Tumwater Library to fully close to public due to safety concerns during its remodel
The Tumwater Timberland Library will move its services to the Timberland Regional Library Headquarters building due to unforeseen challenges in the remodeling project.
The last day of service at the regular library at 7023 New Market St SW will be Thursday, Feb. 13, and the library will be closed to the public until the remodel is completed or until further notice.
The TRL headquarters is also located in Tumwater, at 415 Tumwater Blvd SW. Library services will be available there starting Wednesday, Feb. 19. Hours will be Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
According to a news release from the library branch, the change is due to unforeseen challenges in the library’s renovation process. Project managers had intended to keep the library open during remodeling, but now are concerned about staff presence in the building during construction, as well as general safety and overall patron experience.
Services at library headquarters will include requesting and checking out holds, access to a public computer, printing and Wi-Fi access, staff assistance and more.
Spokesperson Anna Lisa Rasmussen said, “While we planned to operate from the meeting room at the Tumwater location during the remodel process, moving services became the best option for both patrons and staff. This allows us to maintain services with minimal disruption, and we appreciate the community’s patience during the process.”
The remodel is meant to help refresh and modernize the library to better serve the community. There will be a new children’s area, improved spaces for all patrons and a refreshed layout that enhances accessibility.
Rasmussen said the walls will be painted a different color and flooring is being replaced throughout. There will be a new information desk, improved lighting, and better shelving. She said the children’s area will include an interactive play structure, and new furniture is being added to study pods.
“We always make changes to improve workflow, to improve efficiency,” she said. “So I think that when patrons come back, they’re going to see a pretty different library with a lot of improvements.”
The library is expected to reopen in June, with a grand reopening to mark the occasion.
In the meantime, patrons are encouraged to visit nearby Timberland Regional Library locations for more services and programs, including Olympia, west Olympia (at Capital Mall), Lacey and Hawks Prairie, which are all accessible by bus. Or explore TRL’s online resources at TRL.org.
The renovation project is being funded by the library network and is expected to cost $450,000.
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