Library History

The Camas Public Library has undergone many changes since its formation in 1923. The Library has always been beloved by the community! To keep up with demands, the Library rapidly expanded the collection & outgrew several spaces. In the first 17 years, the Library moved into 5 different buildings. This included the first space, a corner of the historical Thayer's Drugstore (this space is now the US Bank parking lot!) Additional locations for the early Camas Public Library include the former City Council chambers (above what is now Cedar Street Bagels) and the O.F. Johnson building.

In 1940, following a voter-approved bond, the new City Hall/Library complex was built. The Library & municipal functions co-existed for the next several decades. In 1967 the current City Hall was built, and the Library remained alongside the Court and the Fire Marshal in the old building. The newly constructed City Hall allowed the Library to grow throughout the building. By 1975, a renovation was needed for the 35-year-old building for modernization & to increase usable space.

As time went on, the Library continued to grow the collection, as well as adding services/technological advances. Eventually, the Library needed to expand once again. In 2000 voters passed a bond to renovate & expand the Library. While this renovation went on, the Library moved to the old National Guard Armory on NW 10th St. This temporary library location operated for 1.5 years before the Grand Opening of the newly expanded building on May 10, 2003. The renovation doubled the square footage of the Library. The crystal corridor (a glass-ceilinged entranceway from both streets) connects the old & new parts of the building.

Since 2003, the Library building has remained the one you know and love today! As of 2023, the Library is modernizing- replacing an aging roof, updating HVAC, and soon will bring new improvements such as a Children's Learning Hive.

Interactive Timeline:

Timeline:

1922

Camas Women's Club conceives the idea of a public library. "Each was to buy for own reading three standard books and when these were read, the books were either resold for the library fund or presented to the library outright."

1923

Library opens with 150 State Library books in space donated by Thayer's drugstore.

1925

Library moves to former Council chambers in old city hall at 3rd and Cedar.

1926

City Council approves $250 for books and $150 for maintenance.

1928

Total number of registered library cardholders is 500.

1929

The State Traveling Library was discontinued; nearly one thousand books from it were given to the Camas collection.

The City adopts the Library as a municipal function.

1931

Eva Santee, the first librarian with a Master's degree, is hired for $75 per month.

1939

Camas votes a bond to build a new City Hall/Library complex.

1940

The new building, designed by Vancouver architect Day Hilborn, opens.

1967

New municipal center constructed; Library retains old building.

1975

An expansion and modernization of the Georgian Colonial (Revival) style building completed.

1981

The Camas-Washougal Historical Society Museum opened in the basement.

1992

Online card catalog is installed and a consortium formed. Volunteers donate 100's of hours to barcode collections. Consortium provides access to the collection of Fort Vancouver Regional and Clark College libraries.

1994

Board of Trustees and City Council resolve that the Camas Public Library will remain an independent public library.

1996

First Internet computer installed. The Museum, having found a new home, moves out of the Library's basement. This Museum was renamed to the Two River Heritage Museum.

1997

Southwest Washington Medical Center Library joins consortium. The Library's interior is painted and new carpet is installed.

1998

Library celebrates 75 years of library service in Camas.

2000

Voters pass a $7.9 million bond in March 2000. Architectural firm of Fletcher, Farr, and Ayotte (now FFA Architecture and Design) is hired to do the design work and DPR Construction is awarded the contract to build and renovate the facility.

2001

On September 15, 2001, the Library moves its operation, books and all, to temporary quarters at the old Camas National Guard Armory on NW Tenth.

2003

The Library moves back to its renovated and expanded home in April 2003. The Grand Opening was celebrated on May 10, 2003.

2005

A new integrated library system (SirsiDynix) is installed.

2007

Camas Public Library enters into a Metropolitan Interlibrary Exchange (MIX) agreement with Clackamas, Hood River, Multnomah, and Washington counties in Oregon. Allowing Camas residents to apply for cards in any of these localities

2008

Camas Public Library rated best in Washington State by Hennen American Public Library Ranking.
Items borrowed exceeds 300,000.
The Friends & Foundation of Camas Library is formed when the Friends of Camas Public Library and the Camas Library Foundation merged.
The Library adds outdoor signage.

2010

The Library begins to offer downloadable audiobooks and eBooks.
The Library switches to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for speedier transactions and adds an automated materials handling system to facilitate restocking of library materials.

2011

Library reduces hours and new materials expenditures in response to reduced budget.

2013

The Library celebrates two significant birthdays: 90 years since the first library opened in Camas, and 10 years since the building was expanded and remodeled. As part of the celebration, 90 people circled the building to 'hug the library '(the first in Washington state and first west coast public library to do so).

2015

Library Director David Zavortink retires.

2016

Library Director Connie Urquhart is hired.

2018

The Library installs a centralized Print Station which streamlines onsite printing and also enables remote printing.
A new integrated library system (Polaris) is installed.

2019

Room scheduling software program is adopted by the Library. This program enables Library patrons and Camas residents to schedule meeting rooms, study rooms and registers for Library programs.
The Virginia Warren Collection is added to the Library. The collection is a series of three scrapbooks created by local historian Virginia Warren.

2020

March: The Library closes its doors due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, with all staff transitioning to remote-worker status. Library establishes the City of Camas Resource Helpline to provide residents with check-in calls, as well as grocery and prescription pickups.
June: Library Staff return, instituting Curbside Service.
August: The new Automated Materials Handler (AMH) is installed on the first floor after completing construction on the Service Desk.
September: The Library closed for three days due to unsafe air quality from the OR and WA forest fires. The Library basement is flooded due to torrential rains and storm drains blocked with leaves. The damage to lower walls and flooring is extensive.

2021

March: Library reopens following Washington State guidelines for library reopenings. The Library rebrands as Camas Library Express for the first phase of reopening which includes: up to 25% capacity and short visits.
July: Library resumes normal operating hours, bringing evenings & Saturdays back

2022

March: Volunteer management software launched alongside the Parks & Recreation and Public Works departments
April: One tiny bat found its way into the Adult Nonfiction bookshelves & the photos soon went viral, reaching 650,000 people between Facebook & Instagram, a national article in The Dodo, and a special comment on our social media post from Author of Bats at the Library, Brian Lies.
July: Second Story Gallery re-opened with an artist reception during First Friday

2023

The Library celebrates its Centennial year with a birthday party on April 4, a series of programs called History Speaks, a digitization project of the Virginia Warren Collection, a
The Library participated in & won first place in the Walking Division of the Camas Days Grand Parade with an entry "Storybooks and Swift Spins." The book fairies delighted everyone as they danced with their magical book carts, filled to the brim with fairytales and flowers, moving to the infectious rhythm of Taylor Swift's "Shake it Off."
The Library completed its year-long roof replacement project.