Carpenter Memorial Library
🏢 Kittitas County Library · Cle Elum, Washington
Carpenter Memorial Library
Built on a family legacy and a century of public service, the Carpenter Memorial Library has anchored Cle Elum since the city established it by ordinance in 1914 — and the 1978 building named for the Carpenter family's endowment remains the heart of this Cascade Mountain gateway community.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–1pm, 1:30pm–5pm |
| Tuesday | 12pm–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–1pm, 1:30pm–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–1pm, 1:30pm–5pm |
| Friday | 10am–1pm, 1:30pm–5pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 302 PENNSYLVANIA AVE., CLE ELUM, WA 98922
Phone: +1509-674-2313
Website: carpenter.lib.wa.us
Plus Code: 84VX53W6+FQ (CLE ELUM, WA)
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📖 About Carpenter Memorial Library
The Carpenter Memorial Library is the public library of Cle Elum, Washington, a historic coal-mining and railroad town at the foot of the Cascade Mountains in Kittitas County. The city established its public library by ordinance in 1914, making it one of the older public libraries in central Washington. In the 1970s the Carpenter family donated an endowment to the City of Cle Elum specifically to fund a new building; the current library at 302 N. Pennsylvania Avenue opened in 1978 and was named in the family's honor. The library holds a collection of books, DVDs and downloadable titles, offers public computers, free Wi-Fi indoors and outside, and features a quiet study room available for tutoring or virtual meetings by reservation. It also participates in the Washington Rural Heritage Project, preserving local historical photographs online, and checks out Discover Passes so cardholders can access Washington State Parks free for a week.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded by city ordinance in 1914 — over 110 years of continuous public library service to Cle Elum
- 1978 building named for the Carpenter family, whose endowment funded its construction
- Discover Pass checkout — borrow a 7-day Washington State Parks pass along with your books
- Quiet study room bookable for tutoring sessions or virtual meetings (call 509-674-2313)
- Participates in the Washington Rural Heritage Project, digitizing local historical photographs
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Carpenter Memorial Library cardholders can tap into Washington's statewide digital resources at no cost:
📚 Services
- Public computers, printing and free Wi-Fi (indoors and outside)
- Quiet study room for tutoring or virtual meetings — reserve by phone
- Discover Pass checkout (7-day Washington State Parks access)
- Monthly new book and DVD releases
- Interlibrary loan through the Sirsi shared catalog
- Washington Rural Heritage digital historical photo archive
- Washington Talking Book & Braille Library referrals
🎸 Programs
- Weekly Storytime on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. (children)
- Summer Reading program for kids and teens
- Conversational Spanish language classes
- Chess team and game programs
- Preschool Play Cafe
- Community events and lifelong learning programs
📍 Nearby Libraries in Kittitas & Yakima Counties
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in CLE ELUM · Browse all Washington libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Carpenter Memorial Library get its name?
The library was originally established as the Cle Elum Public Library by city ordinance in 1914. In the 1970s, the Carpenter family donated an endowment to the City of Cle Elum to fund the construction of an entirely new building. When that building opened in 1978, it was named the Carpenter Memorial Library in honor of the family's gift.
Can I borrow a Washington State Parks pass from the library?
Yes. The library participates in the Discover Pass checkout program. You can check out a 7-day Discover Pass that gives your vehicle free access to Washington State recreational lands and parks — treated just like any other library item.
Does the library have a room I can reserve for tutoring or a video call?
The library has a quiet study room that can be reserved for tutoring sessions or virtual meetings. Call 509-674-2313 to make a reservation.
What are the latest hours, and is the library open on weekends?
The library is open Monday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.–1 p.m. and 1:30–5 p.m.; Tuesday noon–6 p.m.; and Wednesday 10 a.m.–1 p.m. and 1:30–6 p.m. (extended evening). It is closed Saturday and Sunday.
📚 This library has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.
🖨 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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