Media Contact: Leanne Ingle, 360-704-4508, or outside Thurston County calling area: (877) 284-6237, ext. 2508; e-mail: lingle@timberland.lib.wa.us.

New McCleary Timberland Library Opens June 10

When the McCleary Timberland Library opens for service in its new location at 3 p.m. June 10, it will no longer be the smallest of Timberland Regional Library’s 27 public libraries. The new 2112 square foot library at 121 S. 4th Street will provide over three times the space of the little library that has served area residents in its city hall location since 1958.

Librarians made a community event June 2 of moving the library books and audiovisual materials to the new library. A convoy of school children from the McCleary School and the Olympic Christian Academy moved the children’s book collection from hand to hand along the block and a half between the old and new libraries. Teachers and other adults coached and helped out while city police rerouted traffic. The rumbling of loaded book carts, pushed down the street, by adult volunteers signaled the finish of the book brigade.

The new library, an expanded and remodeled former video store next to the post office, will provide an open and attractive space for library patrons of all ages to choose reading, listening and viewing materials. Expanded shelving will provide room for more materials to choose from. Timberland Regional Library is adding about 900 books this month alone to the library’s existing collection of 7,900 items. Magazines and newspapers are located in a reading area with comfortable seating and natural light. New child-accessible shelving and age-appropriate furniture shape a space just for children. A separate room for programs, meetings and study provides a valuable community asset.

The public will have the use of double the original number of computers—two additional Internet PCs for a total of four, and one more catalog computer for a total of three. All seven computers include fee-free access to online reference and information resources. One of the catalog computers will be loaded with children’s games and education enrichment software. A computer terminal will also be installed for optional self-checkout of library materials.

Library walls were painted entirely by volunteers and city crew. Local resident Doreen Hamann, an expert in the art and science of color, selected interior colors. A local artist has made an enchanted land of the wall behind the children’s area. Jenny Goeres, a published book illustrator and art teacher who grew up in the McCleary area, has painted scenes of the city of McCleary; Jack and the Beanstalk; a train; a teddy bear reading to a squirrel, a mouse and a chipmunk; and a castle. “A close look at Jack's beanstalk and a lightning bug will reveal a visual pun,” said McCleary Community Librarian Mary Thornton. Rebekah Littleton, a local student who draws both freehand and on the computer, is painting a bear cub running down the wall outside the meeting room. Cabinetmaker Clarence Kohl is building a new circulation desk.

Safety and convenience, as well as attractive design, were considerations in remodeling the entrance to the library. Entry is on the side, away from traffic, and a vestibule buffers the weather. Interior passageways and bathrooms are handicapped accessible. The Friends of the McCleary Timberland Library plan to raise funds to have an automatic exterior door installed. For now, doorbells will enable people to ring for assistance as needed.

The cost of the project, a little over $200,000, was funded through a partnership among the City of McCleary, Timberland Regional Library, the Friends of the McCleary Timberland Library and by grants. The city obtained grants of $50,000 each from the Simpson and the E.K. and Lillian F. Bishop foundations and $5,000 from Weyerhaeuser. The Friends of the McCleary Timberland Library raised over $10,000 from the sale of commemorative paving bricks. Timberland is contributing $58,000 plus equipment and the City of McCleary is contributing $28,000. Timberland Regional Library, the City of McCleary, and the staff and Friends of the McCleary Timberland Library will have a grand opening ceremony and open house at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 28 to celebrate the new library and the people who made it possible.