Introducing Jared Fair: La Conner library director

Jared Fair, the new director of the La Conner Regional Library, has been manager of the Yakima Central Library and Southeast Libraries, 14 libraries in that district’s system. A native of Yakima, he returned with a master’s degree and went to work in the library.

Fair is married and has three children. His wife, Heidi, grew up on a farm in Wyoming. She has a degree in restaurant management but now manages the family: Thorin, nine, a Legos lover and budding engineer. Amelie, seven, colors and draws and makes art projects from everything. Kaleb, five, loves playing and puddles.

The family is renting in Anacortes and “spending much of our time getting to know La Conner and the surrounding areas digitally,” he notes.

Fair become a librarian instead of teaching college. He is passionate about theatre and English literature and appreciative of his professors at Mary Baldwin University, where he received a great education earning a master’s degree in Shakespeare and Renaissance dramatic literature.

His interest in Shakespeare influences his work today. He writes “I am excited to share my passion for Shakespeare with the La Conner community. I hope to plan programming that highlights this passion and meets the needs of our community.”

About getting oriented, he writes “Every day is different right now. Once the Stay at Home guidelines are lifted, I am looking forward to a daily schedule and workflow that involves serving our patrons in person.” It is not certain yet how the construction schedule for the new library will be affected by restrictions.

About this community and the potential for the library, Fair writes: “I have personally seen how libraries can change the communities they serve and how vital community support is in helping them thrive. Libraries provide resources that allow all members of the community to access the information and resources they need to achieve their educational, professional, and recreational goals. They provide vital community gathering and meeting space which reinforces connections and relationships with all community members.”

He convinced the Library Board. Asked about the qualities that led the library board to choose him, Fair responded “I am a strong advocate for the power of positivity, and that offering kindness, respect and striving to understand other perspectives will always be the right choice.”

Fair is exactly where he wants to be. He writes “I have worked toward this goal for many years and I could not ask for a more beautiful area in which to live and work. I have been charmed by the warmth and welcome I have received thus far.”

Asked if this is his last job, Fair wrote: “I am hoping this is the place I will raise my family and eventually retire. This is a beautiful place and has everything I am looking for in a community and home.”