Temporary Sequim Library to close Feb. 1 as staff ready for move to renovated Sequim Avenue branch

Limited hours offered for holds, pickups

By Matthew Nash • January 21, 2026 5:30 pm
Photo courtesy NOLS/ North Olympic Library System (NOLS) staff plan to close the Sequim Temporary Library on Feb. 1 to move operations back to the Sequim Avenue branch that has been under construction since April 1, 2024.
Photo courtesy NOLS/ North Olympic Library System (NOLS) staff plan to close the Sequim Temporary Library on Feb. 1 to move operations back to the Sequim Avenue branch that has been under construction since April 1, 2024.

Staff with the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) announced on Jan. 21 plans to close the Sequim Temporary Location at 609 W. Washington St., Suite 21 on Feb. 1 to move operations back to the renovated and expanded library at 630 N. Sequim Ave.

A reopening date has not been announced, but staff said they’ll announce it via press release, emails to patrons, social media, and other methods in February.

The Temporary Location next to the former JCPenney/future Shipley Center will be open for holds and returns from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in February. Outside return boxes remain available 24/7.

Materials can be reserved at https://catalog.nols.org.

Through Jan. 31: hours remain 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.

Programming will continue through Jan. 31, staff report, with the Teen Advisory Board on Feb. 4 to be held at a location to be announced; the End of Life Ready Workshop on February 11 to remain at the KSQM Community Room; and the Book Discussion Group on Feb. 14 to be held at a location to be announced. All other Sequim Library programs in February have been canceled.

With the closure, NOLS’ free Wi-Fi will no longer be available at the Temporary Location or in the parking lot.

Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell/ The Sequim Temporary Library at 609 W. Washington St., seen here on opening day April 1, 2024, will close on Feb. 1 for staff to move operations back to the original Sequim Avenue branch for a reopening date to be announced. It will be open for holds and returns from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in February. Outside return boxes remain available 24/7.

Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell/ The Sequim Temporary Library at 609 W. Washington St., seen here on opening day April 1, 2024, will close on Feb. 1 for staff to move operations back to the original Sequim Avenue branch for a reopening date to be announced. It will be open for holds and returns from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in February. Outside return boxes remain available 24/7.

Construction background

To start construction of the approximate $10.7 million renovation and expansion of the Sequim Avenue branch, staff closed the building on March 10, 2024 to move operations to the temporary space, which opened April 1, 2024.

The project adds about 10,000 square feet to the previous footprint, and new amenities, such as a new outdoor stage.

Noah Glaude, executive director, wrote in a Jan. 21 blog update that “long-delayed pieces for the east wall of the Sequim Library have been delivered and installation is expected to be finished in the coming weeks.”

“Other subcontractors will be able to wrap up their work, which had been paused for the east wall completion,” he wrote. “We are eager to announce an opening date for the new building soon.”

Updating and expanding the library dates back to a feasibility study 25 years ago, and another 15 years ago, according to Glaude.

With a 2018 bond measure failing by 1% of the required super majority of 60% to construct a new library, staff and supporters pivoted to different funding and construction plans.

“Getting to the point we’re at today has not been an easy or straightforward path, and it would not have been possible without the many contributions and continuous support of donors, employees, and volunteers,” Glaude wrote.

In December last year, staff announced that approximately $9.1 million of the $10.7 million library project was funded through timber revenue via state forest trust lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Staff reported that timber revenue is projected to fund about $1 million more in construction costs from the 2024 groundbreaking through completion in 2026, and the $6.1 million in future timber revenue is designated to repay a 20-year low-interest loan through the state.

Community members also donated more than $1.5 million for the project, while grants helped support features such as solar panels and electric vehicle chargers.

NOLS’ board of trustees approved $2 million from the library system’s capital reserves to launch facility planning in 2020 to match a Department of Commerce Library Capital Improvement Program grant.

“The nimbleness and grace everyone has demonstrated has been truly appreciated,” Glaude wrote.

“Thank you for your patience as we’ve navigated construction challenges.”

For more updates, visit NOLS.org/Sequim.

Photo courtesy NOLS/ The meeting room inside the Sequim Avenue branch is one of the many new amenities inside the soon-to-be finished renovated and expanded building.

Photo courtesy NOLS/ The meeting room inside the Sequim Avenue branch is one of the many new amenities inside the soon-to-be finished renovated and expanded building.