Mattawa library expands hours, looking for new librarian

Key points: 

The Mattawa Public Library recently expanded its hours three days per week. 

The search is ongoing for a new librarian, with staff members offering as many programs and services as they can in the meantime.  

MATTAWA — Hours of operation have been extended at the Mattawa Public Library. Amanda Brack, communications and engagement manager for NCW Libraries, said the change came at the request of library patrons. 

“They recently expanded their hours after hearing from the community and city council that more evening hours would be helpful,” Brack wrote in an email to the Columbia Basin Herald.  

Mattawa is part of the NCW Libraries system, which has branches throughout Grant, Okanogan, Douglas and Chelan counties. 

Operating hours were extended into the evenings, Tuesday through Thursday. The afternoon session is now from 2 to 6 p.m. on those days. The library is also open Friday and Saturday mornings. Morning sessions are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day but Wednesday, when it opens at 11 a.m. 

Some programs at the Mattawa library have been reduced due to the lack of a permanent branch librarian. Austin Foglesong, NCW Libraries supervising librarian, said the staff is working to bring some programs back, starting with Storytime for young children.  

Storytime is once per month, usually at 1 p.m. the second Friday. For August, it’s been rescheduled to the second Saturday. 

It being summer, the library has a craft and game program for children, usually Friday and Saturday through Aug. 22. Children will be playing with Tetris blocks, making bookmarks and friendship bracelets, among other things. 

“Something fun,” Foglesong said.    

There are games for adults as well, along with programs and book clubs that are open to patrons of all libraries.  

Valerie Ramirez-Garcia was hired in March as the customer service technician in Mattawa. Ramirez-Garcia told Mattawa City Council members in April that the library is working on expanding the Spanish-language collection of books and other materials, as well as the bilingual section. 

There are plans for expanding offerings once NCW Libraries hires a new branch librarian, Brack said. The previous librarian got a new job in 2024. 

“Recruitment for branch librarian positions can be challenging in our smaller communities as branch librarian positions require a master’s in library science,” Brack said. 

Library district officials are working to ensure there are as many activities as possible in Mattawa in the meantime, she said.  

“During this interim, we have wonderful staff who have been ensuring the Mattawa library is open for regular hours,” Brack said. 

Fogelsong said the plan is to expand existing programs and add more if possible. 

“That’s always our goal,” he said. 

Since Mattawa is part of the NCW Libraries system, Ramirez-Garcia said people have access to books, movies and other materials from other branches. There’s also an extensive list of online offerings, from language courses to test preparation to streaming music services to audiobooks. Like other NCW Library branches, Mattawa has computers available for public access, although there are time limits, Ramirez-Garcia said. 

People who can’t come to the library can check out books, eBooks and audiobooks through the library’s website, she said.  

The library district also has a bookmobile that makes twice-monthly visits. The bookmobile stops in Desert Aire and Beverly on the first and third Mondays of each month. The bookmobile rolls into Desert Aire from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and Beverly from 3-4 p.m. 

    One of the winners for the 2024 summer reading program in Mattawa displays her prize. The 2025 summer reading program is among the activities going on now at the Mattawa library.