Ritzville Public Library to return downtown

After a temporary residence at the Lind-Ritzville High School library, the Ritzville Public Library is preparing to return to its downtown location.

The Ritzville Public Library will open to the public in the Carnegie building on Monday, Aug. 7.

Construction on the historical downtown site brought the Ritzville Public Library to LRHS in January. The change was mutually beneficial.

“Working out of the high school library was a positive experience for us,” said Fullmer. “I think it’s a great example of a successful community partnership.”

The success stemmed from multiple factors: “We saw increased numbers of kids attending afterschool programs, were able to launch new programs like Coding Club for kids and monthly Teen Scene activities, and had more resources to offer the public by allowing them to check out items from the school’s collection,” she explained.

“In turn,” she continued, “we supported the school librarian in getting a $2,000 grant to purchase new non-fiction books and helped with library class visits.”

The temporary change in location provided the opportunity for the school to demonstrate support.

“The school boards, administration and staff have been incredibly welcoming the entire time we’ve been here,” Fullmer noted, adding, “My staff and I will certainly miss working out of the school.”

The library’s transition in locations will not disrupt its operating hours, or its multitude of summer programs.

Programs are available for all ages of community members.

For kids, activities are held daily in Ritzville through the first week of August, and in Lind through Aug. 9.

Activities in Ritzville are scheduled to conclude Aug. 5 in the park with a ninja warrior themed party.

For young adults, there will be a water balloon dodge ball event in the park on Aug. 25.

“Kids and teens can still sign up at the library for the summer reading club,” explained Fullmer.

“If they reach their reading goal by Aug. 26, they can earn prizes and be entered for the Grand Prize drawing on Aug. 28,” she added.

Adults can attend an author reading with local author Hank Buchmann, writing as Buck Edwards, on Aug. 11, as well as a book signing with Debbie Macomber on Aug. 24.

The reading will take place at the Washington State University Extension Office, and the signing will take place at the Carnegie library.

Families can attend a safety presentation by astronomer Paul Yost on Aug. 3 for the upcoming Great American Eclipse. The event will be held at the Lind-Ritzville High School Library.

A viewing party for the eclipse on Aug. 21 will take place at the Carnegie library building in downtown Ritzville.

Transitioning back to the downtown location adds excitement to the Ritzville Public Library’s already busy schedule.

The occasion brings forth another opportunity for community members to be involved with the library: “We’ll be holding our elevator grand re-opening celebration on September second before the Labor Day parade,” announced Fullmer.

She added, “We’ll also have a booth with kid activities at the fair and will be participating in the parade.”

Parents interested in having their kids enter in the library parade should contact the library at 659-1222.

The return to the Carnegie will not interrupt library programs, and offers community members another excuse to visit their local library.