Kitsap Regional Library: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 04:29, 4 March 2024

Revision as of 04:49, 4 March 2024

Line 33:

[[File:Early library in Bremerton, Washington.jpg|thumb|left|Bremerton library facility, {{circa}} 1938]]

The first major library in Kitsap County was the Bremerton Public Library, which was opened in June 1908 following approval by the city government. It was originally located at the former [[horse stable]]s of the [[fire department]] and housed 1,000 books, primarily works donated by the [[Seattle Public Library]] and private contributors. For the next two decades, the library moved between several buildings in Bremerton as it outgrew various spaces.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brief History of Bremerton Branch Library |url=https://www.bremertonwa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5414/Exhibit-1-PDF |publisher=City of Bremerton |accessdate=March 3, 2024}}</ref>

Kitsap Regional Library represents the communities of Kitsap County, but it has its beginnings in the Bremerton Public Library, which was approved by the City of Bremerton in 1908. The Library was first located over the fire department's horse stables before outgrowing its capacity.

SeveralBremerton movesvoters topassed newa facilitiesbond tookmeasure placein during1937 theto 1910sbuild anda 1920s;permanent sufficientlibrary, spacewhich waswould analso ongoingbe challengefinanced forwith the[[Works frequentlyProgress usedAdministration]] librarygrant.<ref>{{cite Thenews community|last=Farley passed|first=Josh a|date=October bond20, measure2016 in|title=Changes 1937coming andto withBremerton's thedowntown helplibrary of a|url=https://archive.kitsapsun.com/news/local/changes-coming-to-bremertons-downtown-library-3f52df61-bc00-5021-e053-0100007f9905-397852311.html |work=[[WorksKitsap Progress AdministrationSun]] grant|accessdate=March 3, the2024}}</ref> currentThe buildingnew inBremerton downtownLibrary Bremertonopened wason constructedAugust 1, 1938.<ref>{{cite Howevernews |date=August 2, a1938 county-wide|title=Crowds needImpressed forAs libraryCity servicesOpens wasNew evidentLibrary Structure |page=1 |work=[[The Bremerton Sun]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kitsap-sun-crowds-impressed-as-city-open/142642689/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |accessdate=March 3, 2024}}</ref> By 1938, the Bremerton Public Library was used by approximately 15,000 individuals throughout the area; during this time, the population of Bremerton itself was 10,000 people.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

A county levy for areas in 1944 was passed to create the Kitsap County Rural Library District, which would serve most of the county.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 10, 1944 |title=Rural Library Proposition to Be Submitted to the People |page=1 |work=The Bremerton Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kitsap-sun-rural-library-proposition-to/142643263/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=March 3, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=July 13, 1944 |title=Rural Library Plan Okehed by Voters |page=1 |work=The Bremerton Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kitsap-sun-rural-library-plan-okehed-by/142642866/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=March 3, 2024}}</ref> The Kitsap County Rural Library District operated under its own budget and staff until it merged with Bremerton Public Library on August 1, 1955.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 12, 1955 |title=1956 Library Budget Will Show Savings |page=2 |work=The Bremerton Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kitsap-sun-1956-library-budget-will-show/142643225/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=March 3, 2024}}</ref>

Through a collaboration between the Bremerton Public Library and the Kitsap County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations, a levy was passed in 1944 to create a Kitsap County Rural Library District. The goal of this new system was to expand library services to areas outside of the City of Bremerton. The Kitsap County Rural Library District operated under its own budget and staff until 1955 when it merged with Bremerton Public Library, consolidating resources, budgets, staff and equipment.

At the date of its creation, Kitsap Regional Library included a regional service center at Bremerton; stations at [[Eglon, Washington|Eglon]], [[Retsil, Washington|Retsil]], [[Seabeck, Washington|Seabeck]], [[Kingston, Washington|Kingston]], [[Erlands Point, Washington|Erlands Point]], [[Manchester, Washington|Manchester]], [[Navy Yard City, Washington|Navy Yard City]], [[Port Gamble, Washington|Port Gamble]], [[Silverdale, Washington|Silverdale]], [[Tracyton, Washington|Tracyton]], [[Rolling Bay, Bainbridge Island, Washington|Rolling Bay]] and [[Suquamish, Washington|Suquamish]]; and one branch library in [[Poulsbo, Washington|Poulsbo]]. Two bookmobiles further extended service to rural areas. From 1955 until 1976, the system was headquartered in the historic downtown Bremerton ___location. However, demand for library services exceeded capacity and a new headquarters was built in 1976 at Sylvan Way. The building opened to the public in 1978.