Kitsap Regional Library

File:Early library in Bremerton, Washington.jpg

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 stables 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.{{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}}

Bremerton voters passed a bond measure in 1937 to build a permanent library, which would also be financed with Works Progress Administration grant.{{cite news |last=Farley |first=Josh |date=October 20, 2016 |title=Changes coming to Bremerton's downtown library |url=https://archive.kitsapsun.com/news/local/changes-coming-to-bremertons-downtown-library-3f52df61-bc00-5021-e053-0100007f9905-397852311.html |work=Kitsap Sun |accessdate=March 3, 2024}} The new Bremerton Library opened on August 1, 1938.{{cite news |date=August 2, 1938 |title=Crowds Impressed As City Opens New Library 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}} 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}} The building was renovated in 2005 at a cost of $400,000, with one-fourth of costs provided by a donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The branch was renamed for civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in 2024.{{cite news |last=Meyer |first=Elisha |date=January 16, 2024 |title=Historic Bremerton library renamed after Martin Luther King Jr. |url=https://www.kitsapdailynews.com/news/historic-bremerton-library-renamed-after-martin-luther-king-jr/ |work=Kitsap Daily News |accessdate=March 3, 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.{{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}}{{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}} The Kitsap County Rural Library District operated under its own budget and staff until it merged with Bremerton Public Library on August 1, 1955.{{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}}

At the date of its creation, Kitsap Regional Library included a regional service center at Bremerton; stations at Eglon, Retsil, Seabeck, Kingston, Erlands Point, Manchester, Navy Yard City, Port Gamble, Silverdale, Tracyton, Rolling Bay and Suquamish; and one branch library in 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.

Kitsap Regional Library serves Kitsap County through nine physical locations. Each location offers a collection of books, audiobooks, CDs and DVDs and other materials; access to computers and technology assistance; public meeting spaces; and classes and events that are free and open to all.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

The Library previously offered Bookmobile services. Bookmobile services in Kitsap County began in 1947 with "Molly," the Library's first bookmobile. A second bookmobile, "Little Chief," was added in 1954. Both bookmobiles ran until they were replaced by "Buttercup." A major fundraising effort in 2008 resulted in the purchase of the most recent bookmobile, "Violet." Bookmobile service was discontinued in 2018.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

In addition to book borrowing, the Kitsap Regional Library offers access to online databases and subscriptions as well as various programs at its branches.

The annual summer learning program includes prizes for reading and other activities, classes, and events.{{cite news|last1=Gleich|first1=Terri|title=Library pushes patrons beyond summer reading|url=http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/life/2017/05/24/library-pushes-patrons-beyond-summer-reading/337860001/|accessdate=July 6, 2017|work=Kitsap Sun|date=May 24, 2017}} The library system launched its "One Book, One Community" program in 2008 that serves as a regionwide book discussion club that focuses on a set of books each year.{{cite news |last=Park |first=Ken |date=September 9, 2021 |title=Hope replaces hard topic in reading event |url=https://www.kitsapdailynews.com/news/hope-replaces-hard-topic-in-reading-event/ |work=Kitsap Daily News |accessdate=March 3, 2024}} In 2014, Kitsap Regional Library was selected as a John Cotton Dana Award for its Traveling Book Campaign, which utilized technology and guerrilla marketing—primarily by placing copies of the One Book selection around the county—to draw awareness within the local community to the programs.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

In 2015, Kitsap Regional Library received a three-year National Leadership grant{{cite news|title=Kitsap Regional Library receives grant for STEM learning initiative|url=http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/money/business/business-journal/2015/04/01/kitsap-regional-library-receives-grant-for-stem-learning-initiative/95730584/|accessdate=July 6, 2017|agency=Kitsap Sun|date=April 1, 2015}} from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to design and implement a sustainable model of STEM programming for all public libraries. The project, titled Make Do Share, collects tools and resources to support staff in planning, facilitating and improving STEM programs for youth.{{cite web|last1=Peterson|first1=Shannon|title=Kitsap Regional Library Leverages Youth Voices to Support Sustainable STEM Learning|url=https://www.imls.gov/blog/2017/03/kitsap-regional-library-leverages-youth-voices-support-sustainable-stem-learning|website=Institute of Museum of Library Services|access-date=July 6, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628091328/https://www.imls.gov/news-events/upnext-blog/2017/03/kitsap-regional-library-leverages-youth-voices-support-sustainable|archive-date=June 28, 2017}}

The Kitsap Regional Library also offers book group kits, loans on Discover Passes to visit Washington state parks, early learning kits for young children, STEM learning kits for young students, audiobook converters, a seed library, ukuleles, and video games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.krl.org/borrowmore/|title=Borrow More|website=www.krl.org|accessdate=August 29, 2024}}

In addition to taxpayer funding, the library receives contributions through the Kitsap Regional Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3) corporation qualified to receive tax-deductible donations. There are also seven active Friends of the Library groups that organize volunteers to run book sales and fundraising events.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

Kitsap Regional Library currently owns two of its library facilities: the Poulsbo and Sylvan Way locations.{{cn|date=March 2024}} The facilities in downtown Bremerton and Port Orchard are owned by the city in which they are located. The remaining locations are owned by separate entities: the Little Boston location is owned by the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe; the Kingston location is owned by the Metropolitan Parks District; the Manchester Location is owned by the Manchester Friends of the Library, the Silverdale location is owned by the Central Kitsap School District and the Bainbridge Island location is owned by Bainbridge Island Public Library, Inc. Kitsap Regional Library provides staffing, library services and resources and non-structural, routine maintenance for each location.

• Paul Allen Family Foundation Grant, 2013{{cite news|title=Paul G. Allen Family Foundation supports libraries in latest $6.9 million grant cycle|url=http://www.pgafamilyfoundation.org/news/news-articles/press-releases/press-release-paul-g-allen-family-foundation-suppo|accessdate=July 6, 2017|agency=Paul Allen Family Foundation|date=January 29, 2013|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414201342/http://www.pgafamilyfoundation.org/news/news-articles/press-releases/press-release-paul-g-allen-family-foundation-suppo|archivedate=April 14, 2017}}
• National Leadership Grant for Libraries, 2015{{cite news|title=Kitsap Regional Library receives grant for STEM learning initiative|url=http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/money/business/business-journal/2015/04/01/kitsap-regional-library-receives-grant-for-stem-learning-initiative/95730584/|accessdate=July 11, 2017|publisher=Kitsap Sun|date=April 1, 2015}}

• John Cotton Dana Award, 2014{{cite news|last1=Reuland|first1=Fred|title=Eight selected winners of the 2014 John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award|url=http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2014/04/eight-selected-winners-2014-john-cotton-dana-library-public-relations-award|accessdate=July 6, 2017|agency=American Library Association|date=April 25, 2014|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322230023/http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2014/04/eight-selected-winners-2014-john-cotton-dana-library-public-relations-award|archivedate=March 22, 2016}} 2018
• LibraryAware Community Award Honoree, 2014{{cite news|last1=Dowd|first1=Nancy|title=Congratulations to the Winners of the 2014 LibraryAware Community Award!|url=https://www.ebscohost.com/novelist-blog/novelist-article/congratulations-to-the-winners-of-the-2014-libraryaware-community-award|accessdate=July 6, 2017|agency=NoveList|date=June 24, 2014|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825095556/http://www.ebscohost.com/novelist-blog/novelist-article/congratulations-to-the-winners-of-the-2014-libraryaware-community-award|archivedate=August 25, 2014}}
• National Medal finalist, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 2016{{cite web|last1=Bran|first1=Aliza|title=Thirty museums and libraries honored as finalists for National Medal Award|url=https://www.imls.gov/news/thirty-museums-and-libraries-honored-finalists-national-medal-award|website=Institute of Museum and Library Services|access-date=July 6, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628141905/https://www.imls.gov/news-events/news-releases/thirty-museums-and-libraries-honored-finalists-national-medal-award|archive-date=June 28, 2017}}
• PR xChange Awards, Library Leadership and Management Association, American Library Association, 2011–2013, 2015-2017{{cite web|title=Library Leadership and Management Association|url=http://www.ala.org/llama/awards/prxchange_winners|website=American Library Association|date=November 30, 1999 |accessdate=July 6, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423174810/http://www.ala.org/llama/awards/prxchange_winners/|archivedate=April 23, 2017}}

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Category:County library systems in Washington (state)

Category:Education in Kitsap County, Washington