They have a large adoption-related library. Call ahead to see what they can do for you. The Washington Adoption Rights Movement has support group meetings throughout the state, including one in Spokane, and has some search services available for a fee. There are many organizations that can help in an adoption search. These groups may register adopted people and birthparents willing to be found, give advice and referrals to help in the adoption search, or focus on the legal issues surrounding the opening of adoption records.
Some organizations charge fees or membership dues for their services, others ask for donations.
To find them, use Associations Unlimited , a directory of regional, national and international organizations of all kinds. The Genealogy Area of the Downtown Library has a collection of Polk crisscross directories for Spokane dating back to the 1890's. Polk directories list residents by name, street address and telephone number, and sometimes give occupation or employer. You can trace a person through the years to see when they were listed in the directories, their address, and sometimes wh ere they worked. Also, the Northwest Room has a collection of old Spokane telephone books dating back to the turn of the century.