PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County public library system will thank taxpayers with a party Thursday.
The North Olympic Library System — which oversees public libraries in Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks and Clallam Bay — will celebrate the retirement of the bonds that supported the 1998 construction of the Port Angeles library from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the library at 2210 S. Peabody St.
The reception will be in the Living Room of the library and will feature refreshments and a craft/souvenir activity.
Ground was broken in 1997 and the new $5.6 million facility was opened to the public with a dedication ceremony Aug. 16, 1998, after voters approved a city of Port Angeles bond measure in September 1994.
“Libraries build community, and it takes a community to build a library,” said Library Director Margaret Jakubcin.
During the term of the city-held bonds, the Port Angeles facility has been owned by the city and leased to the North Olympic Library System.
The construction bonds were retired Dec. 31, 2015, and the lease was concluded by action of the City Council on Jan. 19 this year, followed by the deed transferring ownership being executed Feb. 25.
“The city planners, library staff and voters who decided 22 years ago to invest in this community by expanding and improving the Port Angeles Library showed tremendous foresight,” Jakubcin said.
“As a result of their actions, NOLS was able to build a modern, spacious and attractive facility that continues to serve the Port Angeles community, support countywide library service and provide a beautiful civic landmark in which residents can take real pride.”
In recognition of the community role in making the Port Angeles building a reality, during the days preceding the thank-you party, library visitors will be asked to help decorate copies of building blueprints, Jakubcin said.
During Thursday’s reception, the drawings will be cut into small pieces, and made available for anyone to take home as a souvenir.
Library history
The first public library in Port Angeles was opened in 1912 by the Women’s Auxiliary of the Commercial Club in the back room of their clubhouse, Jakubcin said in a news release.
In 1913, the library was moved to a small room attached to the Old Central School, which was on the site where the present U.S. Post Office is located.
Five years and an act of Congress later, a site on Lincoln Street was acquired.
The structure was built with a $12,500 grant from the Carnegie Fund and $500 from the city of Port Angeles, Jakubcin said.
The Carnegie Building was finished in 1919 and opened to the public with a collection of 1,600 books.
In 1945, the headquarters of the new county library system was established in the basement of the Port Angeles City Library and a contract was signed with the city to provide library service to county residents living in the Port Angeles Area.
A new section was added to the front of the Carnegie building in 1962 at a cost of $140,000, Jakubcin said.
Though it seemed spacious then, library service in Port Angeles quickly outgrew the new addition, she added.
County Library headquarters moved to several different locations throughout the years.
The property at Peabody Street and Lauridsen Boulevard was purchased in 1964, and construction of the service center facility began later that year, following successful passage of a countywide bond issue election.
The service center building was completed in 1966 at the cost of about $120,000.
The Port Angeles City Library and the County Library District merged in 1973, forming one library system to serve all residents of the county, Jakubcin said.
It was at this time that the name North Olympic Library System was adopted.
In 1986 and again in 1987, the North Olympic Library System held county-wide bond issue elections in an attempt to finance a new Port Angeles library and service center facility.
Both elections asked voters to approve a $5.8 million bond issue to build a combined library and service center measuring 40,000 square feet.
Both bond issues failed to receive the necessary 60 percent approval for passage.
In the 1986 attempt, a 49.7 percent yes vote was attained countywide, with 61.2 percent of the voters in Port Angeles precincts approving it, Jakubcin said.
In the 1987 election, 52.1 percent approved it county-wide with a 59.8 percent yes vote in Port Angeles.
In 1992, efforts to build a new main library and service center continued.
In July 1994, the Port Angeles City Council agreed to sponsor a bond election for a new library to be held in September that year.
Voters approved it by 66.3 percent.
Since then, the North Olympic Library System has maintained and improved the facility, Jakubcin said.
It has set aside building maintenance reserve funds in the amount of $1,114,670 against future capital maintenance and improvement needs, she added.
For more information about the reception, contact Jakubcin at Director@nols.org or 360-417-8522, ext. 7714.
For more about the library system, see www.nols.org.