Jump to content

User:SounderBruce/Sandbox/Libraries

Coordinates: 47°39′31″N 117°14′37″W / 47.65861°N 117.24361°W / 47.65861; -117.24361
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Resources
Naming schemes

Seattle Public Library branches

[edit]
General branch resources
  • 1998: Libraries for All bond approved, allowing for new and renovated branches
  • HistoryLink articles (Ballard example)
  • NRHP listings: Columbia, Fremont, Green Lake, Magnolia (non-Carnegie), Queen Anne, University; Ballard Carnegie
  • Seattle landmarks: Ballard Carnegie, Douglass–Truth, Fremont, Green Lake, Lake City, Magnolia, Northeast, Queen Anne, University, West Seattle
  • Article name options:
    • Ballard Branch (LA-style; used by SPL); Ballard Library (Portland-style; used by news media); Ballard Branch Library; Ballard Branch, Seattle Public Library (HistoryLink-style)
Branches and notes
  • Ballard: built in 2004–05, renovated in 2016
  • Beacon Hill: built in 2004, designed by Carlson Architects
  • Broadview: built in 1975, renovated in 2007
    • Older branches: KCLS (1944–1955); Oakview (1955–1975)
  • Capitol Hill: built in 2003
    • Older branches: Deposit station (1913–1933); deposit station (1944–1954); Susan J. Henry Branch (1954–2003; designed by NBBJ)
  • Central: built in 2004, designed by Rem Koolhaas
    • Older branches at same site: Carnegie (1906–1960); International-style (1960–2002)
  • Columbia (NRHP): built in 1915, renovated in 1986 and 2004
  • Delridge: built in 2002
  • Douglass–Truth: built in 1914, renovated in 2006; formerly Henry L. Yesler Memorial Library, renamed in 1975
  • Fremont (NRHP): built in 1921, renovated in 2005
  • Green Lake (NRHP, landmark): built in 1910,[1] renovated several times (?, 1969, 2003); land purchase funded by residents
Notes
  1. ^ "Hole in Ground as Library Site". The Seattle Times. July 15, 1909. p. 7.

List of Seattle Public Library branches

[edit]
Based on Hennepin County

The Seattle Public Library system has 27 locations that serve neighborhoods in the city of Seattle, Washington, United States. Its main library and headquarters is the Central Branch in Downtown Seattle.

Current branches

[edit]
Current Seattle Public Library branches
Name Neighborhood Coordinates Image Opened Notes Ref(s).
Ballard Ballard 2005 Replaced earlier library

Former libraries

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Columbia Branch Library

[edit]
Columbia Branch Library
Alternative namesColumbia City Library
General information
TypeLibrary
Architectural styleColonial Revival
LocationColumbia City, Seattle, Washington
Address4721 Rainier Avenue S.
OpenedDecember 30, 1915 (1915-12-30)
Renovated1986, 2003–04
Cost$35,000
Renovation cost$3 million (2004)
AffiliationSeattle Public Library
Technical details
Floor area12,420 square feet (1,154 m2)[1]
Design and construction
Architect(s)W. Marbury Somervell, Harlan Thomas
Renovating team
Architect(s)Cardwell Architects
Website
Seattle Public Library
Seattle Public Library, Columbia Branch
LocationSeattle, Washington
Built1915
ArchitectW. Marbury Somervell, Harlan Thomas
Architectural styleColonial Revival
NRHP reference No.82004909[2]
Added to NRHPAugust 3, 1982

The Columbia Branch Library is a branch of the Seattle Public Library in Columbia City neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, US. The branch was built in 1915 using funds donated by Andrew Carnegie, replacing a small room at the Columbia City Hall. The Columbia Branch Library was renovated in 1986 and rebuilt extensively in 2004.

History

[edit]

Columbia City was annexed by the City of Seattle in 1907 and converted its former city hall into a variety of uses, including a library. The city hall was renovated and opened as the Columbia Branch Library on June 5, 1909, with 1,200 books and a reading room in the former council chamber.[3][4] The opening of the library spurred residents of the Rainier Valley, along with the Rainier Valley Commercial Club, to seek a donation from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie for a permanent library.[3][5] Carnegie pledged a $70,000 donation to the Seattle Public Library in January 1911, to fund the construction of the Columbia City and Queen Anne branches.[6] A site in Columbia Park was chosen for the library and purchased by the city for $4,500, including $2,500 in funds raised by residents.[3] The new Columbia Library opened on December 30, 1915, and was dedicated by Mayor Hiram C. Gill.[7] The library featured 6,000 books, a 200-seat auditorium, and a story-hour room.[3][8]

Renovations
  • 1931: Facelift?
  • 1978: Library Board considers Columbia Branch remodel as part of "regional" branch concept, with expanded collections to complement Main branch[9]
  • 1986-05-31: Branch re-opens after renovation, increasing seating and shelving space
    • Funded by 1984 bond for Carnegie libraries
  • 2003-08: Branch closes for renovations
  • 2004-08-22: $3.2 million expansion completed, with expansion in back[10]
    • Funded by 1998 bond, designed by Cardwell
Resources

Design and architecture

[edit]

The Columbia Branch Library is housed in a one-story building at the eastern edge of Columbia Park along Rainier Avenue. Designed by W. Marbury Somervell and Harlan Thomas in the Georgian Revival style, the building's exterior is clad in brick and terra cotta trimmings.[11]

  • Location: Columbia Park, near light rail
  • Public art: "Spirit of Washington" (Marvin Oliver, 1992)
  • Designated NRHP and part of city's Columbia City Landmark District
Resources

Collection and services

[edit]
  • Capacity (as of 2004): 40,200 books and materials
  • 24 computers

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Building Facts: Columbia Branch". Seattle Public Library.
  2. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  3. ^ "Columbia Branch Library Now Ready". The Seattle Times. June 6, 1909. p. 15.
  4. ^ "Columbia Looks to Carnegie". The Seattle Times. June 21, 1909. p. 7.
  5. ^ "Library System To Get New Branches". The Seattle Times. April 21, 1912. p. 32.
  6. ^ "Columbia Branch Library Opened". The Seattle Times. December 31, 1915. p. 8.
  7. ^ "Branch Library is Opened at Columbia". The Seattle Times. December 30, 1915. p. 12.
  8. ^ Mahoney, Sally Gene (April 30, 1978). "Fountain of youth?". The Seattle Times. p. M1.
  9. ^ Solomon, Cara (August 23, 2004). "Warm hello for a 'new' neighbor: Columbia City library reopens". The Seattle Times. p. B1.
  10. ^ "Summary for 4721 Rainier Avenue". Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.

Ballard Branch Library

[edit]
Ballard Branch Library
General information
TypeLibrary
LocationBallard, Seattle, Washington
Address5614 22nd Avenue Northwest
Construction startedFebruary 2004
OpenedMay 14, 2005 (2005-05-14)
Cost$10.9 million
AffiliationSeattle Public Library
Technical details
Floor area15,000 square feet (1,400 m2)[1]
Website
Seattle Public Library

The Ballard Branch Library is a branch of the Seattle Public Library in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. The current building, located adjacent to Ballard Commons Park, opened in May 2005. It replaced an earlier library located two blocks away that was built in 1963 to replace the Ballard Carnegie Library (built in 1904). The building was designed with environmentally-friendly features, including an extensive green roof and several skylights.

Older buildings

[edit]
See also: Ballard Carnegie Library

The City of Ballard was annexed by Seattle on May 29, 1907,[2] and the Seattle Public Library system inherited Ballard's three-year-old library, built with funds donated by industrialist Andrew Carnegie.[3] Seattle formally took possession of the library and its 4,000 books on May 31, 1907,[4] and re-opened it on July 11.[5] The Carnegie library became too small to serve Ballard's growing population, with calls to replace the building coming as early as 1910.[6] A $5 million bond measure was approved by voters in 1956 to finance the replacement of the Central Branch, with leftover funds going to Ballard's replacement branch.[7]

Using a portion of the $500,000 in surplus funds from the bond, the Seattle Public Library Board recommended in May 1961 that a new Ballard branch near the Market Street commercial district be constructed within the next year.[8] In September 1961, the Library Board purchased a site on 24th Avenue Northwest between Northwest 57th and 58th streets to house the 7,000-square-foot (650 m2) library, designed by the firm Mandeville and Berge.[9]

  • 1963 NRHP-eligible, replaced with apartment building in 2014

Current building

[edit]
  • 2004 circulation: Highest among all branches (no Central Branch)
  • Features: Green roof, skylights, anemometers, sea jellies over children's area[10]
  • Underground parking
  • Community center

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Building Facts: Ballard Branch". Seattle Public Library. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  2. ^ "Seattle Offices Take Charge At Ballard". The Seattle Times. May 29, 1907. p. 8.
  3. ^ Chaney, Nancy (April 3, 2011). "Next chapter for a landmark library building in Ballard". The Seattle Times. p. E1.
  4. ^ "Takes Possession of the Ballard Library". The Seattle Times. May 31, 1907. p. 7.
  5. ^ "Library Is Opened". The Seattle Times. July 11, 1907. p. 7.
  6. ^ Fish, Byron (November 23, 1962). "Days Numbered for Ballard Library, 'Outgrown' in 1910". The Seattle Times. p. 31.
  7. ^ "Ballard Library May Be Moved". The Seattle Times. May 9, 1961. p. 14.
  8. ^ "Ballard Library Site Purchased". The Seattle Times. September 20, 1961. p. 53.
  9. ^ http://www.historylink.org/File/7320

Renton Public Library

[edit]
Renton Public Library
LocationRenton, Washington
TypePublic library
Established1903
Dissolved2010
Branches2
Access and use
Population served92,218 (2010)

The Renton Public Library was a public library system that served Renton, Washington from 1903 to 2010. Its two branches were absorbed by the King County Library System.

History

[edit]
  • 1903: Miner's library opens
  • 1914-03: Carnegie library opens using $10,000 grant[1]
  • 1980s: Resistance to merger, no inter-library loans or reciprocal borrowing agreement with King County[2]
  • 1989: Fairwood annexation proposed, including existing library (part of King County system)
  • 1996: KCLS and Renton sign reciprocal agreement
Resources[3][4]
Merger
  • Major cuts in 1979 and 2009[5]
  • 2008 Master Plan recommends independent system with borrowing agreement
  • February 9, 2010 Special Election: Proposition 1[6]
    • Approved by just 53 votes out of 12,000 cast[7][8]
  • "Save Renton Library" attempts to overturn elections results[9]

Branches

[edit]

Downtown Library

[edit]
  • Opened on April 17, 1966 at a cost of $327,570 and housing 50,000 books (out of total capacity of 100,000; 22,400 sq ft)[10][11]
    • Designed by Felix M. Campanella of Johnson-Campanella
    • Replaced Carnegie Library built in 1914 (razed in 1968)
  • Sited over Cedar River, using 12 columns as support and spanning 80 feet
Renovation
  • $20 million approved by city council for two new libraries (Highlands and Downtown)
  • Replacement proposed in 2012 at Piazza (near transit center, at 3rd & Logan) and at Renton Landing shopping center
  • August 2012 vote: 76 percent vote in favor of river site
  • 2013 dispute over front door and historical nature[12][13]
    • Branch closed for renovation on June 23, 2014 and re-opened on August 22, 2015[14]
    • Renovation by Miller Hull Partnership earns awards from AIA and ALA in 2016[15][16]

Highlands Library

[edit]
  • Original branch opened in 1944, joins Renton in 1947
  • New branch opens in 1973
  • Current branch opens in 2016[17]

Collections

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Renton to dedicate new Carnegie library". The Seattle Times. March 10, 1914. p. 7.
  2. ^ Ervin, Keith (March 7, 1990). "Turf wars spread to libraries: cities reconsidering links to county system". The Seattle Times. p. F1.
  3. ^ "About Renton Library". King County Library System.
  4. ^ Stewart, Elizabeth (June 2, 2011). "Renton has long history of supporting libraries in its downtown area". Renton Reporter.
  5. ^ Gracey, Celeste (January 11, 2010). "Library Annexation Special Report: How the Renton library came to crossroad". Renton Reporter.
  6. ^ "City of Renton Proposition No. 1". King County Elections.
  7. ^ "King County Official Final Election Results". King County Elections. p. 1.
  8. ^ Compton, Tracey (July 13, 2012). "The downtown Renton library's long road to a vote". Renton Reporter.
  9. ^ Krishnan, Sonia (March 1, 2010). "Group tries to reverse Renton library vote". The Seattle Times. p. C1.
  10. ^ "Over the River and Through the Books". The Seattle Times. April 14, 1966. p. 29.
  11. ^ "About Renton Library". King County Library System. Archived from the original on June 25, 2014.
  12. ^ Bartley, Nancy (August 20, 2013). "Down by the river, a fight over the fate of the Renton Library". The Seattle Times. p. B7.
  13. ^ Bartley, Nancy (August 23, 2013). "Ruling opens door to replacing Renton's iconic 'bridge' library". The Seattle Times. p. B2.
  14. ^ "Opening celebration planned for downtown Renton Library". Renton Reporter. July 22, 2015.
  15. ^ "Downtown library wins architectural award". Renton Reporter. April 14, 2016.
  16. ^ "2016 AIA/ALA Library Building Award winners announced" (Press release). American Library Association. May 10, 2016.
  17. ^ "About Renton Highlands Library". King County Library System.

List of libraries in Washington (state)

[edit]

The U.S. state of Washington has a system of public libraries serving its population, including countywide and municipal systems. Libraries may be organized by municipal governments or special-purpose districts, which encompass parts or all of a given county, as well as multiple counties.

Resources

History

[edit]
  • First libraries: Territorial Library (1853), Steilacoom (1858), University of Washington (1862), Vancouver (1865), Walal Walla (1865)
    • Oldest existing local public libraries: Tacoma (1886), Seattle (1890)[1]
  • 1890 state law allows for public libraries supported by local taxes
  • First county systems: Spokane and Pierce (1938)[2]
    • Ruled invalid[3]
    • New law passed, new systems approved in 1942/1944
  • Clark establishes rural district in September 1942[4]: 29 
  • RCW for county libraries and ballots: 27.12
  • First reciprocal borrowing agreement (1972): King, Pierce, Kitsap, Sno-Isle, Timberland[5]
  • 1993: Rural partial-county library district approved by state legislature[6]

Public libraries

[edit]

The Washington State Library identifies 62 public library systems, with 333 total branches, in its 2016 statistical report.[7]: 11 [8]

Counties without unified systems
  • Adams
  • Cowlitz
  • Kittitas?
  • Lincoln
  • San Juan
  • Skagit
  • Wahkiakum
Multi-county systems
  • Fort Vancouver
  • Mid-Columbia
  • North Central
  • Sno-Isle
  • Timberland
System Service area[9] Established Branches[7] Registered
patrons[7] 		Collection size[7] Notes
Anacortes Public Library Anacortes 1 12,488
Asotin County Library Asotin County 1964[10] 3 14,289
Bellingham Public Library Bellingham 1891 3 46,590
Burlington Public Library Burlington 1911 1 9,805
Camas Public Library Camas 1923 1 17,438
Castle Rock Public Library Castle Rock 1 1,286
Cathlamet Public Library Cathlamet 1933 1 642
Central Skagit Library District Sedro-Woolley and surrounding communities 2012 1 710
Cle Elum Library Cle Elum 1 2,539
Columbia County Rural Library District Columbia County 2005 1 3,026 Excludes Starbuck
Davenport Public Library Davenport 1926 1 1,190
Ellensburg Public Library Ellensburg 1910 1 12,640
Everett Public Library Everett 1894 2 41,629 254,569
Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Clark, Klickitat, and Skamania counties 1950 15 283,373 684,690 Excludes Camas
Grandview Library Grandview 1958 1 6,113
Harrington Public Library Harrington 1 322
Jefferson County Library Jefferson County 1978 1 11,409 Excludes Port Townsend
Kalama Public Library Kalama 1917 1 189
Kelso Public Library Kelso 1 13,138
King County Library System King County 1942 48 703,987 4,305,097 Excludes Seattle, Hunts Point, and Yarrow Point
Kitsap Regional Library Kitsap County 1944 9 83,225 528,376
Kittitas Public Library Part of Kittitas County 1 823
La Conner Regional Library La Conner and surrounding communities 1993 1 3,497
Liberty Lake Municipal Library Liberty Lake 1 6,688
Libraries of Stevens County Stevens County 1996[11][12] 8 7,467
Longview Public Library Longview 1926 1 32,696
Lopez Island Library District Lopez Island 1 4,442
Mid-Columbia Libraries Adams, Benton, and Franklin counties 1948 12 164,418 371,214 Excludes Richland and most of Adams County
Mount Vernon City Library Mount Vernon 1 11,409
North Central Regional Library Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, and Okanogan counties 1960 29 216,606 720,872
North Olympic Library System Clallam County 1945 4 42,985
Ocean Shores Public Library Ocean Shores 1 3,846
Odessa Public Library Odessa 1 283
Orcas Island Library District Orcas Island 1 5,391
Pend Oreille County Library District Pend Oreille County 4 12,524
Pierce County Library System Pierce County 1946 20 334,362 1,216,490 Excludes Puyallup, Roy, and Tacoma
Pomeroy Library Garfield County 1929 1 990
Port Townsend Public Library Port Townsend 1 7,107
Pullman Public Library Pullman 1 16,143
Puyallup Public Library Puyallup 1913 1 76,105
Reardan Memorial Library Reardan 1 738
Richland Public Library Richland 1 50,735
Ritzville Public Library Ritzville 1902 3 997
Roslyn Public Library Roslyn 1898 1 1,189
Roy City Library Roy 1 224
San Juan Island Library District San Juan Island 1 6,303
Seattle Public Library Seattle 1890 27 378,222 2,261,763
Sedro-Woolley Public Library Sedro-Woolley 1914 1 6,104
Sno-Isle Libraries Island and Snohomish counties 1962 23 463,564 1,220,997 Excludes Everett and Woodway
Spokane County Library District Spokane County 1942 11 111,686 479,240 Excludes Liberty Lake and Spokane
Spokane Public Library Spokane 1894 5 146,979 423,107
Sprague Public Library Sprague 1 410
Tacoma Public Library Tacoma 1886 7 181,967 725,588
Timberland Regional Library Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties 1962 27 240,508 1,241,941 Excludes Mossyrock, Napavine, Ocean Shores, PeEll, and Vader
Upper Skagit Library District Eastern Skagit County 1 1,423
Waitsburg Public Library Waitsburg 1 524
Walla Walla County Rural Library District Walla Walla County 1972 6 3,793 Excludes Waitsburg and Walla Walla
Walla Walla Public Library Walla Walla 1897[13] 1 16,062
Whatcom County Library System Whatcom County 1944 10 51,485 362,955 Excludes Bellingham
Whitman County Library Whitman County 1944 14 14,882 Excludes Pullman
Wilbur Public Library Wilbur 1901 1 762
Yakima Valley Libraries Yakima County 1944 17 93,730 330,499 Excludes Grandview

Former library systems

[edit]
  • Renton (annexed in 2010)
  • South Puget Regional Library (founded in 1948, replaced by Timberland in 1968)
System Service area Founded Dissolved Fate
Renton Public Library Renton 1903 2010 Merged with King County Library System

Academic libraries

[edit]
  • 36 libraries[8]

Other libraries

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ http://journals.lib.washington.edu/index.php/WHQ/article/viewFile/7056/6093
  2. ^ https://www.scld.org/about/history/
  3. ^ https://books.google.com/books?id=nCiBw9U2DycC&pg=PA409&lpg=PA409&dq=Spokane+County+Rural+Library+District+1938&source=bl&ots=wtaCCdGkFx&sig=mFDCAVuNb96Q93vY55DYaPQdKNY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjCn6uuwcLYAhUH0oMKHfuRBOAQ6AEIVjAH#v=onepage&q=Spokane%20County%20Rural%20Library%20District%201938&f=false
  4. ^ Reynolds, Maryan; Davis, Joel (2002). The Dynamics of Change: A History of the Washington State Library. Pullman, Washington: Washington State University Press. ISBN 9780874222487. OCLC 464873581.
  5. ^ "5 library systems in cooperative agreement". The Seattle Times. January 5, 1972. p. C2.
  6. ^ http://laconnerlibraryfoundation.org/about/
  7. ^ a b c d "2016 Washington Public Library Statistical Report" (PDF). Washington State Library. October 2017.
  8. ^ a b c http://www.wla.org/assets/FSandIB/final-wa-libraries-fact-sheet.pdf
  9. ^ 2015 Map of Public Library Service (PDF) (Map). Washington State Library. June 8, 2016.
  10. ^ http://lmtribune.com/feature/clarkston-asotin-library-consolidated-in-jawbone-flat-gazette/article_e013cdb3-064c-59d1-bed4-31de752d5604.html
  11. ^ http://www.wla.org/assets/Alki/1999iss2alki.pdf
  12. ^ https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X0IkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Q_cFAAAAIBAJ&pg=579%2C15885850
  13. ^ http://www.historylink.org/File/8727

Olympia Timberland Library

[edit]
Olympia Timberland Library
General information
TypeLibrary
LocationOlympia, Washington, US
OpenedDecember 10, 1978 (1978-12-10)
AffiliationTimberland Regional Library
Technical details
Floor area19,606 square feet (1,821.5 m2)
Website
trl.org

The Olympia Timberland Library is a branch library of the Timberland Regional Library, serving Olympia, Washington, US.

History

[edit]
  • Independent library system started in 1896
    • Annexed into South Puget Regional Library in 1948
    • Annexed into Timberland in 1968
  • Carnegie building opened in 1914 and used until 1978[1]
  • New library built in 1978, using $1.5 million bond approved in 1976[2]
  • Two failed city levies to replace library[3]
  • Renovated in 2000 for $340,000
  • Renovated again in 2008

References

[edit]
  1. ^ http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article26078293.html
  2. ^ http://www.thurstontalk.com/2014/09/09/olympia-library-history/
  3. ^ Burnham, Michael (October 14, 2001). "New, bigger library might be in offing". The Olympian. p. C1.

Spokane County Library District

[edit]
This page is about the county system. For the city's system, see Spokane Public Library.
Spokane County Library District
Map
47°39′31″N 117°14′37″W / 47.65861°N 117.24361°W / 47.65861; -117.24361
LocationSpokane County, Washington, US
TypePublic library
Established1942 (1942)
Branches11
Collection
Size479,240 items
Access and use
Circulation2.6 million
Population served268,705
Members111,686
Other information
DirectorPatrick Roewe
Websitescld.org
References: Washington Public Library Statistical Report, 2016[1]

The Spokane County Library District (SCLD) is a public library system in Spokane County, Washington, US. The system serves most of the county, excluding the cities of Liberty Lake and Spokane, which have their own municipal systems. The library has 11 locations and has an annual circulation of 2.6 million items.

History

[edit]
  • 1938 vote ruled invalid; 1942 vote under new law[2][3]

Branches

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2016 Washington Public Library Statistical Report" (PDF). Washington State Library. October 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  2. ^ https://books.google.com/books?id=nCiBw9U2DycC&pg=PA409&lpg=PA409&dq=Spokane+County+Rural+Library+District+1938&source=bl&ots=wtaCCdGkFx&sig=mFDCAVuNb96Q93vY55DYaPQdKNY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjCn6uuwcLYAhUH0oMKHfuRBOAQ6AEIVjAH#v=onepage&q=Spokane%20County%20Rural%20Library%20District%201938&f=false
  3. ^ "History". Spokane County Library District. Retrieved January 5, 2018.

Mid-Columbia Libraries

[edit]
Mid-Columbia Libraries
Map
46°12′18″N 119°07′21″W / 46.20500°N 119.12250°W / 46.20500; -119.12250
LocationTri-Cities region, Washington, U.S.
TypePublic library
Established1948 (1948)
Service areaAdams, Benton, and Franklin counties
Branches12
Collection
Size371,214 items
Access and use
Circulation2.4 million
Population served241,165
Members164,418
Other information
Websitemidcolumbialibraries.org
References: Washington Public Library Statistical Report, 2016[1]

Mid-Columbia Libraries (MCL) is a public library system in the U.S. state of Washington, serving Adams, Benton, and Franklin counties. It has twelve branches, bookmobile services, and outreach programs that serve its entire service area, which encompasses much of the Tri-Cities metropolitan area. The library system was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Kennewick.

History

[edit]

The first public libraries in the Tri-Cities region were established in the early 20th century as independent systems managed by cities and civic organizations. A private library was started in Kennewick in 1909 and began lending books free of charge in 1914.[2] A Carnegie library serving Prosser was completed on July 22, 1910, and was followed by a Carnegie-funded library in Pasco that opened on June 29, 1911.[3][4] Richland established its first volunteer library in 1945, which was transferred to city control in 1959 after being operated by the Hanford Works for several years.[5]

A regional library system serving the rural areas of Benton and Franklin counties was proposed in the late 1940s after the establishment of successful systems across the state.[6] Rural areas in the two counties voted two-to-one in favor of a property tax levy on November 2, 1948, establishing the library system and its five-member board.[7][8] The Mid-Columbia name was chosen for the system in January 1949, ahead of names honoring Ben Franklin, Sacajawea, and missionary Henry H. Spalding.[9] The Washington State Library contributed $10,000 towards the purchase of a bookmobile, which began service on June 1, 1949.[7][10] Kennewick was chosen as the library's headquarters after agreeing to fold its independent system into the library district.[11]

Timeline
  • 1953: Record lending begins; followed by film lending in 1955[7]
  • January 1955: Second bookmobile begins service[7][12]
  • 1972: Property tax rollback approved, cutting revenue by 22 percent
  • 1974: Growing pains at Kennewick and other buildings[13]
    • Service to Walla Walla state prison?
  • 1976: Books by mail service begins[14]
Other libraries
  • First libraries: 1910 in Kennewick, 1911 in Pasco, 1945 in Richland
  • Carnegie libraries: Prosser (1910); Pasco (June 29, 1911)[15]
    • New Pasco library opened in December 1961, later annexed after 1970
    • Prosser replaced in November 1972; wine library established in 1978; annexed after 1986[16]
  • 1950s: Richland and Pasco libraries are replaced with modernized buildings[17]
Annexation votes
  • c. 1966: Prosser targeted for annexation[18]
  • 1986: Independent systems for Prosser, Grandview, and Richland
  • 1989: Mesa
  • 1990: Benton City (failed), Kennewick (?), Pasco (?)[19]
  • Prosser annexed in 2001[20]

Branches

[edit]
Name Opened Built
Basin City 1990 1990
Benton City 1974 2006
Connell 1965 1965
Kahlotus 1989 1989
Keewaydin Park (Kennewick) 1964 1964
Kennewick 1945 1999
Merrill's Corner 1988 1988
Othello 1995 1995
Pasco 1973 1973
Prosser 1973 1973
West Pasco 2013 2013
West Richland 1996 1996

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2016 Washington Public Library Statistical Report" (PDF). Washington State Library. October 2017. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  2. ^ Reed, Mrs. R. E. (February 19, 1950). "Growth of Kennewick Since Origin Has Been Astounding". Tri-City Herald. p. 18.
  3. ^ "Pasco library building turns 100". Tri-City Herald. June 9, 2011.
  4. ^ "Old Carnegie Library demolished". Tri-City Herald. June 7, 1974. p. 5.
  5. ^ Jacobson, Beverly (March 8, 1970). "Three Out Of Four Richlanders Are Card-Carrying Library Users". Tri-City Herald. p. D7.
  6. ^ "Area Library Advantages Told Club Near Prosser". Tri-City Herald. October 23, 1948. p. 6.
  7. ^ a b c d "Library Marks 10 Years Of Growth". Tri-City Herald. February 1, 1959. p. 2.
  8. ^ "Absentees Give Franklin County Levy Safe Lead". Tri-City Hearld. November 15, 1948. p. 1.
  9. ^ "name Chosen For Bi-County Library". Tri-City Hearld. January 5, 1949. p. 12.
  10. ^ "Bi-County Library Gets Nice 'Present'". Tri-City Hearld. December 28, 1948. p. 1.
  11. ^ "Why Kennewick?". Tri-City Herald. March 8, 1970. p. D5.
  12. ^ "Library Gets Bookmobile No. 2, Returns To Two-Week Service". Tri-City Herald. January 30, 1955. p. 7.
  13. ^ "Regional library short of money, space". Tri-City Herald. March 10, 1974. p. 49.
  14. ^ Crowell, Todd (June 9, 1976). "Farmers check out books by mail". Tri-City Herald. p. 2.
  15. ^ http://historylink.org/File/7465
  16. ^ Metcalf, Gale (October 27, 1986). "Longtime Prosser librarian celebrates joy of reading". Tri-City Herald. p. B1.
  17. ^ "Tri-Citians Reading More And More Books, Libraries Of Area Report". Tri-City Herald. March 15, 1959. p. 8.
  18. ^ Metcalf, Gale (October 1, 1986). "Strong Prosser support keeps library independent, chamber told". Tri-City Herald. p. B6.
  19. ^ Donley, Jack (November 7, 1990). "Kennewick library plan too close to call". Tri-City Herald. p. A4.
  20. ^ http://www.washingtonruralheritage.org/cdm/about/collection/prosser
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SounderBruce/Sandbox/Libraries&oldid=1255285931"