FORKS — Six months after the Forks Library closed for remodeling, it is nearly ready to reopen for holiday reading and relaxation.
The refurbished library will reopen to the public Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 171 S. Forks Ave.
Library hours will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
“The whole library has had a much-needed overhaul pretty much from head to toe. Our goal was to make the Forks branch comfortable, functional, flexible, energy-efficient and most of all beautiful — and I think we’ve succeeded in checking off all those boxes,” said Paula Barnes, library director.
The library offered limited services during the closure in a “pocket library” in the West End Business and Technology Center on Spartan Avenue.
Temporary site closed
The pocket library closed Monday to allow staff to move furniture, equipment, books and other materials back into the renovated Forks Branch Library.
During the weeklong closure, patrons can return borrowed items to other branches of the North Olympic Library System or the items be renewed by going online to www.nols.org.
“We hope people who haven’t used the library before will make a point of stopping by. We want the new-and-improved library to be especially welcoming to people of all ages and backgrounds,” said Theresa Tetreau, West End library supervisor.
Grand reopening
The Forks community is invited to celebrate the completion with a grand reopening gala 1 p.m. to
3 p.m., Dec. 21.
An introduction to the newly renovated library and a grand opening ceremony will be held at
1:30 p.m. that day.
Refreshments, live music and guided tours of the library branch will be offered.
The $835,000 project included a new roof, new energy-efficient heating/ventilation systems, insulated windows, new wall and floor coverings, a new conference room, renovated restrooms, an updated meeting room, new technology including an express-checkout station, and more.
The project architect was Jerry Schlie of Beaver.
“The architect and designer and staff did a great job of giving the library a Pacific Northwestern feel, and I hope the community likes it as much as I do,” said Bill Peach, library system board member and Forks resident.
The general contractor on the project was Hoch Construction of Port Angeles.
For more information, phone the Forks Library at 360-374-6402, email Forks@nols.org.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsula
dailynews.com.
