Twenty years ago, on Sept. 9, 2006, South Park neighbors streamed into their new library branch at the corner of Eighth Ave. S., and South Cloverdale. As a mariachi band played, more than 100 people signed up for a library card within the first hour, and community members marveled that the branch – after decades of dreaming – was finally open.
Everyone is invited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this community milestone on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by to enjoy music and dance performances, cupcakes, crafts, a Lotería game, a selfie station, and book giveaways.
Like all library events, the anniversary celebration is free and open to all. Like many South Park Branch events, programming will be in Spanish and English. The anniversary celebration is supported by donors to The Seattle Public Library Foundation.
South Park 20th anniversary / Celebración del 20.º aniversario de la sucursal de South Park
When: Saturday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: South Park Branch, 8604 Eighth Ave. S., Seattle, 206-615-1688
Activities:
- Noon: Welcome remarks and cupcakes
- 1 p.m.: Tlalokan Aztec Dance performance
- 2 p.m.: Ruta Xclusiva performance
- 3 p.m.: Joyas Mestizas Folklórico performance
- 4 p.m.: Lotería game
- All day: Arts and crafts, selfie booth, and The Friends of The Seattle Public Library onsite to give away books and Library bags. Cupcakes, bags, and books available while supplies last.
- Learn more: SPL events calendar, with information in Spanish and English.
Five Fun facts about the South Park Branch
South Park is The Seattle Public Library’s youngest branch: The South Park community started asking for a neighborhood library in 1908, shortly after the neighborhood was annexed by the city of Seattle. After decades of being served by a book deposit station and bookmobile, neighborhood residents formed a South Park Library Steering Committee in the early 2000s and advocated for a permanent location. The branch opened on Sept. 9, 2006, funded by the voter-approved 1998 Libraries for All bond measure. It is the Library’s newest branch.
It is a neighborhood third place: “The South Park Branch is so special,” says longtime patron and preschool director Shawna Murphy. “The staff really try to know everyone’s name. They’re so friendly and kind, and they really care about their patrons.” Shawna moved to South Park in 2004, in part because when she and her husband looked at a house in the neighborhood, she saw that a branch was slated to open two blocks away.
Now, she loves stopping by not only to pick up holds but to see neighbors and catch up. Shawna also brings her preschool kids to Ms. Bea’s story time every week. The branch is an important gathering place not only inside the branch, but also outside on the plaza where summer celebrations are often held.
The branch is a resource for the Spanish-speaking community. To serve the many Spanish-speaking community members in South Park, many of the branch’s books and other materials are in Spanish, and a number of staff speak Spanish. The branch also hosts bilingual and Spanish-language programs, including weekly story times in Spanish and English, weekly Tech Help sessions, an English Conversation Circle, and annual community celebrations such as a colorful Día de los Muertos celebration that will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 20 this year.
It’s defined by community connection: “Without the connections to our community, the South Park Branch would just be a building with books,” says supervising librarian Lupine Miller. “The community is what makes it what it is.” In a given week, South Park Branch staff might be visiting Concord Elementary to work with students on the Global Reading Challenge; running a Learning Buddies program in the branch with the Duwamish River Community Coalition; or hosting a Kaleidoscope Play and Learn for early learners and their caregivers with Villa Comunitaria. Even the branch’s artwork is community-created: Inside, you’ll see a colorful mural created by teen patrons and local artist Angelina Villalobos.
It has its own radio program: Every other Monday for the past five years, supervising librarian Lupine Miller records “South Park Branch Presents” with Amigos de Seattle, a Spanish-language community radio station in South Park. Lupine shares news about library programs and services, sometimes with special guests. Check it out!
Be sure to stop by the branch on Sept. 26 and thank staff and the community for 20 wonderful years!
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