Mission
Welcoming everyone to a vibrant world of possibilities.
Connecting people, places, and ideas.
Evolving to meet the needs of our communities.
Vision
Libraries connecting to our communities.
We Value
Access for all. Working together. Diverse communities and ideas.
Responsible use of public resources.
2020 – 2024 Strategic Direction Foci
Developed through community and staff participation with our Board of Trustees Strategic Planning Committee.
Local Communities
- Sharing local culture.
- Increasing our presence in under-served communities.
- Creating opportunities for inter-generational connection.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Reaching those with disabilities and other access barriers.
- Reflecting under-represented groups in our collections, staff, and services.
- Partner with local agencies and organizations to support diverse communities.
Children from Birth to Five
- Providing appealing spaces and engaging experiences.
- Clarifying what they need and how to provide for those needs.
- Empowering them to build relationships with the library & within their communities.
Local Communities
New Virtual Author Talks
The new year will bring a fresh lineup of amazing and exciting virtual author talks to Timberland Regional Library from New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors and thought leaders!
Each month, TRL will showcase a virtual author talk series featuring bestselling, award-winning, and highly acclaimed authors from around the world.
All programs are recorded, watch the event live or enjoy viewing at your leisure.
Moving Forward Together Virtual Series
In May 2023, the Capital STEM Alliance and Timberland Regional Library partnered to kick off Moving Forward Together, a twice-a-year virtual summit dedicated to sharing insights about post-pandemic social-emotional health issues affecting rural communities in the five-county Capital region.
Each session is held via Zoom. For those unable to attend, each Moving Forward Together virtual summit was recorded and posted on both TRL’s and ESD113’s YouTube channels.
Building a New Library from Scratch
Envisioned as a modern, dynamic space, the proposed library building is poised to become a vital center for collaboration, education, and cultural engagement. With a design that seamlessly integrates into the scenic beauty of our surroundings, the new Mountain View location promises a unique and inspiring environment.
Expanded Access Hours
Survey after survey, the most requested service from our patrons is more open hours. The request ranged from earlier openings to later closing times and weekends. However, there did not seem to be a manageable solution due to extra costs with increasing hours until Expanded Access Hours.
Expanded Access opens the library to more time for work and studying, use the computers, enjoy Wi-Fi, pick-up holds, browse the collection, print and make copies, and so much more.
Locations with Expanded Access Hours (EAH):
- Amanda Park
- Elma
- Hoodsport
- Ilwaco
- McCleary
- Naselle
- Ocean Park
- Packwood
- Salkum
- Tenino
- Westport
Coming Soon: Mountain View
Register at a participating branch and receive a key fob or card which grants you access to all EAH buildings outside of staffed hours, seven days a week from 7 am to 8 pm. As a registered user, your key fob works at any of the locations with EAH. Available for ages 14 and older.
Staff will not be available during Expanded Access Hours.
MyTRL is a partnership between Timberland Regional Library, Capital Region Educational School District #113, our schools, and learning communities in our service region. Students and educators can take advantage of a wide range and depth of educational tools to facilitate all stages of lifelong learning.
MyTRL accounts allow students to login to TRL from school or home, on any computer or device all without needing a physical card.
Sample of MyTRL digital access resources:
Summer Library Program
Watch the video to learn how to participate in the Summer Library Program.
Include Timberland Regional Library in your summer plans as you read, explore, create, and learn your way through the summer. The annual Summer Library Program runs June 1 – August 31 and at all 29 locations across the five counties. All ages are welcome to participate (Including adults)!
A fun and engaging way for families to combine a love of nature and a love of reading. Walk a trail while you read a picture book, and enjoy interactive facts and questions as you go.
"TRL brings stories to life on local trails" (Jolt, June 2022)
Anywhere Library
Anywhere brings the library directly to our communities - Anywhere!
- Access Wi-Fi.
- Remote Printing. (Coming Soon)
- Sign up for a Library card.
- Checkout and return library materials.
- Arrange to pickup your holds.
- Browse a diverse collection of library materials for all ages.
- Help with online services like Libby, Kanopy, PressReader, LinkedIn Learning.
- Take-n-Make activities kits.
- Grab bags for site teachers and program planners.
- Information on library programs.
Veterans
Veteran's Journey Forward
Provides peer mental health counseling, benefit navigation, and peer advocacy for Veterans and their families. Drop in, call the library, or sign-up online. Learn more at https://www.veteransjourneyforward.org/
Veterans Connection Café
Veterans and their families may request an appointment to speak with a Veterans Service Officer. Get help with Disability, Pension & Agent Orange Claims, Education Resources & Career Training Pathways, and Healthcare Resources.
"Two years in veteran services in Mountain View library benefits Randle community becomes model" (The Chronicle, February 2022)
"Westport library offering a new program specifically for veterans" (KXRO News, January 2022)
Library of Things
Checkout and explore our unique natural environments, test a product, or take up a new hobby with items from our Library of Things collections!
- Blood Pressure Monitoring Kits
- Outdoor Games Collection
- Blue-ray DVD Players
- Gadget Library
- Bee Backpacks
- Checkout Washington Kits
- Stargazing Backpacks
- Environmental Education Backpacks
- Explore Your Forest Backpacks
- Birding Backpacks
- Math Backpacks
- Checkout Washington Discover Pass
- Plankton Kits
- Fishing Rods & Tackle Box
- Columbia River Maritime Museum Passes
- iPads available to use in the library
- Kitchen Tools
- Light Therapy Lamps
- Musical Instruments
Assistive Devices - WATAP Collection
Aids for Better Living: Tools to help with vision, hearing, mobility, and communication.
The purpose of this small collection of assistive devices is to provide you the opportunity to try out a device you may be considering for yourself or another and to encourage thinking about how assistive devices may promote greater independence.
Categories:
- Dressing
- Kitchen
- Household
- Reading & Writing
- Leisure
- Communication
- Computer Access
TRL lends boxes of children or teen books to locations such as apartment complexes, health care agencies, community centers, and after-school programs. No fines. No fees.
Each box contains an assortment of between 25-40 children's stories and informational paperbacks chosen to appeal to children and teens. Available boxes include:
Age Groups:
- Early Readers (ages 0-8)
- Middle Readers (ages 8-13)
- Teen Readers (ages 13-18)
- Early Readers in Spanish and English (ages 0-8)
Online Resources
Libby: Borrow eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more for free! Libby is the newer library reading app by OverDrive, loved by millions of readers worldwide. Explore the collection through catalog guides, subjects, featured titles, and curated lists. It's a delight to discover new books through Libby.
iPads can be checked out for use in the branch during your visit to read, view, and explore our digital TRL collections. Read More.
- Books & Reviews
- Business, Finance & Legal
- Citizenship
- Culture, Geography & Travel
- Educators
- Encyclopedias & General Reference
- Genealogy & History
- Health & Science
- Home, Hobby & Auto
- Homework Help
- Language Learners
- Local History
- Magazines & Newspapers
- Nonprofits
- Online Courses
- Streaming
- Test Prep, College & Career
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
NEW Formats:
Playaways, Launchpads, and Vox Books
Technology to help bridge the gap in learning how to read.
Launchpad learning tablets are loaded with a world of learning with apps, videos, storybooks, and games just for kids. 100% secure. No internet is needed.
Did you know that 85% of what we learn we learn by listening? Playaways require no downloads or internet needed. Simply plug in headphones and press play. Available for all ages and reading levels.
VOX Books are the world’s first audiobooks that live in print books. The permanently attached VOX Reader transforms an ordinary print book into an all-in-one read-along. Children simply push a button to listen and read without the need for computers, tablets, or CDs.
Celebrating Communities
Since 2021, TRL shared curated book lists, promoted social media awareness campaigns, and a Celebrations blog.
"TRL celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month" (Jolt, March 2022)
Books by Mail
- Our Books by Mail service helps remove barriers and increase ease of access for patrons who cannot visit their library due to physical disability or lack of transportation.
- To apply for this service, complete the application.
- Books and DVDs may be checked out for five weeks to allow for mailing time.
Workforce Development
All 29 Timberland libraries are Connection Sites in the WorkSource system.
TRL collaborated with Worksource to update the Employment eResources webpages. The landing page highlights the page's focus. New resource links include information for young adults, veterans and their families, and small business owners.
Click on the button below to visit TRL.org's new Small Business and Career & Job Help Resources.
Mango Languages
Learn 70+ languages and American Sign Language (ASL) at your own pace. Practice includes reading, writing, and listening in online lessons.
Our favorite Mango features include:
- Real-world conversations that won’t leave you lost in translation.
- Voice Comparison for matching your pronunciation with native-speaker audio.
- Listening & Reading Activities for reinforcing learned material and building new skills.
- Personalized Review System that adapts to your individual learning pathway.
- Culture Notes for unique insights into different cultures.
- Mango Movies for learning through engaging, authentic content.
Note: Sign up first through the website, before logging using the app.
Books for Kids by Kids
New and Growing Collection
These imaginative tales, penned by the next generation of storytellers, offer a fresh and unique perspective on the world around us and are available for checkout at your local Timberland library. Borrow a book and support these budding literary talents as they take their first steps into the world of publishing. Who knows? You might just stumble upon the next literary sensation!
Children from Birth to Five
Birth to 5 Webpage
Grow a reader by engaging in daily activities like reading, talking, writing, singing, and playing with your baby and young child! Parents and caregivers are a child’s first teachers and our early learning programs and resources can help children develop early literacy skills beginning at birth.
Find an event, new books, popular resources, online resources, staff booklist, and blogs.
Tools in the Library
- Access Wi-Fi (Daily 6 a.m. to midnight)
- Computer Use – Walk-up and online reservations available.
- Print/Scan/Fax – Black & White or full color.
- Remote Printing – Upload your document from anywhere and release your print at any TRL location during library hours. Direct upload: www.printing.trl.org/myprintcenter
- Reserve a Meeting Room – Rooms are available free of charge for use by individuals, organizations, or community groups.
- LibChat – Chat with staff on our website: TRL.org (Monday through Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM)
- Email: AskLib@TRL.org
Refresh Spaces
With the dedicated work of TRL (Timberland Regional LIBRARY) facilities staff and support of community partners, 12 libraries and the Administrative Service Center have received significant upgrades and improvements throughout the pandemic, and two demonstration libraries have opened in West Olympia and Hawks Prairie.
Our goal is to anticipate community needs with remodels and refreshes that will modernize our facilities using green and sustainable materials, increase usable, open space for library visitors, enhance accessibility so all visitors feel comfortable and accommodated, all while creating spaces that are easy to clean and maintain.
Some of the more significant and recent improvements are:
View Westport Timberland Library Grand Opening Gallery
View McCleary Timberland Library Grand Opening Gallery
Grays Harbor County, Lewis County, Mason County, Pacific County, and Thurston County
Cities of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Tenino, Yelm, Shelton, McCleary, Elma, Hoquiam, Aberdeen, Westport, South Bend, Raymond, Ilwaco, Centralia, Chehalis, and Winlock
Our local tribal communities:
- Nisqually Indian Tribe
- Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe
- Quinault Indian Nation
- Squaxin Island Tribe
- Skokomish Indian Tribe
- Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation
The Black Hills Audubon for donation to Birding Backpacks and Discover Pass
Capital Mall – A Pacific Retail Property
Capital STEM Alliance
Columbia River Maritime Museum – Day Access Passes available at Pacific County Libraries.
Community-based organizations – Boys and Girls Club, United Way, churches’ Kiwanis, Rotaries, Chambers, Economic Development Councils, Family Education and Support Services
Early Learning Coalitions: Grays Harbor County, Lewis County, Mason County, Pacific County, and Thurston County
ESD 113, 112, and 114 – Association of Educational Service Districts
Hands-on Children’s Museum – Day Passes are available at all 29 locations with a total of 936 passes distributed a year.
Keta Legacy Foundation
MyTRL – K-12 students with 44 school districts.
South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency, Squaxin Island Tribe, Chehalis Tribe, Shoalwater Bay Tribe, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Skokomish Indian Tribe, and Quinault Indian Nation
StoryTrails Partnerships – Trails hosted by: Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Ports, Cities, Hospitals, National Forest, WSU Master Gardeners, Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, State Parks
U.S. Fish & Wildlife for Discover Pass available in all Fishing Kits
Veterans Connection Café Partnership – WestCare Foundation, the Aberdeen and Lacey American Legions, Lacey Veterans Service Center, and VA American Lake
WorkSource – All 29 libraries within Timberland Regional Library are WorkSource connection sites serving all residents within our five counties.
Online Store
Shopping with purpose and support your local library. Offer a variety of styles, sizes, and products.
All proceeds from Timberland Regional Library store are considered donations to the general gift fund, supporting our mission to serve the community. Your contributions are greatly appreciated.
Videos To Learn More about:
Visit TRL's tutorials on popular resources in one location. (Click Here)
Grays Harbor County
Amanda Park Timberland Library
Pacific County
Shoalwater Bay Tribal Community Library
Mason County
North Mason Timberland Library
Thurston County
Hawks Prairie Timberland Library
West Olympia Timberland Library
Lewis County
Mountain View Timberland Library