The Colfax Branch of Whitman County Library will close Monday, Nov. 23 to relocate library operations next door to the rear office of the U.S. Bank building. Volunteers from the Whitman County Jail will assist library staffers in the moving of books, computers, office machinery and other furniture items. Library officials expect a small collection of materials and public computers to be up and running for regular business hours on Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Renovation of the library is expected to begin the first part of December. With cold weather and holiday closures looming, library officials determined Monday to be the best date for the relocation. Project architect, Larry Kom estimated the library would save up to one months time and lower the projects overall cost by temporarily relocating public services during the building process.

Because the Colfax Library is also the headquarters for the 14-branch library system, monthly visits from the outlying will be handled differently. Instead of updating their collections each month in Colfax, branch managers will visit neighboring branch locations to select new items for their patrons to borrow.

Library book drops will remain open, so any items due November 23 will still need to be returned. Besides returning items, they can be renewed online or by calling the library at 509-397-4366. This closure will not affect any of the branch locations that are open on Monday. These include: Colton, Garfield, Lacrosse, Oakesdale and St. John.

Between now and the Nov. 23rd closure, all items in Troll's Corner, the Friends of the Library booksale area will be given away for free. Community members are encouraged to visit the booksale area to help staff clear the area of books, movies, music and miscellaneous items. 

For more information, contact:

Kristie Kirkpatrick at 509-397-4366

For a complete list of events and programs happening in all fourteen Whitman County Library branches, visit the Whitman County Library website or the library's events calendar.