Marcellus Turner, Seattle Public Library's new City Librarian, paid a visit to the Ballard branch on Thursday to meet the staff and get a feel for the branch.

Turner said he spends half a day at every library branch for an opportunity to meet the staff and see how the branches are doing.

"During the interview process, you don't really get to meet all the 640 people that work for the library system, so this gives me a chance to visit with them," he said. "I'm learning that our staff is very dedicated and loves this library like the people do."

Sitting inconspicuously at a table reading "Even Silence Ends" by Ingrid Betancourt, Turner said he had been approached by several library visitors in addition to the staff.

"From the fact that four people came up to talk to me, I learned that people really know their library system," he said.

Learn more about SPL's lead librarian, here.