Auburn Library

About Us:

The new Auburn Library, which opened on April 19, 2000, was designed by Olson Sundberg Architects. The 15,000 square foot library has special features, including meeting rooms for programs and public use, study/ tutor rooms, access to computer and Internet resources, and an intimate reading nook overlooking the park. The lobby offers a glass display case for use by the library or community groups and a community/library information center.

The library also houses the special collection and resources of the South King County Genealogical Society the largest genealogy collection in the King County Library System. There is also a computer lab which is used for free public instruction on beginning Internet online library catalog and other computer related subjects and applications.

The library is designed to complement the surrounding rural and commercial communities. It forms a strong street presence in response to Auburn Way, capable of calling attention to itself amidst the busy business district. At the same time the building softly modulates to meet the placidity of Les Gove Park that borders its opposite side. With a roof shape reminiscent of an open book the building is composed of two areas. The large, column free collections area is separated by a central spine from the community resource room and support areas. The covered entry walkway mirrors historic railroad covered platforms a reminder of Auburns history as a prominent railway hub in the early 1900s.