Seattle Public Library – Greenwood Branch

Go to Yo public library!
Why?
— Free WIFI yo!
— Free Books yo!
— Free Movies yo!
— Free Audio Books yo!
— Free Manga and Comics yo!
— Free Seats yo!
— Computers and stuff yo!
— Free COVERED parking yo!
— Super peaceful yo!
What else do you need? NOTHING!

Great library — beautiful building, fun (and separated) kids area, a decent number of tables/​work stations, and ok selection. It is small, as others have noted, but you can always request a book and they’ll send it here from another location. I really like their kids programs — toddler storytime, spanish storytime, occasional evening programs like fairy tale storytime, and they even had a Lego event! The location of this library is enough plus — right on the main strip of greenwood, among various shops and restaurants.

This SPL is one of the smaller locations. Not a lot of tables and seats for studying, and everything looks a bit old. But it does provide the essential SPL services, such as hold pick up. There’s a parking garage below; otherwise, it’s street parking, which can be hard to find.

When I was unemployed, I came here a couple times to work on my resume and job search because it’s across street from my dentist office and next to Aloha (the old Greenwood location). There are parking spots just below the building. You can either take the elevator or walk to the library. The staff here was very friendly. They helped me to get a library card and gave me the details about how to access the public equipment in the library.
I print stuff here! I got rid of my printer when I moved and downsized quite bit. Well, printing and copying is not free in the public library, in case, you don’t know! Yes, it costs money, but it’s still cheaper to print in a FedEx store, plus friendly people who are willing to help you.
I haven’t tried other services in the library. But, I’ve heard you can borrow videos here. Life is Good!

This branch gets 5 stars for their Friday morning Spanish story time. Tania is a fantastic teacher and the kids adore her. The free story times are filled with singing, dancing and reading. Hora De Cuentos is a priceless resource for our community. Thanks Greenwood Library!!!

Great neighborhood location, it’s open and airy and light, and the folks inside are helpful and mostly friendly. Keep up the great work!

Location, location, location.
Right in the middle of a stroll for snacking, coffee drinking, erranding (it’s a word now), and dog walking, I can add free book picking to the list.
Even if it wasn’t surrounded by a plethora of good little businesses, this library is a gem.
Some highlights:
– Giant flat rocks out front, enabling some nice R&R in the sun
– A varied (if small — but it’s a small library after all) selection of books
– Free Sunday papers
– Inside: clean, tons of light inside, not loud, and not filled up by tons of loiterers (compare the Ballard branch)
Probably my favorite of the SPL branches.
Only complaint is the librarian (or whoever was at the desk, and who was no help at all) appeared to be totally checked out herself.

I walked in to the Greenwood Library in the middle of one of the most stressful days in recent memory (see my review of True Color Hair Design) and it was like a breath of fresh, relaxing air.
I needed only to print out a document so my visit was short, but the librarian at the customer service desk was extremely helpful. She explained how the printing system worked, got me set up, and was delightful through our interaction. She was calm, she was helpful, she was a lifesaver.
The computer setup was easy to use and I didn’t have to wait to use one. The library in general was inviting, cheery, and clean.

Remodeled a few years ago, this branch is a perfect example of a neighborhood library.
I have to confess, I don’t go to the staff much, other than to deal with problems checking out electronically, etc. They’re always polite, but I can’t speak to their helpfulness.
Like a lot of middle-​aged technophiles, I do most of my library business online. When I need to go to the actual Greenwood Library, I get in, get out, and no one gets hurt.
Having this in the ‘hood is one of the many reasons I love Greenwood.

One of the city’s libraries redesigned and improved (way to go voters of Seattle for approving that measure). I love going there and it is always a relaxed place to sit and read your book or one of their magazines. There is a quiet room for people who don’t want any noise infringing on their Experience. The Holds area is neatly organized (books, music, DVDs) and the wait to checkout is very quick with 3 – 4 terminals.
I like it too because it is a community hub with local event posters and a room devoted to community group meetings. Plus, love that the librarians have been there for years and are super nice.
A couple little nitpicks, though. The elevator from the parking garage is the slowest ride I have ever been on. If you don’t need to use the elevator, you have to go out of the garage, up a hill, and then through the front door. One can make it faster doing it this way. Really, it’s a minor issue. And, aesthetically, it already feels a wee bit dated. Like the poor cousin of the Central Library.
Worth a visit!

Stepped into the Greenwood Library for a bit while I waited for Aloha Ramen across the street to open for lunch. The library is one of the nicest ones that I have come across in Seattle. The building is relatively new. I believe I saw a sign here that said it was built in 2005.
Unfortunately, I feel like this library was designed more for aesthetics rather than for functionality. The library has two floors, yet they decided to go for the high ceiling look. It seems like the second floor is mostly offices or meeting space? And that is a bit of a waste.
The public libraries that I visited in Hawaii were generally these fairly dated buildings, but they always carried a huge selection of books. Even if some titles are quite old, I would prefer that public library systems take a hoarder mentality to their collections rather than taking books out of circulation due to space issues. I am not saying this is as fact of what’s happening here, but it just seems like the selection at Greenwood is not the greatest.
Despite this, I do like that the library is open daily almost. Though some days may have more limited hours and they are closed 1 whole week every year for fiscal reasons. Plus, like the fact that they have many computers available for public use, free wi-​fi and a good amount of seating. I like being able to pop in here to check the Internet for a bit while in Greenwood.
I think the library is okay, but hopefully they will work on bulking up the library collection. And with quality literature. Jane Austen yes, Snooki not so much.

One of my favorite places to relax in Seattle. I immediately feel comfortable right when I enter this library and have no trouble finding a place to curl up and read. I am also a fan of the location, especially since Aloha Ramen is a walk away.
I only wish they had later hours on Sundays but that will most likely not change anytime soon.

I’ve lived all over town, and this library is just about as good as it gets. The Ballard Branch is the only one I’ve seen that can reasonably counter it.
The staff is incredibly friendly, and I can almost always reserve a computer here and get it within 10 minutes. It’s well-​lit, has clean bathrooms, a parking garage underneath (accessible via 81^st), and is decently quiet even though it’s almost always full. It’s also open 7 days/​week, which is incredibly useful especially given the recent cuts. All my holds come here, and even without them, I usually browse and can find something of interest.
Major props to having a decent collection of David Foster Wallace works too!

Three stars for convenience b/​c I live literally right across the street, so if I need to print something out, I can just hop on over and do it. But honestly, I hate that they open at 10am. Why so late? Maybe it’s b/​c of the whole save-​King-​County-​some-​money thing. And they upped the printing price to 15 cents/​page. It used to be 10 cents/​page. Oh wells. Also, it’s kind of small. Not the largest selection of books or movies. I do like the fact that it’s a nice, new modern building w/​lots of glass windows and natural lighting, though.

This branch is a gem in the Greenwood neighbourhood. There’s ample street and garage parking. And I absolutely love the seating and natural lighting everywhere. The patio outside is lovely and the staffers are generous with their time when helping you. It is a smaller branch but a nice one when I can’t get to my local branch.
I’d suggest checking it out if you live in the area. And apply for a library card… your tax dollars pay for it so why take advantage of Seattle’s extensive catalogue.

Woohoo I love this little Oasis where you can get away from the noise & hectic’ness of life.
The library is bright, quiet, comfy seating, and a lovely place to escape to. It’s obviously filled with books, dvd’s, cd’s, and more, and I do so love being surrounded by books.
I wish there were more computers & that they had longer hours, like the Snohomish County libraries do.
The décor & the couches are way cute, and it’s nice that they have a little patio area too.

A wonderful place to sit, relax, and read a book.
As Seattle Public Libraries go, we have the best library system, but the local branches have a flair, which only help showcase the beauty of each neighborhood. Perhaps the most lovely aspect is the friendly people who work there; they make an effort to make you feel loved, and will help you find pretty much anything, even an inter-​libary loan.
I love the selection of of books, and the magazines, cd and DVDs, awesome! If you want to visit a library, this would be the best example of what seattle has to offer, with the exception of the Downtown location.

All of Seattle’s libraries get a 5 star in my book, and even though Greenwood’s branch is a little small, it’s still got everything you need to grab free DVDs, Cd’s, and of course my favorite… books about shrews, outer space, magic tricks, art, and spontaneous combustion!
Is Free even a price?
Who can know such things?

First, a disclaimer: I am a bit of a bibliophile, and I loooove me some libraries. So, you could say, I’m easy to please.
Also, forget NetFlix. This is the spot I hit up whenever I’m in need of a last-​minute DVD. I’m talking mainly the foreign, documentary, classic, or B-​list variety – they’re not so good on the new releases unless you’ve reserved them on hold.
I’m also a fan of hanging out in the light-​filled space and using the WiFi. The book selection isn’t the greatest, but again, through the wonders of the SPL hold system, you should be able to get whatever you’d like in fairly short order.

I loved the old brick library building and was traumatized when it was closed to erect the new building (too bad the plan fell through for the location where the McDonald’s is). I had to schlep over to the U District (convenient for the farmers market, however) or Green Lake branches.
But — the new branch building is gorgeous and enlarged, with plenty of computers and the same great and friendly staff (except for that one — oh never mind) that often remembers me and pulls my DVD and inter-​library loans before I even say anything. I go every weekend to get my fix, sometimes to just sit and gaze out the East picture window at the mighty view. I walk over, but there is parking underneath.
What a cool place, and convenient to the 5 bus, Diva Espresso, Taco Del Mar, Manna Teriyaki, Kebab House, Pete’s Egg Nest and much more along Greenwood Ave N. Great for a stopover during the Greenwood Car Show.