Ridgefield Community Library Remodel

A bigger, better home for Ridgefield Community Library

After nearly a year of construction, the dream of a bigger, better Ridgefield Community Library is here.

Thanks to support from the community and donors, FVRLibraries was able to expand the library from a small 2,300 square foot space in the former Ridgefield Community Center to nearly 8,000 square feet, encompassing the full footprint of the building. The new library combines elements of the previous building with new construction to create a beautiful centerpiece to downtown Ridgefield. The expanded library features a large community meeting space; separate areas for teens, children, and adults; several study rooms; and additional computers and laptops.

Quick facts

  • Cost: $3.6 million. 
  • Funding provided by:
    • FVRL $1,550,000
    • Firstenberg $250,000
    • Anonymous $1,000,000
    • State $500,000
    • Friends $300,000
  • Square footage: 7874 square feet
  • Design: Johansson Wing Architects of Battle Ground
  • General Contractor: Union Corner Construction of Vancouver
  • Ridgefield Community Center: Established in 1985, donors purchased bricks to fund the construction

Take a video tour!

Features

  • Exterior windows feature historic photos of Ridgefield.
  • In addition to a dedication plaque (in the Mill Street entrance), donor information from the Ridgefield Community Center remodel in the mid-1980s will adorn a space in the library, while a donor board will recognize the contributions of the community and donors in making the dream of a bigger, better Ridgefield Community Library a reality.
  • A central Circulation and Service area with self-checkouts, a copy center, and helpful staff.
  • Adult area features a lounge with floor to ceiling windows and a laptop bar with views of Davis Park. Plenty of comfy seats and tables are available with charging stations for reading, studying, and working.
  • Thanks to the generous support of donors, a display system has been installed to provide opportunities for art shows.
  • The dedicated Teen area offers a sanctuary for teens, including comfortable seating, device charging, and seating for video games (system to be installed in 2021).
  • A small meeting room with a flat screen TV is available for groups up to 10.
  • Technology area offers a number of desktop computers for patrons use. Portable Chromebooks are also available for checkout from the service area.
  • Early Literacy space offers little ones a special space with whimsical (and functional) hanging birds that also serve as sound dampening pieces, as well as four enrichment panels for young children from The Burgeon Group. The librarian’s office overlooks the area, behind decoratively designed glass.
  • A small study room just off the Children’s area allows up to four patrons another place to study, read, or play.
  • The Allene Wodaege Community Room offers a kitchen and can hold 36 people at tables, 56 chairs in a presentation setup, or 147 standing. An advanced AV system with a hearing loop can send sounds directly to hearing aids of attendees.
  • The Main Street entrance is designed to provide after-hours access to the Community Room.
  • The Friends Bookstore offers gently used books and other materials to the community at great prices. Proceeds benefit Friends of Ridgefield Community Library.
  • A large staff workroom gives plenty of space for the library’s dedicated staff to process materials and prepare for programs.