12 Incredible Destination Libraries Around Seattle and Beyond
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Ballard Library's green roof. Photo: JiaYing Grygiel
Ballard Branch, Seattle Public Library
The Ballard branch is the Chia Pet of the Seattle Public Library system. On top of its roof is 4 inches of soil planted with more than 18,000 Northwest native plants. It’s a roof that needs to be mowed and have its weeds whacked!
To see for yourself, ask library staff to take you upstairs to look around, or use a periscope on the main level to check out the roof; look for two unmarked slits in the wall, just to the right as you walk in the main entrance.
The library, which opened in 2005, is one of the busiest branches in the city. In the summer of 2017, the library closed for six weeks for renovations, which included replacing carpeting, adding outlets to the tables and lowering the children’s bookshelves for better sight lines. The kids section includes Magna-Tiles, big Lego bricks and regular story times.
Find it: 5614 22nd Ave. N.W., Seattle
Day trip: Across the street you’ll find the updated Cove playground at Ballard Commons Park. You can play on the pirate-themed play structure, splash in the water feature during the summer and watch daredevil skateboards fly in the giant skate bowl. The library is located in the heart of Ballard’s retail core offering tons of places to grab a snack when you are ready for a break.
Up next: Sammamish Library
