High hopes state will fund new library

Those who have long wished to see the La Conner Regional Library upgraded are anxiously waiting to hear whether the state will approve the library’s request for state funds.

In January, the Library’s Board of Trustees submitted a request for $1.9 million to three state legislators after meeting with them last summer to have the library represented in the 2017-2019 capital budget. The state budget will be voted on later this month.

“We are very grateful for the efforts of our local delegates,” La Conner Library Foundation Director Susan Macek said of Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, Rep. Dave Hayes, R- Camano Island and Rep. Norma Smith, R-Clinton .

The new library will cost nearly $3 million, Foundation Board President Richard Wisniewski said.

Over three years, they’ve raised about $250,000 and expect the sale of the old library building to bring in about $350,000, he said.

Even if the state approves the full $1.9 million, that would still only cover 60 percent of the cost and they’d still have to raise more money, Macek said.

The proposed library is twice the size of the current building and will be located on the land that now houses the library thrift store on Morris and Sixth streets in La Conner.

Wisniewski and Macek said they are looking forward to getting more space for library activities.

Library Director Joy Neal is particularly excited about the prospect of gaining a public place to hold meetings and programs.

“If we get the money to be able to start building, we would like to be able to have a community meeting room,” Neal said. “La Conner doesn’t have that available.”

She requested that the room can hold at least 50 people and could be used by various local clubs and organizations such as the La Conner Kiwanis, Soroptimist and Rotary clubs.

Space is so tight, two of the library’s summer programs will be hosted in the school’s gym this year, Neal said.

Other additions include dedicated spaces for young children and for teens, Neal said, plus better seating overall.

She said the library currently serves about 2,000 patrons in its coverage area, which is everyone within the boundaries of the La Conner School District.

“Right now, we’re just crammed. If we have more elbow room, it would make everyone more comfortable hanging out here,” Neal said.

The new La Conner library will be just one block west of the present Morris Street location. The plan is to sell the old building and demolish the thrift shop structure to make way to build a new library.