Ultimate Library Road Trip - US

I had a friend of mine recently say to me: “Wouldn’t it be cool to go on a road trip to visit a bunch of awesome libraries?” Why, yes. Yes it would be cool. I started to think about what that would look like and a map started to slowly form in my head. Of course, you would have to miss out on some of them because they take you too far out the way. A few that didn’t make the list simply because of that reason were the Geisel Library in San Diego (UCSD) and the McAllen Public Library in Texas. To go that far south would have taken the road trip way off course without much to see in between.

Before you get offended that you don’t see your library on my list, every library is amazing in its own way. Libraries serve their communities and provide much needed resources in times of need. One example that comes to mind is the Ferguson Public Library. This library did not make my list below either, mostly because it is these community libraries that are too small and too busy to support visitors on a large scale. I have added mostly larger, city center or specialty libraries to this list. Should you wish to make pit stops of other local libraries along the way, that is your prerogative. There are certainly no shortage of options.

I have also added other sights and places to stay along the way. Depending on your driving tolerances, you may want to stop more often on your journey. This is a cross country journey, from sea to shining sea. If you were to take this trip, you would probably fly to one coast or the other to begin and rent a car (or drive there from where you live). Since I live in Seattle, I started the journey itinerary there. If you live in the North East, you may want to start from the bottom and work the other direction. Here it is!

My attempt at a Google Map outline of the trip.

SEATTLE

Seattle Public Library - Central Library

While in town also check out:

Pike Place Market bookshops

There are four or five bookshops in Pike Place. Half the fun is navigating the labyrinthine tunnels of the market to find them. The owner of Lion Heart Books, David, will sing to you upon request and makes excellent recommendations.

STAY THE NIGHT - Hotel Sorrento

This is a nice, old fashioned hotel near the downtown library. They sometimes host literary events.

PORTLAND

Multnomah County Central Library

Side note: This is where my husband proposed to me.

Also Check Out: Powell’s City of Books

Powell's is a giant bookstore in downtown Portland that takes up several blocks and then some. It boosts 68,000 square feet packed with books. Not to mention the sister stores owned by Powell's in Portland and beyond. 

NEWPORT

STAY THE NIGHT - Sylvia Beach Hotel

This literary themed hotel in the coastal town of Newport, Oregon is amazing. Each room is themed after a different author. Authors include Agatha Christie to Shakespeare. It has a library that looks out over the water and a restaurant. Personally, I would like to stay in the J.K. Rowling suite. 

EUREKA

STAY THE NIGHT - Abigail's Elegant Victorian Mansion

While in town: Check out the Humboldt County Library and take a tour of the Victorian homes and architecture.

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco Public Library - Main

Also check out: City Lights Books

STAY THE NIGHT - Hotel Rex

This classic hotel hosts many literary events and has it's own extensive library. Their Library Bar has many literary-themed cocktails. 

RENO

Reno Downtown Library - Washoe County

This library is pretty fascinating because it brings the great indoors outdoors. There is a large indoor garden complete with a pond.

Also check out: Unrelated to libraries, but could be fun to take a day off and explore nightlife and casinos in Reno.

STAY THE NIGHT - Whitney Peak Hotel

This hotel was selected because it is not a casino hotel. If you are feeling adventurous, there are plenty of casino hotel options.

SALT LAKE

The City Library

The main library is a huge complex that includes shops and other community resources.

Also check out: The King’s English Bookshop

STAY THE NIGHT - Inn on the Hill

DENVER

Denver Public Library - Central Library

Also check out: Tattered Cover Bookstore

STAY THE NIGHT - The Crawford Hotel

This hotel has a LoDo Literary Society Package that includes an autographed book and a gift card to Tattered Cover.

KANSAS CITY

The Kansas City Public Library - Central

This is the library that has the giant books on the building.

Also check out: Prospero’s Books

STAY THE NIGHT - Hotel Sorella

CHICAGO

Harold Washington Library Center - Chicago Public Library

Also check out: Unabridged Books, The Violet Hour for literary themed cocktails

STAY THE NIGHT - The Drake Hotel

ANN ARBOR

STAY THE NIGHT - The Bell Tower

While in town: Check out the University of Michigan libraries and department of Creative Writing. Cool town with plenty of charm.

PITTSBURGH

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Main

Also check out: Caliban Book Shop

This bookshop specializes in rare and first editions. 

STAY THE NIGHT - Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center

WASHINGTON D.C.

Library of Congress - Thomas Jefferson Building

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - Central Library

Also check out: Politics and Prose bookshop

BALTIMORE

Enoch Pratt Free Library - Downtown

The George Peabody Library - Baltimore, Maryland

Also check out: Atomic Books

This is a comic book shop and cafe.

STAY THE NIGHT - Hotel Indigo - Downtown Baltimore

This hotel has a library, literary art in the rooms, and literary inspired cocktails. 

PHILADELPHIA

The Free Library of Philadelphia - Parkway Central Library

Rosenbach Museum & Library

Also check out: The Book Trader

STAY THE NIGHT - Radisson Blu Warwick Hotel

This upscale hotel has a literary design for their lobby. 

NEW YORK

New York Public Library - Main

The Morgan Museum and Library

Also check out: Stand Book Store

This huge bookstore claims it has 18 miles of books. Goodness!

STAY THE NIGHT - The Library Hotel

This hotel is library themed from top to bottom. Each guest floor is organized by the Dewey Decimal System. For instance, the third floor has the 300's or Social Sciences. 

NEW HAVEN

New Haven Free Public Library

Yale University Beinecke Rare Book Library

Also check out: Book Trader Cafe

This is a cute book store and cafe.

STAY THE NIGHT - Farnam Guest House

BOSTON

Boston Public Library - Central Library in Copley Square

Also check out: Brattle Book Shop, Trident Booksellers and Cafe

Brattle sells new and rare books in downtown and Trident has very delicious-looking breakfast items. I WILL HAVE ALL THE BRUNCH!

STAY THE NIGHT - Omni Parker House

This hotel is in the Literary District and hosts literary functions from time to time. 

THE END

Of course, you could always start in San Francisco or alter the trip an any number of ways if you decide to take this epic journey. Someday I hope to hit up some if not all of these amazing landmarks. If you do this trip or any part of it, tweet me your pictures @amandagracehua with the #LibraryRoadTrip.

Best,

Amanda

All pictures found on Flickr creative commons. For credits, click on the image.

Library Profile: Seattle Central Library

Today I am continuing the series of posts that profile different libraries. Since I live in Seattle, I figured I should do a profile of the famous downtown library. I was lucky enough to get a tour from one of their assistant managing librarians and I learned a lot about the space.

I'm not going to go into detail about the construction or history of the building, mostly because I think they say it best on the SPL website here. Instead, I'm going to share the pictures from my tour and give my own impressions of the spaces in the library. Here we go!

We started with the world languages section on the first floor, where I learned that they have all kinds of unique languages. They even had a few books in Esperanto, a constructed language. Perfeckta!

The floor of this section is embossed with phrases out of books in their collection in all kinds of languages.

While they have a huge variety, I learned that they only currently develop collections for about a handful of languages. This means that they are not getting new items in for the other languages due to lack of circulation and other criteria they have developed. So, they likely don't have Gone Girl in Esperanto. This is probably okay.

Next we visited the third floor that has the FriendShop, Teen Area, and popular collection items. The beautiful architecture changes on each floor, giving you a different view through the angular glass windows.

The fifth floor is the main floor for public computers, ready reference, and job searching tools. This is the floor that also hosts programs like Tax Help or information sessions on the Affordable Care Act. Behind the scenes, this is the floor for the library staff that answer the library's main phone line. Any general library information or ready reference is answered by staff at cubicles. More specialized questions are sent out to other departments.

Next we traversed the spiral. This is where the nonfiction and reference materials are housed. Friendly, super knowledgeable staff at these desks will talk to you about anything from LBJ biographies to upcoming library programs.

On our journey up the spiral, we stopped outside a music practice room and listened to a library patron play an accordion.

Up on the tenth floor you can walk out onto this balcony and see the amazing view all the way down to the third floor. It really makes me want to throw a paper airplane to see it navigate all the way down, but I am told this is not advised :).

Back on the first floor, I explored the children's section. Fun, bright colors and a huge selection of books makes this the most magical part of the library as far as I'm concerned. Although, I just realized that I took a picture of the bathroom... >< I was just trying to get the fabricated bull and the tree in the same picture, I swear!

I will leave you with one last picture of the view out the amazing glass windows.

So, there you have it! If you are in town, you should pay this glorious building a visit. You can find public tour information here on their website.

Best,
Amanda

Five Ideas for Library Holiday Programs

The holiday season is in full swing and we are all feeling quite festive, right? Here are five possible festivals or programs libraries could celebrate for various holidays. Some of these have already passed for this year, but it's never too early to start planning for next year! Maybe these ideas will inspire you to start a new tradition at your library.

Diwali Festival of Lights

CC Credit: Ravikiran Rao

Diwali is a Hindu festival celebrated in the fall that celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The holiday, which can take place over a five day period, includes prayer, fireworks, and feasts. The library could host an event in conjunction with a Priest from a Hindu Temple that had a lecture about the holiday and/or traditional food and dancing. Children could be encouraged to use sidewalk chalk to create colorful designs, or Rangoli, like the one pictured above.

Here are some libraries that host a similar program:
Elting Memorial Library in New Paltz, NY, News Story here.
Morrill Memorial Library in Norwood, MA. News Story here.
Maple Ridge Public Library in Maple Ridge, BC. New Story here.

Day of the Dead

CC Credit: Allan County (IN) Public Library 

Day of the Dead, or Dia de Muertos, is a Mexican holiday that celebrates the memory of the dead. This is a three day festival that takes place on October 31, November 1, and November 2. Families create altars and decorate the graves of loved ones. This holiday is filled with vibrant color and joyous celebration. Your library could have face painting, space for altars, sugar scull crafts and more to celebrate this holiday.

Here are some libraries that host a similar program:
San Juan Capistrano Regional Library in San Juan Capistrano, CA. News Story here.
Grand Rapids Public Library in Grand Rapids, MI. Website here.
Saint Helena Public Library in Saint Helena, CA. New Story here.

Fall Festival

CC Credit: Carrie Nelson

A fall festival is a celebration of fall and the harvest. Typically you will have pumpkin carving contests, fall comfort foods, and hay rides. Many libraries also include Halloween into their fall festivals with hunted mazes and costume contests. Ideally, the library could partner with the Parks Department to have the festival in an outdoor space.

Here are some libraries that host a similar program:
Dallas Public Library in Dallas, TX. News Story here.
Bowlby Public Library in Waynesburg, PA. News Story here.

Gingerbread House Competition 

CC Credit: Betty B

A great way to celebrate Christmas at the library would be through a Gingerbread House competition. Have families bring their own materials and build their houses at the library. Add a time limit of an hour to create urgency. The friends of the library could sell fresh baked gingerbread and hot cocoa to spectators.

Here is a library that host a similar program:
York Public Library in York, ME. News Story here.

Chinese New Year Festival

CC Credit: IQRemix

China and a few other East Asian cultures celebrate the New Year of the Lunar Calendar. The New Year is typically celebrated on a day in late January - mid February. In 2015, Chinese New Year will be February 19th and it will be the year of the Sheep according to the Chinese Zodiac. The library could do crafts, reach out to local Chinese markets, and host a Lion Dance.

Here are some libraries that host a similar program:
Harrison Public Library in Harrison, NY. Website here.
Los Angelos Public Library in Los Angelos, CA. Website here.
Harris County Public Library in Texas. Website here.

I hope this events have sparked ideas for your library. Find out what holiday your community celebrates and provide a space for the community to come together.

Best,
Amanda

Library Profile: Everett Public Library

As I explore this new home of mine, I'm exploring nearby library spaces. This series that I'm calling 'Library Profiles' will show off those spaces. Which means, basically, I'm just showing you pictures of awesome libraries. Today I went to the main branch of the Everett Public Library (EPL) in Everett, WA. It's about a 30-40 minute drive north of Seattle.

Even before you go inside, you get the feeling that this place is magical because of the giant book sculpture out front.

You can enter in through the Bookend Coffee Co. that is attached to the library.

This was the first time I ever got a fortune cookie with a cappuccino. It was amazing. And you know what? I will dance as if no one is watching.

The children's area is spacious and colorful. The thing that caught my eye was the fish tank. Just keep swimming, Dory and Marlin! I know Nemo's around here somewhere...

The first floor has a high celling with great natural light.

The view from the second story window was beautiful as well. Why, yes. I will gaze upon the beauty of the sound as I reflect upon historical texts from your Northwest Room.

If you live in Seattle or King County, you can get a library card with EPL for free. I suggest checking this library out (unintentional pun, I promise) and grabbing some coffee from Bookend. For more information about the library or it's history, go to their website.