Wow, what a nice surprise to check out the library while we were in the Beacon Hill area and we also needed a bathroom break. I never stepped foot in to any library for years, the last time was when my big kids elementary school days, I would take them for the Summer Reading Program but the library ( Oahu) is nothing like this library. I would visit more often if I lived/moved here. I am so amazed, with just a quick walk around the library, so nice, clean, organized, high tech, modern. There is even a security guard at front too. The tax dollars sure is put to good use here! Wait a minute, The library opens on Sunday, that is awesome! I love the section with all the info. for resources, so helpful! The desk has outlet for charging your devices. Some of the amenities this library offer includes, public computers, free Wifi, meeting, study rooms, workspaces, reading area, besides borrowing books. I saw an event going on in the children's section during my visit. There's a canopied stone entry plaza and bicycle rack. I don't know what happen to my library card or even my kids, but after visiting, I really need to consider visiting any library more often. Yep. Reading enriches the mind! read more

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The Seattle Libraries are still closed for roaming. But You can go online to reserve book and DVDs and put them on Hold. They will transfer your holds to a Specific Branch to pick up. Plexiglass barriers are up in the Lobby of Beacon Hill. They used to open the restrooms before last yr. during bus. Hrs. But recently they have completely closed them. Maybe someone made a big mess, I'm guessing. I go to the restroom often and drive for Postmates. So I really need access to Public restrooms. Last yr, many restaurants closed off their restroom to Delivery Drivers. It was extremely bad for me trying to work at night when grocery stores closed early. But that's another story. Kudos to the young gal with the scarf on who came out to give me revised printouts I sent to their printer 5:58 pm. By the time. I tried to go back to their Lobby, it was closed. I sat in the car , and she saw me. Previously, 10 mins earlier I got print out but the Documents from my email link came out very tiny print. I have senior eyesight, wearing a multi-focal contact. So no way I could read it. I told her can't they enlarge the PDF. She said No. I said I needed them for a job tomorrow. I do mystery shopping once in awhile. It does not pay well. My job tomorrow will pay only $15. But it's a easy Parking Audit shop. read more

This branch is welcoming and warm. Plus, the internet has good bandwidth, so I could study my energy economics course! read more

Seattle Public Library - Beacon Hill Branch - Black History Month display in the children's section. - Libraries Near Me - Seattle, Washington

One of the more recently re-birthed library branches of the SPL system, despite what anyone would say, I think it's quite good. It's not overly "outside of the box" as the Central branch nor too "stuck in the box" as many bland places can seem. Neat earthy dark colors with sort of a grand centerpiece in the high ceiling with arched exposed wood members. Just enough parking for the site yet easy to walk to. I don't use libraries for material; mainly for using the internet to satisfy my nerdy needs and/or check a few things. It's also good to kill time if your car is getting serviced at the small auto repair shop nearby. read more

Recently, I read a Stranger article which blasts the design of this library for not being a good reflection of the diverse neighborhood it supports. Seriously, it is just a library. I doubt that there are many library goers here that really care about this topic. They are more concerned with what the library has to offer like I do. The Beacon Hill library is located a short walk from the Beacon Hill Link Station. The library was opened in 2004, but still has new library shine to it. In the back of the library, there is a parking lot in addition to the plentiful street parking nearby. The interior of the library is expansive. It has a tall ceiling with plenty of windows to allow for natural sunlight to shine in. It is a nice place to study or work from. There is a section all the way in the back with a sitting area by the magazines which made for a quiet place to get work done and the Wi-Fi works great here. Though it was raining outside, there is a feeling of calmness inside the library that is akin to the feeling you get sitting by the fireplace on a cold night. I might be romanticizing this library a bit, but the Beacon Hill library has a better vibe than most libraries that I have visited in the Seattle area. read more

Wow, very modern and upscale. I know it's been here for awhile but this is the first time that I've taken a longer look. There is a little bit of parking around the area and the backside is in a residential area. It seems to be a little bit of a hidden gem, so it's not seriously crowded most of the time. It's much more inviting than the older library that used to be up here. I'd visit that place often as a child. I'd have my faves that I would check out time after time, never getting bored of the same stories. read more

Three cheers for covered bike parking!!!Now that that's out of the way-- I mainly use this location for printing. The building is beautiful, clean and quiet. Their printer/scanner and computers are easy to use and they consistently work(!!). The information desk is always well-staffed with kind people. They've helped me with getting change, loading paper into the printer and finding tape. For non-computer time or if you have your own, there are ample work spaces equipped with outlets that are rarely used. This is also one of the few oases for anyone in need of clean public restrooms and a drinking fountain. Lastly, I've used the group meeting space here. It was easy to reserve and fit about 40 people fairly comfortably. read more

Seattle Library Express. Beacon Hill Branch is a small, new, clean building located close to link light rail and has free computers to use, free wifi, reservable meeting rooms and everything a large Seattle library branch has PLUS it even has it's own parking lot! Some casual browsing may be done here but for me it is just better to log in and reserve any book, movie or cd from any library in the city and have it sent here, it arrives conveniently and I pick it up from the friendly staff on my way back from the light rail station. Very Convenient, I love this branch!! read more

I think this is a really neat library with lots of good material! There's plug-ins for every table which is great, don't need to look for plug-ins and have to seat in spectacular seats for it. However staffs doesn't seem to care even someone is loud and kids are running around.. Also the internet is really bad. Keeps disconnecting and really slow. Overall: I guess it's not really a place to work and study but a good place to take your kids and play....? (That's not what library for but I guess...) Oh and ofcourse to borrow books and scan/print things. Not so recommended since it's kinda busy and you can't really focus with all those noises. (If they improved I'll update my review!) read more

This branch is pretty small and the parking lot is very very tiny. Staff was super nice as I also signed up for a library card here. Is semi-quiet and not too many tables for adults. I would definitely argue this is more of a teen, children friendly library as they have lots of areas for the youth to study, read, and play. Computer area seemed not too busy and the library itself is in a nice neighborhood. read more

This is one of my favorite SPL locations. They have more than enough computers, and.. oh my gosh..."it's actually quiet!" The staff is super nice, and really make sure that you got the attention you needed to complete what you are doing. The Holds section is a breeze, checkout is quick, and there is also comfortable places and tables to sit and work, as well as private study rooms. You can easily grab the light rail from beacon hill station, or hop across the street to Jefferson Park for some outdoor time. By far, between Central, Ballard, Rainer Beach, and the Columbia city branches. Beacon is my favorite. It is also very clean and maintained. Screw the Rainer beach branch, it's like a day-care center in there, and the staff does not give a ****. It's also filthy, and the patrons are rude. you may even get panhandled on the way in or out. read more

What a gorgeous library branch this is! Beacon Hill sure is looking pretty these days, especially because of this snazzy newish library. Expect lots of parking, friendly staff and more variety in foreign language books and tapes than other branches. read more

So I really don't venture that far into the library since I usually request the books just be transported here, but I really like this library. Parking is not an issue here. It's really convenient. I could walk here but when the rain returns a drive is sometimes necessary to protect those books pages from the rain! The librarians are super friendly. The first time I went here I had never used the Seattle check-out system before. Since I'm apparently unable to read instructions I couldn't work the check-out thing on my own. The nice lady working walked me through it and wasn't even annoyed by it. Once again, the staff is friendly. I had some overdue fines to pay and there were no evil or disapproving looks. *oops* Lastly, they keep the place organized, or at least the pick-up area. It's never an issue to find my reserved items and because of this fact I can be in and out of the library in a matter of minutes. This is awesome because it leaves me more time to enjoy the books I'm getting! read more

TONS of current music and recent movies here. I also like to peruse the Spanish periodicals and movies. Great selection of world music and movie soundtracks. Helpful attentive staff, and its in the 'hood. Love it! read more

This library is one of my favorites. - They have a big room you can reserve in the front (just talk to the librarians about it) that is big enough to fit at least 30- 40 people comfortably, as well as three smaller study rooms. -Lots of natural light, free wi-fi (you don't even need a library card) and always lots of librarians to help you. - Some computer classes are also offered here and the Beacon Hill Business Association has its office in the lobby. read more

The most gorgeous modern library I have ever seen. That is all. Oh, and the staff is extremely helpful. Now that is all. read more

The only reason this branch doesn't get 5 stars is because of the sketchy patrons. This branch has awesome quiet study rooms and free wifi so when you've met the daily maximum internet time of 90 minutes you can move to the wifi. The only problem is that you're subject to other patron's interpretations of socially acceptable behavior in a quiet study room- talking on the phone, slyly drinking a beer while staring at you and your breasts, singing along to their music (while wearing headphones), etc.. Make sure to get there while school's still in session if you don't like scores of elementary school kids playing computer games noisily. I'm annoyed that printing costs 15 cents a page (because the library back home has free printing) but I understand it helps offset costs and is better for the environment. Basically besides other sometimes sketchy people, this branch is a perfect neighborhood library. read more

The entire Seattle Public Library system rocks. My local branch is one of the newly-built. Comfortable, a good size for our neighborhood, lots of computers, and friendly librarians who speak several languages. read more

When I was little, i use to browse the small little library of what it use to be. i was fascinated by the new books in this building, i was like, I want to read all the books in here! but so, i grew out of that sadly, but it's a nice place to study and get your work done. they have plenty of tables plus quiet rooms and a huge meeting room along with a conference room for all your meeting needs. read more

I've never had to wait for a computer at this location and it's always pretty quiet. No obnoxious parents with their children screaming.

The best! The staff is really friendly they know you my first name. I used to come here a lot as a kid for the internet. But since I have internet at my house now I don't frequent it as I used to. I still go for books and dvds. The only thing I wished they had more of is womens magazines! read more

what can I say? this is a library lots of books and places to study. Quiet surroundings, comfortable chairs, computers, free wifi. It's hard to ask for more than what they have right now. may be a cafe? I guess only thing to complain is that there is not enough parking spot for everyone. I had to find a street parking spot... read more

Excellent neighborhood library. I am always glad to see if full of people, all ages etc. While I access the library mostly via the internet, I now go for the weekly baby story time and to check out books in Chinese and Vietnamese for my MIL to read to my tot. Nice selection (I hear the ID library has even more). Staff is always nice and children's librarian team clearly love what they do. read more

Very modernized building. Staff is friendly, helpful and very nice. Super quiet library. A good variety of foreign language books, cds and dvds. Great location w/ parking in the near by streets. Study rooms are available upon request. read more

The Beacon Hill branch of the Seattle Public Library system is such a well-designed building - when you are here you are in awe of the giant beams on the vaulted ceilings! Take advantage of some of the services this modern facility offers has to offer, including an Internet basics class, homework help, tech help, Microsoft Word help, and even free tax help. They also hold classes to practice conversing in English. Another one of the great things about this branch is that you are able to place up to 50 items on hold (more than some libraries)! read more