La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

The opportunity to be involved in a new library project in the community we chose to move to in 2007 has been a once in a lifetime experience. I’m grateful to have been able to work with so many who were dedicated to a shared vision that united our community. After a 20-year dream of the Friends of the Library, and an all-out effort over the past 10 years, our “little library that could” made it happen.

Thank you to the La Conner Library board of trustees for your commitment to the new library. You held fast to the goal of a building design and materials that would represent our community as well as reflect and respect the natural environment that surrounds us.

Thank you to the La Conner Library Foundation board of directors for your tireless support in raising the funds over the years. I was blessed to be able to work with all of you, especially Jim Airy, who joined the library board in 2019 after serving as president of the Foundation.

Working with Jim on the Foundation led to the development of partnerships that were critical to achieving our funding goals: the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, State of Washington and Skagit County, Town of La Conner and Mayor Ramon Hayes. Throughout this journey, many from all walks of life including local residents, service organizations, businesses and foundations contributed an impressive amount of time, talent and treasure. We would not have a new library without any one of them.

One of the greatest representations of democracy has existed in our tiny town since the 1920s when a number of groups and organizations came together as volunteers to start a library. Now the library serves 5,000 residents within our library district. It’s a place that values and serves people of every age, income level, location, ethnicity and physical ability. That place is our library. Our La Conner Swinomish Library, where everyone is welcome.

I look forward to reading and relaxing in the light of those big bay windows. Hope to see you there!!

Susan Macek,

Former director, La Conner Library Foundation