Othello Library provides free fun

OTHELLO — Othello Library branch manager Georgia Reitmire said the library offers something people can’t get just anywhere. 

“We’re a free place to have fun,” she said. 

Technology has changed the way libraries do business, she said, but not their purpose.  

“People know this is a safe place for them to come and cool off in the summer, warm up in the winter, do their homework, and apply for jobs. It’s the same thing librarians have been doing for hundreds of years, it’s just in a different era,” she said. 

The existing library, 101 E. Main St., is one of 13 in the Mid-Columbia Libraries system. The library will be moving into a new space later this year, but Reitman said there’s no moving date yet. 

While library use is changing, it’s still a popular destination, Reitmire said. 

“Not just here in at Mid-Columbia, but in other library systems I’ve worked in, we’ve seen a steady (increase) in people checking out digital resources and less print materials,” she said. “But in rural areas where people don’t have super-duper fast internet, or they can’t afford internet at home, or they don’t have access to broadband services, they use the library for homework and resume building and job hunting. We have a busy little library.” 

The library’s computers are busy enough that sometimes all 10 of them are in use, she said. Othello School District students use the library for group projects and homework. 

Along with books, large print books, audio books, books in Spanish, curbside pickup, computers for public use and comfortable places to read, the library offers what Reitmire called the fun stuff. 

“The story times, the Lego club, our summer reading challenge,” she said. “We typically have a winter reading challenge too.” 

The library allows people to print documents, send faxes and make copies. A small fee is charged for some printing services. The MCL system also offers access to a streaming service as well as online audiobooks and ebooks. People who can’t visit the library can arrange for books to come to them. There's also the “grab bag” service, where MCL patrons can request a subject and the librarians will pick some books for them for delivery or pickup. 

Reitmire said libraries remain very important in their communities.  

“It’s really about being that third space, that place where people can go and they don’t have to buy something to stay here,” she said. “(The library is) about providing opportunities for the community to participate in programs that are free. Bring your kids to story time – at Mid-Columbia, we have a really big focus on early literacy and school readiness, so our story times are very geared toward that, letter recognition, pre-reading skills, all the fun stuff. It’s nice to know the songs you sing at school before you get to school.” 

The library’s new home will be across the street in the Plaza on Main building. Remodeling of the space is underway, with paint and flooring being installed. After that come the shelves and furniture, Reitmire said. 

The new location will be about the size of the existing library, she said. 

“The space will be used differently. What we will gain is two meeting rooms, or study rooms, that can be booked, and we’ll gain a very large programming room where we’ll be able to do more children's programs,” Reitmire said. “We’ll sort of explore – maybe we’ll be able to do author visits. It will also be a room that can be booked by the community to use.” 

Reitmire came to Othello after nine years with the Yakima Valley Libraries system and has been working as a librarian for more than 20 years.  

“I was a school librarian first, then I went to work for the military. I’ve worked for every branch of the service in libraries,” she said.  

She wanted to move back to Washington, she said, and took the job with Yakima Valley Libraries, eventually working in administration. But that wasn’t quite the right fit. 

“My job was very much not working with the public anymore. It was about crunching numbers, and I wasn’t happy,” Reitmire said. “And now, if you hang around here for any length of time, you’ll hear me say – and the staff, too – how much we like working here.” 

She’s a familiar face to library patrons when she’s out around town, she said, and likes that.  

“When the school bus goes by my house, the kids yell my name,” she said. “I like that the kids walk by my house on the way to school and they know who I am.” 

Othello Library 
101 E. Main St.
Othello, WA 99344
509-488-9683
Hours:
Mon. - Fri: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

    Othello head librarian Georgia Reitmire said she loves her job.
  

    Madalynn Camp, left, and Kaitlyn Ruppert, right, found good books and comfortable chairs at the Othello Library.
  

    The Othello Library features a large selection of Spanish-language titles.