History of the Summitview Library

Board member Genevieve Falk and community activist Helen Sable initiated the move to bring a library branch to the west side of town, which had formerly been served by bookmobile. On October 2, 1972, the Summitview Library was ready to open in 750 square feet in the northwest corner of Tufts Drug Store at Chalet Mall.

The Library proved to be popular from the start. Within two years the library needed to be expanded, and in January 1975 the library’s space in the drug store was nearly doubled. As use continued to climb, it became evident that the library needed its own building. The new library building was ultimately built on the west edge of the Chalet Mall parking lot. A dedication ceremony for the leased building was held on May 19, 1977. In 1986 an addition increased that building’s size by 1,250 square feet.

Eventually, even the increased square footage was inadequate. The surrounding area had become a commercial district, and the library was drawing people living throughout the area. Thus, in 1998 a new building was constructed north of the old building and leased by Yakima Valley Regional Library. The current 6,700 square foot building, opened in 1999. Renamed The Richard E. Ostrander Summitview Library, it is dedicated to former longtime director Richard E. Ostrander.

In 2006, voters in the City of Yakima approved annexation of the three city libraries into the Yakima County Library District effective Jan. 1, 2007. These include the Richard E. Ostrander Summitview Library, the Southeast Library and the Downtown Yakima Library. The combined city and county library district will be known as Yakima Valley Libraries.