A Library Express for Birch Bay
Construction Under Way!
September 16, 2026
If you are a local or came to visit Birch Bay this summer you may have noticed that the Vogt Historical home is being remodeled to get us closer to bringing our Birch Bay Vogt Express Library to reality!
When the Birch Bay Chamber formed the library committee which later became the Friends of Birch Bay Library we didn’t know that we would succeed and we didn’t know it would take over a decade but we are overjoyed that we will have a BIrch Bay Vogt Express Library located at 7948 Birch Bay Drive schedule to open by January 2027.
Summit Construction, a Bellingham-based company is busy at work renovating the old Vogt family homestead in our library. We are excited that the library will have a card reader so patrons can access the library when staff is not on site. The library will have a limited collection, computers and a meeting area for use by clubs and library programs.
Residents and visitors will be able to check out media and other items and take advantage of the beautiful view from the reading porch, lawn and beach.
The Birch Bay Bookmobile, currently open 3-7 p.m. Wednesday has moved to The C Shop while the library is under construction. Then it will be released to serve other communities.
We had a celebration in July to mark the transition from fundraising for construction to moving into planning for future programs.
Representatives from the library system, as well as state Sen. Sharon Shewmake spoke to a gathering of people in the front yard of the commending years of fundraising efforts that have finally paid off.
Di Marrs-Smith, branch manager for Lynden and Birch Bay and the out-going president of Friends of Birch Bay Library, said the community has been waiting with bated breath for not only a place to check out books, but for a communal space as well.
“This is going to be the first seven days a week gathering place, it’s a big deal for us,” Marrs-Smith said. “We’re also saving a piece of history, and preserving that shoreline for people as well.
“It’s just so heartwarming,” Marrs-Smith said. “People will say to me, ‘I don’t have time or I don’t have money, but I can help a little.’ All of that help built up over the years, and it really does take all of those little pieces.”
This posting is a combination of two articles from our wonderful local paper The Northern Light. You can read the full articles here:
Fantastic News!
Treasured Birch Bay Library Supporters,
We have fantastic news: Whatcom County Council and Executive Sidhu approved our funding request for the Library project, in the amount of $315,000, coming from the federal economic program, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). That is the full amount Friends needed to fundraise to complete our project. Special thanks to Senator Sharon Shewmake for introducing us to Councilmember Kaylee Galloway, who was instrumental in getting our request in front of the County Council.
On Tuesday, 12/19/2023, FOBBL presented the Whatcom County Library System with an enthusiastically welcomed check for $40,000!
Our project road has been up and down since its 2015 inception. It has been a long time since we’ve been able to really celebrate and feel totally secure in our project’s completion.
In 2024, Whatcom County Library System will selected an architect to provide the construction drawings, and then renovation of the historic Vogt home can begin. The Friends will continue fundraising efforts aimed at enhancing our library space, both as specified in the base plans and beyond.
We’ll keep you up to date with our quartly FOBBL Flyer!
Dianne Marrs-Smith, President
Friends of Birch Bay Library
2024 Events, Meetings and Endeavors
5K Fun Run/Walk — August 31, 2024
Our first ever Fundraising Fun Run/Walk on the berm last summer was a lot of fun, so we’re bringing it back this summer during Derby Days, August 31st. You can register for $25 at: https://wcls.libcal.com/event/12813743
FOBBL Booths – We enjoy participating in community events, especially the Birch Bay events by representing our organization and mission with booths at as many events as we can cover. We have celebrated the kite festival, sand sculpture, Roll back and look forward to Derby Days. Many events in Birch Bay are sponsored by our Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce. You can learn more on their website – Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Annual General Meeting – Annually we have a large meeting inviting all who are interested in our project. This meeting is usually held in late summer or early fall. There is much to do and we welcome your input and talents in making the Birch Bay Vogt Library Express a reality, if you would like to join us now, please check out our membership page here.
Book Sales – We are no longer activity selling used books. Since we are ramping up to begin the process of remodeling we have sold off most of our collection. Thank you to those of you that made donations and to those of you that shopped our sales!
Birch Bay Library Book Club – Normally, our book club meets the third Wednesday of each month, from 4 – 5:30 p.m., on the library site. We regularly post dates and book titles in our FOBBL Flyers.
August 2024 update: The book club will be taking a break until springtime. Once we know when they are starting back up we’ll post an update here.
Mission, Vision and Value Statements
Mission
Friends of Birch Bay Library is a volunteer group dedicated to bringing a full-service library to the Birch Bay community. Initially, we will raise funds to build a library as part of the Whatcom County Library System. Once completed, we will provide funding to support library programs that encourage lifelong learning, stimulate creativity, and strengthen community.
Vision
Our library will serve as a lifelong learning hub in the heart of our community where all are welcome to be curious, learn, and connect.
Values
To accomplish our Mission and Vision, Friends of Birch Bay Library will:
- Advocate for full library services with Whatcom County Library System; working together to complete our building project.
- Garner support through community meetings, presentations, and information sharing.
- Create fundraising efforts that include, but is not limited to, book sales, bake sales, grant submissions, quarterly fundraising campaigns, and involvement in community events.
- Engage community members in Library events.
- Maintain awareness of our building project through quarterly newsletters, promotions, presentations, and open Friends meetings.
- Embrace the spirit of equality and equity for all.
- Actively participate in and support other community events as a permanent community anchor.
Friends of Birch Bay Library
Raising Funds to Build Birch Bay Vogt Community Library
We participated in the Community Thrives fundraising challenge and exceeded our goal, raising $7,026! This success will help us as we continue striving to raise funds for our library building project. We also participated in the Giving Tuesday fundraising drive, results have not been finalized.
Many FOBBL members reached out to friends and the broader community, and you really came through for us! We appreciate you all so much. Watch for our next exciting fundraiser.
DONATE
Help Us Build Our Library!
Donations for the Birch Bay Vogt Community Library Project are being collected by Friends of Birch Bay Library.
OR DONATE BY CHECK
Please make your check payable to “Friends of Birch Bay Library” addressed to:
Friends of Birch Bay Library
4550 Birch Bay Lynden Rd #1182, Blaine, WA 98230
Friends of Birch Bay Library is a 501c3, non-profit organization. Our EIN# 81-4112980.
Topics Worthy of Discussion!
Contact Us!
Future home of Birch Bay Vogt Library Express is located at 7948 Birch Bay Drive, Blaine Washington
FOBBL Mailing address is Friends of Birch Bay Library, Attn: Board Members, 4550 Birch Bay – Lynden Road #1182, Blaine, WA 98230
