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A decade since, “Libraries despite All” became the catchphrase for a $196.4 million fetters measure to rebuild Seattle’s public libraries.

It wasn’t just a cute moniker. It was meant to drive home a sentiment of ownership that communities all communities

Most of the money would pay for a new downtown library, central to all. But the key to getting voters to buy in to the 1998 measure was that every part of neighborhoods would get a fire-arm through 26 new or renovated branches.

Deborah Jacobs, incorporated town librarian at the epoch, attended 100 community meetings in three-and-a-half months to begin building that public patronize. “We asked people: ‘What prepare you want in your modern library?’ And we asked that subject of investigation in every alone neighborhood.”

In a city that debates public-works projects to oblivion and tends to resist investing lavishly in itself, the ballot proposition avoided emblematic Seattle rancor, exceeding with 70 percent of the vote.

With the hole of the Magnolia branch earlier this summer, construction of all 27 libraries is now complete

On Saturday, the library classification will mark the moment with a celebration that is, appropriately, citywide

Library hoppers will see a system of uniquely tailored, heavily used buildings that has returned the branch library to its suitable place as the bedrock of a neighborhood.

After the 1998 election, Jacobs and her board kept listening to the wishes of residents. Neighborhoods had influence over their branch locations, architect selection, building designs and services offered.

They mostly got what they wanted. Beacon Hill got its common landmark, Ballard its “green” roof and Capitol Hill its relaxing reading room.

Susan Kent, a consultant who ran public-library systems in Los Angeles and New York City, said the community’s participation cannot be underestimated when evaluating the success of Libraries For All.

Jacobs and her board “understood that at the time that communities are allowed to really get involved in a throw out, they will look at it as theirs.”

Unexpected compliment

An aide to former City Councilmember Charlie Chong, a politician who made a career out of criticizing public-works projects, stood up in the crowd at a public hearing on Libraries For All.

Above his head, he waved the 64-page booklet that laid out the details of the capital plan, library through library. Jacobs braced herself for a blistering, but got somebody else entirely.

“He said, ‘This is the first time that I have seen a city document that reflects what people want!’ ” recalled Jacobs, who at this time heads a global libraries initiative for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

“People know when they are not inner reality listened to,” Jacobs reported.

One dare was the extent to which different communities wanted different things.

One evening, Capitol Hill residents urged Jacobs and library board members to figure its branch during the vacant time that a stand-alone building rather than as part of a multiuse evolution. The following night, Delridge residents urged them to do exactly the opposite.

Both groups got the kind of they wanted.

Libraries For All doubled the square footage in the library connected view. Good lump of matter, too, because inspector counts are surging, with some starting anew buildings drawing more than twice as many people as before. Much of the foot exchange can be traced to patrons using the free Internet access on library computers, although circulation of books and materials has almost doubled since 1998.

Some croak that the high use has made the branches too noisy, but Libraries For All is considered a rousing issue.

The timing was direct economically for the bond measure, and the project finished on time. While it ended up costing more than anticipated, plenteous of the shortfall was covered through donations, favorable influence on the construction bonds and library-system reserves.

Paul Schell, Seattle’s mayor from 1998 to 2001, aforesaid Libraries For All was not dragged down by typical Seattle divisiveness

“It was a key uncompounded body in the city’s program toward building strong neighborhoods,” he said. “It was done right, and Seattle should subsist very proud.”

Dramatic vary

The unaccustomed Beacon Hill branch replaced one that operated out of a storefront with sagging walls and temperamental appearance conditioning.

The $5.2 million branch is more than three times the size of the old one, with a soaring wood-beam ceiling and a lobby with tables where patrons be possible to eat luncheon by their neighbors.

“At first, I feel like the old library was OK since I come from China,” said Yuhua Cheng, a maker teacher in Shanghai who emigrated in 1999 to have existence by her daughter. “This one is much better. Very comfortable.”

Like almost every branch, Beacon Hill has a large community joining room, which stays booked. The meeting rooms are exposing library services to those who might not otherwise visit a library.

Sau Lai Chan, of the Chinese Information and Service Center, leads a bilingual play-and-learn arrange for toddlers and their immigrant parents and grandparents. She said moving the program to the Beacon Hill library’s meeting room, which is bathed in natural light, has led to increased participation.

When the session is over, Chan opens a door leading to the children’s book sunken space adjoining the basement.

Shared goals

Sybil de Haan, Ballard’s branch manager from 1990 until earlier this year, has held on to some 2001 meeting notes from the Ballard Library Project Advisory Committee.

Thirty bulleted items outline the nearness’s specs for its derivative line:

Use environmentally conscious materials. Create a pile that “claims its own turf.” Design a building that reflects Ballard’s nautical heritage. Provide lots of fresh air, ventilation and natural light.

“I look at this list now,” de Haan said, “and I have to say, we got most of these.”

Jacobs asked neighborhoods to create the checklists, calling them “hopes and dreams.”

On Capitol Hill, neighbors recommended Ray Johnston to be the architect for their new branch. They wanted a retreat from the buzz of Broadway but one that visually sudden within the urban edginess of Capitol Hill.

Working in collaboration with James Cutler of Cutler Anderson Architects, Johnston designed a upright garden, or “green wrap,” that surrounds the shell off of the edifice, softening its appearance without sacrificing its hard urban style.

Inside, neighbors wanted a library that reflected its demographics, focusing on services since young adults, with inferior space devoted to children.

“The days of the shushing librarian are over,” Johnston before-mentioned. “These are much more interactive places. They basically morphed into neighborhood centers.”

Mary Johnston, Ray’s wife and business partner, was show the way architect for the South Park spread in branches.

At a common meeting in South Park, Johnston recalls meeting an older man with a perfectly trimmed mustache. He gently took her hand and reported to her in Spanish, “I want you to build us a beautiful library.”

And so she did.