Rainier Elementary School surprised its students as they returned from spring break on Monday, April 8, with a library makeover.
After approximately 20 years with blue, yellow and white paint lining its walls, the library now sports green and white paint throughout the room. The paint job, completed by Tenino-based A Rightway Painting, began on Monday, April 1, and was finished by Tuesday, April 2.
Tanya King, the RES librarian, said she wanted the library to undergo a makeover for a long time and to support a local business in doing so.
“Every time I walked in here, I thought it was so daunting. I just started calling local companies, and I got a lot of nos,” she said. “I called the company that painted our own house, and I asked their owner if he could meet me halfway. If he could come up with time and labor, I would come up with paint and supply.”
After initially agreeing to that deal, A Rightway Painting owner Christian Slinkard surprised King by covering the cost of paint. His crew finished the job two days earlier than budgeted.
“They stepped up above and beyond. I’m still just blown away. In terms of paint, it’s about a $1,200 donation,” King said. “Their end of the deal was $2,400 in total. That’s a huge donation.”
The company also fixed damage to the walls and the drywalling. King only asked that the paint could be washable, especially with young children occupying the library.
“I said, ‘I don’t even care what kind of paint you use. It has to be washable through and through.’ And it is,” she said.
King added that she had been slowly deconstructing the library over the last three weeks to prepare for the paint company’s arrival, but she kept the project a secret from the students.
“I’m so happy. This is the heart of our building. Our building is a full circle, and this space is in the heart of it,” she said. “It’s used by 100% of our students and staff. It’s just brighter in here. I wanted it to be relaxing for both kids and adults.”
