If the timeline holds, Walla Walla will have a library fit for the 21st century next year.
The Walla Walla Public Library building is closing for renovation. Construction is slated to begin this month; the reopening is expected in July 2027.
Until then, library services will operate from a much smaller space in the Washington Federal Bank building.
On Saturday, the public is invited to a “send-off party” at the library building from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.The event will feature activities that people normally wouldn’t be able to do in a library, including a kids’ obstacle course and a station where people can use their “outside voice.” There will be bubbles and free pizza, and the library will sell surplus fixtures and furniture.
“It’s also just a chance to say, ‘See ya later, library,’” said Heather VanTassell, the library’s director. “It’s not ‘goodbye’ but ‘Have a good makeover.’”
During Saturday’s party, anyone who has donated, or wants to donate, to the project can write their name or a note, stick a sticker or otherwise make a mark on the library walls that will remain standing, VanTassell said. These walls will be insulated and drywalled over, but the markings will remain part of the transformed building.
“It’s a time capsule of sorts,” she said.
Built in 1970, the current building is the third home of the Walla Walla Public Library since its founding in 1897. The building has had only one major upgrade: the addition of a children’s wing.
The new design includes a “great hall,” skylights, a dedicated programming space that can fit 100 people and more multiuse study rooms. The adult area will be quieter. The children’s area will have sliding partition walls to better control the noise. The library also plans to make its Pacific Northwest archives more visible.
Restrooms will be in the central area rather than, as in the current design, tucked into a vestibule, out of the staff’s sight — an ongoing safety concern.
The library has gathered more than 90% of its $16 million fundraising goal. The project might come in closer to $15.4 million, however, VanTassell said.
Since the beginning of June, the library has been closed while workers hauled books and materials from the 19,000-square-foot library, fitting some materials into the 4,000-square-foot temporary space and putting the rest in storage. If patrons don’t find what they’re looking for on the shelves, the staff will retrieve it.
“It’s going to be a challenging year, but it’s going to be very worth it to give the community this modern, new library,” VanTassell said.
By late morning Thursday, about a dozen people had already shown up at the temp location, where services won’t resume until next week.
VanTassell remarked to her staff, “People are excited to get back to the library!”
