In 1960, Seattle dedicated its new downtown central library located between 4th and 5th avenues and Madison and Spring streets. The modern, functional-looking building, which replaced a classical Beaux Arts building, was designed by Leonard Bindon and John L. Wright. It was one of Seattle's first and finest examples of the International Style.
The new library was well appointed with public art, including George Tsutakawa's Fountain of Wisdom, his first public commission.
Its modern innovations included a drive-through book-return window, escalators, air conditioning, and abstract modern art on the walls. Soon to come were photocopy machines, microcard readers, and ultimately, computerized databases.
Sources:
Paul Dorpat with Chris Goodman, "Times and Tomes Past: A Pictorial History of the Seattle Public Library," in Magic Lantern, Galleries Library (www.historylink.org); Judy Anderson, Gail Lee Dubrow, and John Koval, The Library Book: A Good Book for a Rainy Day (Seattle: Seattle Arts Commission, 1991), 63-65.
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