Seattle Public Library – High Point Branch

This is still a nice branch with mostly friendly, courteous, helpful staff (though there is one who seems to feel put upon regardless of what kind of help is sought and can be rude), and a lot of resources and events for both adults and kids (a book group, story times, etc.).
However, the noise has gotten out of hand again: this is not a place where everyone can get done what they came to the library to do. Often the computers are taken over by noisy gaming kids, who repeatedly ignore requests to not loudly comment and call out to each other as if they are in a game arcade, and other people using the computers for movies, music, etc. play the volume loudly and ignore requests to turn down their noisy headphones. Intermittently this improves, but unfortunately staff seem reluctant to help despite the postings on the computers about respecting others. Often, they simply ignore the rising noise from the computers, leaving patrons to repeatedly comment either to the people making noise or to the staff, often with little result. Hence, the library is becoming a place where recreation is privileged over people trying to use the resources for work that requires some concentration. Meanwhile, kids are learning there is no value in respecting others.
Unfortunately, the library generally, for a public institution and one that often solicits feedback, is rather unresponsive to any negative feedback. Typically the feedback forms generate a justification of why they won’t change whatever the comment is regarding. So despite the convenience of the branch and all the nice things offered here, members of the public seeking to use the resources in peace and quiet often get driven away.

I love this location, it is my main library spot! It is super convienent, always clean, the holds pickup (my favorite library feature, you place books on hold and they notify you when they are ready… its like netflix for nerds!) There are plently of computers available for use, with printing service as well as internet. The hours are pretty good, closed on Fridays and Sundays, but they are a little all ove the board — as in the open and close times are different most days of the week so it can be hard to keep track, but I like that they are open later on Mondays and Tuesdays. They always have a good selection of movies on hand and I have found the staff helpful.

I love, love, love this Seattle Public Library branch. Small and cozy, nice staff, great location!

Each time I travel through High Point I reminisce about the days when High Point was full of low income housing and crime. Now it is full of new townhomes and a branch of the Seattle Public Library. What a turn around. The library has been there for a few years yet I never went in. I haven’t set foot in a library since my college days. Libraries were the place to be when I needed materials for research papers.
My library dry spell ended after an extensive, exhausting, and irritating search for the June Unilocal Book Club (it involved calling four used book stores and four libraries to find the damn thing). Although the book had been checked out at the White Center King County Library, the very helpful front desk person told me it looked like the High Point library had a copy and gave me the number encouraging me to call. I did and to my relief they had a copy. That front desk person said they would put it on hold for me.
The High Point Seattle Public Library is in a newer building that is very brown and with steel making it seem very green and very Northwest. I entered the building and it was so bright and clean. Lots of kids and tweens occupied the space. A librarian was enthusiastically asking children if they were involved with the summer reading program. There are about ten computers available to use and book sections for children, fiction, and non-​fiction.
I glide up to the front desk and let the person know I have a book on hold but I can’t remember if I am in the system. The last time I was in the Seattle Public Library I was an adolescent. He asked for my ID, typed my name in, and found nothing. It was a good sign though. He informed me inactive memberships are deleted from the system after a year but if you have unpaid fees you are in the system forever.
Since I am no longer on file I had to sign up for a membership. He tells me its easier to sign up online. I follow him to a computer and he links to the sign up page. He says when I am done to meet him at the front desk for my card. After less than a minute filling out boxes with my information, I’m back at the desk for my card. A new person greets me and I explain I just signed up and needed a card. He happily gets me a new card, tells me about how many materials I can check out at one time and how long they can be checked out for, and says he can go through with me how to check out a book. I stop him and say I’d like to look around a bit. He nods politely and lets me search.
I browse through the book shelves and stumble across the small graphic novels section. I pull one out. Then I see the cookbook section and pull out on on vegetarian cooking.
I am back at the front desk and we go through the simple and fast way to check out my periodicals. I print a receipt, grab my books, and am off.
The High Point Branch of the Seattle Public Library is a breath of fresh air. The staff are ridiculously attentive and friendly. They have just re-​ignited my fondness for reading books for free!