An expanded and renovated Sequim Branch Library will improve community services!
Nearly 10,000 square feet when complete, the renovated and expanded building will include ADA-accessible bathrooms, a fire-sprinkler system, increased space for collections, improved community access to broadband and computers, new study and conference rooms, adequate staff space, and more room for educational, cultural and civic events.
Critical infrastructure upgrades will not only provide a modern, attractive and flexible building, the Library will become significantly more sustainable and better able to act as a community hub and build resiliency during extreme weather events and natural disasters.
FAQs about the project are available below.
Looking Northeast at Children’s Area
Site Plan
Old Building Footprint vs. New Building
Elevations and Sections
Solar Access
Energy Use
Front Entrance of Future Sequim Library
Front Entrance of Future Sequim Library
Main Area with Library Collection
Front Desk
Social Gathering Space
Gathering Area & Meeting Room with Sliding Walls
Meeting Room
Computer Area
Teens Area
Quiet Reading Area
Passage into Children’s Area
Children’s Area
Children’s Area
Children’s Play Area
East Entrance and Patio
Southwest Exterior
Construction Updates
Stay connected with the latest updates! Follow along for progress reports and exclusive behind-the-scenes information. You’ll also find photos documenting each phase of construction, along with important milestones. Join us on this journey to the next chapter!
Ways to Give
Please consider a gift, in any amount, to support the Sequim Library project.
The opportunity to be included on the donor wall ended on November 1, 2024. However, your gift still makes a difference!
Give online, bring your donation to any NOLS branch, or mail a check to: NOLS, Attn: Sequim Library Project, 2210 S. Peabody St., Port Angeles, WA 98362.
To make gifts of cash, real estate, required minimum distribution (RMD), securities, or to arrange for planned giving to support the library beyond your lifetime, contact Executive Director Noah Glaude at director@NOLS.org or 360-417-8500 x7717. Donations made directly to NOLS may be tax deductible.
You can help the Sequim Library reach its goal!
Your gift toward the expansion and renovation project will help the Sequim Library better serve our community.
Originally built in 1983 to serve a population of only 14,000, it’s clear that the Sequim Library project is essential to serve the current community of 30,000 residents and growing.
Thank you for your generosity as we build this next chapter together!
$6,289,593
RAISED
• $3,675,293 – Donations & Grants
To bridge funding gaps not covered by donations, the library will use low-interest financing through the State Treasurer.
$10,642,821
GOAL
• $7,499,943 – Estimated Construction Cost
• $1,826,491 – Estimated Soft Costs
The Sequim Library is a welcoming space where people of all ages and interests gather. The Library also offers so much more in community services, community engagement, digital resources, and information assistance provided by real people.
Free Wi-Fi, public computers and printing are used heavily. Private library spaces are used for virtual business meetings and telehealth appointments. Youth study after school or attend weekly storytimes. And during extreme weather and wildfire smoke events, shelter is provided from the elements.
The new and improved facility will ensure the Library is better resourced to enhance the vibrant quality of life for the residents of Sequim.
Learn More About the Project
The old 6,000 sq. ft. Sequim Library was built in 1983 when the community’s population was less than half its current size. NOLS has sought ways to mitigate the building challenges for over 20 years. Formal assessments completed in 2001 and 2014 determined that the building was already too small and the community would continue to grow. The 2014 study determined the building was 150% smaller than regional library standards for space per capita. With annual library use soaring to 100,000 visits and a quarter million items checked out in 2023, the need for a larger, modern facility became urgent.
Along with overcrowded shelves, a small meeting room, and limited work space, the old facility had outdated infrastructure including inaccessible bathrooms for people with mobility challenges and no fire sprinkler system. It was becoming increasingly unsafe and too costly to maintain.
Sadly, a 2018 bond measure to fund a new library received 58.6% of the vote, falling short of the 60% needed. After receiving grant funding and saving revenue from timber harvests on Department of Natural Resources managed state trust lands, the North Olympic Library System decided to begin the expansion project without a new bond or levy.
This project is an opportunity to create a Library that meets current and future community needs, including more electrical outlets and charging stations for personal devices, increased access to technology, additional seating and ADA-accessible restrooms.
Aging technology, heating, and ventilation infrastructure will be upgraded to current standards, improving the facility’s framework for energy efficiencies and allowing more flexibility as technology needs advance and change in the future.
The addition of small study rooms and a conference room will allow community members to utilize broadband while also safeguarding their privacy for telehealth appointments, online banking appointments or other personal business. The larger meeting room will allow for additional participation at events currently limited due to lack of space.
The old Sequim Library was too small and outdated to meet the needs of the community.
- More space for chairs, tables, library materials, and technology, allowing for more privacy and separation between the active and quiet rooms.
- Accessibility will be improved through ADA-accessible restrooms and other features throughout the building and site.
- Upgraded safety features such as a fire suppression system allow the Library better to protect its collections, facility, and people.
- New and improved study and conference rooms will support the needs of youth, students, tutors, small businesses, and individuals needing privacy for activities such as job interviews or telehealth appointments.
- An innovative solar array and backup battery system that will allow the building to continue to be used in power outages and other emergencies.
- Children and families, teens and tweens, and adults will have access to library facilities and spaces that support their age-specific needs and interests.
- A building that can easily act as a safe space for residents during extreme weather events throughout the year, including wildfire smoke events.
- The renovated and expanded building will allow for more natural light to improve the library experience, more space for creative art displays, attractive outdoor spaces with enhanced views.
- The community will be served by an inviting modern library designed and built to be sustainable, operationally efficient, and adaptable to meet the community’s needs for decades.
- The ability to provide more innovative services and expanded programs to nurture the knowledge seeking goals for children and adults.
- The new design will be a source of civic pride as the community grows and changes.
Project Timeline:
- Summer 2021 – Request for Proposals (RFP) Issued for Architect
- Fall 2021 – Architect Selected
- Spring 2022 – Design Development Begins
- Spring 2023 – Construction Documents Created
- Winter 2023 – Construction Bidding Begins
- Spring 2024 – Sequim Library Relocates to Temporary Location
- Spring 2024 – Construction Begins
- Summer 2025 – Construction Complete
Hoch Construction, based out of Port Angeles, won the bid to construct the library and work began in April 2024.
NOLS has leased a retail space to utilize as a temporary Sequim Library during construction. It’s located at 609 W Washington St, near the former JC Penney building.
All other NOLS branches will continue to operate as usual, and Sequim area patrons will, as always, have the option of using other library branches instead of, or in addition to, the temporary library location in Sequim.
| Sequim Library Project Expenses | |
| Construction | $6,887,000 |
| Construction Sales Tax | $612,943 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $1,316,387 |
| Land Survey | $11,813 |
| Geotechnical Consulting | $41,182 |
| Hazmat Consulting | $12,250 |
| Special Inspections | $30,000 |
| Permits and Fees | $89,880 |
| LEED Certification | $100,000 |
| Advertisements & Public Notices | $6,000 |
| Owner’s Representative | $79,825 |
| Commissioning | $43,500 |
| Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment | $450,000 |
| Temporary Library Space Lease | $151,465 |
| Temporary Library Space Construction Improvements | $45,000 |
| Temporary Library Space Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment | $5,000 |
| Temporary Library Space Security System | $2,200 |
| Temporary Library Space Permits and Fees | $1,100 |
| Professional Moving IN to Temporary Library Space | $43,576 |
| Professional Moving OUT of Temporary Library Space | $25,000 |
| Contingency | $688,700 |
| TOTAL EXPENSES | $10,642,821 |
In order to meet the match funding requirement of the Library Capital Improvement Program grant, the NOLS Board of Trustees authorized the transfer of $2 million from the NOLS Capital Reserve account to the Sequim Capital Project account in May 2021. In January 2023, the NOLS Board of Trustees designated an additional $614,300 for the project, specifically to act as a contingency. The Library’s capital reserves originated from revenue from Department of Natural Resources managed state trust lands.
In 2023, the Department of Commerce awarded NOLS another $206,500 through a Solar Plus Storage for Resilient Communities grant program. The grant application was coordinated with Clallam County Emergency Management and Clallam County PUD to develop a solar array for the building that includes an innovative backup battery system to allow the library building to be used in power outages and other emergencies.
As of January 2024, NOLS has received over $1 million in donations towards the project and will seek additional grant opportunities and conduct community fundraising efforts to meet additional project funding needs.
In order to move ahead with construction of the project in spring 2024, before the total project cost was fully funded, NOLS applied for $4.49 million in financing through the Washington State Treasurer’s LOCAL Program. That financing was secured in June 2024.
- Donations can be made online through the NOLS website or through the North Olympic Library Foundation.
- There are naming and recognition opportunities for larger gift amounts.
- NOLS welcomes the support from community volunteers and we are recruiting Campaign Hosts. Individual support will be needed for the additional fundraising efforts and advocacy at local events.
- Questions about donations and volunteering can be emailed to Sequim@nols.org or 360.683.1161 ext. 7765.
The EV Chargers are supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.
After the 2018 bond measure failed, NOLS reimagined the 17,000 sq/ft building design, and new designs were developed to address the ongoing issues at the Sequim Library. Without revenue from a bond, the current expansion and renovation project was significantly reduced in scale. Planning for the 10,000 sq/ft building led to a few tough decisions about what could be included in the designs. However, renovating the current building instead of building an entirely new facility has some advantages as well. The new and improved 10,000 sq/ft building will be an amazing asset for the community.
Comments can be shared by contacting the Sequim Branch Manager, Emily Sly, or Executive Director Noah Glaude. Contact information is available here.
The advantage of a single-story design is that a clear sight line will make it easier for staff to monitor activities throughout the building from the customer service desk.
The images below show the drive-up area in front of the new library and location of the book drops.
Along with the limitations of the site layout, outdoor book drops present other challenges, including keeping library materials dry, maintaining during closures, keeping staff safe when the drops are emptied, and preventing damage from vehicles.
The accessible parking spaces at the new library will be closer to the entrance of the building, aisles will be larger and the space easier to navigate for those who are using wheelchairs, walkers, crutches or have mobility issues, and library materials will be shelved higher off the ground and not as high on the top shelves, to make them easier to access by all. If mobility issues prevent a patron from being able to make it into the library to browse or checkout material, they can sign up for the Library’s Outreach Delivery Service. Through the service, library materials will be dropped off right at the patron’s front door and picked back up directly from the patron’s house. This is an option for someone with mobility issues to return a book, especially if they are not planning on getting out of their vehicle to use the library facility for other purposes.