Two years after becoming Chehalis library manager, Muriel Wheatley now managing Centralia as well

Mar. 27—After originally starting her librarian career at the Centralia Timberland Library in 2017 before becoming the Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library's manager in 2022, Muriel Wheatley is now the library manager for both branches.

"I did not know it was happening. It took me a little bit by surprise, but it's been a fun thing to come back to Centralia," Wheatley said of her recent promotion.

She started in Centralia as the library's operation supervisor. Seven years later, she now manages two libraries, and she is still working out how to balance her attention between the locations.

"I try to do an even split of my time, but that never perfectly works out because I need to be responsive to the needs of each library," Wheatley said. "Luckily, it's only 4 miles away, so I can jet back and forth."

When Wheatley took over managing the Chehalis library, she was already networking with Centralia's prior library manager to develop a cooperative approach to library programs and community outreach. Some library program staff had already started working at both libraries.

"This is kind of a continuation of that. They're moving back and forth, and now I am too," Wheatley added.

While the libraries have programs for children, including multiple storytime sessions every week — which was her focus when she initially became manager in Chehalis — Wheatley also wants to focus on getting adults and teenagers back into the library.

Recently, some events organized to help bring back older library patrons included a Paint & Pizza Teen Hangout held at the Centralia Timberland Library and an Adult Lego Club held at The Juice Box in Centralia and McFiler's in Chehalis.

"We also have a library film club going at McFiler's Chehalis Theater," Wheatley said.

Additionally, those who have a library card have free access to the Kanopy streaming service.

She also hopes to host more educational seminars for adults at both libraries, and has two coming up.

"One of them is happening (next month) here at the Centralia Timberland Library, and it's going to feature a Humanities Washington speaker who will be talking about homelessness and the meaning of home," Wheatley said. "And then we have a speaker who is coming at the end of the month at our Chehalis branch who is talking about anti-semtitism.

The anti-semitism seminar, titled The Oldest Hatred: Coming to Terms with Anti-Semtitism, is scheduled for this Saturday, March 30, at the Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library — located at 400 N. Market Blvd in downtown Chehalis — beginning at 4 p.m.

It will feature Nancy Koppelman, a professor of American studies and humanities at the Evergreen State College where she currently leads the Evergreen Jewish Studies Project. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3TRbLem.

The homelessness seminar, titled Homelessness and the Meaning of Home, will be held on Saturday, April 6, at the Centralia Timberland Library — located at 110 S. Silver St. in downtown Centralia — beginning at 2 p.m.

It will feature Josephine Ensign, a professor at the University of Washington in Seattle and former nurse practitioner who experienced homelessness as a young adult. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3VAqoDW.

Both seminars are free to attend.

"I believe strongly in the power of libraries to connect people both inside the branch and out in the community, and I'm excited to find ways to facilitate that in both Centralia and Chehalis," Wheatley said.

Originally from Olympia, Wheatley, now 39, lives in Centralia. Prior to her librarian career, she was working in a violin repair shop before deciding to pursue a master's degree in library science from the University of Washington.

For updates on upcoming events at the Centralia Timberland Library, follow the library's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CentraliaTimberlandLibrary; and for Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library event updates, follow its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ChehalisTimberlandLibrary.

Both libraries are part of the Timberland Regional Library system, which has 33 locations throughout Lewis, Thurston, Grays Harbor, Mason and Pacific counties. To learn more, visit https://trl.org/.