{posted May 28, 2020}

The Library Needs YOU

The Ocean Shores Library Foundation, a 501.c.3 charitable organization, is seeking enthusiastic candidates to join a 5 person Board of Directors. The Foundation assists in funding the current and future needs of the library beyond public monies for initiatives, capital improvements, and resources to meet community needs.

The 2019 library expansion would not have occurred without the generosity of a legacy gift left to the Foundation. As the heart of the Ocean Shores community, the library provides access to the world through reading, learning, and connecting. The library is an essential community resource for residents to access information and ideas that strengthen and enrich their lives. Be a part of the future.

Please contact Keitha Owen, keitha@osgov.com or call 360-289-3919 for more information.

{posted March 14, 2020}

Press Release Forthcoming

The Library will be closing at 5:00 PM on 3/14/2020, tentatively to reopen 5/5/2020, in response to COVID-19.

{posted February 17, 2020}

Overview

The Ocean Shores Library Board of Trustees undertook a process to develop a strategic plan, a shared vision for our community. This strategic plan will guide library activities over the next five years. Four hundred and thirty one library patrons completed a survey to guide and assess the needs of the library community.

Vision

The Ocean Shores Public Library will be the essential community resource for residents to access information and ideas that strengthen and enrich their lives.

Mission

As the heart of the Ocean Shores community, the library provides access to the world through reading, learning and connecting. The library will provide meeting rooms.

Goals

To provide a comfortable and safe place to visit
To connect to the online world with public internet access
To stimulate imagination through reading, viewing, and listening for pleasure
To promote lifelong learning

Strategies and Services

The following strategies address each of the goals listed above. Please find a list of the specific services under each strategy.

The Library will provide a safe, welcoming place to meet and interact with others

The library will provide meeting rooms
The seating in the library will be available to the public
Extended open hours will include weekends
Facilities will be clean and updated
There will be designated spaces for collections
The Library will offer displays of artwork and artifacts

The Library will provide high-speed internet for patrons to access the digital world

The library will provide online training
The library will provide technological support
The library will provide WiFi access

The Library will provide materials to enhance patrons’ leisure time, will find out what they want, and will have the help they need to make choices and access the options

The library will provide readers’ guidance
The library will organize and provide programs
The library will facilitate displays

The Library will provide the resources needed for patrons to explore topics of personal interest and continue learning throughout their lives

The library will provide collections
The library will provide information and referral
The library will organize and present programs
The library will train its staff so that they can provide optimal services

{posted October 21, 2019}

Do you live in Ocean Shores?
Interested in volunteering for a cause that enhances the livability in Ocean Shores?
Have a passion for the Ocean Shores Public Library?

The Ocean Shores Library and the City of Ocean Shores have an opening for a member of the Library Board of Trustees, a governing and policy-making board.

Requires:
Attendance at monthly meetings
A willingness to advocate for the library in the Ocean Shores community
Publicly speak and promote library services
Serve on Board Committees

The position will be vacant beginning January 2020
Application review by the Library Board of Trustees will begin November 13, 2019
Applications: osgov.com – Boards and Commissions, Fire Station Lobby, Library

Questions:
Contact a current Library Board of Trustees member
Call Library 280-3919 ask for Keitha
Email Keitha@osgov.com

{posted September 12, 2019}

Your Ocean Shores Library: Expanding More Than Minds

Celebrate our expansion and remodel. Join us for the ribbon cutting and refreshments on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 11:00 AM.

The enlarged meeting room and new smaller meeting room/quiet study area give you more options for scheduling. The new paint, flooring, and furniture revitalize the 26-year old interior. The energy efficient LED lights shine brightly and save money. The new curb cut with ramp, automatic doors, added parking, and ADA compliant toilet increase accessibility. And, the expanded collection area adds more shelving to enhance your reading choices.

The expansion and remodel were privately funded entirely through legacy gifts to the Ocean Shores Library Foundation and the Friends of the Library. No tax-payer money was expended.

Thank you for your patience during our closure. We look forward to seeing you.

{photos added 9/23/19}

{posted July 21, 2019}

Expanding More Than Minds

Drive or walk by and see the progress. The secured containers in the parking lot contain the emptied library’s furniture and collection. A special thank you is extended to the many volunteers who helped staff box and move the collection.

The west and north expanded sections are framed and covered in protective Tyvek. The new roof tiles seamlessly match the south sloped roof. Energy efficient windows are installed in both additions.

The meeting room wall is down connecting the old space with the new addition. The west wall is coming down in sections as each cut section is structurally reinforced. The badly soiled 26-year old carpeting is gone to be replaced with new more easily maintained carpet tiles and vinyl.

Please visit the two temporary locations:

• Ocean Shores Convention Center, Monday and Tuesday, Noon - 4:00 PM, starting July 15th (except August 6) for material check-out,
• North Beach Junior/Senior High, Wednesday and Thursday, Noon - 4:00 PM, starting July 17th for material check-out and PC access. A current Ocean Shores Library card is required for the PC access.

A small selection of new and current books for all ages, CD’s, Audio Books and DVDs may be checked out on a first come basis. Holds and ILL (Inter-Library Loan) will not be available. All holds/reserves currently on your account will be reactivated when the library reopens. Book-a-Techie can be scheduled.

{posted June 27, 2019}

Expanding More Than Minds

The library is closing July 3rd at 6:00 PM. The construction is on schedule with the west and north expanded sections framed and roofed. Next is breaking through the existing walls to connect the old with the new. Then, the interior work can begin.

Please visit the two temporary locations:

• Ocean Shores Convention Center, Monday and Tuesday, Noon - 4:00 PM, starting July 15th (except August 6) for material check-out,
• North Beach Junior/Senior High, Wednesday and Thursday, Noon - 4:00 PM, starting July 17th for material check-out and PC access. A current Ocean Shores Library card is required for the PC access.

A small selection of new and current books for all ages, CD’s, Audio Books and DVDs may be checked out on a first come basis. Holds and ILL (Inter-Library Loan) will not be available. All holds/reserves currently on your account will be reactivated when the library reopens. Book-a-Techie can be scheduled.

Don’t miss the Friends of the Library last sale of the summer on July 3rd, 4th, and 5th from 10-4 in the library meeting room. Book sales will resume in the expanded meeting room when the library re-opens.

Watch for the grand re-opening in September.

{posted May 23, 2019}

Watch the Ocean Shores Library expand. Construction of the 1,175 square foot expansion is beginning. The equipment in the parking lot belongs to Rognlin's Inc, the winning contractor. Keitha Owen, Library Director says, "This 28% increase is much needed. On average, thirty people walk through the door every open hour. The building has much wear and tear after 26 years." This is the first remodel since it opened.

The new exterior walls to the north and west will be erected while the library is open. Demolition of the interior walls will require closing the library. Books, shelving, and furniture will be removed for protection and housed in shipping containers on-site. An empty building allows for faster construction minimizing costs and closed hours. The library plans to close from July 4 through September.

Thanks to Mayor Crystal Dingler, staff will be able to offer temporary service at the Convention Center on Mondays and Tuesdays from 12:00 - 4:00 PM starting July 15 (exception August 6).

North Beach School District, Superintendent Andy Kelly, has offered to partner with the Library during the library’s closed time. North Beach junior/senior high will offer temporary access to computer workstations Wednesdays and Thursdays 12:00 - 4:00 PM starting July 17. A current Ocean Shores Library card is required. Printing is available .25 per page.

Both locations will offer a selection of new and popular books, magazines, CDs, audio books and DVDs for all ages to browse and check out. The Book-a-Techie service can also be scheduled.

NO taxpayer money is being expended on the project. "The Friends of the Library and the Ocean Shores Library Foundation are funding the project entirely through legacy gifts and private donations," according to Denise Siers, President of both organizations.

The Ocean Shores Library is expanding more than minds. The staff are happy to answer any questions.

{posted February 11, 2019}

Washington Rural Heritage is a community memory initiative headquartered at the Washington State Library. The project brings together unique local history materials from libraries, museums, and private collections of citizens across Washington State.

Ocean Shores Heritage documents the early growth and development of Ocean Shores - one of Washington State's youngest cities. The collection is a project of Ocean Shores Public Library, funded by a grant from the Washington State Library.

The Ocean Shores Public Library is partnering with the Coastal Interpretive Center. Volunteers are adding many historical photos of Ocean Shores to the Washington Rural Heritage website. The library plans to take it "on the road" to showcase in May.