Members of the Old Time Fiddlers added their festive touch to the library celebration.

Let there be no doubt about it: Residents of north Tillamook County love their library. That was clearly evident Saturday when upward of 200 people filed through the North Tillamook Library in Manzanita in the space of two hours to check out the newly renovated interior of the 30-year-old facility.

On hand for the festivities were state Sen. Betsy Johnson, state Rep. Deborah Boone, Tillamook County Commissioners Mark Labhart and Bill Baertlein, along with city officials representing Manzanita, Nehalem and Wheeler.

Although the library reopened to the public in late February following a six-week closure, the North Tillamook Library Friends waited until Saturday to host a communitywide party, complete with live music provided by members of the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers, to celebrate the accomplishment.

“We deeply appreciate your interest and support as shown by your presence today,” Kay Stepp, president of the North Tillamook Library Board, told those gathered in her opening remarks. “This is a big project for a small, rural community, but our friends came through with contributions of nearly $23,000 from donations, raffle ticket sales, an auction of old furniture, a gift in memory to our dear friend Ann Nicholson and a fundraising dinner.” 

Nicholson, who served as president of the Nehalem Valley Historical Society and the Manzanita Women’s Club, died in February.

The renovation project totaled more than $100,000. 

“Fortunately, we did not tap into our investment account reserves to pay for this renovation,” said Stepp, who thanked other major donors, too. The renovation, months in the planning stage, includes new flooring, a fresh interior paint job, new and refurbished lighting, upgraded electrical for technology use, new heating and window coverings in the Hoffman Room. 

Friends board member Lee Hiltenbrand, who volunteered his time to serve as project manager, was aided by Becky Berg, who lent her time and talent to guide the interior design, and a six-member project team.

The North Tillamook Library, Stepp explained, is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization responsible for the maintenance of the building and grounds, while the Tillamook County Library brings media, staff and programming to the building.