Manchester Library History, Hours, etc.
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Manchester Library Tuesday and Saturday 10:00am - 5:30pm | Wednesday and Thursday 1:00pm-8:30pm | Friday 1:00pm - 5:30pm | Sunday and Monday Closed
History Manchester Community Library was founded in 1947, when Mary J. Sanford offered rent free space for a library in the Shopping Mart. Kitsap County Library System provided books and trained volunteers who donated their time for one year. The library officially opened for business on September 26, 1947. It was open every Friday from 2-5 and from 7-9. After the first year, the library moved to Mr. Sam Denniston's chicken house, which had been renovated by the Library Committee. In 1953, it was torn down and the community raised $800 for a 16'x24' modular building. On September 21, 1980 the present library measuring 1400 square feet was dedicated. It was paid for by the community and a donation from Kitsap Regional Library System. In April 1994, an addition of 1400 square feet was completed. The addition houses a meeting room, bookstore, and the periodical area. Thanks to the Long Lake Garden Club and the Friends of the Manchester Library for recently landscaping the library grounds. Friends of the Library The Friends of Manchester Library meets regularly once a month on the fourth Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in the library meeting room. The library building operating expenses are paid entirely by this community group. The volunteers in this group raise funds through the annual salmon bake held on Father's Day, collect proceeds from their well managed bookstore that is open during library hours, and gather rental revenue from the meeting room. Donations also help pay expenses. The Friends group welcomes new members. Meeting Room The Manchester Branch Library meeting room, named the "Louise Pedersen Community Room" (after a former librarian), is available to groups at reasonable rates. The room includes a refrigerator, microwave, TV and VCR, and coffee pot. For commercial use, the rental fee is $20 for the first 2 hours, and $10 for each additional hour. For use by non-profit and government groups, fees are $15 for the first 2 hours, and $5 for each additional hour. All periods include set-up and break-down time. For further information and scheduling requests, please contact the library staff during library hours. Manchester Book Worms Manchester Book Worms Book Discussion Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month in the Manchester Library Louise Pedersen Community Room 7-8:30 p.m. Check the Events calendar for sales dates. |
