"Exercise Your Mind"

The east side of Vancouver is still buzzing over their "new" Cascade Park Community Library. And they should! In 2006, voters approved a bond measure to build a much bigger library than the previous 2,500 square foot building located on Hearthwood Boulevard. The City of Vancouver generously donated land next to the popular Firstenburg Community Center. In December 2009, hundreds of patrons celebrated the opening of the new library.

The library is set among trees on the south side of the Firstenburg campus. As you walk into the lobby, look to the right and you will see the book returns slot. We have an automated book return that checks your books in immediately after you place them through the slot. Everyone loves to watch their items trundle down the conveyor belts to the appropriate bins.

On the left side of the lobby is the Friends store. You can pick up a used, donated book for $1.00 or less. All the proceeds help to enhance the library.

Walk into the library and you will immediately appreciate the airiness of the building with its many windows that bring in light even on those cheerless winter days.

Right in front of you is the service desk where you can get your library card, find out about events or get help with your information needs.

You will see plenty of internet terminals just beyond the service desk. Or you can bring your own laptop and access our free wifi. All the seating areas are wired so you don't have to drain your battery.

The children's area is the heart of our library. We have programs for children aged birth to 12, with special programs targeted to each age level. See our events listing for full details.

Teens have their own space in the library with comfortable seating, internet terminals and plenty of fiction, magazines, recorded books and graphic novels. Teens are also welcome to do volunteer hours at the library. We always need help with our kids programs. Ask at the service desk for a volunteer form.

Adults: we have a lot to offer you, too! After you have found a good book, magazine or newspaper to peruse, you will discover a quiet reading area with a fireplace and a lovely view of the woods outside. We have ongoing programs from sewing, to a Spanish-language group called Bocaditos, to Conversation Circles for those learning English, to a Writer's Group. All this and more can be found in our library's events listing.