Temporary Jefferson library: Selling yarns of a different sort
Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News
Jim Nyby checks out books for patron Jeanette Mifsud of Quilcene at the temporary quarters of the Jefferson County Library in Port Hadlock. It was once a yarn shop.
By Joe Smillie
Peninsula Daily News
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The library moved last month from its home at 620 Cedar Ave., in Port Hadlock to two office suites at 51 Colwell St., Port Hadlock.
“It's a cute little library,” Library Director Ray Serebrin said.
“People are discovering us.”
The 5,000-square-foot temporary location, which is at the far end of the Tri-Area Commercial Center behind Discovery Bay Physical Therapy, is less than half the size of the library's home.
Stacks are located inside a former yarn shop, while the library's administration and children's programs are inside a former Head Start office.
Nearly 80 percent of the library's collection is in storage at the Chimacum School, but patrons can order items from the main collection.
Two Internet computers are on site, but because of space limitations, the library is not offering wireless at the temporary headquarters.
Neither is it offering lounge seating, meeting room space or adult programs.
However, the back room of the library's temporary offices has been set aside for daily children's programs.
“Those are so popular, it was something we didn't feel we could drop for the four or five months we're going to be out of other building,” Serebrin said.
With services inside the library limited, Serebrin said demand for the library's bookmobile has spiked.
A large number of patrons are ordering their books online and picking them up at the bookmobile's regular stops around the county.
Crews under general contractor Hoch Construction, Port Angeles, began the remodeling project in December, and the work is still on track for a June 1 finish, Serebrin said.
Library officials considered staying inside the facility's home while the remodel was underway, but decided the construction would be too much of a distraction for library patrons.
“People pay their tax money for us to broker materials and provide them library services. So that's something we need to take very seriously,” Serebrin said.
Most of the remodel cost was funded by private donations made through the Make a Difference Campaign, which raised more than $400,000.
The remaining $300,000 will be paid out of the library's reserves.
Serebrin said the library board has been saving for the remodel for years.
When finished, the new library will include more seating and lounge space, along with more computer work stations and new shelving and storage with an additional 500 square feet added to the building.
The project also includes improvements to lighting and signage, self-service technology and new carpets and paint.
Parking at the temporary library is limited, with the easiest access on weekends and after 5 p.m., library officials said.
Library hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 pm. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
It will be closed Monday, Jan. 21 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Monday, Feb. 18 for Presidents Day.
For more information, see www.jclibrary.info.
Reporter Joe Smillie can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5056, or at jsmillie@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: January 16. 2013 6:08PM
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