Donald F. Padelford’s review of the new Seattle Public Library
I’ve only been there for about 15 minutes. That’s because I went there 15 minutes before it closed (6 pm on Fridays). I don’t understand why libraries close so early. Seems that keeping the place open more should be a greater priority than having trendy architecture.
It’s just about impossible to have a rational discussion about the monorail in Seattle today; the monorail must be a stand-in for some larger and more profound unhappiness and un-ease but not along left/right lines. Some of the most vigorous opponents are people who — legitimately — consider themselves urbane city-loving liberals.
Some however claim to be “conservative.” Some claim to be Libertarians. But it is clear that all who oppose the monorail are simply…how do I say it politely?
Comments (4)
Are they being polite to the supporters?
Libraries cost precious dollars to run out of the city budget. Even here, as the days get warmer and public school nears summer vacation, the library hours get shorter.
I know. I feel like libraries in general close too early. And here in Seattle, we spent a ton of money on a trendy building that could have been spent staffing people. Menlo tells me the library was approved in the late 90s, when Seattle had money to throw around. Hind sight is always 20/20, and I do like the building very much. But it’s a luxary I’m not sure the city can afford.
The comments on this this post on Veritas et Venustas (a href=”http://massengale.typepad.com/venustas/2004/05/koolhaas_in_sea.html) are pretty harsh: “If you want to know how kids who have learning disabilities feel, visit this library: what you learn to do to navigate one floor cannot be applied to the others.”
I agree. I was pretty damn confused the entire 15 minutes I was there. I just thought it was because I was rushed and not good with directions, but it seems I’m not alone.
The voters here in Seattle voted to raise money to build new libraries. Then too many people voted against taxes that would go to staffing those new libraries. That’s why Seattle has a spiffy new library downtown but has to close it at 6.