When I had to spend several hours in Tumwater while my son took the SAT at the high school, I…read morethought the library would likely be a typical underfunded small town example, with one grumpy old librarian who has to do all the work, but hopefully open and usable to get some work done. I was surprised and pleased to find a very nice, obviously very well funded library. And I think there were at least six employees there. The one I asked about a reading area was cheerful and helpful. If anything, it's maybe even a bit better than the King County Library System I enjoy at home, and KCLS is widely recognized as world class. I had a very enjoyable, productive time there. If I could go there often, I would.

The whole Timberland Regional Library System is awesome and we are so lucky to have it in the South…read morePuget Sound. BUT by far, the Tumwater Library is the best of them all. The library is clean, quiet, and you don't have to plug your nose while browsing for books like you do at the downtown library (homeless people, God Bless Em, sleep and hang out there and the library smells very foul and I have seen two very physical fights on two different occasions with homeless people while I had my small children with me......we don't go there anymore - doesn't feel safe) I am sorry people are homeless, but it sucks that we can't even enjoy the library. Anyway, I digress.......Tumwater library has easy access, great parking, and the staff are all super attentive and very friendly and want to help you. I love this library!

We love this library! We come here often. The staff is always friendly and helpful. We have…read moreattended the local events the library has put on as well as used the meeting rooms there. There are nice clean restrooms and an elevator to go down to the lower level. They seem to really try hard to meet the needs of their community!

They are doing the best they can under the circumstances. I…read morejust read "green e's" semi literate ranting and wanted to counter that. Masks are required. It isn't their choice nor their law.

Came here for the introductory sewing class led by Naomi, and I have to say -- Naomi is an amazing…read moreinstructor. They were patient, willing to answer every question...and I had a lot of them! They never made anyone feel bad for asking. They also set up the Zoom camera really well so we could clearly see what they were doing on the sewing machine, even when their back was turned to the class. It was a unique setup I have not seen before, and honestly something other instructors, coaches, and teachers should consider using for live demonstrations. The front desk staff were incredibly kind, foo. They took the initiative to introduce themselves while i waited in line and made surey questions were answered right away. They never acted too busy to help, which made the whole experience feel welcoming. I would definitely come back -- even just to study. The library has beautiful artwork displayed throughout, and the space feels open without being overwhelming, especially with the many book shelves. Overall, a really well-run class in a really neat environment.

Can I give the library 4.5 stars??? 4 stars for the library itself, and then 5 great big golden…read moreglitter-covered stars for the employees. The building is super nice -- light, airy, welcoming. The book choices (I'm mostly a non-fiction reader) are ok. I like that I can make copies. But the people who work there are top-out-of-sight knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. I 'm so impressed with every one of them. Applause to these wonderful folks!

This library is great! Oakville library is part of the Timberline library system so although it's…read moresmall you can reserve whatever books are in the system and they will send them to the library. The librarians are super nice and kind. They have small crafts for the kids. They have a T.V. where kids can play video games. It's clean and a great to have a local library.

We absolutely LOVE the Centralia Timberland Library and feel it's the best Timberland branch in the…read morearea! The staff are extremely friendly and helpful in whatever you might need - whether it finding a book, getting something put on hold, or answering general questions. They all are eager to help and support. There are thousands of books to browse through and check out. They really have a robust selection of all the genres that you would be looking for. Because they are a part of the Timberland Library group, it's easy to request a book at any of the many branches in the area and they'll get it delivered here. There is a smaller second floor that houses all of the teen and young adult books. There also is a teen only space up there for book groups and studying. I think it's great to have that genre of books all set up for them like that. In the whole library space, it really works. Best of all (at least for us), is the children's section! It's huge ... and it's walled off so the noise does not travel out to the rest of the library. :-) There is a ginormous selection of children's books and videos here. Additionally, there is play space that has lots of creative toys and traditional toys for the kids to play with. My boys love going here and spending time reading and playing. Plus, they have children's scavenger hunts around the entire library and offer stickers for the little ones who complete the hunt and/or clean up the toy space when they're done! The library also offers several classes or groups in various topics or arenas. Lego Club, Creator/Maker Space Club, Read Aloud/Storytimes, etc. Lots and lots to chose from. Regardless of your age or your book genre preference, the Centralia Timberland Library is the place to be! It is one of our GO-TO places in town!

With all the financial problems why are there people sitting around? Everytime I go in I only see…read morethe same older gentleman doing any work. The rest are sitting around talking to each other.

I came here to study for a bit after dropping my son off at camp. We do not live in Olympia so this…read morewas my first time here. I almost let the negative reviews steer me away from coming and even tried a local college library first before arriving there to find it closed. I decided to come by to this branch and see what it was like for myself. It was clean, quiet and not overcrowded. I didn't ask for assistance myself but witnessed many people getting help from staff. Yes, there were some people who appeared to be homeless but they all seemed to be sitting in isolated corners just reading. I didn't notice any foul odors other than the general wet dog smell that places like this have when it has been raining & it was raining moderately when I arrived. They appeared to have a large selection of zines and other local literature and many offerings for teens. Everything looked well organized. I'm glad it was open and able to accommodate me.

Ever wonder what happened to all those punky, independent riot grrls from Olympia's glory days?…read moreThey're librarians now. They mostly sit around looking at computer screens and gossiping. Sometimes they host boring events featuring Oly dorks like Calvin Johnson or whoever, and very few people actually attend. The place itself is filthy and a bit small for a city library. Homeless people seem to be welcome judging by the state of the bathrooms and various areas of encampment. The staff doesn't want to be "uncool" by asking anyone to leave, because, revolution?

Would love to see this as it was when I was a kid.... A quiet refuge for people that wish to study…read moreand read. Instead it's full of noisy sugared children who's mothers are equally disruptive. Also pretty sure the no food policy means don't bring a picnic of gas station junkfood to the tables and get food everywhere. Would be great if the staff would intervene when this behavior occurs. Seriously disappointed

I went into this location today to pick up my car registration and tabs that I purchased online…read more I've done this before numerous of times. I walk in and there's a gentleman waiting in front of me and there's no one at the DOL counter. A banker told us that we needed to take a number and that the lady had to run to the bathroom. When she comes out she helps a woman put her flyer on the tack board. In the meantime, the banker comes and flips a sign stating the DOL employee had gone to lunch. Then the employee continues to exit back door. Shocked, the other gentleman and I look at each other and as I stand up to leave the banker says, "She's still going to assist you." Keep in mind, I'm just here to pick up something I'd already purchased. I state, "I don't have time to wait for her" and I leave. Once I am allowed to pick up my registration and tabs, I will not be returning to Timerland Bank for my Department of Licensing needs. I do not want to support a business that blatantly ignores the needs of the customer. I intend on filing a formal complaint on the mentioned employee with the Department of Licensing due to past bad experiences with her, specifically.

Small library with plenty of free parking…read more Poetry night and other local activities. They change due to the seasons.

Great town library. Staff is awesome. Lots of events engaging school students from preschool to…read morehigh school. Their computer program allows students a safe, comfortable work area with numerous computers with the search power to easily research and do their homework. Michelle who is the heart of the library is personable, knowledgeable and is tuned in to every aspect of the Ocean Shores Library. The O.S. Library is also dialed in with many adult clubs and events. Stop by my your O.S Library talk with staff, pick up a library events calendar; EXPLORE!