The Aberdeen Timberland Library has hired an architect to produce a plan for a $2.5 million renovation. Dates for construction and library closure are to be determined.

Cardinal Architecture PC of Seattle will be paid $20,000 for the design which is expected to be completed by February, said Stephenie Reece, Library Manager. The firm recently planned the Port Townsend Public Library renovation and 16 other library projects in Washington, Idaho and Montana, according to a presentation Reece gave at the last city council meeting.

The budget for the project comes from a $4 million endowment from Katherine N. Sherk in 2000. The Grays Harbor Community Foundation has managed the endowment since 2000, growing it to $8 million.

Goals of the project include improvements to lighting, seating and flooring. The interior of the building will be redesigned to meet the current and future needs of the youth area, computer area, digital markerspace and staff workspaces, according to Reece. The plan will increase the number of meeting rooms and make the library’s spaces more flexible, she said.

Reece is inviting the community to get involved in the project. She said people can give feedback in response to the library’s social media posts about the project, and bring it up during weekly in-house library activities. There will be an open house for input on the final design in April, she said.