Seattle’s dramatic new central library opened in May 2004, creating a buzz in the architectural community and among book lovers. Designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, the hard-to-ignore angular structure has a steel and glass skin encompassing a series of soaring open spaces, crayon-colored escalators, artwork at every turn and a top-floor reading room with views of Puget Sound. An intriguing and innovative feature is the “Books Spiral”
or “Dewey Ramp” that allows the library to house all its non-fiction books on four floors of continuous, uninterrupted, spiral shelving. Stop by for a browse or sign up for a guided general or architectural tour at the Fifth Avenue Welcome Desk. Seattle’s Central Library is located at 1000 Fourth Ave. Visit www.spl.org or call 206-386-4636 for more information.
