The Little Library That Could

The Little Library That Could

On June 30, 2007, The Sno-Isle library system opened the doors on a small Camano Island Library Pilot facility. The objective was to determine the level of community interest in and need for a permanent library on Camano. This was initially established as a three year effort with the intent, if interest was there, of bringing forth a construction bond issue to island voters. Within the first year of the pilot project, the national and local economies began to deteriorate, large job layoffs began, and the housing market declined dramatically, all of which has continued to the present. The opportunity to bring a bond issue forward was considered inadvisable within the three year project period initially established.

When the economic situation became apparent, the Camano Island Library Friends group proposed to the Sno-Isle Trustees that they be granted a two year extension of the pilot project to June 30, 2012 with the expectation that would be enough additional time for the economy to recover in order to bring the bond issue to the ballot in April 2012. To assist the Sno-Isle system as well as demonstrate the community’s long range commitment to a permanent facility, Friends offered to provide partial financial support to the extent of $20,000 per year for the two years. Additionally, to work within the legal restraints of the election finance rules, a Political Action Committee (PAC) was formed to promote a bond issue. The Sno-Isle Trustees approved the two year extension which ends June 30, 2012.

As economic events have unfolded since, particularly the continuing high unemployment rate and a very sluggish housing market with record declines in value, the project has approached the end of the granted extension without a reasonable prospect of going to the voters for funding of the hoped for permanent library facility on Camano. This was confirmed by a designed survey of Camano residents in the fall of 2011. As a result, once again, the Friends approached the Sno-Isle Trustees and proposed extending the pilot project until a bond issue can be brought to the ballot. In support of this proposal, the community, through the Friends, offered continuing financial support in an amount of $5,000 per year. Additionally, Friends has committed to additional efforts to promote a permanent facility within the community. On Feb. 27, 2012, the Sno-Isle board approved an extension of the pilot project for another three years including the community support as noted.

During its existence, the pilot project has proven to be an outstanding success as judged by its steady growth and patronage, the excellent response to programs offered, and the affinity the staff have developed with community patrons. The aforementioned survey also revealed that, while the timing of a bond issue is still not good, over 70% of the residents surveyed wish to have a permanent facility. To be fully informed and prepared, a small study of the attributes of several candidate sites was also conducted at that time.

The recent Trustees approval of a three year extension of the pilot program constitutes a major vote of confidence in the community’s ability to support a permanent library on Camano Island. To make this a successful venture, substantial work remains to inform residents of the relevance of a library to the community. This will require the wide participation of community members, both within the Friends and outside the membership. Recent indications are that the economy is beginning to recover, albeit slowly, which, it is hoped, will permit bringing a bond issue for construction to the voters within this three year window. The Camano Island Library Friends are dedicated to this end and solicit the participation of all Camano residents and patrons to help make it happen. Like the little engine that could, we think we can, we think we can, we know we can, we KNOW we can! WE WILL!