YAKIMA, Wash. – Four libraries in Yakima Valley are at risk of closing. Mabton, Granger, Tieton and Naches city councils have a few weeks to decide if they will pay more to keep their libraries open.
These four libraries are the only ones in the 16-library system that are not annexed and have been paying a smaller fee. The Yakima Valley Library Board of Trustees announced a November 14 deadline for these communities to decide on a new contract to keep their libraries open.
The board announced at their meeting on Monday that the city of Mabton has approved their one-year agreement at nearly double the annexation amount, allowing them to continue operations in 2026.
Naches residents Samara Matson Wartes and Amanda Sinift expressed their concerns about the potential closure of their library.
“It’s been an integral part of both our town and my family,” Matson Wartes stated. “It was a shock to find out, it was just craziness,” Sinift continued.
Candelaria Mendoza, executive director for Yakima Valley Libraries, explained the process leading to new contract negotiations.
“We made a strategic plan. We did a community needs assessment, and we wanted to do those two things before we did contract negotiations because we wanted to see what the community actually wanted from us,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza stated that proposals were sent out last year in October, but cities struggled to meet the demands. In 2024, Naches paid a little more than $16,000 and is now being asked to pay more than $55,000 in 2026 to keep the library operational. During Monday’s meeting, Mendoza recommended a three-phase payment plan for the three cities: paying 75% of the total cost in 2026, 85% in 2027 and starting in 2028, paying the full amount.
“My hope is that this kind of phased-in approach will help some of the cities get there,” Mendoza said.
Both Matson Wartes and Sinift appreciated Mendoza’s efforts.
“It felt like they really wanted us to know that they cared,” Sinift said.
For the residents, libraries are more than just bookshelves.
“I grew up in libraries and so they hold a really big place in my heart and just in Naches itself,” Matson Wartes said. Sinift added, “Having access to just something to browse where you don’t have to pay for it is really nice.”
Mendoza emphasized the importance of libraries in communities and hopes to reach an understanding with the cities.
“We just want to get to a place where we’re being equitable,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza mentioned that even the annexation amount for the Tieton Library is insufficient to keep it open, but the system’s bookmobile will continue to make stops in town. The decision for Naches and Granger now lies with their mayors and council members. Granger has a city council meeting Tuesday to consider the phased-in payment, while Naches town council’s next meeting is November 10.
