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TRL Highlights: Renovations & Remodels TRL.org

TRL Building Projects

Thanks to support from our partners and the hard work of TRL Facilities Staff, many libraries and the Administrative Headquarters have received significant and essential upgrades, improving the experience for patrons and staff for years to come.

Library remodels and refreshes aim to modernize our facilities using green and sustainable materials; increase usable and open space for library visitors; and enhance accessibility so all visitors feel comfortable and accommodated, all while creating spaces that are easy to clean and maintain.

Watch the video below for highlights from across the district

Hawks Prairie Timberland Library

TRL's 29th library opened on Friday, February 18, 2022 at 10 a.m. This Lucky Day Library, the second of its kind for Timberland Regional Library, offers the newest and most in-demand books and movies with a modern layout that promotes quick browsing and computer use.

Books and movies available at this location belong in the Lucky Day Collection; trending titles available on a first come, first served basis. Lucky Day items are limited to checking out two books and two movies at a time and have no renewals.

This 3-year pilot project provides library services in an underserved area and helps bridge the digital divide with access to Wi-Fi, computers, and printing/scanning/faxing services, all free with a Timberland Regional Library card.

West Olympia Timberland Library

West Olympia Timberland Library opened on June 1, 2021 in Capital Mall in Olympia as part of a two-year pilot project to provide library services in underserved areas with high patron traffic.

Patrons enjoying the library in the mall

This branch offers the newest and most in-demand books and movies in the Lucky Day Collection and debuts unique services and materials such as Vox books, two-in-one audio and print books designed to help young children with literacy development.

Patrons and guests can enjoy a modern atmosphere and energetic layout that allows for free Wi-Fi, quick browsing and computer use.

TRL Director Cheryl Heywood handing out treats at a community event in October 2022

The location has been so successful that despite being one of the smallest TRL libraries with a limited collection, it ranks 9 out of 29 TRL locations in volume of circulation, as of February 2023.

As a direct result of the library's success and the needs of patrons who visit the location, the space is being expanded in 2023. The back wall is being removed, which will double the floor space to allow for a larger collection and increased accessibility for patrons.

The back wall being removed during the renovation

Shelton Timberland Library

William G. Reed Public Library

The Timberland South Mason Library opened near Shelton in 1974 in leased quarters. In May 1989, the City of Shelton joined Timberland and the two libraries (South Mason and Shelton) were combined. The residents of Shelton voted to annex to Timberland for library services in 2009.

After a comprehensive assessment of the building and site, plans were made to renovate Shelton Timberland Library in multiple stages. In 2021, the restrooms received the most significant upgrades since 2003 with changes including new flooring, stalls, countertop, toilets, and more.

In 2022, shortly after the completion of the restroom renovation, work began to improve the rest of the building including new interior paint, new flooring, new furniture, new welcome desk, reorganized collection on both floors and improved lighting.

Shelton Timberland Library celebrated it's ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 10, 2022 and was attended by Mayor Onisko, members of Shelton’s City Council, members of Shelton’s Chamber of Commerce, Shelton City staff and Shelton library staff. The ceremony was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. President Oliver and Trustee Sebby shared comments, and Trustee Harrington attended as well.

Shelton Library's Ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 10, 2022
Updated paint
Renovated restrooms
Down Stairs - After the renovation
Upstairs - After the renovation

McCleary Timberland Library

The current McCleary Library opened in 2003 as a result of a joint project of the City of McCleary, Timberland and the Friends of the McCleary Library. The 2,112 square foot building was formerly a video store which was remodeled and expanded to provide more space for materials, computers, and programs. The old building had been Timberland's smallest library at just over 600 square feet.

McCleary is the first Timberland Regional Library to pilot Expanded Access Hours (EAH). This program offers registered patrons access to the library in addition to staffed operating hours.

In 2023, the building received a major refresh including new paint, flooring, office space, furniture, lighting, new layout, and more.

During the renovation
During the renovation
Before the renovation
During renovation

Additional images coming soon

Hoodsport Timberland Library

The Hoodsport Library opened September 19, 1989, in a store-front leased space. Because of the need for a larger facility, TRL purchased 1.7 acres in Hoodsport for a library site.

An idea which began as a grassroots effort by library supporters and community members grew into a media event when the old North Mason library in Belfair was moved by barge to Hoodsport in October 1996. The building re-opened as the Hoodsport Library on March 22, 1997. The view from the library deck is Hood Canal.

In 2022, the library received a new exterior color and improvements were made to the Staff work area and landscaping surrounding the building.

Updated paint
New sign

Ocean Park Timberland Library

From 1944 until 1983 the Ocean Park library was housed in the Ocean Park Elementary School. The Pacific County bookmobile served the area, until the former Mason County bookmobile became a temporary Ocean Park library. A new library was built and opened in June 1985.

In 2012 the library was remodeled and nearly doubled in size from 3,200 to 5,932 square feet. The library now features new furnishings, additional seating areas, a separate space for teens, a larger children’s area, lighting for the shelving and new carpet and paint.

In the summer of 2022, the library's building exterior was re-painted with a vibrant new color.

Amanda Park Timberland Library

In 1977 the Timberland Regional Library District and the Quinault School District agreed to the placement of a stationary bookmobile on the K-12 Quinault Schools grounds for the purpose of providing public library service to TRL patrons in the surrounding area.

In 1991, Timberland constructed a new facility on Quinault Tribal property adjacent to the Quinault School grounds. The new library opened November 2, 1991.

The library building, inspired by the Quinault Indian culture, has earned an honor award from the Seattle Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the 1995 Award of Excellence for Library Architecture co-sponsored by the American Library Association and the American Institute of Architects.

Improvements were made in 2022 including LED Light Conversion, Lawn Regrade, Septic, Drainage, and Parking Lot Striping.

Land regrading

Before

Water pooled underneath the deck on the left and right sides

After

Redirecting water away from the building

Before

Interior before the renovation

After

Interior - After
Interior - After

Salkum Timberland Library

The Salkum Library opened in 1986 in leased quarters as one of two experimental "mini-libraries" in Lewis County to serve isolated areas previously served by a bookmobile. TRL remodeled a former grocery store and gas station and opened a new library in September 1993.

In 2022 the building received a new roof and exterior paint.

A new bench was built

Centralia Timberland Library

The Centralia Timberland Library was built in 1913 with a Carnegie grant obtained by the Ladies of the Roundtable. It was remodeled and expanded in 1977-78 with an Economic Development Grant to accommodate a larger collection and more services than the original 6,200 square foot building.

Recent improvements include new bathrooms, staff work area, drinking fountain, and paint.

Before

After

New toilet, flooring, sink, mirror, and more.

South Bend Library

The South Bend Library is a Carnegie library which was built in 1913. The residents of South Bend voted to annex to Timberland for library services in 2003.

In 2022, the door and surrounding area for the wheelchair lift was cleaned and new signage was added.

Before

After

Administrative Headquarters

Restrooms

The previous restrooms at the TRL Administrative Headquarters have been completely renovated and are now gender-neutral facilities. All toilets, sinks, stalls, mirrors, flooring, wainscoting, and more were replaced in both restrooms.

IT Department Renovation

The office space for the IT Department was updated with new flooring, cubicles, paint, refreshed meeting room, and more.

Collections Department Renovation

The Collections Department was updated with new flooring, paint, cubicles, desks and office furniture, and Automated Materials Handling (AMH) system.

The new cubicles create more open space
Fresh new colors
The new flooring is easy to keep clean compared to the previous carpet

Thank You to our Partners and Communites for your support!

Timberland Regional Library (TRL) recognizes that we operate within the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people and Chinook people who have been the stewards of these lands since time immemorial. TRL provides library services to Indian tribes, extending beyond the geographic limits of Lewis, Mason, Thurston, Pacific, and Grays Harbor Counties. This acknowledgement reminds us to strive for respectful partnerships with all people, as we search for collective healing and learn how to be better stewards of the indigenous lands we inhabit.