Buena Librarian Kathy Garcia and a library regular

The Buena Library, a member of Yakima Valley Regional Library, stands as a testament to this small community’s steadfast belief in the transformative power of reading. Currently housed in a mobile trailer, the library has become the true heart of the community. Children, teens, and families visit often. They borrow books, browse through magazines, listen to books on cassette, use the computers, and do puzzles. They attend programs, parties, or game nights, and catch up on one another’s news. The Buena Library After School Tutoring Program (BLAST) (link) provides tutoring and positive reinforcement for grade-schoolers. It has proven to be so valuable that it has now become a year-round program, with a separate program for middle-school students.

An opportunity to learn important skills

The library’s usage has almost quadrupled (statistics link) in the last three years. The large numbers demonstrate a clear need for a larger facility, which could also provide much needed social, educational, and health services for the community.