People’s Library fills in for Seattle Public Libraries during closure
»Play Video
SEATTLE -- Seattle libraries are closed all week because of budget cuts, but a makeshift library in the Central District is still open to the public.
Activists started what they're calling the People's Library to protest the closure of city libraries. Located at 23rd and Yesler, the People's Library is offering Internet access and a variety of books.
"Literacy is important, and when you have austerity measures that threaten the ability for people to come together and use computers and to get books, it's really not good for the community," said People's Library organizer Charles Conatzer.
The new library might not have the same selection as the city's libraries, but this week it happens to be the only game in town. To help offset budget cuts, the city won't reopen its libraries until after Labor Day.
That move isn't sitting well with many library patrons.
"It's a little bit annoying. My son had picked out some books and they are on hold so I have to wait another week and I've got a pile of them I'm returning," said Kristen Fitzpatrick.
While Fitzpatrick was upset to learn about the closures, she and others were thrilled to see the People's Library.
"It's great. It's awesome," she said. "I didn't know they were going to do that."
The makeshift library is already picking up donations from grateful users. Laura Sindell brought some of her own books to help fill the sidewalk shelves.
"This is an American democratic tradition and for some young people to think in their minds to do this, I just think it's wonderful. I want to support them any way I can," Sindell said.
Organizers say the People's Library will stay open through September.
Activists started what they're calling the People's Library to protest the closure of city libraries. Located at 23rd and Yesler, the People's Library is offering Internet access and a variety of books.
"Literacy is important, and when you have austerity measures that threaten the ability for people to come together and use computers and to get books, it's really not good for the community," said People's Library organizer Charles Conatzer.
The new library might not have the same selection as the city's libraries, but this week it happens to be the only game in town. To help offset budget cuts, the city won't reopen its libraries until after Labor Day.
That move isn't sitting well with many library patrons.
"It's a little bit annoying. My son had picked out some books and they are on hold so I have to wait another week and I've got a pile of them I'm returning," said Kristen Fitzpatrick.
While Fitzpatrick was upset to learn about the closures, she and others were thrilled to see the People's Library.
"It's great. It's awesome," she said. "I didn't know they were going to do that."
The makeshift library is already picking up donations from grateful users. Laura Sindell brought some of her own books to help fill the sidewalk shelves.
"This is an American democratic tradition and for some young people to think in their minds to do this, I just think it's wonderful. I want to support them any way I can," Sindell said.
Organizers say the People's Library will stay open through September.
What a fantastic idea! It provides some continued library service to the community (albeit limited, but still a sign of support), illustrates how our public services are being cut while the rich get richer and corporations reap high profits, and it's a positive form of protest of what's happening in our country and with the economy. Bravo!
I seem to remember their 'logo' as a symbol for the 'Black Panthers' from the 1960's. Interesting choice....it doesn't represent me, or my circle of friends. (But then, neither does the logo for King County. King County was originally named after William Rufus King who was Vice-President when the Washington Territory was created in the 1850's.)
These comments make me fear for our country. Â People get together to do something positive for their neighbors . . . and the response is a hatefest from folks that are fortunate enough not to need what's being done. Â Don't like the selection of books? Â Donate some. Â Think the internet services provided aren't adequate? (Well, investigate before you talk, first of all. Â Those laptops are probably better than the outdated desktops the library can't afford to replace. Â And they're in a tent, you know, in case it rains.) Â Check it out and see what you can do to improve the situation. Â
Â
If you don't want to get involved at all, fine, don't, but for the love of all that's holy, stop bitching about someone daring to do something nice for other people. Â Oh, wait, all public library users are poor or homeless (according to the comments to this article). Â Quick, let's make nasty assumptions about them!
Â
I swear you people would be happy living under a bridge as long as the people you stereotype don't even have a bridge to live under.
 @Alyssa MacLachlan I think you are missing that comments are generally a combination of people looking for some glimmer of humor in life when they get home from work and people with definite political opinions about subjects...no matter how ill informed. It has never been some sort of snapshot of the public-at-large. Youare reading too much into it, I think.Â
This is a perfect demonstration of Americans (even if they are socialists) doing what government should not be involved with at all. A century ago, Carnegie and many other wealthy Americans donated vast sums to create many of America's finest and earliest library's.Â
 @Arctic Dodge "even if they are socialists" - Libraries by their very definition are socialist. The capitalist equivalent is a bookshop, but there aren't so many of those around any more, thank you market forces.
No actual computers, just wi-fi for the downtrodden poor with laptops? Has anyone thought forward to when it rains? Or are they too busy fighting The Man?
This comment has been deleted
 @Mumblix Grumph Or look at porn? Hope all of the creeps can make it  week
 @Mumblix Grumph Or their bodily functions. No, you may NOT suggest that it's the same place. Shame on you.
Â
It's the "Domicile Challenged."  If you say bums, the Sensitivity Police muster up a posse and delete the offending comment. (sniff, "What pretty flowers these are...)
"Literacy is important, and when you have austerity measures that threaten the ability for people to come together and use computers and to get books, it's really not good for the community," said People's Library organizer Charles Conatzer.
Â
A three day weekend is an 'austerity measure'?
Â
As opposed to all those socialist European contries that have 4 day work weeks? And 4-6 weeks paid vacation?
Â
Really Charles, do ya see them bitchin about it? Every WEEK?
Â
Someone pass me the oxygen...
Â
 @bobalouie It's not a three day weekend. The article says the libraries are closed for an entire week.Â
Â
Reading comprehension is an important skill that seems to be lacking in many. Maybe more people should spend more time at libraries.
 @Moghen  @bobalouie One would either have to pick out a really good book, or a really short book to somehow not be able to make it through an entire week without a open library.   The fact that one can check out more than *one* book at a time is without consequence?
Â
I think people will survive, even those without the internet or even a good book. Â Â Perhaps this will be the week to venture to one of the many book stores within Seattle and maybe make a purchase on some fine reading material. Â Better yet, go, get on outside and go for a bike ride, a hike or maybe just sit and enjoy what little summer has left to offer.Â
Â
I'm not too worried, are you?
That clenched fist always gets me sympathetic to the cause.Â
Â
And seriously,  your life is going to go all to the Bad Place That's Hot should little Johnny miss the library when you should be dragging him to the park on a beautiful day  and demand that he have fun... or else !
Â
Show me a parent that takes their kids to the library on a nice day and I'll show you someone with  a misplaced sense of priority.
Â
And probably someone with no sense of humor and that cannot take criticism well.
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
 @Sid Vishess Agree about the clenched fist, Social Justice clip art always captures the moment so well.Â
I wonder if they would have anything by Friedman, Hayek or Locke on hand? Me guesses no...
That airline bikini show thumbnail still there?
" The Peoples Library" sounds so Lenin. How about "the tax payers library".
 @snoopy84 The "Tax Payer's Library" is closed for a week due to lack of funds.
 @newsie  @snoopy84 or closed for a week as a result of too much spending...Â
It's a three day weekend in honor of those that work for a living!
Â
Librarians need love too.
Â
Why does this have to be political? How many folks go to the library on a 3 day weekend?
What happened to that fancy bus they have?
Â
The weather is supposed to be nice; go OUT and enjoy it!
Â
Good Grief!
 @bobalouie The "fancy bus" is with the King County Library System which is a totally different library system and it is OPEN this week including the weekend.  KCLS is only closed only on Labor Day.Â
 @bobalouie It's really sad that people such as yourself, who need the library the most are affected by this closure.  To think that at some point in your past multiple people told you math and read would be important one day.Â
 @bobalouie "Seattle libraries are closed all week [...]"  Not 3 days but 8 days, starting today.
Maybe it's time our local governements pay their bills before they dream up ways to spend more money on other things. Taxes are collected to pay for the libraries and perhaps it's time they quit using that money for frivilous other things to suit their own agendas and special interests.
@Jatok Like what? You paint with a very broad brush. Taxpayers in the state and local governments have been voting no to every tax to operate things like libraries, schools, teachers, police, EMTs, fire fighters and public maintenance. So now they close the library to save you the taxpayer money and sacrifice a week twice a year instead of closing all together. So, what is frivilous spending?
I think Sid did a good job of pointing out any number of things that don't need government money being spent on them plus many more. I don't know what levies you are talking about that haven't been passed as far as the above mentioned because my property taxes are
certainly showing that somewhere MY property taxes have definately increased. I
believe that I pay my fair share of taxes so don't even go there.Â
@snoopy84
Let me dumb it down for ya. Letâs say there is this spoiled 16 year old punk kid name Government and he ask his parents for 100 bucks every year for school supplies. He gets his 100 bucks because his parents want him to have the supplies he needs to do well in school. Problem is he's 16 and he thinks he knows everything and knows what is best for everyone so he decides to spend the money the way he feels it should be spent. So after going to the movies, buying gas for all his friends to be cool guy, now he's doesn't have the money for the school supplies so he goes back to his parents to ask for another 100 bucks and at first they are upset and they say no! But he says fine, if you don't give me another 100 bucks I will just fail and drop out of school! So with that threat they cave and give him another 100 bucks and he spends it all this time on drugs...andâ¦well, I hope you get the idea!
Â
When government gets to big they spend the tax money that was suppose to go to all those services you listed and spend it on other stuff the tax money wasn't meant for. Then when the money runs out they come back to the tax payers and ask for more! And to make sure we pay they always hold the important stuff like what you listed over the tax payers head until we pony up! This is what happens when Government goes from "for the people" to FOR IT"S SELF BABY!
 @snoopy84 Any government project or program that has the word "Green," "Diversity" or "Social Justice" in it. Nix all those and youze gots plenty of money for everything else.
 @Vertically Inclined  @snoopy84 This thing you call, "sarcasm," is it something all the hep kids are jivin' to?
 @Sid Vishess  @snoopy84 What, your saying that LEED gold and platinum buildings are not fiscally economic investments in Washington State capital construction projects?  Davis Bacon results in too much government pork spending?  < Shocked >  < absolutely shocked> Â
Â
;p  - I trust the Vishess can identify the sarcasm when read.Â
Â
 @snoopy84 "KCHA has an annual consolidated budget (including tax credit partnerships) of approximately $137.6 million."Â
Â
http://www.kcha.org/aboutus/keyfacts.aspx
Â
Of course, we can't prove that the boyfriend is living with the mom and her four kids or that she is working under the table and what business is it of the County to pay somebody's rent?
Â
Â
 @snoopy84  @Sid Uh, no, they do not mean the same thing.  You should do your homework better. Or spend some more time at the library.
@Sid Vishess Isn't "social justice" another way of say "for the welfare of the people" ? Why don't yuoze guys just remove that line from the constitution, after all youze guys totally ignore it.
 @Sid Vishess  @snoopy84 Your are a piece. Nothing hurts like the truth. Preach on!
 @Sid Vishess  @snoopy84 It is like I don't have enough money to put foods on the table yet I will not give up my cell phones/computer games for my kids.
@snoopy84
And all the money they spend on Social Justice? Here ya go. If you had a buck for every time the word "fair" or a derivative is used you could fund free coke and hookers for everyone.
http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/equity.aspx
Â
 @snoopy84 Or my favorite:
Â
The Green Tools Newsletter!
Â
http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/greenbuilding/newsletter-current.asp
Â
See, they're "green" and "tools."
 @snoopy84 And "sustainable." Feel free to add your own.
Good on them!