News Releases

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is hosting free interactive trainings with the Fair Housing Center of Washington. The one-hour program Fair Housing Rights Everyone Should Know will give participants a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities when seeking and enjoying housing.

Featuring works from five local fiber artists, “Stitched Symbols: Contemporary Quilts” is the next Art in the Library exhibition presented at the Port Angeles Main Library, 2210 S. Peabody St. The show opens with a free public reception on Friday, Feb. 27, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with live music performed by Northstar Music.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) invites families to stomp, clap and dance the winter blues away at a free concert with Johnny Bregar on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 10:30–11:30 a.m. at the Port Angeles Main Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.

The Forks Branch Library, 171 S. Forks Ave., invites tweens in grades 5–7 to “Gem Squad: Diamond Painting” from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Similar to paint-by-numbers, diamond painting uses colorful gems instead of paint. Supplies to create sparkly bookmarks, stickers and magnets will be provided along with snacks at this free program.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) will host an after-hours “Lock-In” for teens in grades 7-12 on Friday, Feb. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Port Angeles Main Library, 2210 S. Peabody St. The night’s activities will include eating pizza, a viewing of “Gnomeo and Juliet” (2011, G), games, crafts and more.

Students in grades 1-3 can stop by the Forks Branch Library, 171 S. Forks Ave., to pick up “Wildlife Rescue: How to Save an Owl” to read before the first Kids Book Club meeting on Feb. 24. Kids will read the book on their own and then join library staff for a fun discussion and snacks.

The Forks Branch Library, 171 S. Forks Ave., is hosting a free Game Day on Friday, Feb. 13, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Attendees can play video games, board games or card games with family and friends.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) invites community members to participate in the Big Movie Watch, a nationwide digital film club offered through the Kanopy streaming service. With a free NOLS library card, participants can watch the 2007 film “Across the Universe” (rated PG-13) online from Feb. 9–23 with no waitlists or holds.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is hosting a free two-hour workshop with End of Life Washington at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, in the KSQM Community Room, 609 W. Washington St., Ste. 17. The End of Life Ready Workshop will provide an overview of advance care planning and end-of-life options.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) invites community members to “Quilt Codes of the Underground Railroad,” a free presentation by Georgia Payne. The one-hour talk begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Port Angeles Main Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.

Decorate Valentine cards, cookies and crafts at a series of free events offered by the Forks Branch Library, 171 S. Forks Ave., and the Clallam Bay Branch Library, 16990 Hwy. 112.

Clallam County Poet Laureate Nellie Bridge invites Clallam County residents of all ages and skill levels to write and enter “Where I’m From” poems for possible inclusion in an upcoming anthology. Using personal storytelling inspired by George Ella Lyon’s poem “Where I’m From,” writers are encouraged to craft lines beginning with “I am from,” followed by meaningful details, descriptive imagery, or phrases from their own lives.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) hosts three Book Discussion Group meetings monthly. Registration is not required. Learn more at NOLS.org/book-groups (or call or visit the library for assistance). All are welcome. Join every month or drop in when you’d like.

Clallam County residents now have expanded access to free legal information through a partnership between the Clallam County Law Library (CCLL) and the North Olympic Library System (NOLS). This partnership strives to create a legal resource center through the use of dedicated computer terminals and access to an online collection of legal resources.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is offering free art workshops taught by SilverKite Community Arts on Zoom. Use your own materials and follow along with the instructor during the webinar or watch the recording available after each session. Visit NOLS.org/SilverKite to register and view supply lists.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is seeking to hire an artist to design a graphic for the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge T-shirt and tote bag. Applicants should complete the online form at NOLS.org/T-Shirt and share examples of prior artwork, ideally including an example of a one-color graphic. Submissions are due Monday, Feb. 9.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) welcomes community members to participate in a free Crafts Supply and Knowledge Swap at the Port Angeles Main Library, 2210 S. Peabody St., from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 24.

A free movie screening of “Sneakers” (PG-13) will be held on Friday, Jan. 23, at the Sequim Library Temporary Location, 609 W. Washington St. The after-hours showing begins at 6 p.m., and snacks and drinks will be provided.

The Clallam Bay and Forks branches of the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) will host Jigsaw Puzzle Swap events in January. Bring new or gently used puzzles and discover something to add to your collection. Trade and share puzzles of all kinds, from 8-piece designs for young children to challenges with more than 1,000 pieces. This free, interactive community event is open to all ages and skill levels.

West End branches of the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) invite community members to kick off the new year with creativity and intention at free Craft and Connect: Vision Boards events in January. During these hands-on sessions, participants can design personal vision boards to help visualize their goals and dreams for 2026.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) will offer free monthly computer classes at two libraries in 2026. The classes are part of the Northstar Digital Literacy Program that assists people interested in learning how to complete general tasks using a computer. Registration opens 30 days in advance of each session and space is limited. Call 360-417-8500, visit a NOLS library, or register online at NOLS.org/Northstar.

In collaboration with the North Olympic Library System (NOLS), Rainforest Council for the Arts will lead a Fun-A-Day Library Takeover on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Forks Branch Library, 171 S. Forks Ave. This annual community event welcomes participants of all ages to display their artwork or come to view and enjoy local creativity.

Throughout January, the Forks Branch Library, 171 S. Forks Ave., invites community members to participate in a 1,000 Origami Cranes project. Participants are welcome to create origami paper cranes during guided sessions led by Pam and John Hunter, held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Sessions are offered every weekday except Jan. 1 and Jan. 19, when the library is closed. The goal is to complete 1,000 cranes by February 1.

The new Sequim Library is almost ready to open, and the best part? No local property taxes were used to build it. Construction was funded primarily through timber revenue from State Forest trust lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which supports local services like libraries, hospitals and schools.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) hosts three Book Discussion Group meetings monthly. Registration is not required. Learn more at NOLS.org/book-groups (or call or visit the library for assistance).

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is hosting the National Library of Medicine’s traveling exhibit, “AIDS, Posters, and Stories of Public Health: A People’s History of a Pandemic.” The exhibit is on display now at the Forks Library through Dec. 27, then will move to the Clallam Bay Library from Dec. 29 through Jan. 5 before concluding at the Port Angeles Main Library from Jan. 6 to 24.

Forks and Port Angeles libraries are seeking new members for the Quiet Readers Society Book Club. The free monthly events give adults time for uninterrupted reading, followed by an optional discussion to share book recommendations or talk about themes from current reads.

Featuring more than 60 vibrant paintings by the North Olympic Watercolorists (NOW), “Watercolor NOW!” is the next Art in the Library exhibition presented at the Port Angeles Main Library, 2210 S. Peabody St. The show opens with a free public reception on Friday, Nov. 14, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with live classical music performed by Tamara Rotz (flute/violin), Sung-Ling Hsu (viola) and Pamela Roberts (cello).

Bad Art Night for Adults is now offered at the Port Angeles Main Library, 2210 S. Peabody St., on the second Thursday of each month, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The free event provides an opportunity to be creative without any pressure or expectation of how an art piece should look. Advance registration is recommended to reserve a spot.

The Forks Branch Library received a generous donation from the estate of long-time patron Yasmin Arlin Lahr (1943-2025). Yasmin was a lifelong advocate for justice and equity, an avid reader and a library supporter. Library staff warmly remember keeping her supplied with enough books to match her impressive reading pace.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is excited to announce the fall titles for Kids Book Club, a monthly program for students in grades 1–3 and their caregivers. Kids will read the book on their own and then join library staff for a lively discussion at the Port Angeles Main Library, 2210 S. Peabody St. The program includes a fun activity based on the book.

Tabletop Role-Playing Game Night will be held monthly at the Port Angeles and Forks branches of the North Olympic Library System (NOLS). Drop in and adventure to other worlds. Bring your own group or make new friends at the event. Most of the provided games are recommended for ages 8 and up; children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Tweens and teens in grades 4-12 can play Magic: The Gathering on Mondays from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Port Angeles Main Library, 2210 S. Peabody St. Snacks, standard decks and extra basic land cards will be available at the weekly “Magic Monday” event.

Beginning Sept. 8, the Forks Branch Library, 171 S. Forks Ave., will offer Bad Art Night for Adults on the second Monday of each month, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The free event provides an opportunity to be creative without any pressure or expectation of how an art piece should look. This program is designed for adults, but children are welcome with supervision.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) invites teens and tweens to connect with their peers, have fun and help shape future programs at their local library. All NOLS branches offer opportunities for teens to build leadership skills and earn community service hours.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is offering monthly LEGO programs where kids can drop in to create, play and build. All materials are provided. LEGOs will remain in the library at the conclusion of each program.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is seeking community input to help shape its next five-year Strategic Roadmap. Whether you visit the library every week or haven’t been in years, NOLS wants to hear from you.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) announces the release of two limited-edition library cards designed by local artists Sarah Necco and Lance Snider. Necco’s design captures the peninsula’s natural beauty using watercolor and ink, while Snider’s digital illustration features a read-a-thon in a castle’s library.

On March 14, President Trump issued an executive order directing the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to significantly reduce its operations. The order calls for the elimination of non-statutory components of the agency. While it was not immediately certain what this directive would entail, in recent weeks IMLS staff have been placed on administrative leave and previously awarded grants have been terminated.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) Board of Trustees approved three resolutions recognizing significant donations to the new Sequim Library during their regular meeting on March 27, 2025.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is excited to announce Nellie Bridge as the next Clallam County Poet Laureate. Bridge will serve from April 2025 through March 2027, succeeding the county’s first poet laureate Jaiden Dokken.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) has released a video tour showcasing the architectural renderings of the new Sequim Library, which is currently under construction. The expanded facility will nearly double the library’s size from 6,000 to 10,000 square feet, addressing the needs of the growing community and making critical infrastructure improvements.

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is excited to announce the Sequim Library Expansion and Renovation Project is entering its next phase in preparation for construction. Staff and professional movers who specialize in relocating library materials will soon be packing up approximately 50,000 items in the Sequim Library’s collection and moving to the temporary location, 609 W. Washington St., near the former JCPenney store.