The Birch Bay Vogt Community Library
Community Approved Architect Design
Birch Bay Library on Feb. 8 ballot!
A very BIG THANK YOU to everyone who voted for the Birch Bay Vogt Community Library project in the Nov. 2, 2021, general election. Unfortunately, the proposition missed passage narrowly – by just 26 votes.
With full support of the Friends of Birch Bay Library, WCLS asked the Whatcom County Council to place the Birch Bay Library Capital Facility Area (LCFA) on the Feb. 8, 2022, special election ballot for another community vote.
NEWSFLASH – We are ballot Prop. 2!
You can read more about the vote and how to get involved at the link below. Or, you can email us directly at: fobblpresident@gmail.com, or call 206-850-8590
Project Testimonials
Carol Sandvig & Otto
I am very excited about a Library for my Birch Bay community. A place to gather, surrounded by books, information, and friends, a place to feed our minds and souls.
Billy Brown & BRRR the Bear
"The Board of Directors of the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, unanimously support the Birch Bay Vogt Community Library building project. We realize the significant benefit libraries play as educational, community and cultural centers. Libraries bring economic vitality and literacy to a community thus enhancing the quality of life." I heartily endorse this endeavor and would encourage all to vote YES on February 8th to make this library project a reality for the community of Birch Bay.
Danielle & Kele Gaughen Family (Kaya & Emmett)
A Library in Birch Bay would mean the world to our family and especially our children who have grown up frequenting the Bookmobile along Birch Bay Drive. The convenience of not having to drive to Blaine or Ferndale to access a full-sized library and check out books or enjoy story times would be a total game changer. My kids can’t wait until they can go to the library and the beach on the same outing!
Debbie VanderVeen & Family ~ Everson
Wow! Birch Bay, I am so pleased to hear the news about the upcoming Birch Bay Library. Although my address is Everson, please know your library will be a destination library to me! Please allow a wide view of the Bay. I am thrilled to know we may be able to travel to Birch Bay, enjoy a lunch, and refresh at your new library. Comfortable seating at a sunny (or, rainy) window for reading would be ideal. Even a community puzzle table near a window view would be enticing. Please think of us who may travel further to utilize your library. Exciting!...This is one of the best things I have heard recently! I am certain others will be delighted, like me."
Jeff Booth (retired 5th grade teacher)
The Birch Bay Library will add significant value to our community, particularly for our children. the lifelong links between literacy and social and economic outcomes cannot be overemphasized. Libraries give children their first experience at being a citizen in their own right, and encourage children to become confident and competent people.
Phyllis & Scott Johnson ~ Birch Bay Village
The community library is an asset for all citizens. All ages in the community can have access to a wide range of reading materials. All three of our sons loved the library and are still avid readers. If Murdoc could read, he would be checking out books as above!
Fundraiser: Hawks Touchdown Club
Attend story times, events, historian presentations or your book club
Cozy up to the fireplace reminiscent of the one in the historical Vogt home.
Relax on the outside reading porch or inside near the expansive windows with a view of Birch Bay
Borrow or browse books, audiobooks, movies, music, or periodicals and even toys
Use public meeting spaces for job training, community meetings & events
Access computers, databases, the Internet and WIFI throughout the property
FOBBL Happenings
Plans for 2022: Stay tuned!
2021 was another very difficult year for events and fundraising due to COVID-19 closures and cancellations. We held as many fundraising and entertaining events as possible utilizing online programs, and applying for available grants.
Fundraising Fun –
Annual Large Fundraiser Event –
Book Sales – We are active collectors of donations and resellers of used, good condition, books for all ages. We are accepting donations of in good shape sellable books. Read more about this in our FOBBL Flyer.
Events, Meetings and Endeavors
Annual General Meeting – Annually we have a large meeting inviting all who are interested in our project. This meeting is usually held in the summer. In 2021 this meeting was held face-to-face and via Zoom.There is much to do and we welcome your input and talents in making the Birch Bay Vogt Community Library a reality, if you would like to join us now, please check out our membership page here.
Hawks TD Club – We have a new fundraising club that will help grow our building fund goal. The more the Seattle football team scores touchdowns the more our our FOBBL team scores! Please sign up to become a Hawks TD Club member! Join now!
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 look forward to participating again in 2022. 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.
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.
Membership Drive – This is ongoing. We welcome anyone who has time, talents, skills, elbow grease, a gift to share. Please check out our Membership page.
A Library for the Birch Bay Community
As illustrated in this concept video, our library is modeled after the historic Vogt home, located at 7968 Birch Bay Drive. With bay views and lots of natural light, our library space will be filled with books, equipped with technology, and serve as a community gathering place.
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.
FOBBL Marketplace Under construction
Friends of Birch Bay Library
Raising Funds to Build Birch Bay Vogt Community Library
Online Fundraising is a success! Thank you community for helping us reach our goal!
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 the Whatcom County Library Foundation.
OR DONATE BY CHECK
Make your check payable to the Whatcom County Library Foundation.
In the check’s memo line, please be sure to specify “Birch Bay”, so your donation will be directed to our library’s building fund!
Mail Checks To:
Whatcom County Library Foundation
Attn: Jennifer Rick
5205 Northwest Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226
Topics Worthy of Discussion!
Hotdog and Book Sale Fundraiser
Come visit the Birch Bay Vogt Community Library building site on July 19th and purchase a yummy hotdog lunch, some lemonade by Bailey and shop our used book sale. There will also be story tellers
Trivia Night
‘Are you Smarter than a Librarian?’Friends of Birch Bay Library is joining with Blaine – Birch Bay Parks and Recreation to host our first Trivia Night on Saturday, January 30th at 6:30 pm via Zoom.
We are Instagraming!
We know that people like to communicate their own way. Since we want to reach everyone with the news of our future library we have added Instagram to our social network. You can find us
Bookmobile day is Wednesday in Birch Bay!
Every Wednesday the Whatcom County Library System Bookmobile visits Birch Bay. You can find it parked at the future library site, 7968 Birch Bay Drive, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
2020 July – Geotech is Testing!
Written by: Di Marrs-Smith & Connie Taylor Geotech testing is getting started at our Birch Bay library site. Drayton Archaeology is on-site to monitor. Work is happening! What they are looking for is how much
2020 Begins New Planning
Written by: Di Marrs-Smith As we begin the new year, we are laying out plans for new community events to help us in our fundraising goals and to keep our community informed on Birch Bay
Contact Us!