A Path Forward for the Omak Public Library

March 2, 2026 Update: The Omak City Council voted to approve the 10-year contract for library services with NCW Libraries, making the agreement final. This approval ensures the continuation of uninterrupted library services for the Omak community. We are grateful for the partnership with the City of Omak and look forward to continuing to serve the community together.

February 19, 2026 Update: The NCW Libraries Board of Trustees voted today to approve the proposed 10-year contract for library services with the City of Omak. The approved contract will now be sent to the City of Omak for final review, which is expected to take place in early March. We are grateful for the collaborative work that brought us to this point and look forward to the contract being finalized and signed by both parties. We will share an additional update with the community once the City’s review is complete.

Over the past several months, the future of the Omak Public Library has been the focus of thoughtful, passionate, and sometimes difficult conversations. Through it all, one thing has been unmistakably clear: the Omak community cares deeply about their library.

NCW Libraries is grateful to the many residents who took the time to attend meetings, share public comment, write letters, and advocate about what the library means to them and their families. Thank you!

We are also thankful for the opportunity to continue working alongside the City of Omak toward a shared goal – a strong, stable, and thriving public library. Recent conversations have reaffirmed that commitment and created a clear path forward rooted in partnership, communication, and service to the community.

We are so grateful to share the following joint press releaseopens PDF file from NCW Libraries and the City of Omak that outlines the next steps for library services and the Reimagining Spaces Project. We look forward to what comes next and to continuing to serve the Omak community, together.

2/11/2026 – NCW Libraries and the City of Omak have reached consensus regarding library services at the Omak Public Library. The updated 10-year contract for library services, pending anticipated final approval by the NCW Libraries Board of Trustees and Omak City Council, ensures uninterrupted, high-quality library service for the Omak community.

Through collaborative conversation, NCW Libraries and the City of Omak reaffirmed a shared goal: to provide robust, reliable library services to every resident of Omak, and the greater Okanogan County community. This agreement establishes a clear path forward rooted in partnership, transparency, and service to the community.

Under the terms of the agreement, library services and programs provided at the City of Omak Public Library will continue unchanged and without interruption under the management of NCW Libraries. Community members can count on the same welcoming spaces, trusted staff, and access to collections, programs, and digital resources.

Both parties also confirmed that work on the Reimagining Spaces Project at the Omak Public Library can resume and move forward as planned. The 10-year memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed by both parties, will remain in place. Supported by more than $1.5 million, from grant funding and NCW Libraries capital funding, this project will enhance accessibility, modernize interior spaces, and create more welcoming, flexible areas designed to meet the evolving needs of the Omak community for years to come.

NCW Libraries values strong partnerships and has a longstanding commitment to transparency and open communication with municipal partners. Building on that practice, NCW Libraries will provide annual reports to City Council to share library usage, program highlights, and community impact stories. These reports will supplement existing information sharing and help City Council carry out its role as responsible stewards of public resources, while maintaining a shared understanding of library services and how they benefit the Omak community.

“We are grateful to formalize a way for our staff to share stories with City Council about the incredible impact of the Omak library.” said Barbara Walters, NCW Libraries Executive Director.

In addition, the City of Omak has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining an active Local Library Board. The Board will serve as a community liaison, supporting communication between the City, NCW Libraries, and Omak residents, and helping ensure local voices continue to be represented.

As final approvals are anticipated in the coming weeks, both organizations look forward to continuing their work together to ensure that the Omak Public Library remains a vibrant, welcoming, and essential public space for the community.

Public libraries are places where people gather, learn, and belong. We are deeply grateful to the Omak community for speaking up so clearly about the value of their library, and we are proud to continue serving this community alongside our partners. We look forward to the years ahead and to welcoming you into the Omak Public Library for many moments of learning, connection, and discovery.