Library tours will be offered during the Annual Meeting to showcase a variety of Seattle area libraries, including academic, court, and private law firm libraries, the Microsoft corporate library, and the architecturally unique downtown public library. Transportation will be provided for the Microsoft and Seattle University library tours and require a non-refundable transportation fee. Other walking tours may include the use of public transportation and will require up to one mile of walking each way.
All tours will begin at the AALL Hospitality Desk in the Washington State Convention Center and will leave promptly at the time shown. Due to limited availability, please
register for only one tour.
Deadline for tour registration is
June 17. Please note that advance registration is required. Tours are subject to cancellation if there is insufficient registration.
Gallagher Law Library - FULL
The Seattle Public Library - FULL
Microsoft Corporate Library & Archives - FULL
Seattle University Law Library, Lemieux Library, and McGoldrick Learning Commons - FULL
Public Law Library of King County - FULL
U.S. Courts Library - FULL
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP and Perkins Coie LLP Libraries - FULL
Gallagher Law Library - FULL
William H. Gates Hall, University of Washington School of Law
Sunday, July 14 4:45–7:00 p.m.
William H. Gates Hall opened in 2003 as the new home for the University of Washington School of Law. Located in the northwest corner of the large, urban UW campus, three signature 18-foot glass skylights (‘crystals’) define the building, creating a lovely outdoor terrace and bringing natural light to the two-story law library which is located underground. The tour will include an in-depth look at the law library as well as the classrooms and the remote learning room in Gates Hall. This tour is offered in addition to the Academic Law Libraries SIS reception tours later the same evening.
Transportation: Participants will walk 5 minutes each way with an escort to public transportation (transit fees apply - $2.50 each way).
Maximum number of participants: 20
The Seattle Public Library - FULL
Monday, July 15 10:15–11:45 a.m.
Designed by Rem Koolhaas, the Central Library is the flagship facility of The Seattle Public Library system. The 11-story glass and steel building opened its doors in May 2004, made possible when Seattle voters gave the go-ahead to an ambitious building program – a $196.4 million “Libraries For All” bond issue. The same bond issue included improvements to all 22 branches of the system, plus construction of four new branches. Designed with growth in mind, the Central Library has a capacity for more than 1.45 million books and materials, which move around the building in a high-tech book-handling system that operates for the most part out of public view.
Transportation: Participants will walk 0.4 miles each way with an escort.
Maximum number of participants: 28
Microsoft Corporate Library & Archives - FULL
Monday, July 15 1:00–3:45 p.m.
Visit the recently remodeled Microsoft Library headquarters in Redmond, WA for an opportunity to see Microsoft technologies in use in a corporate library environment. SharePoint, Surface and PowerPoint play a key role in graphical display, website development, digital resource management and e-book promotion. Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour of Microsoft’s largest physical branch, followed by an exclusive tour of the Microsoft Archives vault and collection.
Transportation: Requires motor coach transportation (transportation fee applies).
Maximum number of participants: 24
Seattle University Law Library, Lemieux Library, and McGoldrick Learning Commons - FULL
Monday, July 15 1:15–3:30 p.m.
Built in 1999, Sullivan Hall is home to both the Seattle University School of Law and the Law Library. This academic and research facility provides services to more than 1,000 law students, faculty, and staff. The tour will include the Sullivan Hall Art Collection, featuring Northwest artists on themes of human dignity, diversity, and justice. Tour participants will also visit Seattle University’s newly renovated Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons, which won a 2011 Library Journal New Landmark Library Award. The Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons showcase a blend of architecture, design, and services, including collaborative study spaces, smart classrooms, and a media production center.
Transportation: Requires $5 prepayment for round-trip transportation.
Maximum number of participants: 20
Public Law Library of King County - FULL
Monday, July 15 1:15–2:45 p.m.
This county law library has been in the courthouse for more than 80 years, so it is a venerable institution in a classic old building. The staff provides information services in support of the legal research needs of the courts, the bar, and the public. In addition to an overview of the collection and the physical space, the tour will feature a look at the training center, conference rooms, and the library’s contemporary art collection from 4Culture, the cultural services agency for King County.
Transportation: Participants will walk 0.8 miles each way with an escort or may choose public transportation (transit fee will apply).
Maximum number of participants: 9
U.S. Courts Library - FULL
Tuesday, July 16 8:30–10:00 a.m.
Note: Government-issued ID required; no liquids or weapons allowed.
The U.S. Courts Library in Seattle serves the library and information needs of the federal judges and judicial staff stationed in the Western District of Washington who serve the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Federal District Court, Bankruptcy Court, and the Federal Public Defenders. The library is open to the local bar, public and pro se patrons. The librarians build web pages, produce and disseminate current awareness services, and provide training on web based resources and electronic databases. Opened in 2004, the courthouse is at the northern edge of downtown Seattle and the library is located in its penthouse, commanding a panoramic view of Puget Sound, the Space Needle and Lake Union. The artwork at the entrance to the library is by artist Deborah Mersky, daughter of renowned law librarian Roy Mersky.
Transportation: Participants will walk 0.3 miles with an escort.
Maximum number of participants: 14
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP and Perkins Coie LLP Libraries - FULL
Tuesday, July 16 10:00–11:45 a.m.
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is a full-service law firm with approximately 500 lawyers in nine offices on the east and west coasts of the U.S. and in Shanghai. In its Seattle office a staff of four librarians and three library technicians provide research assistance and other support to attorneys in all offices. Major practice groups include media law, intellectual property, litigation and employment law. EOSi software is used for the firm-wide OPAC, cataloging, serials management, and acquisitions. The library portal offers access to a wide variety of electronic resources. The library space has beautiful views of the Olympics, Puget Sound, and the Space Needle.
The library at Perkins Coie LLP serves the largest law firm headquartered in the Pacific Northwest, with more than 900 lawyers located in 19 cities across the U.S. and Asia. The Seattle location houses both the firm-wide library headquarters staff and the Seattle office library staff of four librarians and four library technicians. Perkins Coie also has librarians in five other offices. The firm’s 100th anniversary in 2012 coincided with the end of a three-year renovation of the Seattle offices. The main Seattle library features a reference desk constructed of law books and light, designed by the artist team of SuttonBeresCuller. The new library space also includes seven satellite collections and compact shelving. SydneyPlus serves as the platform for the firm-wide catalog, serials, and acquisitions functions.
Transportation: Participants will walk 0.4 miles each way with an escort.
Maximum number of participants: 14