(360) 943-5001 - Fax (360) 586-6838 - 415 Tumwater Blvd. SW - Tumwater, WA 98501
Reference & Information line: 704-INFO (360-704-4636) in Olympia area or toll-free 1-800-562-6022.
TRL Web site: http://www.trlib.org

Media Contacts: Leanne Ingle, Communications Specialist, 1-877-284-6237 (toll free), ext. 2508; e-mail: lingle@trlib.org; or Kathleen Ringenberg, Westport Community Library Supervisor, (360) 268-0521; e-mail: kringenberg@trlib.org

Less than a month ago, Westport Timberland Library was the smallest library in a 27-library system. Now a fine new library, three times the size of the old one, will open for service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 5 at 101 E Harms Avenue in Westport.

"The ‘old’ Westport library in City Hall conducted a lot of business in a very small space," said Kathleen Ringenberg, Westport’s Community Library Supervisor. For example, each year, on average, the library checked out 40,000 items to 3,500 cardholders and conducted about 300 individual computer and Internet classes, all in just 950 square feet. The new 2,880 square foot library has the space to conduct all that business comfortably.

"Imagination, enthusiasm and sheer determination built this new library," said Ringenberg. "The organizing and fundraising work of the Friends of the Library and the Friends’ LEAP (Library Expansion Action Program) Committee was key to getting a beautiful and spacious new library built. And the support of community groups, businesses, individuals and the library system brought it to completion."

In 1989 the Friends of the Westport Timberland Library, a non-profit organization, established a building fund to hold memorial gifts, donations and proceeds from book and bake sales, raffles, and craft sales. The purpose was to raise funds to expand the library located in City Hall.

In 2001 a large cross-section of stakeholders—representatives of the Westport Library Board, Friends of the Westport Timberland Library, the City of Westport, Timberland Regional Library, business people and residents—met to discuss the feasibility of the project. The City approved it and Timberland Regional Library selected the Westport library for one of its capital campaign projects.

In April 2002, with about $30,000 in their building fund, the Friends of the Westport Timberland Library formed the LEAP Committee to raise funds. As grants and donations began coming in, architectural drawings were developed.

At the end of 2003 Victor Druzianich offered property at Harms Avenue and Montesano Street to the Friends group. A new stand-alone library building was now a possibility and new plans were made.

Construction began on the new building in December 2005.

On December 5, 2006, the new library opens with additional hours and a new schedule:

This is a total of 33 hours, an additional three hours per week over the old schedule.

Westport library staff members encourage everyone to visit the community’s new library and get to know more about its resources and services for all ages. And they invite all to come back for to the dedication and grand opening celebration event to be held inside the library at 1 p.m., Saturday, December 9.

For information before December 5, please call the Timberland Regional Library toll-free reference and information line at 1-800-562-6022 or visit the Timberland Web site at www.trlib.org.

Revised 12/08/06