North Plains Public Library

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Every year the North Plains City Council establishes annual goals, and in 2000 they added the need for a City library. It remained on the list for a while without any action taking place. The City of North Plains was one of the few cities in Washington County without a public library.

In October, 2001 a small group of citizens got together to explore if there was an interest in having a library in the City. What evolved was the beginning of the Friends of the North Plains Library.

These people came from all sorts of backgrounds but all had a common desire – a library in North Plains that would eventually become part of the Washington County Cooperative Library Services. A respect for each other grew as each of them brought their talents to the organization. A strong cohesiveness immediately immerged among the group. They learned early on how to press on to the goals that were set and they stayed focused to see those goals stay in view.

In working with the City staff, the Friends identified the small janitor’s closet at one end of the Jessie Mays Community Hall as a possible area for the Library with a few modifications. The Friends gathered information from the other libraries in the area and from the Washington County Cooperative Library Services.

On April 15, 2002, the City of North Plains approved Resolution #1089 to establish a North Plains Public Library Board to create Library policies, job descriptions and to work with the Friends on the City’s behalf to open the Library.

The Friends’ first major success at raising money began by requesting book donations from people and they were overwhelmed by the response. They sorted through the book donations and kept what they could use for the new library and then held a huge book sale in May, 2002.

The Friends began pulling together donations and making purchases to make the small closet into a library. Their efforts included the lengthy process of applying and forming a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

The City Library Board first met in August, 2002, and began working to craft an ordinance for the City to establish a Public library. In addition, the Board pulled together a job description for a volunteer Library Director. A job announcement for the position was announced in November, 2002.

Members of the Friends spent hundreds of hours in October and November, 2002, sorting books, cataloging books, setting up a manual check out system, and many other tasks needed to open a library. They set things in motion to meet the various requirements of becoming a part of the Washington County Cooperative Library System.

In December, 2002, the City hired a volunteer Library Director, Cynthia Peterson. Cynthia worked tirelessly with the Friends through December, 2002 and January, 2003 to prepare the Library for opening.

Their efforts resulted in humble, but successful beginnings. The 590 sq. ft library in the converted janitor’s closet of the Jessie Mays Community Hall opened in February, 2003. It started with handwritten check-outs and the small collection of books that had been donated and a few new books purchased with money raised by the Friends and budgeted by the City. It was a beautiful, cozy little library in which everyone could take a great deal of pride. In the first month the Library had 1,762 items in its Collection and they checked out 499 items.

During the first year the operation of the Library was strictly performed by volunteers coordinated by volunteers, Carolyn Leavitt and Diane VanGrunsven, who wrote a training manual, trained and scheduled volunteers and filled in on extra shifts when necessary. The Friends purchased computer software and Carolyn also established a computer check-out system, while books continued to be added to the shelves through donations and purchases by the Friends and the City of North Plains. The volunteers kept the doors open at least 12 hours a week.

One year after opening, a part-time Volunteer Coordinator was hired (12 hours a week). Since then the library hours expanded from 12 per week to 16, including two evenings. In 2005, volunteers worked 1,418 hours.

From July 1, 2005 through April 14, 2006, the North Plains Public Library:

• Served 2,570 people
• Checked out 7,692 items
• Had 3,863 items on their shelves

In April, 2004, Mr. Wayne Holm, CEO of Oregon-Canadian Forest Products, Inc., proposed to the North Plains City Council to construct a new 2,500 square foot building to house the North Plains Public Library if other funds could be found for the land, interior furnishings and off-site improvements (street improvements, parking and landscaping). A partnership was then formed with the City of North Plains providing a property lease of $1.00 per year, and the Friends of the North Plains Public Library raising the funds necessary for the furnishings and off-site improvements.

Fundraising

Immediately the Friends submitted a technical assistance grant request to the Ford Institute for Community Building to hire a consultant to assist them with developing a plan to raise the money necessary. Within 10 days the Institute funded their request, and the Friends spent the summer months writing a Feasibility Study, preparing a Development Plan, learning how to write grants, researching potential funding sources, and developing the tools necessary to tell their story to the public.

By the end of September, 2004, the Friends had completed their Development Plan for raising $277,500 from foundations and corporate gifts, and $25,500 from local families and businesses, a total of $303,000.

By December 1st, they had achieved pledges of $32,500 from families and businesses. The grant committee had submitted 14 grants and the first grant request approved for $5,000.

As the holiday season passed, the fundraising efforts slowed, but by March, 2005, foundations and private corporations had pledged a total of $254,000 (92% of the goal). And the families and businesses in the North Plains community had come through with $61,113 (240% of the goal)!

In total, the Friends had raised over $315,000 in 6 months, more than their original goal of $303,000. They were ready to begin construction!

But their fundraising efforts did not stop there. Since then, they have continued to raise money for the construction of the building and also the future operations of the Library.

As of April 1, 2006, foundations and private corporations have provided $317,000 and families and businesses have donated $72,886.

During the past several months the Friends have also been raising money to help operate the Library during the next few years. They have raised $27,766 toward their two-year goal of $146,000.

Planning

During this same time, Mr. Holm began working with the architect in the design of the building so that an initial budget could be established. In addition, a Steering Committee of community residents and business people was formed to help insure a wide array of ideas in the planning of the building uses.

The Steering Committee for the New North Plains Public Library Building:

• Wayne Holm, Oregon-Canadian Forest Products, Inc.
• Jeanie Holm, Oregon-Canadian Forest Products, Inc.
• Michael Basile, Owner, Apple Maintenance
• John Matsuo, Principal, North Plains Elementary School
• Eva Calcagno, Manager, Washington County Cooperative Library Services
• Tom Reh, IT Manager, EQS Release Mgmt., Intel Corp.
• Mark Leavitt, MD, PhD, Medical Director, Health Information and Management Systems Society
• Diane Van Grunsven, President, Friends of the North Plains Public Library
• Steve Centoni, Doorways Consulting & Supply Inc.
• Margaret Reh, North Plains Planning Commission
• Carolyn Leavitt, North Plains Library Board
• Debbie Olson, Vice President, Friends of the North Plains Public Library
• Cindy Hirst, Project Coordinator

Advisors:

• Ralph Hill, Partin and Hill Architects, Inc.
• Cynthia Peterson, Director, North Plains Public Library
• Don Otterman, Manager, City of North Plains
• Lorna Campbell, Volunteer Note taker

In addition to the Steering Committee, there were two subcommittees formed to help with specific tasks.

The Furniture, Fixtures and Furnishings Subcommittee:

• Jeanie Holm, Oregon-Canadian Forest Products, Inc.
• Chris Lantz, Friends of the North Plains Public Library, Graphic Designer
• Sheri Johnson, Account Manager, Integra Telecom
• Cynthia Peterson, Director, North Plains Public Library
• Steve Centoni, Doorways Consulting & Supply Inc.

The Technical Subcommittee:

• Debbie Olson, Vice President, Friends of the North Plains Public Library
• Warren Olson, Manager EC Northwest, Intel Corp.
• Tom Reh, IT Manager, EQS Release Mgmt., Intel Corp.
• Mark Leavitt, MD, PhD, Medical Director, Health Information and Management Systems Society
• Carolyn Leavitt, Treasurer, Friends of the North Plains Public Library
• Brett Grossman, Sr. Staff Engineer, TME Tech., Intel Corp.
• Paul Schmitz, Technology Strategist, Intel Corp.

In addition they worked closely with the Washington County Cooperative Library Services Staff (Barbara Kesel, Rosemary Mitchell, JT White) and others in neighboring libraries.

The Steering Committee met monthly during the initial planning stages to help guide the architect and engineers. Once the building permits were issued, the Steering Committee met a few times to insure the initial objectives would be achieved.

Construction

The Groundbreaking Ceremony was on April 28, 2005, with a crowd of 150 enjoying the festivities. Everyone was asked to bring their own shovel so they could turn a spade of dirt as well.

Five Star Builders Inc. of Banks, was hired as the contractor. Applications for building permits were submitted in May and excavation began in June. The plan was to have the Library open by December, 2005. However, the schedule remained loose to allow for donations. If a subcontractor wanted to provide a discount on their services and we needed to wait a few days for it to fit their schedule, then we made allowances for that. In addition, the weather would be a factor late in the year.

During construction there were no big surprises, but a few minor changes were made along the way. During this time the Furniture, Fixtures and Furnishings Subcommittee worked with the volunteer Interior Designer, Carole Jackson. They had selected all of the interior colors and placed orders for furniture. Flooring and surfaces were selected along with restroom fixtures and tile and lighting fixtures.

The Technical Subcommittee began their work in earnest late in the year determining the needs within the Library and planning what would be needed in the future when the North Plains Public Library became part of the Washington County Cooperative Library Services. The systems would need to be compatible at that time, so the Technical Subcommittee worked closely with the Washington County Cooperative Library Services staff to insure success.

In addition, all of the small details of creating a Library space needed a guiding hand. Debbie Olson, Vice President of the Friends, has made sure that the furniture was ordered and would be delivered on time, that the book drop was ordered, the data lines were installed correctly, and a myriad of other small details.

On April 14, 2006, the Library received its occupancy permit, and that afternoon the volunteers began the exodus of books from the old location to the new.

The Friends worked with the North Plains Public Library Director, Cynthia Peterson, during April to prepare the move of books to the new building. All of the books in the current library and the books in storage would need to be integrated into the new space, so the library closed service for 2 weeks. Many volunteers worked countless hours to prepare the thousands of books.

The bulk of the move occurred on rainy Saturday, April 15th, when 23 volunteers worked for a total of 97 hours to integrate 10,242 books. All of the books were on the shelves by the end of the day, but it took an additional three days for the books to be organized. Many additional books still needed processing.

All of the new computers were unboxed and plugged in the following week, and it took three days for the network to be set up and all of the computers to be configured properly.

Volunteers attended orientation class and training on the new computer system. The last two weeks before the Grand Opening was spent getting ready for business.

The New North Plains Public Library Building is 50 feet by 50 feet square giving it 2,500 square feet of floor space. The architect is Ralph Hill from Partin & Hill Architects & Planners, PC in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Mr. Wayne Holm, CEO and owner of Oregon-Canadian Forest Products, Inc. in North Plains, Oregon, chose to construct a new building for the Public Library to give back to a community which has helped his company become successful over the past 25 years. Some of the products used in the building are a showcase of the specialty clear wood products that have been the lifeblood of Oregon-Canadian and have allowed them the opportunity to provide the facility.

The Exterior

The siding is clear vertical grain Douglas Fir manufactured from second growth trees. The dark stained window and door trim is Douglas Fir. The wainscoting around the entire building is Honey Ledge rock.

Looking up, the cupola was included in the design to allow for additional windows in the building. This gives the interior more natural light and the electric windows can be opened for fresh air circulation.

The metal roof was chosen for its durability and longevity. If you look closely you will notice that the gutters are made from wood. Oregon-Canadian is the only company that makes wood gutters that are used for the restoration of homes on the East Coast. These are made from Douglas Fir and will last for at least 50 years.

The granite tiles lining the entry plaza and the sidewalk were donated by Rose City Granite, Marble & Tile. The Founder’s Circle Donors’ names were engraved on the tiles and Rose City installed the tiles.

The landscaping was designed to be low maintenance and includes native, adaptive plants to reduce the warm weather watering requirements.

When site excavation began, the existing memorial trees on the property had to be removed. All of the donors have a new tree and each is marked accordingly.

The entry plaza to the Library is on the Northwest corner. The unusual front door was manufactured from Douglas Fir and inset with cut glass.

The Interior

As you step into the building, your eyes are immediately drawn upwards to the center of the building. On each side is a Douglas Fir laminated beam that stretches from outside the building to the cupola. On top of that beam, beginning inside above the front door, is a 40 foot Douglas Fir beam.

The single beaded paneling in the cupola is clear Hemlock. The windows are controlled by electrical switches behind the circulation desk.

The ceiling in the main area is 2×6 clear Hemlock. All of the beams are made from Douglas Fir. There are three other laminated Douglas Fir beams. The iron connectors were hand made specifically for the building.

The trim around the windows, doors and the two vertical posts are made from old growth vertical grain Douglas fir.

All of the interior doors were manufactured from Douglas fir.

Mr. Holm provided Tiger Wood (Muricatiara) from South America for all of the book shelves. It was also used as paneling on the front of the circulation desk. The exceptional grain of the Tiger Wood has given the Library a unique character.

When you step into the Program Room you’ll notice the dark Douglas Fir beamed ceiling with the vertical grain Hemlock paneling in each section.

Oregon-Canadian is a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) – certified chain-of-custody producer. Wherever possible, FSC-certified products were used. The Douglas Fir and Hemlock used in the building are from Northwest sustained-yield forests. The hardwood used for shelving units was provided by a South American FSC-certified producer.

Jeanie Holm, Secretary-Treasurer of Oregon-Canadian Forest Products, Inc. and wife of Wayne Holm, participated from the beginning of the building design process.

Mrs. Holm participated on the Steering Committee and also chaired the Furniture, Fixtures and Furnishings Subcommittee, while working closely with the interior designer, Carole Jackson.

The Friends of the North Plains Public Library wanted to involve the children in some way, but didn’t want to ask them to participate in the fundraising. So, Mrs. Holm brought her Art Literacy experience into play by organizing an art project with the North Plains Elementary School and Evergreen Junior High School in the Fall of 2004. She worked with local artist Michael Orwick, and they prepared canvases with drawings depicting the history of the local area. They laid theses canvases around the school gym and every child had an opportunity to put their own personal brush strokes on the paintings.

In addition, Mrs. Holm thought that some type of banner over the circulation desk would be appropriate. She worked with Jeff Upton from Glencoe High School and he was the sole artist.

Mrs. Holm also coordinated the donation of artwork from Robert Weller, Michael Orwick and Debra Ramsey. All items are on display in the Library.

Wayne and Jeanie Holm, The Friends of the North Plains Public Library and the City of North Plains extend their heartfelt Thank You to all of the Donors to this Project.

The entire Community came together to make this happen. The New Library Building is very unique in its own right, but it was conceived, planned, financed and built in its own unique way. Today when many people look to the government to provide public services, the North Plains Community took it upon themselves to provide their own resource.

No public funds were used to construct the building. The City of North Plains has leased the land to the Friends of the North Plains Public Library for a nominal fee and the City will participate in the future operation costs.

Volunteers will continue to be the most important key to the operations of the Library in the years to come. And everyone can help by remembering to donate regularly to support the ongoing programs provided by the Library.