Library Catalog Search:

1969 - 1972

1973

• Permanent library buildings replace bookmobile service in East Lewis County.
• A TRL-owned library building opens in Packwood.

1977

• The Grays Harbor County bookmobile opens as the Amanda Park library.
• The TRL Administrative Service Center opens with federal funding.

1978

• Library books are purchased electronically by computer for the first time.
• The Olympia library moves to its current downtown location.

1979

• TRL builds a library in Belfair on land purchased by the Friends of the North Mason Library.

1981

• The Westport library, located in City Hall, joins TRL.
• The Packwood library moves to its current log cabin location.

1982

• ALIS (Automated Library Information System) replaces the traditional card catalog.
• library opens in City Hall.

1985

• Ocean Park library opens.
• Lon Dickerson becomes TRL’s second director, succeeding retiring Becky Morrison.

1986

• Naselle library begins offering service via a stationary bookmobile.

1987

• The Tenino library moves into its present location.

1988

• Mountain View library opens in Randle.

1989

• The South Mason and Shelton libraries merge into one location in Shelton.
• Hoodsport library opens in a storefront.
• TRL upgrades from ALIS to the Dynix circulation system, enabling patrons to search and place holds on library books and other items by computer.

1991

• City of Lacey builds new library next to city hall.
• New library buildings replace stationary bookmobiles in Amanda Park and Naselle. The Amanda Park library won a national architectural award.

1992

• Districtwide Central Reference telephone service begins.

1993

• Thelma Kruse begins as TRL’s third director.
• A new library for Salkum opens in a remodeled service station, a bit of lore that locals love to share.

1994

• A new library opens in Elma.

1995

• City of Tumwater, in partnership with the Tumwater School District, builds new library near City Hall.
• TRL installs dial-up modems connecting patrons to library catalogs and magazine databases.

1996

• TRL launches its own website to provide library and information services remotely.
• A library building replaces Hoodsport’s storefront library. The building was the former North Mason library, barged down the canal, remodeled, and reopened—with a view.

1997

• Telecirc begins automated telephone notification of patron holds and overdues, saving turn-around time, paper, and approximately $100,000 in postage each year.

1998

• A new North Mason library opens in Belfair, replacing a beloved, but too-small library building. The new library wins a national architectural award.
• TRL implements email notification of patron holds and overdues.

1999

• TRL installs Internet filter, Websense, filtering child and youth computers and providing optional unfiltered Internet access in adult-section computers.

2000

• TRL installs children’s CD-Rom stations at all libraries.
• Ask A Librarian, TRL’s 24/7 Reference & Information chat and email service begins. The public receives direct telephone access to TRL Central Reference librarians.

2001

• With a 21st Century grant, Educational Services District 113 teams with Timberland Regional Library to open Cooperative Library Centers with TRL collections and service in six remote communities: *Taholah, Matlock, North River, Rochester, Boistfort and Wishkah.

2002

• The Yelm library moves out of City Hall and opens in the second-story of a new building that boasts the city’s first elevator.
• Self-checkout service begins in 4 libraries and expands to all Timberland libraries.

2003

• The McCleary library moves out of City Hall and opens in a remodeled Laundromat.
• Residents of the City of South Bend vote to annex to TRL.
• Jodi Reng begins as TRL’s fourth Library Director.

2005

• A kiosk with TRL computers is installed at the South Puget Sound Community College, Hawks Prairie Center campus to provide library services to students and the public.
• TRL provides WiFi, wireless Internet connections in the libraries.

2006

• A new library building opens in Westport.
• TRL provides downloadable audio books.
• Spanish Language Interface installed on self-checkout stations.

2008

• A new library opens in Chehalis with Washington’s only library drive-up window. Over 80% of the costs were funded by private donations.
• Residents of the City of Aberdeen vote to annex to TRL.
• The Ilwaco library moves to temporary quarters and a major renovation of the library begins.
• TRL adds downloadable music and videos to the Download Collection.

2009

• The Ilwaco Library moves back into the renovated library.
• Residents of the City of Shelton vote to annex to TRL.
• A kiosk with TRL computers is installed at the Rainier Volunteer Library* in the Rainier Historical School.

2010

• Michael Crose begins as TRL’s fifth Library Director.
• TRL adds downloadable eBooks to the Download Collection.
• TRL introduced new library kiosk in Nisqually Tribal Library.

2011

• TRL offers free music downloads through Freegal.
• The Hoquiam Timberland Library celebrates 100th anniversary.
• Residents of the City of Hoquiam vote to annex to TRL.
• TRL partners with Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP) to offer patrons assistive devices for low vision, hearing loss and limited mobility.

2012

• The Ocean Park Timberland Library space is nearly doubled in a remodeling and expansion project.
• TRL introduces several mobile applications to make accessing library services faster and more convenient.

2013

• Cheryl Heywood begins as TRL's new Library Director.

* Taholah left the project at the end of grant funding.   Service at Boistfort, Matlock, Rainier, Wishkah was discontinued in 2011. 
** The Rochester Community Library Center began in a school. Now a kiosk with TRL computers is located in the Rochester Community Center