is part of the 2024 cohort as she works on her upcoming book “The Library of Lost Dollhouses.” “I’ve loved accessing old yearbooks, photographs, and newspapers in the Seattle Room [Level 10] and then sitting down to write nearby with all these wonderful sources fresh in my mind’s eye,” Hooper said.
Ensign, author of several books about homelessness including “Skid Road,” said that the Writers’ Room reflects the mission of the library. “Public libraries save lives. They provide sanctuary for people of all ages and from all walks in life,” she said. “To extend that sanctuary to a group of diverse writers in their own designated room is magical.”
Showcasing culture in the ZAPP Zine Room
Did you know that Sub Pop was a zine before it was a famous local record label? Or that its original zines sit alongside more than 30,000 others on Level 7 of the Central Library?
The library’s ZAPP Zine Collection became more accessible this summer with a dedicated space and expanded open hours. Donated by the Richard Hugo House in 2017, with cataloging support from the Foundation, the collection is a treasure trove of Northwest art and culture. Zines are small circulation, self-published fan magazines, and this collection spotlights the voices of authors of color, young artists, and LGBTQ+ voices.
“Each zine is a labor of love by its artist, and the entire collection offers access to unique personal histories and a wide range of perspectives on music, art, politics, culture, and more,” said Abby Bass, one of SPL’s four zine librarians.
The room on Level 7 is open for browsing by appointment or every Saturday evening starting in October, with personal assistance from zine librarians. Its exterior features a new mural from Northwest artist E.T. Russian, whose zines are included in the collection.
Requests for appointments with zine librarians have significantly increased since the pandemic, said Linda Johns, a reader services managing librarian at the Central Library. The revamped space reflects the library’s commitment to spotlighting local artists and Seattle’s creative economy. “It’s amazing how many people in the comics and zine world are now aware of the collection,” Johns said.
The impact of donor support can be found throughout the Central Library:
Level 1: Baby Story Time entertains little ones and caregivers every Tuesday in the Children’s Center.
Level 3: builds connections between staff and patrons, including those facing housing insecurity, at a weekly informal gathering with food and music.
Level 8: Music Practice Rooms offer some of Seattle’s only free spaces for musicians to rehearse, now featuring pianos and guitars.
Level 9: Genealogy Collection provides one-on-one assistance from specialized librarians exploring Washington’s largest resource on family histories.
Your support for the Foundation brings stories, knowledge, and connections to our libraries every day. Give today!
