FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2025
Tumwater, WA — On Saturday, June 28, the Tumwater Timberland Library reopened its doors to the public, welcoming an estimated 500 community members eager to explore a significantly updated and reimagined space after a six-month closure for renovations.
Originally built in 1995, the library had not undergone any major remodels in its 30-year history. The branch closed in January 2025 for long-needed updates, and now reopens with a fresh look and a new layout designed to better serve all ages.
“The transformation is incredible,” said Brenda Lane, Timberland Regional Library’s Director of Operations. “And the fact that much of the work was done in-house helped us save a great deal of money while delivering something truly special for the Tumwater community.”
Highlights of the new space include:
- Dedicated areas for babies, toddlers, kids, tweens, teens, and adults
- A baby and toddler area with toys, manipulatives, and play-based learning features
- A whimsical, fairy-tale inspired children’s area complete with:
- A 40-foot castle wall entrance, with a keyhole and “mouse hole” entrances for kids to enter through
- A cozy and magical reading nook
- Three imaginative playhouses: a costume shop, a bakery, and a tea shop with props
- A wooden play structure with a slide, hand-painted elements, and a photo-worthy throne
- A makerspace zone for tweens
- A teen area with a gaming system, tabletop games, and hangout space
- New paint and flooring, comfortable seating, and refreshed furnishings throughout
- Continued features like meeting and study rooms, public computers, and a dedicated quiet area
The redesigned library balances play and learning, discovery and reflection, and ensures everyone has a welcoming space to enjoy.
Timberland Regional Library invites community members of all ages to visit the Tumwater Library, explore the new spaces, and reconnect with everything their local library has to offer.
About Timberland Regional Library
Timberland Regional Library provides for the entertainment, information, and lifelong learning needs of Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston County residents at 29 community public libraries locations. The library system is funded mainly by local property taxes, timber tax, fundraising efforts of TRL Friends of the Library, and generous donations by individual supporters.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Anna Lisa Rasmussen
arasmussen@trl.org
360-789-0424