Visitors explore the brand new Loon Lake Library during the Grand Opening event this August, soaking in the space and its new offerings.

The new Loon Lake Library building is transforming how residents use their local library. With more than four times the space of the old location, the library now accommodates larger programs, community gatherings, and remote work needs. Local fundraising and a variety of partnerships made the expansion possible.

The Loon Lake Library opened its new building as part of the Stevens County Library District, serving its southern communities. The library first welcomed visitors with a soft opening in July before celebrating its official grand opening on August 16.

The grand opening featured several key speakers who played essential roles in making the project possible: 

• Stevens County Library Director Amanda Six
• Dana Waddell of the Loon Lake Historical Society
• Holly Shamberger, President of the Friends of Loon Lake Library
• State Librarian Sara Jones
• Lisa Wolfe, Chair of the Libraries of Stevens County Board
• Sue Poe, a Loon Lake Board Representative
• Catharine Whitby of the Libraries of Stevens County Legacy Project
• Stevens County District 1 Commissioner Monty Stobart
• Jessica Varang, Deputy Director of the Stevens County Library District

Libraries of Stevens County Board of Trustees Members Joann Caruso, Josie Darst, and Jennifer Miller also joined in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Construction on the new library began after a groundbreaking event on August 22, 2024, where community members and local leaders gathered to mark the start of the project. Less than a year later, the new facility opened its doors and quickly became a hub for residents of the surrounding area. The new library has expanded from just over 800 square feet to more than 4,000 square feet, creating space for story times, community meetings, small business work, and daily use. Library Director Amanda Six said the change has already brought in hundreds of both new and returning patrons. The new library is located at 3988 WA-292 in Loon Lake with entrances on Maple Street. The current hours of operation are from Monday through Friday, from 10am to 6pm.

The positive effects of the expansion were immediately evident. For example, a recent summer reading program, which previously gathered around 30 children when held outdoors because of space constraints, attracted 139 attendees in the new building. This surge included many individuals who were new to the library and drawn by the improved facilities. Library card registrations have also been impacted, with 110 new cards being issued in the first month alone. This increase is a substantial difference from the average of ten new cards per month in the previous year. Additionally, over 300 individuals with expired cards, who had not utilized the library in years, returned to renew them. 

Features like soundproofing and a flexible accordion door that creates a quiet meeting room will be transformative, enabling multiple uses simultaneously. This meeting room is accessible to the public 24/7 via keypad access. It has already hosted various community groups, including the Loon Lake Property Owners Association, a book club, and several board and fundraising meetings.

Library Director Six states that the expanded space allows for more interactions and connections among residents, creating a stronger sense of community. Furthermore, it is hoped that the smaller meeting room will bring essential Stevens County services, typically located in Colville, closer to residents. These services could include resources such as GED testing, WorkSource assistance, and legal aid. 

Community Spirit Builds The New Loon Lake Library

Grants and fundraising efforts were a key component of the successful realization of this new building project. The library district did not use any tax dollars in the construction of the new library building itself. Library Director Six extended gratitude to the County Commissioners for their assistance in securing a Community Development Block Grant, which is typically inaccessible to special taxing districts like libraries.

The Loon Lake Friends of the Library has played an instrumental role in fundraising, contributing nearly $160,000 through ongoing book and bake sales. This contribution was important for meeting the 50/50 match requirement of the initial Library Capital Improvement Grant, necessitating the raising of $650,000. Additional support came from the Innovia Foundation and the Library Foundation’s Legacy campaign, which manages larger donations, including several $10,000 contributions.

Community engagement has also played a role not only in the building’s design phase, with residents also actively offering input and contributing to landscaping efforts. The Friends of the Library have already pledged a considerable amount toward the initial landscaping work, and the entire project is expected to be completed by late spring of next year. 

Looking ahead, the library is focusing on upgrading its technology. A grant application has been submitted for a significant amount to enhance the meeting room’s technological infrastructure. Earlier in the construction process, $8,000 in fundraising allowed for an investment in additional CAT5 lines before walls were put up, which will save hundreds of thousands when technology can be upgraded and will enable stronger and more reliable tech capabilities in the future.

The Stevens County Library District has a library system comprising seven libraries and their staff, which operates on an annual budget primarily allocated for operations and maintenance. Capital projects, such as the three-million-dollar cost of the new building, necessitate separate fundraising initiatives. The Legacy Foundation is currently running a campaign that continues to support libraries across Stevens County, driving long-term improvements and enhanced services. Individuals can visit loscfoundation.org, support any library they choose, and make a tax-deductible donation. 

If you would like information on other ways that you can donate, you can contact the Loon Lake Library at (509) 233-3016.