New Yachats Public Library could open in January * Oregon ArtsWatch

"YACHATS - It's been discussed for more than 20 years. It's been under construction for 8 months. And in several weeks, the new, expanded Yachats Public Library is expected to re-open for business. "We're shooting for early January for opening," said Yachats infrastructure clerk Neal Morphis, who has had daily oversight of the project since the city took control in late 2024. The city owns the library and the land underneath."

"Morphis predicted that the building contractor "will have it all done by the end of October." Then, interior finishing work and parking lot paving will make the West Seventh Street site ready for another big task - returning thousands of books from storage and temporary quarters in the Yachats Commons back to their permanent home. "There's a 'wow' factor when you walk in for the first time ... an element of importance. It feels so expansive," said David Rivinus, the Library Commission chair who led the project for more than 6½ years until city staff took over the work."

"That expansive feeling is due partly to the bigger space - 3,600 square feet versus 2,400 before - and partly to the soaring ceilings. The building may look as though it's two stories high thanks to a series of upper-level windows, but it's a single story. Yachats' original library was 52 years old when it was demolished in March."

Construction of the new Yachats Public Library has proceeded for eight months after more than 20 years of planning. The city took control of the project in late 2024 and owns the building and the land. Contractors are expected to finish structural work by the end of October, followed by interior finishes and parking lot paving. Thousands of books stored in temporary quarters at Yachats Commons will be returned to the new facility. The replacement building expands capacity from 2,400 to 3,600 square feet, features soaring ceilings and upper-level windows, and replaces a 52-year-old library demolished in March.

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