Wallingford Branch
🏢 The Seattle Public Library — Seattle, Washington
Wallingford Branch
Tucked into the heart of one of Seattle's most walkable residential neighborhoods, the Wallingford Branch greets visitors with five colorful neon signs celebrating reading — a fitting emblem for a community that has supported a library presence here in various forms since the 1980s. The branch stands a short walk from Gas Works Park and the original Dick's Drive-In, in a neighborhood defined by 1920s bungalows and a strong literary culture.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 12pm–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 10am–6pm |
| Sunday | 10am–6pm |
Hours may vary on holidays.
📍 Location & Contact
Address: 1501 N. 45th St., Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: 2066844088
Website: spl.org
📖 About Wallingford Branch
<p>Wallingford has hosted a Seattle Public Library branch since 1986, when a location opened inside the historic Wallingford Fire and Police Station — a building designed by architect Daniel Riggs Huntington and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places — where it operated until 2000. The current branch at 1501 N. 45th St. occupies a lively corner in a neighborhood annexed to Seattle in 1891 and shaped by early streetcar lines that made it a classic urban residential district. The building's signature feature is five colorful neon signs bearing reading-related words, visible from the street and reflective of the neighborhood's creative identity. The book return is located on the building's east side at Woodlawn Ave. N., accessible around the clock.</p>
⭐ What makes this branch special
- Five colorful neon signs on the exterior celebrate reading — a distinctive landmark on N. 45th St.
- Evening hours on Tuesdays until 8 pm serve the neighborhood's commuter population
- 24/7 book return on the east side of the building at Woodlawn Ave. N.
- Walking distance from Gas Works Park and the original Dick's Drive-In (est. 1954)
- Solid Ground social-services organization co-locates at the branch, expanding community resources on-site
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Wallingford Branch closed on Fridays?
Like several SPL branches, Wallingford operates on a staggered weekly schedule. It's open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday 10 am–6 pm and Tuesday 12 pm–8 pm. If you need a Friday visit, the nearby Greenwood or University branches have Friday hours.
What is the history of the library in the old Wallingford Fire and Police Station?
From 1986 to 2000, a Seattle Public Library branch operated out of the former Wallingford Fire and Police Station, a building designed by architect Daniel Riggs Huntington that is now on the National Register of Historic Places. The library relocated when the current purpose-built branch opened.
Is the Wallingford Branch accessible by public transit?
Yes — the branch is well served by King County Metro bus routes along N. 45th St., and free parking is available nearby. The neighborhood is also very bikeable, with a bike rack at the building.
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