Libraries are not the hushed mazes of books they once were. Movies, music, and audio books fill shelves, too. And patrons use computers to access e-books, databases, or browse the Internet. The current bad economy, in fact, has made the local library’s access to the job resources on the Internet more crucial (and busier) than ever.
There are many ways to measure how busy a library is, including everything from door counts to questions asked. For today’s list, I’ve chosen circulation — the number of items checked out — as my ruler. The big new library in downtown Seattle is tops. No surprise there. But some of the other library branches may surprise you.
BUSIEST LIBRARY BRANCHES IN WASHINGTON STATE, 2008
| Rank | Library Branch | Library System | 2008 circulation |
| 1. | Central | Seattle Public Library | 1,618,752 |
| 2. | Bellevue | King County Library | 1,369,576 |
| 3. | Bellingham | Bellingham Public Library | 1,274,437 |
| 4. | Ballard | Seattle Public Library | 984,060 |
| 5. | Northeast | Seattle Public Library | 935,976 |
| 6. | Lynnwood | Sno-Isle Libraries | 933,360 |
| 7. | Redmond | King County Library | 921,804 |
| 8. | Vancouver | Ft Vancouver Regional Library | 918,881 |
| 9. | Lacey | Timberland Regional Library | 913,688 |
| 10. | Bothel | King County Library | 913,605 |
| 11. | South Hill | Pierce County Library | 888,432 |
| 12. | Olympia | Timberland Regional Library | 846,960 |
| 13. | Gig Harbor-Peninsula | Pierce County Library | 779,242 |
| 14. | Shoreline | King County Library | 778,787 |
| 15. | Marysville | Sno-Isle Libraries | 767,576 |
| 16. | Sylvan Way | Kitsap Regional Library | 737,834 |
| 17. | Federal Way Regional | King County Library | 721,759 |
| 18. | Fernwood | King County Library | 708,440 |
| 19. | Greenwood | Seattle Public Library | 693,273 |
| 20. | Mill Creek | Sno-Isle Libraries | 692,707 |
Data source: Preliminary 2008 Washington Public Library Statistical Report, Washington State Library
Washington List Central 