The time is now for our new La Conner Library

The state legislature’s passing of a capital budget, with its $500,000 appropriation for a new La Conner library, won by the long, hard and skillful work of Susan Macek, her Library Foundation board and a probable list of behind the scene champions, has started the clock ticking for a 17-month marathon of fundraising to pay for building a new library on Morris and Sixth Streets.

Three foundations of our society are local government, community and libraries. Add public schools, the fire department and the Museum of Northwest Art and you have the bedrock of La Conner. Add a tourist economy and an interest in a more vital, popping Morris Street and you have a formula for successfully pitching a campaign to raise $1.7 million. Let’s do it.

Plans are for a green building transforming what was originally the Pedersen Automotive shop to the community’s public gathering spot. The question “How cool is that?” has multiple answers. Whether you are preferring outer space, inner space, communal space or get- away- for -yourself space, the corner of Morris and Sixth will be your space. And our space.

Before you write your first check to the library foundation, think about how much you love your kids, your partner, yourself and your town. Consider how your gift will benefit everyone. Then write a check that is bigger than you want it to be. And be prepared, for you are likely going to have to write additional checks.

Raising $1.7 million in our sized community is a huge challenge. Help yourself out by considering employers, friends, family and neighbors whom you are going to bring into the effort. Think of the joy you will be bringing and spreading when folks you care about come back from using their new library – your – new library. Our new library.

The time is now. It is up to every one of us because we are in this together.

And this paper will continue to editorialize on this issue until the groundbreaking is in sight.