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Timberland Regional Library Timeline 1968 – 2008 
(TRL History)

Since 1968, Timberland Regional Library (TRL) has provided information, reading and lifelong learning services for the Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston county public at 27 community libraries and 7 library service partner locations. The library system is funded mainly by local property taxes with some income from timber sales taxes. 

The library system’s 40^th Anniversary motto, “Changing with You,” is amply illustrated in the following timeline. Not only were buildings added when opportunities and dollars permitted, but the library has proactively introduced state-of-the-art electronic services in order to provide residents with the best available library service; to provide access to all, regardless of physical limitations or geographic location; and to increase the potential of success for everyone in the system’s five counties.

1968

• TRL is created in December as an Intercounty Rural Library District by a vote of the residents of the unincorporated areas of Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties. Becky Morrison is the Library’s first director. Today’s Timberland libraries that were part of TRL from 1968 are those in Aberdeen; Belfair (the North Mason library); Centralia; Ilwaco; Lacey; Montesano (the first building owned by TRL); Oakville; Olympia; communities in East Lewis county that now have libraries in Packwood, Randle and Salkum; Raymond; South Bend; Tumwater; Westport; Winlock and Yelm. Bookmobiles served some of the communities initially.

1969 - 1972

• City libraries in Elma, Hoquiam, Chehalis and Tenino join TRL.
• A joint book catalog listing the holdings of all Timberland libraries is completed and made available to patrons. Holdings are shared throughout the five-county library district.

1973

• Permanent library buildings replace bookmobile service in East Lewis County.
• A TRL-owned library building opens in Packwood.

1977

• The Grays Harbor County bookmobile opens as the Amanda Park library.
• The TRL Administrative Service Center opens with federal funding.

1978

• Library books are purchased electronically by computer for the first time.
• The Olympia library moves to its current downtown location.

1979

• TRL builds a library in Belfair on land purchased by the Friends of the North Mason Library.

1981

• The Westport library, located in City Hall, joins TRL.
• The Packwood library moves to its current log cabin location.

1982

• ALIS (Automated Library Information System) replaces the traditional card catalog.
• McCleary library opens in City Hall.

1985

• Ocean Park library opens.
• Lon Dickerson becomes TRL’s second director, succeeding retiring Becky Morrison.

1986

• Naselle library begins offering service via a stationary bookmobile.

1987

• The Tenino library moves into its present location.

1988

• Mountain View library opens in Randle.

1989

• The South Mason and Shelton libraries merge into one location in Shelton.
• Hoodsport library opens in a storefront.

• TRL upgrades from ALIS to the Dynix circulation system, enabling patrons to search and place holds on library books and other items by computer.

1991

• City of Lacey builds new library next to city hall.
• New library buildings replace stationary bookmobiles in Amanda Park and Naselle. The Amanda Park library won a national architectural award.

1992

• Districtwide Central Reference telephone service begins.

1993

• Thelma Kruse begins as TRL’s third director.
• A new library for Salkum opens in a remodeled service station, a bit of lore that locals love to share.

1994

• A new library opens in Elma.

1995

• City of Tumwater, in partnership with the Tumwater School District, builds new library near City Hall.

• TRL installs dial-up modems connecting patrons to library catalogs and magazine databases.

1996

• TRL launches its own website to provide library and information services remotely.
• A library building replaces Hoodsport’s storefront library. The building was the former North Mason library, barged down the canal, remodeled, and reopened—with a view.

1997

• Telecirc begins automated telephone notification of patron holds and overdues, saving turn-around time, paper, and approximately $100,000 in postage each year.

1998

• A new North Mason library opens in Belfair, replacing a beloved, but too-small library building. The new library wins a national architectural award.

• TRL implements email notification of patron holds and overdues.

1999

• TRL installs Internet filter, Websense, filtering child and youth computers and providing optional unfiltered Internet access in adult-section computers.

2000

• TRL installs children’s CD-Rom stations at all libraries.
• Ask A Librarian, TRL’s 24/7 Reference & Information chat and email service begins. The public receives direct telephone access to TRL Central Reference librarians.

2001

• With a 21st Century grant, Educational Services District 113 teams with Timberland Regional Library to open Cooperative Library Centers (CLCs) with TRL collections and service in six remote communities: *Taholah, Matlock, North River, **Rochester, Boistfort and Wishkah.

2002

• The Yelm library moves out of City Hall and opens in the second-story of a new building that boasts the city’s first elevator.
• Self-checkout service begins in 4 libraries and is now at all Timberland libraries.

2003

• The McCleary library moves out of City Hall and opens in a remodeled Laundromat.
• Jodi Reng begins as TRL’s fourth, and current Executive Director.

2005

• A kiosk with TRL computers is installed at the South Puget Sound Community College, Hawks Prairie Center campus to provide library services to students and the public.
• TRL provides WiFi, wireless Internet connections in the libraries.

2006

• A new library building opens in Westport.
• TRL provides downloadable audio books.
• Spanish Language Interface installed on self-checkout stations.

2008

• A new library opens in Chehalis with Washington’s only library drive-up window. Over 80% of the costs were funded by private donations.
• The Ilwaco library moves to temporary quarters and a major renovation of the library begins.
• TRL provides downloadable music and videos.

* Taholah left the project at the end of grant funding.

** The Rochester CLC began in a school. Now a kiosk with TRL computers is located in the Rochester Community Center.

Timeline compiled by TRL staff November, 2008

Revised 11/04/09