Remember air raid drills? They darkened the skylight of West Seattle Library. This library has served generations. It stands as a touchstone.
The West Seattle Library opened July 23, 1910. It was Seattle’s first permanent library branch. This historic building is at 42nd Avenue Southwest and Southwest College Street.
In 1908, Andrew Carnegie donated $35,000. This donation helped build the West Seattle Library. That same year, the Niesz family donated land. Other West Seattle residents also contributed.
Architects W. Marbury Somervell and Joseph Coté designed it. The library cost $38,344.48. Hundreds attended the opening. Mayor Hiram Gill spoke. City Councilman Uriah Niesz also spoke. George Alfred Caldwell, the library board chairman, gave remarks. The West Seattle Men’s and Women’s Improvement Clubs decorated.
The library started with 5,546 books. West Seattle High School students loved it. Librarians invited others to visit. They posted flyers at the ferry landing. They listed new books at the post office.
By 1915, the collection grew to 8,212 books. If a book wasn’t available, librarians reserved it. During World War I, the library aided war service. Boys sorted sphagnum moss for bandages.
The West Seattle Library closed during the 1918 influenza pandemic. In 1919, smallpox struck. The Board of Health burned 70 books. These books came from quarantined homes.
West Seattle High School’s enrollment tripled by 1923. The children’s librarian visited classrooms. The principal of Jefferson School used library trips as rewards.
Irene Tully became the branch librarian in 1927. She held the position for 30 years. The downtown library stored books in the West Seattle basement.
The Great Depression impacted the library. Staff salaries were cut. The library closed one day a week. Librarians retrieved overdue materials from homes.
During World War II, the library became an air raid warden headquarters. Civil Defense held training sessions there. The skylight was painted black. This conformed to blackout rules.
In 1987, the West Seattle Library was renovated. A wheelchair ramp was added. The skylights were restored. The aluminum doors returned to wood and glass.
Computers arrived. In 2003, another renovation began. It reopened in April 2004. It gained an auditorium. The staff had requested one since 1910.
Today, the West Seattle Library remains a vital resource. It’s a cozy space for everyone. People reconnect with their childhood memories here. Story Time is popular.
It continues to serve West Seattle families.