Clark County's public libraries had a big year in 2006, with promises of major changes to come.
On paper, at least, not much is different for the 13-branch Fort Vancouver library system that counts nearly 824,000 books, magazines, videotapes, DVDs, and audio book CDs and tapes in its collection. The system serves residents over 4,200 square miles from Woodland to Goldendale, stretching up the Columbia River Gorge. Branches offer a wide variety of special programs, from reading sessions for toddlers to social and crafts events for adults.
Library card holders can access another 40-plus Portland-area libraries through the Metropolitan Interlibrary Exchange. Those include the Multnomah County Library in Portland.
The Camas Public Library operates separately from the Fort Vancouver system, but patrons also have equal access there.
Dramatic change is in the works, however.
After striking out twice, the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District won voter approval of a $43 million bond issue in September 2006. The money will allow construction of a new downtown Vancouver Community Library and a new branch next to the Firstenburg Community Center in east Vancouver.
Both buildings will replace cramped facilities and are likely to become popular attractions.
The downtown library is part of Killian Pacific's proposed Riverwest development, envisioned at East Evergreen Boulevard and C Street. A 90,000-square-foot library would double the size of the current central library building opened in 1963, which stands five blocks east. It would join 200 apartments and office and retail space on property now occupied by the Carr auto dealership.
At least 200 free underground parking spots would be reserved for library users.
East Vancouver's branch library would offer 25,000 square feet. That's about 10 times larger than the current Cascade Park Community Library.
Helping the bond issue succeed was a February 2006 decision by the library district board to filter all Internet access and ban the viewing of pornography. The board and library critics had clashed for years over limits on pornography.
Construction on the Riverwest project probably won't start until late 2008, with the downtown library opening by early 2011. The east Vancouver library might open first.
Both could trail a new Battle Ground library, if supporters there get their way.
In November 2006, the Fort Vancouver library district board pledged $750,000 toward construction of a new library in the Battle Ground Village commercial development. The library would stand near the junction of Rasmussen Boulevard and Grace Avenue. Supporters still must raise nearly $1 million more, but developer Dennis Pavlina hopes to break ground on a 19,000-square-foot building sometime in 2007.
The new library would dwarf the overcrowded Main Street branch that has served Battle Ground for more than half a century.
One thing hasn't changed over time: Fort Vancouver library users still aren't charged late fees for overdue items.
Clark County libraries
Fort Vancouver Regional Library: Visit the Web site at www.fvrl.org. Fort Vancouver community library branches:
Battle Ground, 12 W. Main St., 360-687-2322. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Cascade Park, 301 S.E. Hearthwood Blvd., 360-256-7782. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
La Center, 1402 E. Lockwood Creek Road, 360-619-1800. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday.
Ridgefield, 210 N. Main Ave., 360-887-8281. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.
Three Creeks, 800-C N.E. Tenney Road, 360-571-9696. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Vancouver, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd., 360-695-1566. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Vancouver Mall, 8700 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive, Suite 285 (east end near J.C. Penney Co.), 360-892-8256. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Washougal, 1661 C St., 360-835-5393. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.
Camas Public Library, 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., 360-834-4692. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. On the Web: ci.camas.wa.us/library.
