The library opened on May 8, 2004 in its historic building at 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd.
La Center Community Library is celebrating its 20th anniversary with live music, llamas, and cake on Tuesday, May 14 from 3 to 5 p.m. The library opened on May 8, 2004 in its historic building at 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd.
In 2001, the circa 1905 building was destined to be burned as a firefighting exercise, but Margaret Colf Hepola envisioned something more for it. Soon the Friends of La Center Community Library was formed.
In August of that year, the former hospital building was moved a half-mile to its present location. After three years of fundraising by the Friends of the Library, and with contributions from the Colf Family Foundation, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries, multiple grants and donations, the refurbished 3, 380 square-foot building began its new life as La Center Community Library. In 2019, the building was refreshed with interior paint and carpet.
Today, the library is a community hub, serving over 2,000 patrons per month. In 2023, the library welcomed more than 29,000 visitors and checked out or renewed approximately 40,000 library items. Program offerings include two story times per week, book groups for youth and adults, maker events, genealogy group, and more.
Also read:
- Letter: ‘We’re going to give them some money and a plane ticket, and then we’re going to work with them’
Camas resident Anna Miller supports a new structured self-deportation policy, calling it a balanced approach to immigration and economic needs. - Pro-Palestinian protesters occupy UW building, 30 arrested
About 30 protesters were arrested at the University of Washington after occupying a building and demanding the school cut ties with Boeing. - Sen. Braun praises UW officials for response to Monday protests, calls for prosecutionsSen. John Braun praised UW officials for their firm response to violent protests tied to the university’s relationship with Boeing.
- Largest parade in Southwest Washington bands together for a better tomorrowThe 59th annual Parade of Bands in Hazel Dell will feature 24 high school bands and more than 120 entries on May 17.
- Don’t leave tax dollars on the table; learn about county’s tax exemption program at May 16 event in WashougalClark County tax exemption specialists will assist seniors and people with disabilities during a May 16 event in Washougal.
- Trades Tuesday is here, hoping to become a trend in area schoolsA new campaign is launching in area schools to inspire students to consider careers in the trades.
- Opinion: What the 2025 legislature tells us about why Washington’s government keeps failingTodd Myers of the Washington Policy Center argues that Washington’s government fails because it resists humility, experimentation, and accountability in its policymaking.
