Bookworms, rejoice: Vashon Library expands hours
Published 12:05 pm Thursday, August 28, 2025
Sunday marked a new era for patrons of the Vashon Library, as King County Library System expanded the library’s hours to offer seven-day-a-week service.
The day started quietly at the library, with a handful of patrons stopping by when the doors opened at 11 a.m. to pick up or drop off books.
A short time later, Macie Hanvold, age 9, arrived with her mother and younger sister to turn in her activity log and pick up a prize for participating in the library’s “Curious Creatures” summer reading program. Macie was one of 320 island kids who signed up for the program, according to Vashon Library’s staff.
Macie’s favorite summer read? Twenty chapters of Rick Riordan’s “The Heroes of Olympus,” a pentalogy of five adventure novels that are part of the author’s Percy Jackson series, she said.
At noon, staff members outnumbered patrons, giving KCLS Regional Manager Mary Sue Houser time to talk to a reporter about the eagerness of the staff of Vashon Library to now serve the public on Sundays.
“The staff’s been really good about adjusting their schedules, and they’re excited to just have another day to do programming and be open,” said Houser. “On an island, that’s really important.”
In a press release, KCLS’s executive director explained that expansions to service on both Vashon and Mercer Island reflect the library system’s ongoing efforts to respond to local feedback and meet needs across its 50 community libraries.
“This isn’t just about opening our doors another day — it’s about creating more opportunities for people to connect with one another, access vital resources, and feel a deeper sense of belonging in their library,” said KCLS executive director Heidi Daniel.
The addition of Sunday hours on Vashon and Mercer Island follows the successful launch of seven-day service at Sammamish Library in April, where growing demand and increased checkouts prompted the shift.
These changes also reflect KCLS’s values to foster equity and inclusion, said Vashon’s King County Councilmember Theresa Mosqueda.
“Libraries are where so many of our community priorities come together — from supporting families with accessible learning spaces to giving small businesses and workers places to connect and thrive,” said Mosqueda. “This is a meaningful investment in our island community — one that improves access to resources, supports families, and makes our library even more welcoming and accessible for all.”
Last Sunday — a day when the temperatures climbed uncomfortably into the upper 80s on Vashon — the library’s expansion also offered an air-conditioned respite from the heat. Providing a place to cool down in hot weather, and stay warm in cold weather, is another essential function of libraries, according to Houser.
“We’re climate controlled and open to everybody,” she said.
Vashon Library’s new hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Thursday and Friday; and 12-8 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.
For more information about library hours, services and special programs including family story times, book groups, art activities and much more, visit kcls.org/locations/vashon.
For book recommendations from library staff and patrons, see “Desert Island Bookworm spends Sunday at Vashon Library.
