Cathlamet Public Library
🏢 Wahkiakum County · Cathlamet, Washington
Cathlamet Public Library
Perched on the second floor of the Cathlamet Community Center with arched picture windows overlooking the Columbia River, the Cathlamet Public Library has been the heart of Wahkiakum County's community life since it was founded by the town's Women's Club in 1931.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 9am–3pm |
| Thursday | 2pm–5pm |
| Friday | 11am–2pm |
| Saturday | 2pm–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 115 COLUMBIA ST, CATHLAMET, WA 98612
Phone: +1360-795-3254
Website: cathlamet.lib.wa.us
Plus Code: 84RR6J28+9C (CATHLAMET, WA)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Cathlamet Public Library
The Cathlamet Public Library is the public library of Cathlamet, Washington — the county seat of Wahkiakum County, one of the smallest counties in the state. Its story begins in 1931, when the Cathlamet Women's Club, led by Lulu Heron, convinced the town council to open a public reading room; the town formally adopted it as the public library in 1933. In 1973, Harriet Bradley Tagart donated her family's home at 61 Main Street to the town, establishing the Blanche H. Bradley Memorial Center where the library resided for 14 years. After a move to Town Hall in the late 1980s and a multi-year renovation, the library reopened on February 22, 2014 at 115 Columbia Street — a bright, expanded second-floor space in the Cathlamet Community Center with stunning views of the Columbia River through its historic arched windows. Today it holds 19,000 books, 2,200 DVDs and a special Northwest Collection, serves all of Wahkiakum County including Puget Island and Skamokawa, and is supported by the town, the county and the Blanche Bradley Memorial Library Foundation.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded in 1931 by the Cathlamet Women's Club — one of Washington's oldest grassroots-founded county libraries
- Reopened February 22, 2014 after full renovation: expanded floor space on the second floor of the Cathlamet Community Center, with stunning views of the Columbia River through historic arched windows
- Special Northwest Collection focusing on the history and culture of the Columbia River estuary and Wahkiakum County
- Holds 19,000 books and 2,200 DVDs; serves all of Wahkiakum County including Puget Island and Skamokawa by boat
- Named for Blanche Heron Bradley, whose family's donation in 1973 gave the library a permanent home for nearly two decades
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Cathlamet cardholders access Washington State's statewide digital library and AskWA 24/7 reference service:
📚 Services
- 19,000-volume collection including books, DVDs and large print titles
- Special Northwest Collection for local and regional history
- 4 public computers and free Wi-Fi
- Printing and fax services (fees apply)
- Test proctoring for academic and certification exams
- Interlibrary loan and reference assistance
- Access to eBooks, audiobooks and online databases
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytime and youth programming
- Summer reading program for all ages
- Quarterly open mic nights featuring local performers
- Volunteer opportunities
- Community meeting space
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southwest Washington & Oregon
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in CATHLAMET · Browse all Washington libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Blanche Bradley, and why is the library connected to her name?
Blanche Heron Bradley was the daughter of Lulu Heron, the Cathlamet Women's Club leader who helped found the library in 1931. In 1973, Blanche's daughter Harriet Bradley Tagart donated the family home at 61 Main Street to the Town of Cathlamet. The building became the Blanche H. Bradley Memorial Center and housed the library for 14 years. The library is also supported today by the Blanche Bradley Memorial Library Foundation.
Why is the library only open four days a week?
The Cathlamet Public Library is a small rural library serving Wahkiakum County — one of Washington State's least-populated counties. It operates on a volunteer-supported budget with about 85–95% of funding from the Town of Cathlamet, supplemented by the county and the Blanche Bradley Memorial Library Foundation. Its 15 weekly open hours reflect the staffing realities of a community-run library, and four of those days include afternoon and evening windows to accommodate different schedules.
Can the library proctor exams?
Yes. The Cathlamet Public Library offers test proctoring for academic and professional certification exams. Contact the library at (360) 795-3254 or library@townofcathlamet.com to arrange an appointment.
Does the library serve residents outside of Cathlamet, like Puget Island?
Yes. The Cathlamet Public Library serves all of Wahkiakum County, including Puget Island, Skamokawa and the Elochoman Valley — a service area that spans the Columbia River estuary. Residents throughout the county are eligible for a free library card.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.
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