We absolutely LOVE the Centralia Timberland Library and feel it's the best Timberland branch in the…read morearea! The staff are extremely friendly and helpful in whatever you might need - whether it finding a book, getting something put on hold, or answering general questions. They all are eager to help and support. There are thousands of books to browse through and check out. They really have a robust selection of all the genres that you would be looking for. Because they are a part of the Timberland Library group, it's easy to request a book at any of the many branches in the area and they'll get it delivered here. There is a smaller second floor that houses all of the teen and young adult books. There also is a teen only space up there for book groups and studying. I think it's great to have that genre of books all set up for them like that. In the whole library space, it really works. Best of all (at least for us), is the children's section! It's huge ... and it's walled off so the noise does not travel out to the rest of the library. :-) There is a ginormous selection of children's books and videos here. Additionally, there is play space that has lots of creative toys and traditional toys for the kids to play with. My boys love going here and spending time reading and playing. Plus, they have children's scavenger hunts around the entire library and offer stickers for the little ones who complete the hunt and/or clean up the toy space when they're done! The library also offers several classes or groups in various topics or arenas. Lego Club, Creator/Maker Space Club, Read Aloud/Storytimes, etc. Lots and lots to chose from. Regardless of your age or your book genre preference, the Centralia Timberland Library is the place to be! It is one of our GO-TO places in town!

With all the financial problems why are there people sitting around? Everytime I go in I only see…read morethe same older gentleman doing any work. The rest are sitting around talking to each other.

When I had to spend several hours in Tumwater while my son took the SAT at the high school, I…read morethought the library would likely be a typical underfunded small town example, with one grumpy old librarian who has to do all the work, but hopefully open and usable to get some work done. I was surprised and pleased to find a very nice, obviously very well funded library. And I think there were at least six employees there. The one I asked about a reading area was cheerful and helpful. If anything, it's maybe even a bit better than the King County Library System I enjoy at home, and KCLS is widely recognized as world class. I had a very enjoyable, productive time there. If I could go there often, I would.

The whole Timberland Regional Library System is awesome and we are so lucky to have it in the South…read morePuget Sound. BUT by far, the Tumwater Library is the best of them all. The library is clean, quiet, and you don't have to plug your nose while browsing for books like you do at the downtown library (homeless people, God Bless Em, sleep and hang out there and the library smells very foul and I have seen two very physical fights on two different occasions with homeless people while I had my small children with me......we don't go there anymore - doesn't feel safe) I am sorry people are homeless, but it sucks that we can't even enjoy the library. Anyway, I digress.......Tumwater library has easy access, great parking, and the staff are all super attentive and very friendly and want to help you. I love this library!

Cute little timber town in Gray's Harbor County, incorporated in 1905. It's mainly known for the…read more1994 Oakville Blobs. A translucent, gelatinous substance had rained down, and the Department of Ecology was called in to investigate. There's an episode on Unsolved Mysteries about it. There are some historic buildings in town (the bank) and restaurants as well. It really takes you back in time.

Can I give the library 4.5 stars??? 4 stars for the library itself, and then 5 great big golden…read moreglitter-covered stars for the employees. The building is super nice -- light, airy, welcoming. The book choices (I'm mostly a non-fiction reader) are ok. I like that I can make copies. But the people who work there are top-out-of-sight knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. I 'm so impressed with every one of them. Applause to these wonderful folks!

Came here for the introductory sewing class led by Naomi, and I have to say -- Naomi is an amazing…read moreinstructor. They were patient, willing to answer every question...and I had a lot of them! They never made anyone feel bad for asking. They also set up the Zoom camera really well so we could clearly see what they were doing on the sewing machine, even when their back was turned to the class. It was a unique setup I have not seen before, and honestly something other instructors, coaches, and teachers should consider using for live demonstrations. The front desk staff were incredibly kind, foo. They took the initiative to introduce themselves while i waited in line and made surey questions were answered right away. They never acted too busy to help, which made the whole experience feel welcoming. I would definitely come back -- even just to study. The library has beautiful artwork displayed throughout, and the space feels open without being overwhelming, especially with the many book shelves. Overall, a really well-run class in a really neat environment.

I came here to study for a bit after dropping my son off at camp. We do not live in Olympia so this…read morewas my first time here. I almost let the negative reviews steer me away from coming and even tried a local college library first before arriving there to find it closed. I decided to come by to this branch and see what it was like for myself. It was clean, quiet and not overcrowded. I didn't ask for assistance myself but witnessed many people getting help from staff. Yes, there were some people who appeared to be homeless but they all seemed to be sitting in isolated corners just reading. I didn't notice any foul odors other than the general wet dog smell that places like this have when it has been raining & it was raining moderately when I arrived. They appeared to have a large selection of zines and other local literature and many offerings for teens. Everything looked well organized. I'm glad it was open and able to accommodate me.

Ever wonder what happened to all those punky, independent riot grrls from Olympia's glory days?…read moreThey're librarians now. They mostly sit around looking at computer screens and gossiping. Sometimes they host boring events featuring Oly dorks like Calvin Johnson or whoever, and very few people actually attend. The place itself is filthy and a bit small for a city library. Homeless people seem to be welcome judging by the state of the bathrooms and various areas of encampment. The staff doesn't want to be "uncool" by asking anyone to leave, because, revolution?

Small library with plenty of free parking…read more Poetry night and other local activities. They change due to the seasons.

Great town library. Staff is awesome. Lots of events engaging school students from preschool to…read morehigh school. Their computer program allows students a safe, comfortable work area with numerous computers with the search power to easily research and do their homework. Michelle who is the heart of the library is personable, knowledgeable and is tuned in to every aspect of the Ocean Shores Library. The O.S. Library is also dialed in with many adult clubs and events. Stop by my your O.S Library talk with staff, pick up a library events calendar; EXPLORE!

I absolutely Love the Chehalis branch of the Timberland Library system. Like the Centralia one,…read morebecause it's connected to the Timberland system, you can check out any book in the group ... in person or "order" it (as I try to explain to my youngin's) and get it delivered to wherever you're at. This branch, to begin with, it beautiful! Landscaped grounds and a lovely fountain up front; and set up on a hill with stairs leading up to the doors (there are ADA accessible ramps too). It is smaller than the Centralia branch, but with that it is quieter and not as busy! Still very good selection of books to have in stock. There are also plenty of study areas and tables to work at. I have taken advantage of these a lot lately and I never have to worry about being interrupted, urged to move by other people wanting to use the space, or not have a space to work. It's also very safe-feeling ... so I don't fret about leaving my stuff at the table and walking around to stretch or use the restrooms (which, BTW, are incredibly clean for being a public restroom!). There is also a great children's literature space, which a huge collection of texts ... board books, pictures, early chapter books, and young literature. While there aren't as many toys and playthings as the Centralia branch, there are still things for the littles to play with and keep them occupied (especially the toddler-aged kiddos). All in all, with the friendly staff, quaint and cozy atmosphere, and selection of books & magazines ... I fully recommend the Chehalis Timberland Library!!

This is a beautiful building with very friendly staff. We love going to the library and my kids…read moreoften request trips to the "fancy library" so they can put coins in the pretty fountain out front. Go check it out!

This small library has a very friendly staff, a lot of programs and a dedicated group of volunteer…read moreFriends of the Library. Aberdeen does not have a bookstore to speak of (I suppose there's the Christian bookstore in the mall, but if you want fiction, it's either Wally World or the grocery store) and that is a real gap that the library helps to fill. While the catalog for the Aberdeen library isn't large, the Timberland Regional Library system is huge, spanning five or six (maybe seven, I'm losing track) counties, and it's based in Olympia. So there is a lot more in terms of resources than the city of Aberdeen itself could ever hope to pull together. And with computerized library holds for virtually all its media, you can get obscure titles relatively quickly. The library system only recently instated overdue fines. This has made them able to purchase an even wider selection of media because they don't have to buy large numbers of popular books, CDs and DVDs anymore (people wouldn't turn them in by the due date, which meant the library system would overpurchase popular items to compensate). I don't think a single person was bummed out by this, in fact, I (an occasional abuser of the system, but not out of control) thought it was a great idea. The library now has a security guy inside all the time, which may make you feel safer (there are lots of people who, oh, use a lot of services and don't really have another place to go during the day that hang out there). The bathrooms are clean and there's always plenty of parking. The Aberdeen TImberland library is a pretty solid cornerstone of our downtown, and so important for all it does for our town.

I agree with the two previous reviews, this library has always had some of the friendliest staff of…read moreany library I've been to in many, many years! And amazingly enough it's also one of the quietest! I was shocked to find a guy shooting dope in the restroom stall one day recently but hey, drug addicts need to feel secure too I suppose. I don't condone drug use, but it certainly beats having them do this crap out in the alley. The staff here will always greet you with a huge smile and be willing to go out of their way to help you find something or do anything else you might need help with. Heck, even the security guard lady is really friendly and sweet!

Funny how we can overlook the simplest of institutions, the local library…read more The Timberland Library system is very much a 'big library' in 'little library' clothing. They sport a huge number of branches across the peninsula. Their library card is easy to get - apply on line for most uses, go 'full bore' by presenting proof of local residence (since we just moved here, an insurance billing statement with local address and my WDL picture ID sufficed) DVD's, books, Kindle and e-books, magazines, computers, Wi-Fi and even a limited amount of free printing (which renews weekly)! I used the printer for some color Christmas letters, worked very well! Staff was friendly and helpful. COVID protocols observed. Parking adequate. Since it's small, its might be hard to find a quiet spot, and I think some of the less fortunate use it to charge their cell phones and use the wi-fi here. Check it out! (library pun intended)

Wonderful space staff are friendly, clean and neat. Ample parking. Everything's great except for…read morethe hours you have to be retired or stay at home parent with toddlers to use it half the time it does not accommodate even an 8 AM opening and closes early. It would be five stars if we could use it I mean you think about it we paid for it with our taxes.