Community Corner

Library to Reopen Nov. 28 with Updated Interior, New Services, Open House Dec. 1

Upgrades include painting throughout the building, electrical upgrades, new service desks, new carpet and furniture, and a cyber bar with power connections for people using laptops and other portable devices.

Editor's Note: The following is a press release issued by KCLS this week.

In June 2012, the Enumclaw Library became part of the King County Library System. Since the transition began, the open hours have nearly doubled, providing library access on evenings and weekends. There are new computers, a growing collection of new materials, and additional staff support from neighboring KCLS library staff who also work at the Black Diamond, Covington, and Maple Valley libraries. More than 7,000 Enumclaw residents now have KCLS library cards, nearly 13,000 have been to the library, and they’ve checked out nearly 35,000 items from so far.

The Enumclaw Library’s on-site collection is being expanded, with new materials and access to the entire KCLS collection through holds that will bring any item in the System directly to the Enumclaw Library on request. The Historical Collection will stay in town, and the Enumclaw Library will remain a center for local interests and activities.

Outdated materials and items in poor condition are being replaced, and new materials are being added regularly. Resalable books no longer needed in the library are resold, with the proceeds going to the KCLS Foundation to fund programs and services that otherwise would be beyond the library’s budget, including refreshments, and incentives for kids.

New programs that are—or soon will be—available in Enumclaw include:

Fiestas (Early Literacy Parties) – This unique program reaches out to parents and caregivers in the Spanish-speaking community, teaching Early Literacy activities.

Study Zone – Now in its 12th year, this renowned free homework help program recruits volunteer tutors who work with students on math, history, English, science, and other topics in libraries and through online sessions. This is the largest library-supported tutoring program in the United States.

Summer Reading Program –This program encourages reading for pleasure and comprehension, and helps elementary school students maintain and enhance their skills during the summer break, including a special component for preschoolers, and takes summer school students from their classrooms to libraries, and helps fund prizes for reading.

Library2Go mobile library made its first visits to home daycare centers in Enumclaw on October 29, so the children and teachers could browse and select books and DVDs based on their own interests. Library2Go! Liaison Malissa Norton reports: “The kids were literally jumping up and down when they saw us. We served 58 kids and teachers this morning, and it's not even lunchtime yet. Wooohooo!”

Enumclaw is now part of a four-library group, called a “cluster,” that provides shared staff to cover the expanded library hours. The cluster includes libraries in Black Diamond, Covington, and Maple Valley, so you’ll see newly-familiar faces if you drop in at those libraries as well.

Library Cluster Manager Cecie Streitman shares her thoughts on managing the Enumclaw Library:

“While working at the Muckleshoot Library, I had contact with some of the businesses and residents of Enumclaw, but on a more superficial level. The Enumclaw residents that I spoke with were always extremely supportive of the library. Now that Enumclaw is part of our library group, I have the opportunity to establish more meaningful and long lasting relationships with the patrons and the community.

“For the staff, having Enumclaw in our library group has many different meanings. Some staff live or have family members living in Enumclaw, so it’s already their own community. Our teen services librarian, Stephanie Zero was raised in Enumclaw and still has family here, so it’s like a homecoming for her. For others, it’s an opportunity to be a part of a community that they might not have experienced before the annexation.

“We’re hosting an open house for the community when the library reopens, so we hope we’ll see everyone on December 1, between 2-4pm. We’ll have entertainment and refreshments, and I’m looking forward to welcoming city residents to their new library.”

Six of the original Enumclaw staff are now with KCLS, and continue to serve Enumclaw area residents with their considerable expertise: Library Associate Leigh Whittington, Library Assistants Claire Wesley, Patricia Miniken, Janetbeth Mitsuyasu, and Tina Rash, and Library Page Lelayna Lee.

Leigh Whittington describes her transition to KCLS:

“I can definitely say that the last five months have been a whirlwind of activity with expanded hours, new collections, additional programs and different technology, and I am still adjusting. Through all of the changes, I am grateful for the staff at KCLS who are helping to make this transition. And the best part for me was learning that I will continue to work at the Enumclaw Library serving the community of Enumclaw.”

Enumclaw resident and Library Advisory Board President Richard Elfers offers this observation:

“I'm delighted the Enumclaw Library is now in the hands of the best library system in the nation--KCLS. Hours have increased from 36 to 63, circulation is already growing, and we'll be showing off all the new upgrades at the Open House on December 1! The city could never have afforded to do any of this. The City of Enumclaw is fortunate to be part of the King County Library System.”

Judy Kent and Dick Hughes, also members of the Enumclaw Library Advisory Board, added: “With more programs, more computers, more classes, and more resources now available in Enumclaw, we're all delighted Enumclaw Library is now in the hands of KCLS.”

Enumclaw Library Advisory Board meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, 5-6:15pm, Enumclaw Library Meeting Room. Meetings are open to the public, and the Board welcomes all residents to attend.

Event

Open House at the KCLS Enumclaw Library
Saturday, December 1, 2-4pm
1700 1st Street
Enumclaw, 98022

Come and celebrate the new look of Enumclaw's library, and enjoy entertainment and light refreshments, courtesy of the KCLS Foundation.

Find out what's happening in Enumclawwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • 2 p.m.: Open House begins
  • 2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m.m: Nancy Stewart performance: Songs and activities for kids and families  
  • 3 p.m.: Brief program with speakers   
  • 3:30 p.m.: Gateway Concert Band performs   
  • 4 p.m.: Open House ends


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