The City of Seattle and Seattle Public Libraries have reopened public restrooms at five library locations around the city, including Ballard.
Seattle libraries closed early on when COVID-19 began to spread, but the closures had an unintended consequence of limiting access to public and private restroom facilities around the city.
Ballard Library’s restroom reopened on April 23rd, a move which the City says will help provide “vital hygiene resources to people living unsheltered” during the pandemic. Other libraries that have reopened restrooms include the Beacon Hill, University, Capitol Hill, and Central branches.
“Equity is an important value to the Library and I believe we have an opportunity to support our most vulnerable neighbors by providing restroom access during the Covid-19 crisis,” Marcellus Turner, Executive Director and Chief Librarian, said in a statement about the restrooms reopening.
In addition to opening up the five library branches’ restrooms, the City has added 12 hygiene stations around Seattle, and has made available 50 parks facilities that are usually closed until summer months.
The five libraries will open their restrooms from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday. No other services will be offered during those hours, and locations will be staffed with security personnel, custodial workers, and library staff. Additionally, all users will be asked to complete a brief COVID-19 health screening prior to entering the building, and occupancy will be limited.