Yachats Mayor Craig Berdie snips the ceremonial ribbon Saturday to dedicate the city’s new library with the help of Library Commission chair David Rivinis and library administrator Traci Altson. (City of Yachats photo)Yachats’ new library officially opened Saturday with a crowd of well-wishers who started lining up before the 10 a.m. launch, eager to tour the new, 3,450-square foot facility, munch on snacks, listen to happy speeches and salute the people who made the structure happen.
The speech-givers were Library Commission chair David Rivinus, Yachats Mayor Craig Berdie, state librarian Wendy Cornelisen and Yachats library administrator Traci Altson. Two young patrons of the expanded children’s section also spoke, with one pronouncing the new library “awesome.”
Two bequests totaling $300,000, a $250,000 grant from The Ford Family Foundation and fundraising from Friends of Yachats Library helped the city finance the new $1.35 million facility.While harpist Gary Plouff provided a gentle soundtrack for the festivities, attendees admired the soaring ceilings, bright spaces and colorful, donated artwork along the walls of the $1.35 million building.
About one-third larger than the original 1973 structure demolished last spring, the new library boasts more shelves, a community room, more adult seating and new computers available for public use. The funds to plan and build the library came from several sources: two bequests of $150,000 each, a $250,000 grant from The Ford Family Foundation; grants and fundraising by the Friends of Yachats Library, and $600,000 from the city’s urban renewal district budget.
— Cheryl Romano/Lincoln Chronicle
Yachats residents crowd into the main area of their new library Saturday for the official dedication of the building that sits on the site of the former library built in 1973. (Cheryl Romano/Lincoln Chronicle)Have a photo and short story to share? Send it here.
