State slates $500,000 for new La Conner library

House, the Washington legislature passed an almost $4.2 billion capital

budget Jan. 18. Senate Bill 6090 included $500,000 for the La Conner

New Regional Library. That quick, easy vote starts a 17-month clock

for the La Conner Library Foundation.

Representative Norma Smith, R-10a, noted that La Conner library

board and staff members had worked hard for years to secure the appropriation.

“La Conner and the surrounding community has demonstrated

the need and support. There has been vision and thoughtfulness

and outreach,” she said.

Senator Barbara Bailey, R-10, sees a great opportunity for the town

and school district. “It was one of my top asks in the capital budget”

the minority whip said. “You have a community that will be excited

about it, if they are not already.”

La Conner Library Foundation Director Susan Macek has toiled long

lining up the state funding, which adds to the $985,000 in assets and

contributions the Foundation has gathered to date. “Now we’re pleased

to add the State of Washington to our growing number of supporters,”

Macek said. “Going forward we have opportunities to seek matching

funds for this generous state grant. We need to raise an additional $1.7

million in funds and pledges over the next 18-months to reach our total

project cost of $3.2 million.”

The new library is slated for 520 Morris Street, the site of the Library

Thrift Shop. Plans are for a 5,000-square foot building, about double

the size of the current library, and will include a community meeting

room.

The state appropriation must be drawn upon by June 30, 2019, the

end of this budget cycle.

The next fundraiser has the Library Foundation hosting New York

Times Best-selling Author Jamie Ford at the Lincoln Theatre, Tuesday,

March 6, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: lincolntheatre.org or 360-399-8955.

Members of the Library Board or Foundation Board are available to

meet with anyone who would like more information about the new library

campaign. Contact Susan Macek at the La Conner Library Foundation,

360-466-3352.