1966 data via HistoryLink;[1] 2015 renovation data via Chicago Athenaeum[2] and from Daily Journal of Commerce[3]
The Renton Public Library is the King County Library System (KCLS) branch library in Renton, Washington, in the United States. It was a city library between its construction in 1966 and 2010, when it was one of the last three non-KCLS members in the county outside of Seattle and it was incorporated into KCLS after what may have been "the most contentious annexation fight in the system's 71 years".[4]
Design and construction
The library sits astride a river – the Cedar River – one of the only libraries in the United States to do so.[1]
The building is about 80 feet (24 m) long, spanning the river on a bridge-like precast concrete girder and tie system riding on pilings.[5]
Renovation
The library was closed June 22, 2014 for a $10.2 million renovation,[3] to include new pilings into the banks of the Cedar River for seismic retrofitting, and replacement of wall-mounted windows with floor-to-ceiling glass for better river views and natural light.[6] After renovation the library reopened in August, 2015.[3]
The library's location over the Cedar River is considered a prime location to view spawning Northwest salmon species including Sockeye, Coho and Chinook.[9][10][11][12]
