The University District Public Library reopened on Monday after a two week closure, during which the building’s back stairs and wheelchair accessible ramp were replaced. The construction is part of a larger maintenance project, in which the library’s front stairs will be replaced to make the building more accessible and add lighting to handrails.
“The University Branch began serving patrons over a hundred years ago, in 1910. It is a beautiful branch and we want to make sure it continues to operate well for many, many more years,” said Caroline Ullmann, SPL’s assistant director of communications.
The building’s front entrance, which faces Roosevelt Way Northeast, will remain closed while construction crews replace the stairs and upgrade storm, water, and sewage lines beneath the library’s front lawn, a Seattle Public Library media representative confirmed.
Visitors will only be able to access the library through the back of the building until construction is completed in late October, SPL announced in a press release.
The construction project is paid for through a $123 million library levy, which was approved by voters in 2012. The levy funding will run through 2019.
