SEQUIM — It will take just a little bit longer for the renovation and expansion of the Sequim Library to be complete.
Administrators with the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) had hoped for a spring reopening of the building at 630 N. Sequim Ave., but due to delayed deliveries of large infrastructure elements, the reopening has been pushed out to a late fall timeline.
In an Aug. 25 blog post, NOLS staff wrote that fabricated anchors for the building’s east wall of large windows will not be delivered until early September, about a month later than anticipated.
NOLS Executive Director Noah Glaude told trustees at their Aug. 28 meeting that there are many elements within a few feet of the wall, such as gutters, acoustic tiles and more that cannot be completed until the wall is anchored.
“They’re doing everything they can,” he said of the contractors.
Hoch Construction and its subcontractors have been working on landscaping, flooring, cabinetry, lighting and more, he said.
During an Aug. 29 tour, the building’s systems were being commissioned. Glaude said completion could be in early October.
In the blog post, staff wrote, “although delays are disappointing, there are some benefits … (with) more time to plan for the big move from the temporary space to the new library and develop new procedures for the new space … (and) contractors are less rushed as they wrap up their work and address any unexpected issues.”
The $10.6 million project updates and expands the library to about 10,000 square feet while adding new amenities outside, such as a walking path and a new outdoor stage.
NOLS has received about $6.3 million for the project so far, including donations, and staff said they will seek low-interest financing through the state treasurer’s office to cover the remainder of the project.
On Aug. 28, trustees recognized three donations totaling $75,000 from library supporter Brad Littlefield with his third and most recent donation of $20,000 being used for a flagpole at the new library. A small plaque will be placed to honor his late friend and fellow library supporter John P. Smith.
The Sequim Library is operating out of a temporary space at 609 W. Washington St., Suite 21. The Sequim Avenue branch closed March 10, 2024, and the temporary space opened April 1, 2024. NOLS agreed to a $151,000, two-year lease through July 31, 2025, with an option for month-to-month leasing afterward.
Glaude said when the library is finished, they’ll need a moving period, and another temporary closure will occur.
“We’ll try to make it as minimal as possible,” he said.
Shaping up
While many windows are yet to be installed that allow visitors to see from one side of the building to the other, many other elements are finished or well on their way.
Glaude told trustees that the project is not just a remodel of the building, but a remodel of the whole site, including new utility lines and a bioswale — an irrigated ditch for stormwater.
During a tour, he said a combination of more than 1,000 grasses, shrubs and trees have been planted around the library, and they’re getting ready to plant grass in the near future.
A pathway was recently sealed that wheelchairs can use, and permitting recently was obtained to build a new stage west of the library with a mound of earth that will serve as a natural ramp for accessibility.
Glaude said they had plans to keep the former stage but found its condition to be too rough. The new ramp is designed to last 50 years, he said, and it will have electricity for a speaker system.
Jennifer Pelikan, a trustee representative from the West End also on the library tour, said Sequim’s climate lends itself to outdoor use for storytime and other activities. She also appreciates the efforts to maintain accessibility outside.
“There are a lot of people with mobility issues, and (this project) makes it as accessible as possible for the whole community,” she said.
Also outside is an outdoor children’s area that will be gated off with a door into the library’s children’s area inside. The outside features benches and a rock with bouncy turf. The inside will have book nooks to sit in.
In the parking lot, two electric vehicle charging stations were installed with one in the front and another in the back parking area.
Media returns are now connected to the building’s front and are about 10 steps from the parking lot.
Glaude said that will prevent staff from needing to bring heavy carts into the elements, and any vehicles from driving into the drop-offs.
Near the outside returns will be a 24/7 media pickup area where patrons can use their library card to pick up hold items.
Inside the main entrance is a lobby that will feature access to bathrooms and shelving for sales by the Friends of Sequim Library.
The main collections area will have a holds area to the left, self-checkout stations, a customer service desk and computers along the north wall. Nearby there is a dedicated teen area, two study rooms and a conference room that will be available to reserve online.
Glaude said patrons could, for example, reserve a room for a telehealth appointment or tutoring.
Wi-fi also is available throughout the building.
On the south side of the library is a large room with retractable doors that can be used for seating or for special events, such as an author lecture.
In the northwest corner of the building is staff space that includes four offices, a break room, bathroom and stations to sort shipments. There also were be a window to see into the parking lot to the west.
Glaude said the Sequim Library also is on track for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold certification, beyond their initial goal of silver certification due to an anticipated higher level of energy efficiency, use of environmentally friendly materials and other green-building efforts.
One element he highlighted was the new solar panel system that will allow the library to operate about 24 hours with power shut off to the surrounding area, so patrons can charge phones, check the internet and stay warm or cool, depending on the time of year.
For more information about the Sequim Library renovation and expansion project, visit NOLS.org/Sequim.
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Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. He can be reached by email at matthew.nash@sequimgazette.com.
