Wenatchee Public Library will move into a temporary downtown location for one year while the existing library is undergoing a $1.5 million remodel.
North Central Regional Library signed a lease last week with Wenatchee Downtown Investments for a former bank building at 30 S. Wenatchee Ave., at
the intersection of Orondo Ave.
The library will begin moving into the new space in mid April and is slated to open to the public there by the second week of May.
“It will be a fun change while we wait for our new building to be ready,” said Wenatchee Branch Librarian Courtney Tiffany. “We hope people can be
patient with us. It will definitely be worth it in the end when we move back into our newly renovated space.”
Library materials will be spread throughout the three-story bank building. Because the building is smaller than the current library, there will be
fewer books and meeting spaces will be shared.
“We’ll have a little bit of everything, but less of everything,” Tiffany said.
Story times, STEM and other programs will still be held at the library. But the summer programs, which tend to draw larger crowds, will be held at
Pybus Public Market this year.
People visiting the library can use the parking garage behind the bank building or park on the street.
The Friends of Wenatchee Public Library raised nearly $1.5 million to remodel the nearly 60-year-old library at 310 Douglas St. The group will present
a check to the NCRL board of directors at its March 21 meeting. The library district will then oversee the remodel, which is scheduled to begin
in May and last at least nine months.
When complete, the remodel will add updated technology, improved lighting and shelving, more community meeting space and more.
“It will have more of a feel of a community center when it’s done,” Tiffany said. “I have been dreaming about this for five years. It has been a long
time coming.”
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