Going to the library? ‘Disruptions’ affecting some services
Thanks for the tip! Seattle Public Library branches are reporting some tech trouble today:
Due to disruptions to the Library network, several services will be unavailable including public computers, public printing, and some online services. Library technology staff are working to restore services, but at this time there is no estimated time for restoration.
A post on the SPL X/Twitter account shows some system work was already planned for today anyway. All SPL facilities are scheduled to be closed for the Memorial Day holiday tomorrow.
FOLLOWUP: Seattle Public Library branches’ summer hours will continue with only 1 local branch open 7 days a week
Seattle Public Library has just announced its summer schedule – and only one of West Seattle’s four branches will be open seven days a week, High Point; the one that’s currently open daily, Delridge, will join Southwest and West Seattle (Admiral) in being open 6 days a week. The new systemwide schedule starts June 20; the current schedule – originally announced as being in place at least through June 4 – will continue until then. Here’s the new schedule:
Summer Hours schedule effective Thursday, June 20
Delridge Branch
Mon 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tue 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wed Noon to 8 p.m.
Thu Noon to 8 p.m.
Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sun Closed
High Point Branch
Mon 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tue 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wed 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thu 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sun 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Southwest Branch
Mon 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tue Noon to 8 p.m.
Wed Noon to 8 p.m.
Thu 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat Closed
Sun 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
West Seattle Branch
Mon 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tue Noon to 8 p.m.
Wed Noon to 8 p.m.
Thu 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fri Closed
Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sun 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
So why move the closure day from High Point to Delridge? Systemwide, SPL says it made the closure decisions based on maximizing hours at larger, air-conditioned branches. The SPL announcement also notes that our area’s one branch without air conditioning, West Seattle (Admiral), is one of five SPL Carnegie-era branches for which it is seeking federal funding for HVAC modernization. After semi-recent upgrades, the Southwest Branch is now fully air-conditioned.
Seattle Public Library cuts back schedule, including fewer days at three West Seattle branches
(Reader photo from High Point branch closure last Sunday)
You’ll soon see signs like that one more often at local libraries – at least for a while. One year after the Seattle Public Library expanded schedules, resulting in all four of the branches in West Seattle opening seven days a week, it’s cutting back. SPL has just announced a temporary cutback that will leave only one local branch open every day. SPL says staffing shortages, combined with the city hiring freeze, will lead to cutbacks for at least the next eight weeks. According to this SPL update, 22 of its 27 branches will be affected, including these three in our area:
High Point Branch
Closed Sundays through June 4
Southwest Branch
Closed Saturdays from April 20 through June 4
West Seattle Branch
Closed Fridays through June 4
SPL explains, “Several factors have impacted the Library’s staffing capacity, including changes to the Library’s minimum staffing levels and increased leave usage. Our impacted staffing capacity has led to unplanned closures, as the Library must redirect staff from one location to another if a branch doesn’t have the right number, or right mix, of staff to open and operate a building safely and with full library services.” The minimum staffing has increased, SPL says, to “help ensure staff are able to provide full library services and are supported and prepared to manage any challenging or disruptive situations in and around our libraries.” In addition to simply deploying more staffers, SPL spokesperson Laura Gentry explains, “We are looking for a certain mix of position types to be present as well. For example, we have staff identified as ‘building leads,’ and at several locations have identified that at least two lead staff need to be present to open.”
While they are affected by the city’s budget-related hiring freeze, “Chief Librarian Tom Fay has approved several exemptions, allowing the Library to hire temporary staff to help stabilize operations.” Will everything go back to seven days a week on June 4? Gentry tells WSB, “We’re hopeful that this will resolve most unplanned closures during this period of time, but we don’t yet know what our schedule will look like past the June 4 date. We’re working on it and will have more info on that in May.”
Life-saving workshop Sunday in West Seattle: Overdose response/prevention
It happens on the streets, it happens inside homes and businesses, it happens at schools: Drug overdoses are taking lives that could have been saved. If you have two hours to spend learning what to do for someone who is overdosing, we just found out about a free workshop Sunday afternoon at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW). The Washington Recovery Alliance is presenting it, 1 pm-3 pm tomorrow: “Patrons will gain knowledge, practice, and resources on how to identify and respond to a drug overdose. The trainer will also discuss local overdose trends, harm reduction & recovery resources, and provide naloxone at no cost.” Registration is optional, but you can do that here.
WEEKEND PREVIEW: Story Time Sunday with Kraken mascot Buoy at West Seattle Library
(WSB photo, December 2022)
When the Seattle Kraken mascot Buoy came to West Seattle a little over a year ago, a big crowd turned out. This weekend, Buoy’s back – for a Story Time at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library on Sunday morning (February 18). Here’s the announcement we received today:
Sunday, February 18
10:00 – 11:30 am
Doors open at 10:00 am, story time 10:30 – 11:00 am, meet Buoy 11:00 – 11:30 am
West Seattle Branch, Seattle Public Library
Address 2306 42nd Avenue SW
Story times with Seattle Public libraries are interactive learning opportunities. At story time, kids and their families can enjoy stories, songs, and fun learning activities. Registration is not required. Kids and families will also have the opportunity to meet Seattle Kraken Mascot Buoy! Buoy will be available for photo opportunities and fun.
Buoy is the Seattle sea-troll who inhabits the caverns of Climate Pledge Arena and for who nothing beats a day filled with Kraken hockey and the team’s fans. Folks are drawn to Buoy’s many talents, high-energy, and fun-loving spirit. Odds are you’ll see the troll roaming out and about around the Pacific Northwest as well as hanging with the Fremont Troll, who happens to be Buoy’s Uncle.
When you get to the library, check in with staff for your free tickets to this all-ages event.
Celebration of life Saturday for Kyle ‘Kemo’ Tovar, 1982-2023
Family and friends will gather Saturday to celebrate the life of Kyle “Kemo” Tovar. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing:
Kyle “Kemo” Tovar
Born November 21st, 1982
Died on October Friday the 13th 2023 at the age of 40.
Those who knew Kyle “Kemo” knew how much of an impact he made on the people around him. He cared deeply about family and taking a stand against injustice or lending a helping hand. He was a creative person, often drawing or building things. He was also an ardent dog lover and patient teacher to his four-legged friends. He was loved and will be missed dearly by everyone.
A special thank you to the Native Communities that welcomed him in their homes and hearts as part of their own family. Charlie and Ben Sittingbull and their children were especially dear to him.
Kyle was preceded in death by his dear friend Ben.
He is survived by his mother Mary Stence, father Moses Tovar, sister Emily Stence, brother Ian Tovar, his three sons (from eldest to youngest): Kyle Jr, Ryden Sol and Joseph Tovar, and our dog Thor.
Kyle’s family would like to encourage those who are troubled to reach out and seek help!
Those who are able, please consider thoughtful support (financial or through power of the vote) programs that help with mental health and drug and alcohol addiction.
Information for Memorial Services are in the photo above.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
REMINDER: Southwest Library to close for two weeks starting Monday
(Southwest Branch, WSB file photo)
As announced a month ago, the Southwest Library closes for two weeks starting tomorrow, so Seattle Public Library can install a new electric HVAC system. Once that’s in place, the branch will be fully air-conditioned and more-efficiently heated, according to SPL. The branch is expected to reopen Monday, November 20th. Its book return will be closed until then, too. If you’ve put something on hold and haven’t arranged to get it rerouted, it’ll be held until the closure’s over. And a reminder that our area has four other SPL branches – High Point, Delridge, West Seattle (Admiral), and South Park; the King County Library System’s White Center branch isn’t far, either.
Looking for flu or COVID vaccination? Clinic this Saturday at Southwest Library
This Saturday at Southwest Library, free flu and COVID shots will be available – here’s the announcement:
Coming up on Saturday, October 21 from 2:00 – 5:30 pm, Seattle/King County Public Health and the Othello Station Pharmacy will provide free COVID and flu vaccines at the Southwest Library. No appointments needed, just walk on in! All vaccines are free for all; those without insurance are most welcome. Due to changes to vaccine funding, those with insurance are asked to bring their insurance information to the clinic (the shots will be free!).
The clinic includes boosters, according to the official flyer. The library is at 35th/Henderson.
FOLLOWUP: Southwest Library sets closure dates for air-conditioning installation
(Southwest Branch, WSB file photo)
The Southwest Library is one of the few Seattle Public Library branches without full A/C – but as noted before, that will change, And now we know when. Here’s today’s announcement from SPL:
The Seattle Public Library’s Northeast and Southwest branches will temporarily close in November for the installation of new electric HVAC systems that will provide air conditioning and more efficient heating to the branches, preventing unscheduled branch closures during heat waves and reducing the Library’s carbon footprint.
The closures are required for the safety of patrons and staff while the HVAC systems are installed on the roofs of the branches and because of the lack of temperature and air-filtration controls during the project.
HVAC installation at the Northeast and Southwest branches was made possible through funding provided by the Seattle City Council in 2021.
The Southwest Branch will close from Monday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 19. The branch will reopen on Monday, Nov. 20. The branch book return will also be closed during this time. The branch meeting room will remain open until the branch closes on Nov. 6.
Because the closure of the Southwest Branch lasts less than a month, patron holds scheduled for delivery to the Southwest Branch will be held until the branch reopens rather than being rerouted to another location. Patron holds remaining at the Southwest Branch at the time of closure will be extended, and will not expire until Monday, Nov. 27. The Southwest Branch will also remain available for patrons to select as a preferred holds location.
Patrons are encouraged to contact staff at the Southwest Branch to make plans for accessing their holds during the branch closure. Staff are available to help in person or by phone at 206-684-7455.
When the Southwest Branch reopens, patrons may experience a short delay in the delivery of their holds to the branch while staff work through the backlog.
Southwest Artist Showcase time! Bring your art to the library starting Tuesday
(WSB file photo – an entry from 2018 showcase, on display at SW Library)
A fall tradition is returning, and the Southwest Library invites you to participate. Here’s the announcement:
In 2023, the Southwest Artist Showcase is back for its 31st year! This free, month-long event at the Southwest Branch of the Seattle Public Library features artists from all over Southwest Seattle. We welcome submissions from people of all ages and experience levels.
The showcase is a non-juried, non-profit art exhibit. All artists who identify as West and Southwest Seattle residents are invited to submit up to 2 pieces of art. Artwork will be accepted Tuesday, October 3 through Thursday, October 5 only and will be on display at the Southwest Branch from Saturday, October 7 through Saturday, November 4. Artwork will not be offered for sale at the Library. All works must be picked up by 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 11.
To view the Showcase, visit the Southwest Branch during open hours from Saturday, October 7 – Saturday, November 4 to view the art displayed throughout the branch.
Please note that some works may not be included if their size or construction prevents their effective display in the library. Library staff will determine the placement and display of each piece, and artwork will not be moved once it has been placed.
For more information about the Southwest Artist Showcase, please visit spl.org/southwestartistshowcase or call the Southwest Branch at 206-684-7455.
Branch hours, for dropping off and/or viewing art, can be found here.
LIBRARIES: Three branches in West Seattle closed through weekend after bedbug sightings
3:58 PM: Thanks to Christy for the tip and photo. The High Point and Southwest libraries closed at 2 pm and will be closed all weekend because of what the door sign describes as “a pest issue requiring chemical treatment.” Book drops are closed too. We have an inquiry out to Seattle Public Library headquarters in hopes of finding out more. Back in May, another reader tip led to this report about a similar situation stemming from a bedbug problem at the HP branch.
5:04 PM: As a reader comments below, Delridge is now closed too, and that’s reflected in the reply we just received from SPL spokesperson Laura Gentry:
We have temporarily closed the Delridge, High Point and Southwest branches due to bedbug sightings by staff at these three locations in the last 24 hours.
We are taking aggressive steps to remediate the issue; and unfortunately, that means keeping the branches closed throughout the weekend. These branches are scheduled to receive treatment early Monday morning, so we are keeping them and their book drops closed until that has occurred and they are cleared for re-entry (about two hours following application).
We are very sorry for the inconvenience this causes our patrons in the Southwest Region of the city, but it is important we act quickly to limit the impacts of this issue by immediately closing these locations, applying treatment, and discarding impacted materials.
We thank our eagle-eyed staff who quickly alert us to anything that might negatively impact patrons, staff, or Library spaces!
They’re not sure yet what time the branches will reopen Monday – likely by early afternoon – we’ll update when we have word.
ADDED SUNDAY: SPL says all three will reopen Monday at noon.
LIBRARIES: Here’s why the Southwest Branch is closing earlier two days a week
Thanks to Thomas for the tip and photo. He went to the Southwest Branch Library (9010 35th SW) last night, expecting it to be open until 8 pm as it has been on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but discovered new “summer hours” that have this branch open 10 am-6 pm seven days a week. We checked with the Seattle Public Library, which says the early closures for this and three other branches (outside West Seattle) are because the branches are not fully air-conditioned. The “summer hours” were announced on the library website earlier this month. The Southwest Branch is in line for more A/C, though; we’re checking on the latest plan for when it’ll be installed. (Update: SPL spokesperson Elisa Murray says it’s supposed to be complete “by the end of this year.”)
P.S. SPL also pointed out to us that the Southwest Branch has something new (and temporary) – a short-story dispenser!
Closure ahead for West Seattle’s Log House Museum. Here’s where to see exhibits while it’s closed
(WSB file photo)
West Seattle’s landmark Log House Museum – home to the Southwest Seattle Historical Society – has a closure ahead. It’ll be closed to the public June 1-June 10 for interior renovations. SWSHS’s Elizabeth Rudrud explains, “These renovations will allow the museum to host more programs (with greater capacity), highlight the building’s original layout as a Carriage House for the Fir Lodge (Alki Homestead) while still interpreting the structure as a private residence, open the space for an upcoming interactive exhibit, and create new opportunities for private-event rentals, which will provide the museum with unrestricted income to support its mission.”
During the closure – and beyond – you can see three traveling exhibits at local libraries. Here are the three exhibits SWSHS is calling “Community Explorers“:
The exhibits are viewable during the branches’ regular hours; you can find those on the Seattle Public Library website.
You asked, so we asked: Local library battles bed bugs
Jana emailed us wondering if we knew anything about a “pest” problem that she said had closed the book drop at High Point Library for a while, and led to an early closure of the entire branch on Tuesday. So we asked Seattle Public Library for details. Here’s what we heard back from SPL spokesperson Laura Gentry:
Staff at the High Point Branch discovered a bed bug issue two weeks ago in the book drop and around the computer area, which they believe (but is hard to confirm) to be an isolated situation involving a single patron. Staff locked the book drops, quarantined computers, discarded or quarantined impacted materials as appropriate, sanitized book bins, cleaned the impacted computer area, and have been in conversation with the patron.
After containment and cleaning, staff have not seen additional bedbugs for over a week. The book drop has reopened.
The Library conducted a chemical treatment of the branch on Tuesday evening as a precautionary measure. It is considered safe to enter the treated space two hours after chemical treatment, but we let the branch sit overnight as another extra precaution. The pest control company we are working with will return at the end of the month to examine the branch and ensure the issue is fully resolved.
The Library has an integrated pest management program to prevent and contain bed bugs and other pests we might encounter in or around our facilities. Elements of the program include education, good housekeeping, regular inspections, professional custodial practices and immediate response to sightings. These efforts play a vital role in reducing the chance of a major infestation.
Thanks for the question from your reader.
Don’t know much about bed bugs? Read this.
NEW THIS WEEK: Seattle Public Library’s expanded branch schedules start Monday
As announced in February, Seattle Public Library branches are expanding their schedules, and that means – among other things – that all branches in our area will be open seven days a week. The new schedules start tomorrow. Here again is the list of what those schedules will be:
Delridge Branch, 5423 Delridge Way SW
o 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday
High Point Branch, 3411 SW Raymond St.
o 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
South Park Branch, 8604 8th Ave. S
o 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Southwest Branch, 9010 35th Ave. SW
o 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday
West Seattle Branch, 2306 42nd Ave. SW
o 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday
Tomorrow is also when Story Times start returning to SPL branches, as noted here last week – first one will be tomorrow at noon, Baby Story Time at the Southwest Branch.
If you’re looking for a COVID vaccination/booster, the 
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