Library Profile (plus a bookstore) - Lake Forest Park and Third Place Books

I came across the Lake Forest Park Library (a King County Library in Lake Forest Park, WA) quite on accident. I was visiting the amazing Third Place Books, when I discovered the library downstairs. It occurred to me that it had been a while since I made a post and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Lake Forest Park Library is nestled in the Town Center shopping mall, a curious collection of stores and interconnected passageways. This shopping mall is not like the malls that house Bookmarks (Dallas Public Library branch in NorthPark Center) or even the other KCLS Branch in Southcenter Mall. This is a small, indoor mall this is mostly taken up by Third Place Books. There is also a food court, a Rite Aid, a Gallery, and some other shops.

The library itself is small, but still a good size for the space. There are even designated children and teen spaces.

I loved the attention to detail and the welcoming layout. The clock behind the counter was very eye-catching.

While I was pleasantly surprised by the presence of a library, the real reason I was there was to explore the great Third Place Books. This bookstore is amazing! They have all the new releases and also buy used books to add to their shelves.

They have a pretty amazing children's section. Fun decor and a good selection.

They had a life sized chess board, a common area with lots of seating, and their own press! They will help you self-publish a book and print it.

Wizard's Chess, anyone?

Lastly, they had a store that sold all kinds of tempting goodies.

Yes, this is a Tribble coin purse. 

Such cat. Much amaze.

What an awesome place! I could spend hours and hours here. The whole shopping center is kind of amazing and it makes you think about the future of libraries and bookstores. I love that this community has a centralized location where they can find books as they accomplish their daily errands. You can check out a book from the library, read it, and decided to buy it upstairs. As strange as this sounds, I have lots of books on my bookshelf that I have never read. By this, I mean that I have never read that copy. I buy the book after I fall in love with the library copy and loan mine out to friends and family. It's also just nice to see the book on my shelf should I decide t revisit it. Having these two institutions together in the same place seems to work really well. I imagine that Third Place Press, for instance, facilitates a lot of emerging local authors. And having an established author event can be shared and supported by both agencies. 

In short, I had a fun adventure yesterday. Town Center is a kind of mecca for book nerds. You should go if you find yourself in the Seattle area. As a parting note, please enjoy this random astronaut. 

Best,

Amanda

Library Profile - Sno-Isle Libraries, Lynnwood Public Library

I thought it was about time I paid another visit to a library in the Sno-Isle system, having heard so many good things from all the wonderful people I've met who work there. So, today I visited the Lynnwood Public Library.

Like many of the libraries I have visited in Washington, public art is displayed outside. Here is this cute guy.

And this fantastic piece. 

I noticed upon entering that Sno-Isle has a 'Best Bets' book display of popular titles. A librarian from the Snohomish Public Library once told me that these were popular books that could not be placed on hold. This way, patrons could happen across a book they were looking for while inside the library. King County Library System has something similar called 'Choice Reads' and Everett Public Library has 'Quick Picks.' I love the idea and that the systems share the concept. 

The Lynnwood library is also home to one of Sno-Isle's Creative Tech Centers. This sectioned off area is used for technology programing and open public use. 

The children's area has a lovely aquarium and bright signage.

There is also a designated Teen area and a nice skylight. 

I liked selection of the books in the Friends Book Sale.

And check out the incredible amount of programing they have going on!

It was nice visiting you today!

Best,

Amanda

Library Profile - King County Library System, Bellevue

I was visiting a friend in Bellevue today and I thought I would stop by the KCLS library here. This was an excellent decision. What a lovely library, and HUGE!

The first thing I started noticing was all of the art in this place.

Seriously, everywhere you turn you find something to entertain the eye. This makes me incredibly happy.

The library has three layers of space. The first floor has fiction, youth materials, and check out stations.

I like the story time room with castle turrets. 

The second floor and the mezzanine cover the non-fiction, reference materials, computers, and have plenty of space to bring your own projects.

This is where I settled down to write this post.

This is a great library! There were lots of people, and yet I was able to easily find a quiet spot to work. The drive from Seattle wasn't that bad, either (although I purposely timed it to miss rush hour). I'm glad I was able to stop by. 

Best,

Amanda

Library Profile - George W. Hawkes Central Library, Arlington Public Library

I learned a little while ago that one of my hometown libraries is closing its doors tonight as the city prepares to demolish the building. The lot is then going to be used for mixed-use commercial development. Another Central Library has not yet been built. Library users will have to wait until at least 2017 for a new branch. Until then,  according to a library staff member I spoke with, the library's East branch is going to be open longer hours and an 'outpost' of sorts for limited library services will be opened nearby.

The three story Central Library in Arlington, Texas has been a part of the community since 1973. My husband remembers going to this library for story times, I used to visit it a lot in college, and it was the location of my first ever library job. I owe so much to this building and the people who worked here in times gone by. I walked into the library yesterday for the first time in two years to say goodbye. It wasn't like I had hoped; most of the people working the desks were strangers and there were no throngs of people paying last respects. All the same, I found myself remembering the good times.

This is the entrance that most people used to enter the library, although I feel it is technically the back entrance.

This is the lobby where patrons can get library cards and pick up holds. 

They had a banner above the check out stations reads "Turning a Page: A New Chapter of Arlington's Central Library." Although, a new page that will take three years to turn. 

The Youth Room with a banner that says "Take Me There!"

The Story Time space and Children's book collection. 

I'm gonna miss this guy!

The Young Adult section down in the basement, where I spent most of my time. A lot of the book display signs I made are still in place.

The Teen Studio! I will miss you most of all. Even on the 2nd to last day, it is still being used by several teens. 

The outdoor reading patio that they had just built when I left. All of those benches with memorial plaques. I sure hope they make it somewhere else in the city!

A view of the first floor, which holds Adult Fiction, Foreign Language, Music, DVDs, and New Books. 

The epic staircase that takes you to the second floor.

The second floor is home to public access computers and Non Fiction. 

Lastly, here are a few pictures of the street facing 'font' entrance. 

Goodbye, Central Library! I hope the 2017 library that is slated to be built will be home to many more memories and serve the community as valiantly as you. You will be missed. I'm going to go cry now.

Best,

Amanda