The Ballard Library and all of the other 25 new and remodeled branch libraries as well as the startling Central Library will open for tours with a commemorative Library Passport available at Ballard Branch and all other library locations beginning Saturday, Sept. 13.

Ballard branch architects David Cinamon and Robert Miller be in Ballard from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to visit with members of the public and to sign passports. Free coffee and snacks will be provided.

Distribution of the Library Passport on Sept. 13 will be part of a daylong public celebration marking the successful completion of the 10-year "Libraries for All" building program. Seattle voters approved a $196.4 million bond measure in 1998 to help rebuild the city's public libraries. The Seattle Public Library Foundation added $83 million to complete the building program as well as to enhance systemwide funding for art, technology, collections, and programs.

Members of the public can visit any library location from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, to pick up their free passports. The passports feature beautiful color photographs and highlights of each building project. Passports will be available at libraries while quantities last.

Each branch will have a stamping location. The Central Library will have six stamping locations: The FriendShop on Level 3, the Welcome Desks on Level 1 and Level 3, the Children's Department on Level 1 and the Mixing Chamber on Level 5. There will be a stamping location for non-English speaking patrons at the Literacy/ESL/World Languages Department on Level 1. Each library facility will feature a stamp unique to its building or surrounding community.

Also happening on Saturday:

- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Library card signups.

- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Libraries for All "Hopes and Dreams" handouts available. On one side of the handout, kids can color in their favorite library activities and on the other side teens and adults can share their views on future Library services.

- 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Representatives of the Friends of the Library will help distribute passports and answer questions about the Friends organization and its fall book sale, scheduled for Sept. 26-28 at Warren G. Magnuson Park.

Library patrons will have until Friday, Jan. 2, 2009 to complete their passports in order to be eligible to win prizes. A prize drawing for book lover's baskets full of goodies and lunch with the new city librarian/CEO will be held at the Central Library on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. Winners will also be featured on the Library's Web site.

"We hope everyone participates in the Libraries for All celebration on Sept. 13 to see the transformation of their libraries - not only physically, but programmatically," said Marilynne Gardner, interim chief executive of The Seattle Public Library. "Our libraries are thriving due to the strong community involvement that helped create and complete Libraries for All. It truly is a plan that belongs to all."

The Library Passport is sponsored by the Friends of The Seattle Public Library, U.S. Bank, and The Seattle Public Library Foundation. The project was inspired by Seattle Library patrons Marsha Richardson and Bill Ferris.

For more information, call the Seattle Public Library at 206-386-4636. The Ballard Library is at 5614 22nd Ave. N.W.