Swinomish to partner with La Conner on new library
The La Conner-Swinomish Library will be located at 520 Morris St. and serve as a multicultural resource and learning center, according to a library district news release.
The tribe’s contribution brings the library district close to fully funding the $3.7 million project. The library district still needs to raise $500,000, La Conner Library Foundation Director Susan Macek told the Skagit Valley Herald on Wednesday.
The library district may know as early as next week if it will receive economic development grant money from Skagit County. It requested $500,000.
“We’re very pleased with the community’s support and very grateful for the tribe for making this big commitment,” Macek said.
The new library will be twice the size of the current library, and offer high-speed internet, more computers and books, technical instruction, cultural exhibits, study areas, a play area for kids, and a community meeting room free to use for those who live in the library district, according to the news release.
“We’re excited to be working so closely with the Swinomish Tribe in creating this vital resource for our multi-cultural community, “ Joy Neal, director of the La Conner Regional Library, said in the release. “This collaboration will help us achieve mutual educational goals we could not achieve individually,” she said.
There will be a Swinomish story pole at the library’s entrance, and materials throughout the building to educate community members on the history, identity and culture of Swinomish and Coast Salish peoples.
“The Swinomish Tribe is pleased to be able to financially support this joint effort to create a facility and programs that will meet the educational needs of our communities, encourage crosscultural learning, and prepare our young people to meet the challenges of today’s rapidly changing world,” Brian Wilbur, Swinomish Tribal Senator, said in the release.
The library district serves about 5,000, including those on the Swinomish reservation, and in La Conner, Shelter Bay and surrounding communities.
Macek said if the project is fully funded by year’s end, she expects construction to start next year. Opening is scheduled for late 2021.
Macek said previously the library needs to show full commitment for funding by the end of the year to be able to receive grant money awarded to the project in the state’s two-year capital budget.
— Reporter Jacqueline Allison: [email protected], 360-416-2145, Twitter: @Jacqueline_SVH
Source: Swinomish to partner with La Conner on new library | Local News | goskagit.com