FVRL is working to build a new home for Woodland Community Library that will provide more materials, resources, ADA accessibility, internet and computer access, and additional space for meetings, study, programs and workshops.
Project fact sheet—updated 9/2017 (PDF)
Progress and next steps:
News
- The Woodland Funeral Home has moved to its new location in Park Plaza at 660 Goerig, opening the way for the library site to begin development. FVRL will be hosting an asset sale in the near future to sell fixtures, doors, windows and other salvageable items from the building. Demolition of the structure is slated for some time this fall (2018).
- We have land! On May 19, 2017, FVRL closed on property at the corner of Goerig Street and Lakeshore Drive near downtown Woodland (see map). Press release (PDF)
- Fees lowered! Many Woodland residents (those in Cowlitz County outside the city limits) live outside of FVRL district boundaries and must pay a fee to get a library card. In May 2017, FVRL changed the formula used to charge non-resident fees, allowing individuals to purchase a library card at lower cost. The library is also offering free 3-item library cards for minors so that all children and students, in district or not, have access to library resources.
What’s next?
- Working with the public and community partners to map out the community’s needs in a new library
- Developing a full budget for the project
- Establishing a plan for fundraising with the FVRL Foundation and the Friends of Woodland Community Library
- Subdividing the property, as there is more land than we need for the future library
How you can help:
- Attend or participate in community meetings: Get information and share your vision for a new library. Check the events calendar for opportunities.
- Attend fundraisers: Check the events calendar for opportunities.
- Volunteer your time and effort: Join or support the Friends of Woodland Community Library and help with fundraisers and library promotion.
- Donate funds: Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation gratefully accepts gifts of any size towards the building project.
Background:
2015, 2016:
- FVRL Trustees set aside $1 million for the building project.
- FVRL worked with community stakeholders to find suitable property.
- At the same time, the Friends of Woodland Community Library began fundraising.
October 2014: A Pre-Design Study by FFA Architects, with input from the communities involved, recommended library square footage and features and included projected possible costs.
December 2013: A facilities study by BergerABAM identified the need for new library facilities in Woodland, Ridgefield and Washougal.
In the news:
- Land purchased for new Woodland library (The Reflector, 5/30/2017)
- $1 million land deal clears path for new library in Woodland (Vancouver Business Journal, 5/24/2017)
- District closes deal on new Woodland library (The Columbian, 5/23/2017)
- Regional library board agrees to buy site for new Woodland branch (The Columbian, 5/16/2017)
- 3 small cities strive to book new libraries (The Columbian, 11/26/2015)
- Ridgefield, Woodland libraries get design priority (The Reflector, 5/28/2014)
- Study reveals Ridgefield, Woodland need new libraries (The Reflector, 4/30/2014)