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Articles written by Jean Markert


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  • Library Happenings

    Jean Markert, Library Director|Sep 25, 2024

    Fall is definitely in the air! The kids are back in school, the weather is getting cooler and the leaves are starting to change color; all signs that the season is turning and it’s time to curl up with a good book from the library. Fall is also a season of change for the library, with Katryna retiring. We will miss her a great deal, as she has truly been the heart of our library and has touched the lives of so many in our community. We wish her the best and hope she comes back to visit often. We say hello to our newest employee, Jinda, who s...

  • Library Happenings

    Jean Markert, Library Director|Jun 26, 2024

    July is a busy month at the library! Summer Reading is in full swing. If you haven’t signed up, stop by the library to get your reading log and a free book. Our theme this year is Read, Renew, Repeat, and we have tons of fun activities every week at the library for all ages. Kids to grandmas are welcome to join us for the events. Today, Wednesday, June 26, from 3-4 p.m. come have fun and learn all about recycling and worms with a recycling expert, Callie. This promises to be a fun experience. Do you have old books you don’t read any more? Wan...

  • Library Happenings

    Jean Markert, Library Director|May 22, 2024

    Instead of my regular La ­Conner Swinomish Library column, Jim Airy, who was board chair during much of the 2020-2022 state audit period and I would like to respond to the recent article about library audit findings in the May 15 La Conner Weekly News. The board and the library recognize the importance of accountability and transparency for the operations of our library district and are committed to ongoing improvements to our service and to compliance with state laws and regulations and library policies. Jim Airy’s response: The recent state a...

  • Library Happenings

    Jean Markert, Director, La Conner Swinomish Library|Mar 27, 2024

    It seems that spring has finally arrived, and we have lots happening at the library to get you ready for warmer weather. Library Giving Day is here! You are invited to support the La Conner Swinomish Library as a vibrant, welcoming place for all! Your gift, now through April 4 as part of National Library Giving Day, will directly benefit your library as we look toward our youth summer reading program, ongoing use of our meeting space, author readings, musical events and more. Our goal this year is $15,000, with the first $5,000 matched thanks...

  • Library Happenings: January-February 2024

    Jean Markert, La Conner Swinomish Librrary director|Jan 24, 2024

    We hope everyone’s New Year is off to a great start, It is hard to believe that January is almost over already. Our little taste of winter made for an interesting start to 2024, but now that things are finally thawing out, come to the library for a cozy day of reading or come to one of the many programs we have coming up through Feb.. Our first armchair Travels with Teri program had to be postponed due to the snow; however, we are going to reschedule. Stay tuned to our website or come by the library to get the new date. We have tons of fun c...

  • October's news starts with thanking community as library dedicated

    Jean Markert - Library director|Oct 25, 2023

    It has officially been one year since the library opened our doors to the community and so much has happened in that year. We have welcomed many returning and new patrons to the library. We have been able to host great programs, including author talks and music in our meeting room and fun crafts and movie nights for the kids and kids at heart. We are looking forward to even more offerings this fall and winter. Be sure to stop by the library to pick up our fall events calendar or check out our website for more details. We have several big events...

  • Find something offensive in your library

    Jean Markert, La Conner Swinomish Library Director|Sep 27, 2023

    Normally I like to use my column to talk about all the exciting things happening in the library, but this month I want to write from my heart. The first week of October is Banned Books Week, and lately there has been a lot of talk about books and what should or should not be in libraries. As a relatively new library director and former educator, this subject has always interested me. A bookmark I recently saw had a quote by Jo Godwin that said, “A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone.” Throughout history, lib...

  • Library Happenings

    Jean Markert|Jul 26, 2023

    Summer is quickly coming to a close, but we still have lots of exciting things happening at the library. We have several weeks of summer reading to keep everyone busy. Keep buzzing through those books so you can turn in your completed packet for a prize. Thank you to drummer Ray Soriano for a great drumming workshop. Those who attended had a wonderful time. Thank you also to La Conner firefighter Natalie, who took time to let us explore and learn about a fire truck. Everyone who came got a chance to sit in the truck and explore all the cool...

  • Library Happenings

    Jean Markert, La Conner Swinomish Library Director|Jun 28, 2023

    Summer is going to “bee” busy at the library. Summer reading is now in full swing, and we have fun weekly events coming up all summer long. Our theme this year is “All Together Now;” the honeybee is our mascot – because they work together as a team to keep their hives humming. If you haven”t signed up yet, stop by the library to pick up a summer reading packet and a calendar to see all the exciting events we have coming up. If you have already signed up, keep buzzing through those books so you can turn in your completed packet for a prize. Here...

  • Library Happenings

    Jean Markert, La Conner Swinomish Library director|Apr 26, 2023

    Spring has sprung and the tulips are blooming – well almost – but it is spring at the library! Congratulations to Mary Cayou, our lucky Winter Reads grand prize winner. Mary received a $25 gift certificate to Seaport Books. Thank you to everyone who participated and to Beaver Tales Coffee, Stompin' Grounds Coffee and Seaport books for their support, and a big thank you to the Friends of the Library for sponsoring our gift certificates. The library has a brand-new website, make sure to check it...

  • Library Happenings

    Jean Markert, La Conner Swinomish Library director|Mar 22, 2023

    We have sprung forward and lots of things are happening at the library. The library invites you to participate in #LibraryGivingDay on Tuesday, April 4, a national day focused on support for local libraries. Your gift will help our new library fully equip our community meeting room and complete the signage for books, DVDs and more in our new space! Help us reach our goal of $10,000. 100 gifts x 100 donors = $10,000. You can donate online at laconnerlibraryfoundation.org or by mail to La Conner...

  • Library Happenings

    Jean Markert, La Conner Swinomish Library director|Feb 22, 2023

    New library cards have arrived! Come by the library to get your brand-new library card featuring our new logo. Our system requires us to use a new barcode number, so everyone will get a new card. If you are an online reader, no need to worry, we can merge your old number and your new number so you will not lose any of your saved information. Please see a library staff member if you have any questions. Don't miss our special event with Bob Abrams today from 5-6 p.m.. Mr. Abrams will talk about...

  • Winter reading rut solutions at the library

    Jean Markert, La Conner Swinomish Library Director|Feb 1, 2023

    Are you in a winter reading rut? The library has just the solution for you: Stretch your reading muscles by checking out our Winter Reads Bingo. There are bingo squares for everything from cookbooks – what better way to find a new comfort food recipe – to audiobooks, to romance to true crime. This reading challenge has something for everyone. Read five books to get a bingo and get a coupon for a treat at either Stompin' Grounds or Beaver Tales Coffee. Read 25 books to get a blackout and get ent...

  • Library Happenings

    Jean Markert, La Conner Swinomish Library director|Dec 28, 2022

    As we get ready to ring in the New Year the library is looking forward to exciting new events that will happen in the new year. First, we must look back and thank everyone who worked on the Festival of Tiny Trees auction. The event was very successful and a good time was had by all who attended. The library is looking forward to ordering some new furnishings for both the teen and children’s areas and we are looking forward to an even bigger and better event next year. Under 19 and want to learn how to ride the bus for free? Come to the l...

  • Volunteers brightened library's Tiny Trees success

    Susan Macek and Jean Markert|Dec 21, 2022

    Once again our community responded generously and warmly to this year’s Festival of Tiny Trees. More than $8,000 was raised to support additional furnishings for the new La Conner Swinomish Library. It was wonderful to be able to host everyone in our new library and to recognize the amazing efforts that made it possible. We applaud and appreciate all who made this year’s event a success! Tam Mason from WaFd Bank who stepped up to coordinate the event. What a hero! Our creative tree donors & designers: Local businesses and museums: Linda Ban...