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    Suzzallo and Allen Libraries

    4.8 (40 reviews)
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    Ciara L.

    Easy 5/5. If I'm having a good day or a bad day I want to go to Suzz and study. It's such a vibe. Go Dawgs!!!!

    Study Area
    Esperanza D.

    Usually this is the time of the year (spring) when Seattleites visit the Quad to enjoy the cherry blossoms blooming. I'd highly recommend to step into the Suzzallo Library. The entrance is free for everyone, but of course only UW students and staff can borrow material from this library. Anyways if you're in the campus visiting take a look to the gorgeous architecture of the Suzzallo Library, specially in the main study room. Just keep in mind that there're actual students trying to read and study here. The library itself is huge... I've wondered around looking at their book collection and it's quite large, but as a tourist it will take you just 15 minutes to check the main entrance, stairs and study room. There's also a cafeteria for a hot drink if you happen to be here in a cold day.

    Thuy P.

    If you are in Seattle make time to go to Washington University and busy this library. It's in the campus and the architecture is fantastic. We don't have too many of these types of architecture in US. The library is big. You can also strolling around the campus to look at other buildings. Also very nice. Strongly recommended to visit.

    Daniel H.

    We were passing through the campus back on 1/3/20 and went inside this beautiful library. The exterior of this library reflected the inside of the library and was great for a photo op if you were into that. I knew this wouldn't be a big deal to a lot of people, but my college didn't have this kind of grand-looking library. The inside had a reading room that made it feel like something from a Harry Potter movie. There was also a Starbucks that was pretty busy for a chilly day. This library was great!

    Tiffany D.

    Harry Potter film inspired library! I felt that wizarding vibe when I stepped in and started to walk up those stairs that reminded me of Hogwarts. The walls, lighting and building decor, is exquisite and well worth to visit.

    Janey E.

    Fellow Gryffindors rejoice! There's a library in Seattle that will make you feel like you're back at Hogwarts; anyone who loves all things relating to Harry Potter simply needs to make a point of visiting this beautiful building :-) Be sure to check out both the main staircase and the quiet-only library on the 2nd floor; when you do, it will feel like you've stepped into the Great Hall at Hogwarts! Fans of the Harry Potter films will recognize that some of the sets used in the movies are uncanny replicas of this library. I don't know if the films' designers and/or director came here for their inspirations, but it's obvious there's a strong connection. The University of Washington (where this library resides) is aware of the connection this place has to the Harry Potter's Wizarding World; I saw a sign outside the reading room that mentions the Trip-Wizard Tournament ;-) Even if you don't love Harry Potter, this is a beautiful library, but if you do it's simply a must visit!

    Brittany T.

    This place feels like magic. There are the coolest doors and most stunning stained glass windows. In the front there is a locked glass room with ancient looking books and there are plenty of students studying away. This was a fun little trip followed by the nearby Sound Garden (a tribute to the band and a great little spot to stop by and visit).

    Harry Potter vibes!
    Mark Nowell M.

    The most beautiful library I have been! You will feel like you are in Harry Potter scene! It is kinda difficult to find specially if you don't go to this university. The parking is 5 dollars I believe and everybody could go and see the library for free. Just be quiet while taking pictures so you won't disturb anybody.

    Half of the quiet study room after dark
    Jencen R.

    This library is such an asset to students at the University of Washington. It houses a quiet study study room with capacity for hundreds of students. There, students can expect complete silence (aside from the occasional cough or dropped pen) while studying to their hearts content- totally my style. The quiet study room is on the second floor of the library, right above the entrance. It is a Hogwarts-like hall with 50 foot vaulted ceilings, 22 gothic hanging lights, and 2 dozen rows of oversized solid oak tables lined with heavy oak chairs. The tables have lighting in the middle, but the light is indirect so there is even lighting over the whole surface of the table. This helps to not strain eyes when it starts to get dark. The walls are full of opaque stained glass windows, so you get filtered natural light. The hanging lights take over after dark, but only provide mood lighting. With hours from 7:30am-10pm, this library can be used by anyone, however it is referred to as the graduate library, so you typically find graduate students and upperclassmen. Undergraduates, specifically freshman and sophomores, tend to study in the Odegaard Library, across Red Square.

    Sherill Y.

    This is probably the most iconic library on the UW campus. Make sure to check out the biggest book in the world located on the second floor. The library has a touch of a scene from the movie Harry Potter. Surely a photographer's delight. Reading Room in Suzzallo Library is often referred to as the "Harry Potter" room. You can easily see why -- the tall gothic windows, arched ceiling, stained glass, stonework tracery, hanging lights and long tables bring to mind Hogwarts Great Hall minus the floating candles. Suzzallo and its Reading Room regularly ranks as one of the top ten most beautiful libraries in the world. Don't bring a bag of chips or anything noisy to eat in the Reading Room. You are guaranteed to receive glares. *Explore Suzzallo & Allen Libraries* *The Suzzallo Reading Room measures 65 feet high, 52 feet wide, and 250 feet long. *The Grand Staircase: climb the Grand Staircase . . . *The Bhutan Book: to see one of the world's biggest books. *The Grand Stair Hall also houses one of the world's biggest books, a series of photographs of Bhutan by Michael Hawley.  Protected by light-safe glass, the book's pages are turned about once a month by Library staff. *The Reading Room: Enter the Suzzallo Reading Room. Take a moment to savor the quiet. *Globes: At each end of the reading room, hangs a hand-painted world globe, each of which bear names of explorers.  In the south apse, Leif Ericson, Marco Polo, Columbus, Amerigo Vespucci, Magellan, Henry Hudson, Vasco da Gama and Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo.  In the north apse,  Ponce de Léon, Hernando Cortez, Capt. John Smith, Sir Walter Raleigh, Fray Junípero Serra, Vasco Núñez de Balboa, Francisco Pizarro, John Cabot, Jacques Cartier and Fernando de Soto. *Allen Lobby Ravens: Look up to see the permanent exhibit:  Raven Brings Light to this House of Stories. 40 ravens and crows are suspended from the ceiling and carry symbols from cultures around the world. The title is displayed above the windows in the Lushootseed and English languages.  Additional artworks in the immediate area include poems, a hand-made book, and a study table. *Special Collections: Take a quick trip down the stairs to see the current exhibit outside Special Collections(the Libraries' major resource for rare and archival materials).

    Anna G.

    If it looks really great on photo, you will shock when you see it in real life. When I visited this library, I felt like I'm in Hogwarts. The most beautiful library in my life.

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    8 years ago

    nice place to study,free wifi and a lot of empty table. There is also a large Starbucks on the first floor right after you enter

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    12 years ago

    The exterior is magnificent, the reading room is gorgeous, the cafe is good, and the bathrooms... not so great. 4 stars.

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    Review Highlights - Suzzallo and Allen Libraries

    Suzzallo and its Reading Room regularly ranks as one of the top ten most beautiful libraries in the world.

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

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    Bellevue Library

    Bellevue Library

    4.2(127 reviews)
    5.9 mi

    I personally will always have a special place in my heart for this library…read more This library is huge and easily accessible by bus and has plenty of free parking. The staff is always helpful and friendly when I have questions or need help. It's also always warm inside the library which is nice for those looking for a warm place to sit and read or charge a phone. I love the upstairs area where there are more computers and printers and plenty of comfy seating! I always find myself returning to this library or going out of my way to stop by here so I definitely do recommend!

    I really like Bellevue Library and I'm not gonna lie, the free parking is a HUGE DRAW in a city…read morelike Bellevue. Don't take advantage of it, ya'll, I mean don't take advantage of it in a bad way - we need this to stay; and the parking lot is gigantic. I had no idea the last time I came. This time I delved down below and yikes! It was almost a little scary lol. Gigantic tunnel of parking - and crazily busy all of the sudden as Sunday got later - maybe students crash studying for Monday. Okay enough about the parking. Love the art, both the public and the student art pasted inside. Meeting spaces, event space. The library itself is down the rather cavernous hallway - the library itself feels pretty gigantic; enjoyed browsing the suggested new titles on offer. The used book store appendage outside the main doors was open this time around during my visit. I wish they took more than just cash or check. Could not partake : ( I saw tons of appealing books and also they had puzzles and puzzle books. A great place to spend a couple of hours in Bellevue.

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    Bellevue Library
    Bellevue Library
    Bellevue Library - Entrance

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    Entrance

    Seattle Public Library - Montlake Branch

    Seattle Public Library - Montlake Branch

    3.7(14 reviews)
    1.1 miMontlake

    We absolutely love our neighborhood library branch. Yes, it's a smaller location, but the people…read morewho work there are truly wonderful- welcoming, helpful, and always excited to connect with kids and families. They do such a great job rotating fun activities and displays for children, so there's always something new to explore. One of our favorite parts is their amazing collection of stuffed animals, including their beloved big dog. It's such a charming touch and makes the space feel extra cozy and kid-friendly. We visit lots of libraries around town, but we always come back to this one with genuine joy. There's just something special about it. Highly recommend stopping by if you're in the neighborhood!

    The Seattle Public Library - Montlake Branch is truly a neighborhood library. Though its small in…read moresize and the collection isn't extensive, I love that there's a branch for the Montlake area. I visit the Montlake branch for a monthly board committee that I serve on, otherwise I would've never known about this location. But I'm glad to know this library is convenient for those in the neighborhood, as it's easy to get to, with friendly staff. Coming from Bellevue through public transit, the library is next to bus stops and is walking distance, which I find is very important for the placement of libraries. I think it should be accessible for those using public transit, and it indeed is. As mentioned before the space is on the smaller end, especially when compared to other Seattle libraries. But it has all the same services, like using a free community/conference room. There is a parking garage on the lower level of this library; however, the parking lots are tiny! But street parking is easy to find around here.

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    Seattle Public Library - Montlake Branch
    Seattle Public Library - Montlake Branch
    Seattle Public Library - Montlake Branch

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    Suzzallo and Allen Libraries - libraries - Updated May 2026

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