Everett Public Library

Everett Public Library is the public library system serving the city of Everett, Washington. Established in the late 19th century, it operates a main library and one branch, providing resources and programs to a community within the Puget Sound region. The library is a member of the Sno-Isle Libraries cooperative network and is funded primarily through the city's general fund.

History

The library's origins trace to 1894 when the Everett Women's Book Club established a small reading room, an effort supported by prominent local figures like Henry Hewitt Jr. and Charles L. Colby. It was formally recognized as a city institution in 1898, following the passage of a special act by the Washington State Legislature. Early collections were housed in various locations, including the Rucker Block and the Everett City Hall, before a dedicated Carnegie library building opened in 1905 with a grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The library system expanded significantly in the mid-20th century, opening the Evergreen Branch in 1964 and moving into its current main facility, designed by architect Paul Kirk, in 1992.

Services and collections

The library offers a wide array of services, including extensive physical and digital collections, public computer access, and robust children's and adult programming. Special collections focus on Pacific Northwest history, with notable materials on the Everett massacre and the local timber industry. It provides access to numerous online databases and digital resources through partnerships with the Washington State Library and the Library of Congress. The library also hosts community events, author talks, and literacy programs in collaboration with organizations like Everett Community College and the United Way of Snohomish County.

Branches

The system consists of two locations. The main library is situated in downtown Everett near the Snohomish County Courthouse and the Everett Station transportation hub. The Evergreen Branch, located in the Everett Mall area, serves the southern part of the city. Both facilities offer standard lending services, meeting rooms, and technology access, with the main library housing the system's administrative offices and primary special collections.

Architecture

The main library building, completed in 1992, is a notable example of late modernist architecture designed by Paul Kirk of the firm The Richardson Associates. Its design features a prominent glass atrium, extensive use of brick and granite, and interior public art commissioned through the Washington State Arts Commission. The building received an award from the American Institute of Architects and is recognized for its energy-efficient design and integration with the adjacent Wetmore Avenue plaza. The earlier Carnegie building, a Neoclassical structure, was demolished in the 1970s.

Governance and funding

The library is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Mayor of Everett and confirmed by the Everett City Council. Day-to-day operations are managed by a library director, who reports to the city's Chief Administrative Officer. Primary funding comes from the City of Everett's general fund, with additional support from the Everett Public Library Foundation, private donations, and grants from entities like the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The library also benefits from its membership in the Sno-Isle Libraries cooperative, which facilitates resource sharing across Snohomish County and Island County.

Category:Libraries in Washington (state) Category:Buildings and structures in Everett, Washington Category:Carnegie libraries in Washington (state)