Those signs aren't actually all that useful for wayfinding since you have to turn before getting to them, but the point is for them to be visible across the mall. On the left is one of the more unusual tenants here, the Southcenter Library Connection, one of King County's two mall-based libraries (the other is in the much-less-successful Crossroads Mall in Bellevue).
Mall libraries are an interesting subject! In fact, libraries in general are an interesting subject and maybe something worth considering photographing for the blog if you ever run out of retail ideas or get tired of photographing ugly modern stores, lol. At least around here, many of the neighborhood libraries have interesting architecture, much more adventuresome architecture at least than most retail buildings. A lot of it doesn't age well as it is very specific types of architecture to certain eras, but I suppose that adds to the intrigue, lol.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I've seen some mall libraries before, mostly in the north, they aren't too common around here. I know that at one time, Harris County Public Library did maintain a display at my local mall, but it was very small and probably useless to most people unless they wanted to see the most common books. Anyway, that was probably in the late 1980s/early 1990s anyway when the library had a slightly more useful Bookmobile which would often stop at the local Safeway (oddly enough, I can't remember it going to any of the other supermarkets around here). Houston Public Library had a full branch library in the Almeda Mall parking lot until the library moved to a larger location away from the mall in the late 2000s.
One of the nicer looking libraries in the Houston area, inside and out, is the Helen Hall Public Library in the suburban town of League City. The building uses large columns quite like a 1970s Houston Safeway Super Store. I guess maybe that's why I like it, lol. About a year ago, League City announced that anyone who wasn't a League City resident would have to pay to enter the library. I don't know if they are still doing that, but it seemed pretty silly. It's not like that's an area with a homeless problem or anything like that. None of the other libraries in the area are doing anything like that and, if anything, are trying to get as many people as possible to come to their libraries. Well, anyway, it is interesting to see at least: https://maps.app.goo.gl/65BbxJuuN7iyNXet7
We have some pretty cool libraries around here too, especially the famous downtown one, but I don't think they're going to become a regular fixture on the blog!
DeleteI know mall-based libraries are fairly common in suburban areas that have lots of vacant mall space and not a lot of money to build proper dedicated libraries, but it's somewhat unusual to see one in a thriving mall like Southcenter. I suppose it being here is convenient for people who shop here on a regular basis!
Charging people to visit a library is just bizarre. Things that you only see in wealthy suburbs...