Hawthorne celebrates library's grand reopening

Hawthorne’s newly remodeled library reopened with lots of oohs, ahhs, smiles and distinguished company.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and Seattle Public Schools Interim Superintendent Larry Nyland celebrated with Hawthorne staff, teachers students, and representatives from Target and The Heart of America Foundation, which awarded the school a grant for the renovation last spring.

Hawthorne families came to check out the new bookcases, new tables and chairs, new artwork for the walls, new carpet, new paint, about 2,200 new books, 25 new iPads and a new projection/smart board system. Every student got several new books to take home.

It was more than a celebration of a beautiful new library. It was a proud moment for a school that “has come a long way — it’s made so much progress,” said Seattle School Board Member Betty Patu.

Patu praised the school’s staff and leadership for all the hard work they’ve done in over the last several years — work that’s “really moving our kids forward.”

“We talk about equity in education for all kids, and it’s happening here at Hawthorne.”

Check out several more photos of the library makeover in this blog post by the mayor’s office.