From booze to books: New library to open in Hawks Prairie

Timberland Regional Library has a new branch in the Hawks Prairie area of eastern Lacey that will open to the public in January 2022.

Timberland Regional Library (TRL) staff are in the process of remodeling the location that will become the Hawks Prairie Timberland Library, said Lacey Timberland Library Manager Holly Paxson. Paxson also will be the library manager for the Hawks Prairie branch.

Hawks Prairie Timberland Library will be at 8205 Martin Way Suite B in Lacey near Grocery Outlet and Jack in the Box. The branch is expected to open in early January.

“We have been wanting a service point in east Lacey for some time,” Paxson said. “That area is underserved and there are communities there that Timberland wants to be sure to reach, including residential communities for people 55 and older, students, families, and marginalized groups, many of whom speak English as a second language.”

Hours for the new branch will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The branch will be closed Sunday and Monday.

At about 2,500 square feet, this new TRL branch will:

• Offer the newest and most in-demand books and movies.
• Debut unique services and materials such as Vox books, and two-in-one audio and print books designed to help young children with literacy development.
• Breach the digital divide with quick computer reservations, printing services, and free WI-FI.

Patrons and guests will be able to enjoy a modern atmosphere and energetic layout that allows for quick browsing and computer use.

Timberland has had service points in the area in the past, including a kiosk at what previously was the location of South Puget Sound Community College. The kiosk closed in 2015 when the college moved to a more central area of the city.

“That was one of the most popular kiosks in the whole five-county library district,” Paxson said. “It was clear that services were wanted in that area.”

Hawks Prairie Timberland Library will be the second installment of a pilot project implemented by TRL of what the organization calls “Lucky Day Libraries.” The first of these pilot branches to open was the West Olympia Timberland Library in Capital Mall.

Since opening in June, West Olympia Timberland Library has become the ninth busiest library out of a total of 28 locations, Paxson said. Hawks Prairie will be TRL's 29^th location.

“We are expecting this to be a fairly high-use facility despite its size,” Paxson said. “We hope it will be successful so that we can continue to service that area.”