Today the Kalama Public Library has a collection of over 11,000 items, a computerized circulation system, access to a digital collection of approximately 70,000 books, a “library of things,” computers, internet access and WIFI service for public use,.  It is a Tourist Information Center and a location for a host of educational community events and meetings.

It was very different in the beginning.  The library opened in 1917 with around 1,000 books from the Kalama Women’s Club, now known as AMALAK.  The collection grew rapidly with modest rental fees used to buy additional books. 

For over 100 years the library kept outgrowing its spaces and moved to several different locations in town.  It was housed in a millinery shop, a drug store, a confectionery store, the Wells Building, the Community Building, and the Kockritz Hotel. Finally, in 1981, the library moved to the old Fire Hall, on the corner of First and Geranium streets, which was modified to become today’s library.  In 1937, the Kalama Women’s Club executed a Deed of Gift to the City, which took charge of the library and its now-3,000 volumes.

Several members of the community acted as volunteer librarians, including members of the Kalama Women’s Club, merchants, and city clerical employees. In 1965 the city appointed a retired schoolteacher as its first paid librarian – at $65.00 a month!  Many members of the community have served as library directors:  Mary Johns (1917); Guy Chase (1924); W.P. Wells; Elsie Potter and Joan Durgeloh (1937); Harriet Swasey (1965); Alice Gjelstad (1973); Violet Johnson (1982); Janelle Hoffman (1997); Louise Thomas (2001); and Elaine Bystom (2019).

Due to its proximity to the Columbia River, Kalama has endured several floods in its history.  The most recent was in December 2015, when both the library and City Hall occupied the library’s current spaces. The flood claimed hundreds of books.  The Port of Kalama stepped up to provide temporary library space; we then reopened with the help of a loaned Book Mobile. During 2016 the city renovated the building to become the library as we know it today.  Our grand re-opening was in July 2017.

A host of supporters and volunteers, including Envision Kalama, AMALAK, and FOLK (Friends of the Library at Kalama), and the library’s Board of Directors provide support and donations that help the library continue to provide services and programs to the citizens of Kalama.