Susan Macek closes book on tenure as library foundation director

A Weekly News unsung hero is singing her swan song as chief administrator of the La Conner Library Foundation.

Susan Macek, whom this newspaper heralded in 2019 for her tireless fundraising efforts to build the new La Conner Swinomish Library on Morris Street, is stepping down Friday from the helm of the not-for-profit entity she has piloted for almost a decade.

"It's nice to be able to hand off the baton," said Macek, who looks forward to traveling with her husband, Dave Buchan, while remaining active in the community through service on the Skagit Symphony board of directors and supporting other public missions.

"This was a very dedicated focus," she said.

It Is one that required foresight and a willingness to take the long view through a series of challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and sometimes fickle nature of regional economics.

By all accounts, Macek was ideally suited to lead the drive to secure the several million dollars needed to build the library, universally recognized as a vital cornerstone in a community noted for its commitment to the performing and fine arts and literacy.

"I just loved working with Susan Macek," said retired La Conner Schools administrator Maureen Harlan, another champion of civic projects here. "She's such a skilled person when it comes to bringing people together and defining a clarity of purpose. I give her so much credit. She's very organized, purposeful and fun to work with."

As director, Macek has been able to combine elements of some of her favorite pursuits.

She literally grew up in libraries as they provided a cool refuge during the summers of her youth in Phoenix. Macek went on to earn a bachelor's degree in journalism from Arizona State University, which introduced her to the world of public relations. She spent 25 years as head of communications at Seattle Children's Hospital followed by more than five years as development director with Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland, roles that solidified her devotion to the realm of non-profits.

Along the way she completed work on an advanced degree in non-profit leadership from Seattle University.

Macek was intrigued when 10 years ago she saw an ad in the Weekly News seeking someone to lead a foundation whose primary thrust was to build a new library in La Conner.

She knew it was the job for her.

"To me," Macek recalled, "it sounded like a lot of fun."

She interviewed with a panel that included former Skagit County Treasurer Judy Menish, B.J. Carol, Richard Wisniewski and then-library director Joy Neal, with whom Macek would collaborate on various fundraising campaigns.

"Susan was a great partner in raising the money for the new library," Neal told the Weekly News. "I went to her with ideas I found – some that were good, like the Festival of Tiny Trees – and others that didn't make it. She came up with great ideas like A Novel Affair.

"She was great to work with," said Neal, "and will be hard to replace."

Macek, for her part, insists that many partners – the Friends of the Library, the library board, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, area residents and business owners, La Conner's service organizations and past and present elected officials, among them – were responsible for making the dream of a new library a reality.

"One of the great celebrations in this whole process," Macek said, "was the involvement of the Swinomish Tribe. They have been very generous."

It was an infusion of $750,000 by Swinomish four years ago, at a critical juncture of the fundraising timeline, that provided the library project new momentum.

"We want to make sure that promises made are fulfilled," Macek noted last week. "We want the library to be a place to host Swinomish programming."

Macek envisions the library being a hub for Swinomish art, cultural programs and education. A prominent exterior feature, after all, is the thematic story pole fashioned by library board member and Swinomish master carver Kevin Paul and his son-in-law Camas Louge.

"I'm so proud that Kevin and Camas created this story pole for us," said Macek. "It symbolizes that this is a place that's welcoming of everyone."

Macek likewise is thrilled at the prospect of the library displaying pieces from the town's three museums – the Museum of Northwest Art, Skagit County Historical Museum and the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum

Macek, in addition, lauds state lawmakers of both political parties and four-term La Conner Mayor Ramon Hayes for rallying to the library cause.

"Everyone worked together and across the aisle to open doors for us," she said.

A past La Conner Rotary president, Macek embraces the club's emphasis on service above self, so much so that she prefers deflecting to others the attention directed her way on matters related to the library.

One of her fondest memories involves a slew of names. It was a fundraising event headlined by La Conner novelist Tom Robbins, actors Kevin Tighe and Tom Skerritt and poet laureate Sam Green underwritten in part by the Dunlap Towing Co. and accentuated by the artwork of painter Jack Gunter.

"It raised $25,000 for the library," Macek recalled, "but more important it showed such an outpouring of community support."

She also gives credit to Cathy Wyman for having encouraged La Conner merchants to set aside a portion of their sales receipts to the library fund and Neal for offering up the popular Tiny Trees idea.

"I'm so proud of the things we were able to do community-wise," Macek said. "It made a real difference."

And, as Macek tells it, support for the La Conner Swinomish Library has helped put the 'unity' in community.

"The goal was to let the community know that everything we were doing was for them," said Macek. "The library provides a voice for everyone. It's a place for everyone."