Library Re-opening

The Library will open beginning July 6th. No appointment is necessary. Curbside service will also continue. We are EXCITED to see you again. Please remember to wear a mask and keep a safe social distance.

Summer Reading Program 2021

Mount Vernon City Library’s Summer Reading Program runs from July 5 to August 16.

This year’s theme “Reading Colors Your World” focuses on colors and the many ways that reading can expand your world. We encourage readers to get creative, try new things, explore art, and find beauty in diversity.

Readers can either record the minutes they read/listen to books this summer online at mountvernonwa.beanstack.org, or they can participate on paper and complete a Bingo card. Everyone who participates will receive a free book, while supplies last! More info coming soon: www.mountvernonwa.gov/1033/Youth

Picture of the mayor and others after City Council Approval for library design firm

A Historical Moment

Yesterday was a historic day for the Library, and the City as City Council Approved HKP Architects as the lead designer for the new Library Commons. There is a heavily regulated selection process for designing a new civic building, and it was a joy to see a local firm genuinely shine.

This approval means a NEW LIBRARY (if all things go right) could be under construction next summer.

HKP matched the Library's and city's core philosophy for this project bringing expertise in:

1) Community Input: The LIBRARY IS FOR ALL residents of Mount Vernon, and the new Library Commons will use Community input as the foundation of its design.

2) Cost Control: HKP has hired a costing expert to review design costs every step of the way. We will keep working away on this project, and we will deliver the absolute best value to this community we can.

3) Innovation: Over the last few years, we have developed our Whole Community Philosophy. At the core of this belief is the idea that we have to grow more than literacy to support our community. Don't be surprised if the new Library Commons emerges with several features that you haven't seen in a library (but totally make sense).

More Big Steps in Financing

Thank you, SKAGIT County! Our .09 grant request was approved for $500,000. The library project has over $30 million of funding! We are now working our darndest on finding the last 14% to finish the financing on the largest governmental economic development project in county history!