The Ballard Library, as well as all other Seattle Public Library branches, will be closed Aug. 30 through Sept. 5 due to citywide budget cuts. Libraries will also be closed Sept. 6 for the Labor Day holiday.

As part of the Ballard Library closure, the parking garage for the library and the Ballard Neighborhood Service Center will also be closed for the week.

The closures are part of cuts implemented by all city departments to help address a $67 million gap in the 2010 city budget, according to a Seattle Public Library press release.

The closures will save approximately $650,000 and are only one of a number of measures Seattle Public Library is undertaking to achieve $3 million in cuts for 2010, according to the press release.

According to the press release, the closures will mean salary reductions for nearly 650 employees, who will not be paid during that week.

The rest of the cuts for 2010 are to branch hours, management and administration, the budget for books and materials, staff computers and staff training, according to the press release.

The following services will be unavailable during the one-week closure:

• No materials will be due and no fines will be accrued.
• The last day to check out library items before the closure is Aug. 29.
• No book drops will be open. Do not leave books and materials outside library locations during the closure.
• Limited access to the online catalog. Patrons will be able to search the catalog and check their library record but will not be able to place holds on items. No staff will be working to process the thousands of books and materials that customers normally put on hold.
• Limited access to the website. The online calendar, databases, downloadable books and media, digital special collections, podcasts, SPL Mobile app and blogs will be available, but other online information and features will not be available. No staff members will be working to maintain the site or troubleshoot problems.
• No library computers will be available. You will not be able to reserve a computer for the week the library system is closed.
• No access to Wi-Fi.
• No book group kits will be sent, received or returned during the one-week closure.
• No programs or events in library meeting rooms.
• No TeleCirc, the library's telephone circulation service.
• No Quick Information telephone service.
• No Text a Librarian, e-mail a librarian or chat with a librarian.
• No Mobile Services.
• No mail will be received during the closure. The library will have the U.S. Post Office hold all mail until the library reopens. Staff won't be available to accept deliveries.
• No parking in library garages.

The following electronic services will be available during the closures:

• Some online resources will be available for you to use remotely during the closure. Please note staff will not be available to provide assistance to use these services.
• Catalog. You will be able to search for books and materials but will not be able to place items on hold.
• "My Account" information. You will be able to see what items you have checked out or placed on hold, as well as see your fines.
• Calendar of Events. You will be able to see information about upcoming library programs.
• SPL Mobile page. You will be able to view information about using SPL Mobile, the Library's new app for web-enabled phones.
• Databases. You will have access to more than 70 premium databases, including Britannica Online, ChiltonLibrary.com, Consumer Reports and Morningstar Investment Research Center.
• Downloadable media. You will have access to more than 50,000 items in the digital collection, including 42,000 e-books and audiobooks, 3,000 downloadable music titles and 5,000 downloadable movie titles. There will be links to instructional videos on how to download digital media.
• Digital collections. You will have access to three special collections that have been digitized: Photos from the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition Collection, the Northwest Art Collection and The Seattle Historical Photograph Collection.
• Adult blog "Shelf Talk" and teen blog "Push to Talk."
• Library podcasts.