About us

Group of people standing outdoors on grass, holding a sign that reads 'Friends of the Naches Library Coalition', with trees, a fence, and hills in the background.

Our story

Word spread over the Naches Sportsman’s Day weekend in September 2025 that the Yakima Valley Libraries (YVL) and the Town of Naches had been in contract negotiations, and the Naches Library was in danger of closing. Community member Friday Sodorff created an online petition to keep the library open, and it quickly gained traction and signatures. She put the word out about starting a Friends of the Library group, and the community responded.

Many citizens jumped to the library’s rescue, attending the town council and YVL Board meetings, and contacting the media to express their love and dedication for the Naches Library. Though only 1,090 people live in the Town of Naches, the Naches Library also serves residents of the unincorporated areas up Highway 410 and Highway 12, with over 10,000 visits in 2024.

The Friends of the Naches Library Coalition formed from this outpouring of love for the library. It is in the process of becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and continues to work to support the Naches Library.

Our mission

The mission of the Friends of the Naches Library Coalition is to support the fiscal health of the library in order to promote engagement, encourage learning, and foster connections in our community.

A scenic view of rolling hills and mountains with a clear blue sky and scattered clouds, overlooking a rural area with fields, trees, and houses.

How to get involved

Come to the Friends of the Naches Library meetings, make your voice heard at Council and Board Meetings, and visit the Naches Library!

A group of people attending a community meeting in a conference room. Some are seated, while others are standing or talking. There are American flags, bulletin boards, and people listening to a speaker at the front.
A group of people gathered outdoors in a park, sitting in chairs under trees, attending a meeting or discussion, with a table and various items in the foreground.
A group of people sitting outdoors on grass and benches under the shade of trees, having a meeting or discussion in a park with playground equipment and mountains in the background.
A young girl in a red dress stands outdoors on green grass, holding a sign that reads 'Friends of the Naches Library Coalition' with a drawing of an apple with a worm on a stack of books.
Two young girls standing on grass, one holding a toy dinosaur and the other covered in dirt with mud on her hands, smiling. Other children and adults are sitting nearby, some in camping chairs, in a park with trees, parked cars, and houses in the bac
Group of people sitting outdoors on a grassy field, participating in a community event or meeting, with a woman speaking to them. There are trees, picnic tables, and playground equipment in the background. A sign reads 'Friends of the Naches Library