The Excellence in Small and/or Rural Public Library Service Award was presented to the Little Boston Branch of the Kitsap Regional Library for its outstanding service to the community by the Public Library Association and EBSCO Information Services on June 28, 1999.

History

The Little Boston Branch opened in 1974 on the Port Gamble S'Klallam Indian Reservation in the north part of Kitsap County.

During the first 15 years, the branch was housed in a small A-frame cabin with only 600 square feet of usuable space. During those early years the library was open only 10 hours per week - 5 hours each on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

In 1988 the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe applied for and received an LSCA grant to help build a new facility for the library. The Tribe donated land just north of the original library, and a beautiful 1,500 square foot library was built. In April 1989 the new library opened its doors.

Between 1989 and 2001, our circulation increased 680%, and our little library of 1,500 square feet was overflowing with books and customers. Recognizing the need for a new and larger building, the Port Gamble S’Klallam invited the library to join with them in their fundraising efforts to create an educational and cultural complex. The House of Knowledge, as it has been named by a Tribal Elder, serves the residents of Little Boston and those who live in nearby communities. This complex is nearly 17,000 square feet in size and includes a Longhouse, Career and Education Center, Elders Center and the new Little Boston Library. Award-winning architects James Cutler, Ray Johnston, Bruce Anderson and Marc Pevoto designed the building. We moved into our current facility in September 2007. We now have almost 2,700 square feet which includes a very popular meeting room

Through the years the Regional Library and the Tribe have enjoyed a good relationship which has made this Library a success. Kitsap Regional Library provides the staff, books, and other materials, and all of the computer equipment. The Tribe provides the building, utilities, and maintenance. We have a wonderful cross-section of customers from the communities of Little Boston, Hansville, Eglon, and other surrounding areas.

Our branch is now open six days per week for a total of 35 hours and employs 6 staff members.

If you are in our area, please stop by and visit. One customer said that we are the best kept secret in the whole county. We really don't want to be a "secret" though! We welcome everyone to stop in. We aim to help you with your information needs and give you service with a smile!

Native American Collection

The Little Boston Branch has more than 700 books in its collection about Native American history, art, and tradition. On display is a copy of the original treaty between the S'Klallam Tribe and the U.S. Government. In addition, we have gracing our walls a number of signed prints by a member of the S'Klallam Tribe.

Driving Directions

From the South: Follow Highway 3 through Bremerton and Poulsbo, and north to Kingston on Highway 307 Bond Road. When you arrive in Kingston you will come to a four corner intersection with a stop light, called George's Corner (Look for Albertsons). Turn left at this intersection. Go two miles and turn left onto Little Boston Road (at the Gliding Eagle Grocery). Stay on Little Boston Road for two miles and you will see the Tribal Center and Library on the right.

From the Edmonds-Kingston ferry: From Kingston follow the main road out of town until you come to a four corner intersection with a stop light, called George's Corner (Look for Albertsons). Turn right at the intersection onto the Hansville Highway. Go two miles and turn left onto Little Boston Road (at the Gliding Eagle Grocery). Stay on Little Boston Road for two miles and you will see the Tribal Center and Library on the right.

From Bainbridge Island: Follow Highway 305 off of Bainbridge Island until you come to the first intersection past the Agate Pass Bridge. Turn right and go through Suquamish and towards Kingston (another 6-8 miles). You will come to a four corner intersection with a stop light, called George's Corner (Look for Albertsons). Go straight through the intersection towards Hansville. Go two miles and turn left onto Little Boston Road (at the Gliding Eagle Grocery). Stay on Little Boston Road for two miles and you will see the Tribal Center and Library on the right.

From the Olympic Peninsula: From Highway 104 cross over the Hood Canal Bridge. Turn left and go through the town of Port Gamble. Follow this road approximately 4 miles until you come to a stoplight at the intersection of Highways 307 and 104. Take a left and travel towards Kingston until you come to a four corner intersection with a stop light, called George's Corner (Look for Albertsons). Turn left at this intersection. Go two miles and turn left onto Little Boston Road (at the Gliding Eagle Grocery). Stay on Little Boston Road for two miles and you will see the Tribal Center and Library on the right.