Once upon a time in the early 1990s, a library was opened in the small town of Hammond. Nearly 25 years later in 2017, it was moved by the City of Warrenton, becoming the 2,700-square-foot Warrenton Community Library.
The building, originally a bank and then a restaurant, is now a resource for the community, housing 4 public computers and access to approximately 21,142 books, DVDs, movies.
The Library provides a warm, inviting place for patrons, visitors, students and anyone who comes through the door. People visit with friends, drop their children off after school, and sometimes homeless people come to take advantage of the food bank donations.
The library accepts food bank donations in lieu of fines for overdo materials. They currently have 4,300 library card holders and offer Inter-library Loan (ILL) as well as in-home delivery when necessary, which is a program run by volunteers.
With just 2 paid staff and 26 wonderful volunteers, 7 of whom are teens, they are anxiously looking forward to having another team member with the new, larger budget that went into effect July 1.
The new budget and longer hours will pave the way for even more things, including expanded programming and author visits. For the past 10 years the staff has been doing a summer reading program (SRP) for children of all ages.. About four years ago, they collaborated with two other libraries in the county, turning it into a county-wide summer reading program. They also have an element for adults.
Community is a perfect word to describe this vibrant, unique, and well-loved facility. Nettie-Lee Calog, who is in charge of the library, definitely cherishes the idea of being different. Her goal is to have everyone who comes through the door feel comfortable and included. “It’s a combination of library, community center and crabby Grandma’s house,” she says when asked how she would describe the Library in one sentence.
As a note, the beautiful hanging baskets outside were all donated, most by the County Commissioners, as was the rug in the children’s area and the carpeting throughout the building.
For more information, visit the
Warrenton Community Library
160 S Main St, Warrenton
503-861-8268
Monday – Tuesday: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday – Friday: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
