Our History: Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries
FVRLibraries has grown from a single reading room into a region-wide library district serving over half a million people. Since officially forming in 1950, the district has connected communities across southwest Washington with books, programs, and welcoming spaces—for learning, curiosity, and belonging.
Foundations of Access (1830s–1920s)
Libraries have deep roots in our region.
The first library in the Pacific Northwest was established in 1833 by the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort Vancouver, lending books across a growing settlement. Over the decades, community-led efforts—from Sunday school collections in Ridgefield to women’s club reading rooms in Washougal and White Salmon—laid the groundwork for public library service. In 1909, Vancouver’s first Carnegie Library opened its doors, symbolizing a new era of access to knowledge.
Timeline Highlights:
1833
Hudson’s Bay Company library opens at Fort Vancouver
1865
Vancouver Catholic Library Association begins service
1891
Vancouver Public Library is established
1909
Carnegie-funded library opens in Vancouver
1915
Goldendale Free Public Library opens
1926
Woodland Community Library service begins
1929
White Salmon library founded by Women’s Club
The Dream of Library Access for All (1930s–1940s)
As southwest Washington grew, so did the need for equitable access to books.
In 1940, Eva Santee became librarian of the Vancouver Public Library. Guided by the belief that everyone deserves access to information, she launched a series of visionary efforts that transformed library service in the region. She secured federal funding through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to create a bookmobile service that reached rural areas of Clark and Skamania Counties. She coordinated with schools, organized community contributions, and helped expand library access across underserved communities. Under her leadership, Clark County Library was created in 1943—the first rural library district in Washington. Santee’s advocacy didn’t stop there. She led the effort to unite city and county systems, culminating in the formation of Fort Vancouver Regional Library District in 1950.
Timeline Highlights:
1941
Bookmobile service launches
1942
Petition for rural library district approved
1943
Clark County Library becomes the first rural district in Washington
A Turning Point:
The Founding of FVRLibraries
July 1, 1950 marked the official formation of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District—the first inter-county rural library district in Washington. At the heart of this effort was Eva Santee, a visionary librarian who believed library service should reach everyone. Her work laid the foundation for the library system we know today.
Laying the Goundwork for Regional Growth (1950s–1960s)
After its founding, the library district quickly grew to serve more communities.
Following its official formation in 1950, the new Fort Vancouver Regional Library District quickly expanded to serve more communities. Skamania County joined just two years later, and libraries opened or relocated in Stevenson, Battle Ground, and Ridgefield. In Vancouver, the aging Carnegie building gave way to a new, modern library on Mill Plain Boulevard in 1963.
Eva Santee, who had championed rural access and district formation, remained at the helm until her retirement in 1967—leaving behind a library system built on equity, outreach, and bold ideas.
Timeline Highlights:
1952
Skamania County joins FVRLibraries
1954-1961
Branches open or expand in Stevenson, North Bonneville, Battle Ground, and Ridgefield
1963
Vancouver Community Library opens on Mill Plain Boulevard
District Expansion & Innovation (1970s–1990s)
The decades that followed were marked by expansion, innovation, and deeper community connection.
Over the next three decades, FVRLibraries welcomed Klickitat County into the district, eliminated overdue fines, and introduced new services like books-by-mail. Libraries opened or expanded in Goldendale, North Bonneville, Cascade Park, and other communities. In 1992, the district launched its first computerized catalog and began preparing for online access. The district’s reach grew to 4,200 square miles, serving both rural and urban populations.
Timeline Highlights:
1970
Overdue fines eliminated
1972
Klickitat County joins the District
1974
Books-by-mail services begins
1981-1982
Battle Ground, Goldendale, Ridgefield, Washougal, (1981) and White Salmon (1982) annex into the District
1992
Computerized catalog system introduced
1996-1997
Cascade Park Community Library opens; Woodland joins FVRLibraries
A New Century of Community Libraries (2000s–2010s)
The 2000s marked a period of growth in both physical spaces and digital services.
The district opened libraries in La Center, Battle Ground, and downtown Vancouver. A unique “library express” location opened in Yacolt’s old jail. The new Vancouver Community Library became a downtown landmark in 2011, and the old Mill Plain location became the operations center. Throughout, FVRLibraries adapted to changing needs with technology, multilingual services, and expanded outreach.
Timeline Highlights:
2002
Three Creeks Community Library opens
2004
La Center Library opens in a relocated former hospital
2009
New libraries open in Battle Ground and Cascade Park
2011
New Vancouver Community Library opens at 901 C Street
2012
Yacolt Library Express opens
2013
Vancouver Mall Library is renovated
2015
Free return postage introduced
Reinvestment, Renewal & Resilience (2020s–Present)
Recent years have brought transformative change.
Ridgefield’s new library opened in 2021 with a joyful book brigade. In Woodland, a century-old building gave way to a modern, welcoming library, which opened its doors in 2024. The district relocated its operations center and continues to evolve services—from multilingual access to strategic planning for future growth. The next chapter is already underway.
Timeline Highlights:
2021
The new Ridgefield Community Library opens
2023
Groundbreaking for the new Woodland Community Library location takes place, and Operations Center relocates
2024
The new Woodland Community Library opens on Lakeshore Drive
2025
FVRLibraries celebrates its 75th Anniversary, and launches a new Strategic Planning and Facilities Master Planning process
