Every day as I rode from First Hill to downtown on the 10-12 bus, I would see the gradual construction of the Central Library. What started out as a vacant lot soon (actually, not soon....several years later) turned into either the most beautiful thing you've ever seen, or an eyesore that should have never been built to begin with.
I'll leave the architectural adjectives up to you since everyone you come into contact with has a different opinion of the New Library.
I will say that regardless of whether or not you like it, it's VERY impressive and different as far as architecture goes. The inside is even better. I think most people go there to gee-gaw around rather than read books. Which is fine with me because it leaves more books for me to read.
If you go (and you should):
1) take the bus. You will NEVER. EVER. EVER find parking anywhere near the library
2) take your camera. Whether you love it or hate it, you will need to take pictures so you can share your delight or disgust with friends and family members
3) take a load off. Sit around. Look around. Look at the way it's laid out and how much this is both a peice of functional art as well as a public library
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