The Sequim Library will close for three weeks while moving to a temporary space at 609 W. Washington St., near the former JCPenney store.
Opening on Monday, April 1, the temporary location will offer the same services currently available – browsing and checkouts, public computers, printing, newspapers, magazines, WiFi, seating and programs for all ages.
The library will use this space throughout the renovation and expansion of the current building.
The last time the Sequim Library moved was in 1983, when the library relocated from the corner of North Sequim Avenue and Fir Street to the current location. Many things have changed in the last 40 years and the community has outgrown the current building.
Photo courtesy of North Olympic Library System The first Sequim Library at 415 N. Sequim Ave. is pictured in this undated photo.
When the library reopens after the expansion project in spring 2025, not only will it be larger, it will have a different layout and offer many new features such as study rooms, a small conference room, ADA-accessible bathrooms, and more room for educational, cultural and civic events.
The Sequim Library’s last day open before the move is this Saturday, March 9. Stop by the library at 630 N. Sequim Ave. anytime between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. to stock up on books and DVDs, and reminisce about your favorite library memories.
A send-off celebration/open house with refreshments will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. to say, “See you again soon, Sequim Library!”
While book drops and the library are closed during the last three weeks of March, staff will be busy packing up the current library and setting up the temporary space.
The library is grateful for the generous offers to help move from community members during the past few months.
Because of the large-scale move, we’re working with a company that specializes in moving libraries, so no additional help is needed at this point. Staff appreciate hearing the excitement about the project and community support.
During the move, library staff will load the collection onto large carts provided by the moving company. The movers will shrink-wrap the carts, load them onto a truck, and unload them at the temporary location. All of the shelving will be disassembled at the current library and reinstalled at the temporary location. Library staff will reshelve each item, keeping everything in order.
Sequim Gazette file photo by JoAnne Booth Local dignitaries gather to break ground (ceremonially) at the Sequim Library on Sequim-Dungeness Way on Aug. 16, 1982. Pictured, from left, are: Sequim mayor Jim Dinan; library site donor Gertrude Nelson; Gene Rimov, past chairman of the library board; county commissioner Dick Lotzgesell; library board chair Fred Imhof, and library board member Beth Lalonde.
With 50,000 items in the collection, you can imagine how important it is to keep things in the right order!
Because the library and the book drops will be closed from March 10-31, anything checked out through March 9 will have extended due dates, with nothing due during the closure. Hold onto any returns until the library reopens on April 1.
The Port Angeles Library (2210 S. Peabody St.) will be open during the Sequim Library closure. If you can’t make it to Port Angeles, stop by the Bookmobile on its special visits to the former JCPenney parking lot.
From March 11-30, you can board the Bookmobile to browse and check out materials from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Mondays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m.-noon on Thursdays.
For more information, visit nols.org/sequim, call 360-683-1161 or email to discover@nols.org.
Emily Sly is the Sequim Library branch manager.
