Northeast Branch
🏢 The Seattle Public Library — Seattle, Washington
Northeast Branch
Designed in 1954 by Paul Thiry — the architect of Seattle's Century 21 World's Fair pavilions — the Northeast Branch brought a clean-lined Pacific Northwest modernism to the bookshelf-dense neighborhood of Wedgwood, and it remains one of the most heavily used branches in the entire Seattle Public Library system. A 2004 expansion more than doubled the branch's footprint while preserving Thiry's spare International-style proportions.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM – 8 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM – 8 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
Hours may vary on holidays.
📍 Location & Contact
Address: 6801 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Phone: 2066847539
Website: spl.org
📖 About Northeast Branch
The Northeast Branch was designed by architect Paul Thiry and opened in 1954, representing a deliberate break from the city's Carnegie-era branch libraries: Thiry's spare International-style building used geometric forms, flat roof planes, and large windows to flood the interior with natural light in a way the older brick branches could not. Thiry went on to design the landmark pavilions for the 1962 Century 21 World's Fair, and the Northeast Branch is part of that modernist legacy. Seattle designated the 1954 building a city landmark in recognition of its architectural significance. The branch was substantially expanded and reopened on June 26, 2004, under the city's "Libraries for All" bond program, adding a spacious children's section and study rooms while respecting Thiry's original proportions. Today it is consistently among the highest-circulation branches in the SPL system, serving the dense residential neighborhoods of Wedgwood, View Ridge, and Ravenna.
⭐ What makes this branch special
- Designed by Paul Thiry in 1954 — architect of Seattle's Century 21 World's Fair pavilions — in a clean-lined International style that contrasted deliberately with the city's Carnegie-era branches
- Designated a Seattle city landmark for its architectural significance
- Expanded and reopened June 26, 2004, with one of the largest children's sections in the SPL branch system
- Consistently one of the most heavily used branches in the Seattle Public Library system
- Chinese and Spanish language collections; SPL Holds Lockers; quiet room; free parking; accessible via bus and light rail
📱 Free with a Seattle Public Library Card
Any Washington State resident can get an SPL card free and unlock:
📍 More The Seattle Public Library branches
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed the Northeast Branch building?
The branch was designed by Paul Thiry and opened in 1954. Thiry was one of the leading modernist architects in the Pacific Northwest, later best known for designing the landmark pavilions of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. His Northeast Branch used flat roof planes, geometric forms, and large windows to bring Pacific Northwest modernism to a neighborhood library — a sharp departure from the city's older Carnegie branches.
Is there parking at the Northeast Branch?
Yes. The Northeast Branch has a free parking lot, which is convenient since the branch sits on 35th Avenue NE in the residential Wedgwood neighborhood. Bike racks are also available. The branch is also reachable by King County Metro bus and is within range of the Roosevelt Link light rail station.
Does the Northeast Branch have materials in languages other than English?
Yes. The branch maintains dedicated Chinese and Spanish language collections, serving the linguistic diversity of the surrounding Wedgwood, View Ridge, and Ravenna neighborhoods. Public computers with adaptive equipment are also available.
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