Digital books were supposed to diminish the importance of libraries. Some skeptics even say that libraries no longer are essential.

But evidence doesn’t support that. Even within the confines of our region, something quite different is happening. Libraries in Cannon Beach, Seaside, Warrenton and Astoria are community hubs, buzzing with activity. Across the Columbia, in Pacific County, the Timberland Regional Library is a well-utilized marvel.

As Erick Bengel described in last Thursday’s edition, Warrenton faces the challenge of replacing its library, which is housed in a historic building that was once Hammond’s town hall. The flip side of Warrenton’s challenge is an opportunity.

Astoria faces a similar need to enhance the library it has or build new. But Astoria’s matrix of prospective solutions has not led to an easy solution. Warrenton, however, might have a much easier time fashioning a way forward.

Seaside presents a useful example. Its new library, opened in 2008, was built from scratch. Situated near City Hall, the library became part of Seaside’s remarkable set of civic furniture, which includes the Bob Chisholm Community Center and the recreation center and indoor swimming pool. The library contains cozy reading areas, as well as rooms for meetings and author appearances.

The advantage a small town enjoys — as opposed to cities like Portland or Seattle — is building intimacy into its library. That is especially apparent in Cannon Beach’s library, but also in Seaside.

These places become magnets and what architects call activity nodes. We wish Warrenton well. This could be a very good thing.