West Olympia Timberland Library hosted grand reopening last Saturday

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The West Olympia Timberland Library hosted a Grand Reopening Saturday, May 6. The library, which is located inside Capital Mall next to Van's store and the entrance nearest Total Wine, used the opportunity to showcase enhancements and upgrades made during a 2-month remodel.

The West Olympia location opened on June 1, 2021, and has been so successful that despite being one of the smallest TRL libraries, it now ranks 9 out of 29 TRL locations in the volume of circulation.

The recent refresh was a direct result of the library's success, the needs of patrons who visit the location, and ongoing efforts to adapt library services and spaces to meet the needs and requests of the community.

According to Cheryl Heywood, Executive Director of the library system, the West Olympia Timberland Library floor space has been doubled to allow a larger collection and more space for patrons to spend time in the branch. “Patrons were able to see the new paint, flooring, furniture, lighting fixtures, and layout, as well as an engaging children’s area and innovative features that appeal to children birth-5 and their caregivers, who are a core focus of Timberland's strategic direction,” said Heywood.

Kiosks at the newly opened location.
Kiosks at the newly opened location.

"We're thrilled with how much use this location is getting from all over the five-county Timberland service area as well as from folks who live close by," said West Olympia Branch Manager, Kerry Martin. "Capital Mall is a regional shopping and entertainment destination, and we're overjoyed at how the mall management and the community have embraced this location over the last two years. Expanding our collection and services to meet the information and entertainment needs of current and future library users at this location is a great investment in the West Olympia community."

Posing for a picture #HOWITRL
Posing for a picture #HOWITRL

The reopening included a ribbon cutting, refreshments, guest speakers, and giveaways. Timberland Regional Library provides for the entertainment, information, and lifelong learning needs of Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston County residents at 29 community public library locations.

The library system is funded primarily by local property taxes, timber tax, fundraising efforts of TRL Friends of the Library, and generous donations by individual supporters.

All Timberland library programs are free and open to the public. Anyone needing special accommodations to participate in a library’s programs may contact the library one week in advance. For more information visit TRL.org

Mary Beth Harrington, CVA, writes the "Thurston County's Hidden Sector"  column every Tuesday in The JOLT and volunteers on Timberland Regional Library's Board of Trustees. 

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  • HappyOlympian

    Those are some well-spent tax dollars. Right on, Timberland Library!

    Wednesday, May 10, 2023 Report this