This is a very cute and new library. I didn't have a problem with finding parking but there's surrounding areas that you could probably park and walk to the library. There's a little garage with some parking space but could fairly be a little tight. There's a flight of stairs that you will need to walk up to get to the library entrance or elevator available, if needed. I would say that this library is not as quiet as other libraries I've been to. You know how when you enter a library and it's super quiet that even a whisper sound loud? Well, not gonna find that here if you're looking for complete silence. No library voices in here. There's plenty of windows so there'a a lot of natural lights available. I would totally recommend here. read more

Neat little bright with glasses library with underground parking and lot parking. Two rows of computer terminals. There were some rocking chairs (just wished some of the chairs were comfortable to sit on). read more

I live very close by and I have been coming last two years a lot. This library is always quite. Staff are always nice. Bathrooms are very clean. Most importantly is story time with Mrs. tiger! She is such a beautiful nice person. My son loves it there! Highly recommended for all ages. read more

They say libraries are the living rooms of the communities they are located in. And the Newcastle Library is a very good example of this. This library is new having just opened late last year. I was driving back from SeaTac one day last month and was looking for a spot to prop myself down to get some work done. Decided to take the opportunity and visit this library to see what it has to offer. The location is great. It is located by the main shopping area in Newcastle. You turn onto a side road to enter the parking structure. The parking lot could be bigger. There is a handful of slots that are covered, while the remaining are out in the sun. The space that could have been used for additional parking space instead went into creating a beautiful, modern and bright library. This library is large. They have some study spaces if you want absolute quiet while working or studying. While the main library has tons of seating with many located by the street window that draws interest from people walking on the sidewalk outside looking in. This truly is a great place to come to work or study. Aside from the parking issue, the only thing I will say critical is that some library patrons here don't quite understand library etiquette. Bringing a crying baby to a library probably isn't a good idea for instance. Of the libraries that I have visited on the Eastside, I would say Newcastle Library has the nicest facility that I have come across. Though the Bellevue location still is the most comprehensive library around. read more

I go out of my way to pass the ghetto Renton branch one to be at the Newcastle Library instead. This location is clean, quiet, and I feel safer leaving my car in the parking lot which is half garage. It's very, very rare for me to not be able to find parking, but if it happens to be full then I just park in the neighborhood across the street and walk which isn't far at all. If you park in their garage, you have to walk up one flight of stairs, I don't remember if there's an elevator or not, but it's not worth my time to wait for an elevator when it's a short walk. What I like about this location is that computers are always available compared to other locations where I have to wait a million years because either they aren't as many computers or it's always crowded with people so it takes a while for my turn which is ridiculous if I just need to print something out real quick, but have to reserve a PC. I feel dorky to admit this, but this is sometimes considered my 2nd home when I need peace and quiet to read my book or do personal research or go on my Yelp account like I am right now because the internet here is super fast, not to mention heat/air conditioner. Hahaha. Tell me about your experience if you've been here or is going to after reading this review:) read more

Just went to their christmas carols event at the library, we just happened to be there to borrow some kids book. It was great! Live carols songs read more

Nice library - open floor plan, bright, clean, small. Quiet. Parking is difficult. The small lot is down a side road - no sign to tell you this. I didn't know so I turned after the library and got stuck in Chase Bank parking, and was like screw it I'm just parking here, after trying to get out of the lot and go around. There are 2 self check-in's outside, and one located inside. Book sale is inside and to the left on a few small shelves. Was able to walk right in and hop on a computer without having to reserve it, so that was convenient. Awkward thing though... one of the volunteers kept walking through the computer areas and standing behind various people staring at their screens... It was strange. I've known someone who has worked in a library for 20+ years and she says that that is not something a volunteer is supposed to be doing. Was rather uncomfortable while he did it, but another worker came and shooed him away. Other than that and the parking situation, I am glad to have stumbled upon this location so I don't have to make the trek to Bellevue since the Renton one is close (even though I tried my best to avoid that one as well). read more

Construction of this badly needed library was only delayed for 7 years by the Newcastle City Council-- thanks alot! They screwed around with ideas to combine low income housing and other things with the library and really delayed construction. Glad it is finally here! Better late than never.....!! It is new and beautiful- although small, it will serve the needs of our community well. Parking is underneath, there are steps and an elevator to go up to the library level. Outside the front entry are some really cool lucite or whatever boxes for sitting-- the cool part is that they light up red. They look awesome. Actually the exterior of the library is plain and ordinary... but the hanging lights visible in the front windows are wonderful, and when you drive by in the dark the lights cast a very inviting glow. The library gets plenty of natural light from large windows, the space is very bright. There are two meeting spaces inside. Very pretty and inviting and a nice place to sit and settle in to peruse some reading material. HOURS OF OPERATION: Sunday: Closed Monday thru Thursday - 10am to 9pm Friday: 10am to 6pm; Saturday: 10am to 5pm read more

I love this new Newcastle branch of the King County Library System! We went to the grand opening today and stayed for 2.5 hours, until the 4yo & 6yo wanted lunch. It has a LOT of great spaces to hang out and read. Virtually the entire north wall is window and VERY high, letting in an enormous amount of natural light. But of course there's no glare from the sun since it faces north. The northern halves of the east and west walls are mostly window too, but also protected from glare. The kids' section is well done. It has three large kids' tables, and a cool wavy kid-sized double-sided sofa. My 4yo loved it and was eager to sit on it. The kids' section also has an interesting bay window seating area with orange-tinted windows, called the "sunset" nook, because its supposed to be like looking out during a sunset. I thought it was a lot more orange than a real sunset, but kids will probably find it interesting. As far as the exterior architecture style, I hate it. It's the usual ugly deconstructivist throwaway junk. I can't wait for deconstructivism to go out of fashion. I don't know why we can't have a beautiful modern classicist or postmodern library. But the inside is more important, and the inside is great. On the other hand, the glowing red boxes outside the door are beautiful at night. They're functional too, or at least they will be in warm weather -- another nice place to sit and read. There isn't a whole lot of parking, and I expect it to fill up on busy days. But there is some street parking in the residential area just behind it. Also there is the large parking area across the street in the Coal Creek Shopping Center. Parking shouldn't be a serious problem as it is for other branches I could name. The architect spoke at the opening about how the brick walls reflect the brickmaking heritage of Newcastle. If you live in the area, visit this branch when you have a couple hours to hang out and read. You'll love it! UPDATE MAY 2016: What about Sundays? When this branch opened a few years ago, I was not surprised that they were closed Sundays; I assumed that would have to wait until the branch was consistently busy. But here it is years later, and this branch is consistently quite busy. But still no Sundays. Why not? I asked around and on Nextdoor.com and got various answers. A librarian there said it was because the neighborhood wasn't asking for it enough, and urged me to send in one of their comment flyers. A person on the board or the Friends of Newcastle Library said it was based on budget, availability of librarians, and what other branches nearby were open on Sundays, and that Newcastle was a small branch (later clarifying that to mean small amount of traffic), and said it would take "A LOT of REQUESTS". Another person said it would require more volunteers working on Sundays. A retired former employee said it was based on square footage. It wasn't making much sense, so I asked the library for data. They pointed me to this: http://www.kcls.org/about/board/2016/01272016/dashboard.pdf Looking at the last full calendar year of data, 2015: 29 branches are open on Sundays, and Newcastle: * Has the 17th highest circulation. * Has the 17th highest traffic. * Is the 18th largest in square footage. * Has the 8th highest traffic per square foot per hour open, or 4th highest if branches in malls etc. are excluded. Newcastle is also larger in square footage than other branches nearby that are open on Sunday: * 27% larger than Newport Way * 60% larger than Renton Highlands * 10% larger than Lake Hills *** NEWCASTLE IS BY A LARGE MARGIN THE HIGHEST-TRAFFIC BRANCH THAT IS NOT OPEN ON SUNDAYS. *** Nine branches* that are open on Sundays have either less circulation or less traffic than Newcastle, and six of those have BOTH less circulation AND less traffic! * Foster, Enumclaw, North Bend, Des Moines, Renton Highlands, and Maple Valley all have BOTH less circulation AND less traffic. * Auburn has less circulation than Newcastle but more traffic. * Newport Way and Mercer Island have less traffic than Newcastle but more circulation. To be fair, some of those are isolated branches that don't have other branches nearby that are open on Sundays. But not all of them. In particular, Foster and Renton Highlands are interesting. Both have much larger branches nearby that are open on Sundays, closer than Newcastle is to any branch open on Sundays. It's been over half a year since I've sent my comment flyer, checking the box asking for a response. Still no response. Others on the Nextdoor.com thread who also sent in comment flyers have also not received a response. ANYONE HOME?? UPDATE: The Newcastle branch's Saturday hours have now been expanded from 1-5 to 10-5. That definitely makes it more useful on Saturday, as you can get in to pick up holds before leaving for the afternoon. The expanded Saturday hours are appreciated, but adding Sunday would be even better. read more

Bright, open library. Has study area, kids room, computers. The parking is small though. Often full. We usually end up ordering what my kids want. KCLS has a lot, just not at this location. My biggest issue lately is the homeless man sitting in the teen area sleeping/eating all day long. Overall, we enjoy coming here. read more

Newcastle Library - Libraries Near Me - Newcastle, Washington

Amazing library - I come here every week with my 6 yo. It's always clean. We've used that free tutor time and the high schooler helping us was very friendly. The staff is pleasant and friendly. But this review is more of a kudos for the kcls.org website. It's amazing to put holds and extend due dates with a click of the button. Once I really started using the website it's so easy to find a book and reserve. Once it's available, they notify you via email and you can pick it up within a week at the holds section. It really doesn't get easier than that. read more

This place is simply beautiful, very aesthetically pleasing. While the book collection Could you kindly make sure to be bigger, the staff do their best to be as responsive as possible to library goers. Occasionally, I and other members of my office will go here and use the conference rooms to conduct our meeting. On weekends, I will occasionally bring the tweens. There's always some type of reading event, lectures, and other activities for the inquisitive adult. Then, when we get hungry, we'll go to nearby Factoria for lunch. read more

For a community library, Newcastle is about as good as it gets! Its small (true) but the internet is great and the people are really nice. On top of all that the lighting is amazing as the whole place is glass and the utilities and facilities are really nice. There are only a couple conference rooms tho so you might need to make reservations early if you have a community meeting. I'm DEFINITELY a fan. :) read more

Awesome library with beautiful glass wall all around! Great staff and plenty of seats and tables. Big children area section and plenty computers to use. read more

Two of the stars are for the brightness. I like how the sunlight always come into this library and make me feel energized to read. I studied architecture for a while but had already learned about the importance of having natural lights. So the design of this library just reminded me what I have learned :) Although I personally prefer libraries with traditional designs and higher bookshelves, this library's modern style isn't bad ! And I love its location. It is a small library. The computers can be used for maximum 1 hour, which is great, but I think we need more computers... The parking lot isn't easy to get into and has really limited parking spaces. I wished it could open more than just four days a week and for longer hours per day. Many students need library services but cannot come before 5/6pm because of school activities. read more

I luv this Library! It is clean and has as a good selection of books to choose from. My kids love the kids section of the library. They offer events for my small ones which are good quality and engage my kids. The conference room spaces are clean and adequate for my various meetings for the school. The staff is friendly and informative. Parking however is pretty tight Unlimited. read more

One of my favorite libraries. Newly built, modern and clean. The staff is super friendly and helpful. I mainly used the computers with a max limit of 1 hour. read more

Loudest library ever!! Interior is great and comfortable, but they do not enforce people to be quite! So hard to study here had to leave.

This is exactly what a modern, neighborhood library is supposed to be like. In a time where all of this information is literally at our fingertips, I find the role of the library to be even more important because it saves me time and is the best "information noise" filter available. Research librarians are wonderful people and are far more helpful than any internet search engine can ever aspire to be let alone approach. A very, very welcome addition to our neighborhood. read more

This library is great, very neat and organized. We have no trouble finding parking. People are pretty respectful of each other and keep their voices low. Computers are in good condition and internet speed is great. We saw some kids playing video games using public computers in the Renton branch, but not this one. Overall we will go to this library in the future and not to the Renton one. read more

We are lucky to have this beautiful library nearby. I agree with all of the other postives of the other reviewers. Great staff, access to the KCLS system, modern design and easy access to power for laptops, etc. I knocked it one star for being closed on Sundays (a key library day) and another star for poor parking. The design of the parking area is probably the worst I have seen in modern construction. read more

This place needs to decide if it is a library or a community center. There isn't enough space or parking for both crowds. Finding parking or a seat for reading/study is many a times difficult with the non-stop events that always seems to be going on there. read more

Great library! And my daughter adores the pleasant girl who does storytime.

I love this library. Amazing location and nice clean interiors and exterior. When I have nothing to do this is my go to place to spend some time reading and just chilling. read more

Small, easy to get to (though difficult to navigate to the parking lot), great staff. It could use a few more computers, but I think it'll work well for the area. If you come on a busy day, know that there's limited parking in the lot. read more

I went to check out this library on the first day of opening. I was trying to chose a book for my 3 year old daughter and some old hag, with medium length blonde hair is shouting "hurry up with your selection because we are closing!" To be precise, it was 15 minutes before closing time and I was on my way out anyway. Thanks so much you old hag for the wonderful welcome to the new library. I don't know her name, but she should be fired! read more