The new La Conner Swinomish Library is where one can find the latest word on almost any subject.

And not just between the covers of books.

A large turnout Thursday evening, for instance, spoke volumes about the unyielding commitment made by two civic leaders to secure funding for the construction of and multi-media operations now provided at the 5,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility at Sixth and Morris streets.

Susan Macek, executive director of the La Conner Library Foundation for a decade and Jim Airy, recently the library foundation president, were feted at a retirement celebration honoring their many contributions to the library cause May 4.

Macek and Airy were praised by former Skagit County Treasurer Judy Menish as a "dynamic duo" when it came to shifting the library narrative from dream to reality.

"We've been very fortunate to have a couple movers and shakers," Menish said of Macek and Airy, "to lead us to the success we enjoy today."

After a fruitful capital campaign, the La Conner Swinomish Library opened its doors last fall.

In March, with the library ramping up to full-speed, Macek stated her intent to step down.

"Susan is very humble and would never admit this," library director Jean Markert told the Weekly News then, "but without her tireless efforts this library would not exist today.

She is an amazing person and role model and she will be terribly missed."

Macek, featured in the March 29 Weekly News, is widely recognized for her innovative fundraising campaigns and enlisting state and local lawmakers and private and public sector donors to champion the drive to build a new library here.

"She's such a skilled person when it comes to bringing people together and defining a clarity of purpose," her friend Maureen Harlan, a retired La Conner Schools administrator, said at the time.

Airy has likewise played a critical role.

He was instrumental in forging a partnership – at both the cultural and financial levels – with the Swinomish Tribal Community, whose presence and participation is visible throughout the library, starting with the story pole carved by Kevin Paul and Camas Logue near the main entrance to the building.

Airy told the media in 2021 that Swinomish had played an enormous role in the library project.

"Without the tribe realizing this could be their library, too and without their financial contributions," he said in an interview with the Skagit Valley Herald, "we wouldn't be doing this."

Airy has envisioned the library serving as a model for other multicultural communities wanting to create their own social, economic and educational hubs.

Airy teamed with Macek to draft funding proposals resulting in state grant awards and worked on the Town of La Conner's request for Skagit County funding.

"We're very grateful to both of them," Menish stressed.

She spoke for a festive and appreciative audience.

"This," said Menish, "is a very special event. It's a celebration. We give thanks to two people who've meant so much to the community."