Brickworks was packed full of islanders with passionate thoughts about a new library on June 27.

“This really is meant as a listening session and it will be the first of many,” Boyd Pratt, library board secretary, said as he provided attendees with a brief history of the project.

The current library is small and old, its aging infrastructure is costing an increasing amount, he explained. Several options were considered prior to the purchase of the Spring Street property, formerly the assisted care facility “Life Care.”

Expanding the library at its current location, buying the neighboring Public Works site from the County, a lot on Argyle, lot next to the County Legislative Building were all discussed.

The old Life Care building had sat vacant for years and filled a few of the library’s needs. The fact that it was located closer to public and private schools and the middle of town with safer and more parking, ample working area for staff, additional room for books, and enough space to accommodate a teen section and a children’s section, both separate from adults all played into the final decision to buy the property. The new location will be 15,000 square feet, or 50% larger than the current building.

The community has outgrown the Guard Street space, beginning with parking which according to Pratt, is ranked as one of the most dangerous lots. During children’s programs, 34 kids plus adults can be crammed into the tiny area, and raucous laughter and commotion echo across the rest of the facility.

“I volunteer at the library and I don’t think people really know what it’s like,” Rebbeca Moore said.

That isn’t to say the community doesn’t use the library- according to Library Director Laurie Orton, they have the sixth-highest circulation numbers per capita, of the 60 public libraries in the state. “We also have the fifth-highest annual library visits per capita, and 60% of islanders have a library card. Our library is heavily used by our community,” she said.

At the time, going through the process, feedback showed 82 percent supported the new library site. However, those initial meetings took place at the height of COVID, so turnout was not high.

Sticker shock also seemed to have stunned voters last fall, and the levy request last year failed.

The total cost was estimated to be 20 million. Insurance from the burst pipes during the deep freeze of December 2021 is expected to pay off the property, Board member Karen Vedder explained, bringing the cost down to $18 million. She also announced that the Washington State Department of Commerce awarded the library$2 million to support the design and construction of the new library. According to a recent press release, the library applied for funding in 2022 through the Department of Commerce’s Library Capital Improvement Program and is among 12 projects recently approved for funding out of 22 proposals submitted from around the state. That leaves the amount to be raised at $16 million.

“The levy request last year was for 12 million, and we heard loud and clear that was too much,” Vedder said. In response, the board has increased the amount they hope to raise from private donors to 10 million and is considering a six to eight million levy request. “We hope that will make it more palatable,” Vedder said. “We also hear loud and clear from the community that the site would be more appropriate for affordable housing. Affordable housing isn’t our mission, but we are looking into a way to potentially use a portion toward affordable housing.”

Orton clarified to the Journal later that they will not schedule putting anything on the ballot until they have done all their prework, shored up grants and donations, and are able to show the voters exactly what they have in place.

The floor was then open to questions and comments.

“It takes a lot of door knocking, talking to people. There has to be a lot of input into getting the word out, and mock-ups so people can see,” long-time islander Trish Lehman advised, adding that islanders she spoke to wondered what was wrong with the current library.

“I haven’t heard what you are doing to do with the old building, I don’t see that in the calculations, Also, these are the same numbers from a year ago,” commented island resident Kerwin Johnson explaining costs of materials and labor are only getting more expensive. “We have a No Trail community and a No Library community, and if we go back to the voters with the same request, they are just going to put their signs right back up.”

Commenters cautioned the board frequently not to try to rebrand the same plan to the voters, and to stay away from sounding like telling islanders that “you were wrong, here’s why, vote again.”

Of the over 70 attendees, only two stated that they had voted against the levy. Steve Ulvi was one. “I’m not against the library. I never have been. I use the library. I happen to think we need a little bigger one, and being centrally located is a good idea. I have a problem with the way the campaign was run.” Ulvi said giving the example that no conceptual drawings were ever provided. He also suggested cutting back on bells and whistles in order to cut back on costs. “I don’t think there is anything wrong with simplifying the idea.”

A number of participants echoed the need for visuals and more community feedback.

“Peace Health had conceptual drawings, and they had many meetings asking people if they wanted this or that. People felt very invested by the time it was finished,” Ellen Roberts pointed out.

Barbara Cox, whose background is in marketing, stated that the lack of visuals was offensive to some voters. She was another who had voted against the levy. “I was actually offended no drawings were provided. It was like here is how much it will cost, don’t worry about the rest, we will take care of it,” she explained.

Cynthia Brast spoke to the importance of libraries to communities. Besides books for those who may not otherwise have access to them and a wide variety of children’s programs, The San Juan Island Library offers programs for teens as well as adults. Open mic nights, workshops and public meetings have all been held at the library. There is equipment for those sight and hearing impaired, and computers for those without access to one, including children whose families either may not have or can’t afford one.

“It is all about community, which is something I feel like we are losing and it scares me. Social Media is taking away from our community and we need to take it back,” Brast said, referring to the spread of misinformation about the new library and the levy on several social media sites. Orton noted that it had been a struggle to combat and correct them, the posts were so prevalent.

“I don’t like social media, but this is making me think I should get back on it. Who will join me?” Allison Longly asked as the room broke out in cheers.

“I was pleasantly surprised, it was a great turnout,” Orton told the Journal later. “The people who didn’t vote for it explained why… and I totally agree we need to involve the public the whole way, understand what their needs are, and what we can to do meet those needs.”

To learn more, visit https://www.sjlib.org/library-building-project/.

A video of the meeting will be posted on the Library’s website.