San Juan Island Library thanks the community, looks forward

The Library shares a post-election update from their staff and board.

The staff and Board of Trustees of the San Juan Island Library District thank the entire community for engaging with the library project plans and voting in this past week’s election.

Although the Nov. 8 ballot issue for a $12 million bond to build a new library for San Juan Islanders did not pass, the Library District remains the owner of the 660 Spring St. property and the overall project of envisioning and creating a library there in the future will continue. Fundraising and applications for state and private grant funding is independent of the bond election and have been underway for all of 2022.

The Library heard the many questions and concerns during the election process and has already begun to plan next steps. This includes working to address questions in an open public process so that everyone understands the process, facts, and major milestones for the project.

“Although the bond levy did not pass, we’re moving ever forward with our fundraising and grant-writing efforts,” said Laurie Orton, the Library Director. “Amy Saxe-Eyler, our Development Director, brings her nonprofit leadership and fund development expertise to lead this effort in coordination with our wonderful Friends of the Library partners and a volunteer capital campaign committee. Early fundraising has already garnered $500,000 in support for the project and we’ve applied for a $2 million grant with the Washington Department of Commerce, which was selected to advance to the legislature for consideration in 2023. We’re so grateful for the community support and feedback and we will be providing updates as the project moves forward.”

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