A New Library in Spokane Valley

For 67 years, Spokane Valley Library has served generations with high-quality programs, resources, and services. During that time, Spokane Valley’s population has grown from 40,000 to over 100,000.

As the oldest library building in the county system, Spokane Valley Library served over 272,000 visitors in 2019, including the more than 19,000 attendees to 840 educational library programs.

The new Spokane Valley Library will be located at the corner of Sprague Avenue and Herald Road with an anticipated grand opening in 2023. The City of Spokane Valley plans to expand the nearby Balfour Park, developing a library-park campus. This library-park combination across the street from city hall will become the next pillar in an emerging civic center and multi-generational community gathering space in Spokane Valley.

The Library Foundation of Spokane County is heading up a campaign for the new Spokane Valley Library.

The New Library’s Features

• The new library has a spacious, bright, and welcoming design, where people can connect, collaborate, create, and engage. Its flexible design will grow with the community, providing education and access to resources for generations.
• The children’s area is a vibrant, spacious, and highly active space. It is designed with attention to angles and sound-absorbing finishes to contain as much noise as possible.
• The community room accommodates up to 200 people and has multimedia capabilities. It features a sound-dampening room divider to create two rooms that can host multiple groups at the same time.
• An outdoor patio with access to the community room provides the ability to open the community room to the outdoors.
• Conference rooms for group collaboration accommodate at least four people each around a worktable. These rooms provide natural light and view of the outside gardens.
• The STCU Studio is a creative space for audio-visual recording.

Construction Progress

Updated March 28, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

What will happen to the current Spokane Valley Library?

The District is still evaluating the future of the current building. It will not be a library once the new Spokane Valley Library is open.

When was the current Spokane Valley Library built?

The current building was built in 1955. It is the oldest library building in the District’s library system. It has been remodeled, expanded, and reconfigured over the years to adapt to changing technology and a growing population.

Is the new library going to raise my taxes?

There are no new taxes for the new library. The new library is being paid for by a grant, a loan, contribution from the City of Spokane Valley, District savings, and private donations.

Where is the new library going to be?

The new Spokane Valley Library will be located at the corner of Sprague Avenue and Herald Road, across from City Hall.

The City of Spokane Valley plans to expand the nearby Balfour Park, developing a library-park campus.

When will the new library open?

The new library is expected to open in early summer 2023.

How will this library expand on what the current Spokane Valley Library offers?

The new library allows for double the number of people served and programs offered. Its flexible design will grow with the community, providing education and access to resources for generations.

The new 28,000-square-foot library will feature:

• A community room large enough to accommodate up to 200 people
• Intuitive audiovisual systems
• The Studio where customers can record, mix, publish, and share their own audio and video content
• Multiple conference and study rooms
• A vibrant, spacious, and distinctively appealing children’s area
• Comfortable places to sit—perfect for reading the latest titles, using library computers, or using and charging your own technology and devices

How will the operation of this new building be financed once the new library is open?

The single-story structure will be efficient to operate, and its open, flexible floor plan will meet current and future needs. Operational costs are expected to be equal to, if not less than, the current three-story structure due to more efficient building systems and layout. Additional staff will not be required, nor will any current staff be dismissed when the new library opens.

Will the size of the collection change for the new library?

While not larger, the new library will feature a dynamic collection of library materials scaled to respond to the needs and interests of the community. As part of the District’s 11 library system, Spokane Valley customers will continue to have access to over 1.5 million items in the District’s physical and digital collections.

Will the new library be environmentally friendly?

The Library District is pursuing LEED Silver Certification. This includes consideration of water use reduction, restoring natural habitat, use of nature light, energy efficiency, and high-quality heating and cooling systems.

How can I donate to the new library?

The Library Foundation of Spokane County was established with goals that include ongoing charitable stewardship, planned giving, and endowments. This commitment to planning for future reserves demonstrates fiscal responsibility and the desire for long-term stability.

Private sector donations to the Library Foundation of $1 million will enhance construction amenities and finishes for the new Spokane Valley Library. All contributions are valued, no matter the size. Private funding offers naming opportunities and prominent recognition while creating an impactful legacy.

Online donations: www.supportscld.org/sv-library-campaign

Direct mail donations (preprinted donation envelopes are available):
Library Foundation of Spokane County
4322 N Argonne Rd
Spokane, WA 99212

For questions: Email foundation@scld.org or call 509.893.8200.