A Library for Birch Bay
FOBBL: The Mission Continues
Despite two disappointing ballot outcomes (both received majority support but not supermajority), the mission of Friends of Birch Bay Library (FOBBL) continues to be to bring a library to our community.
The vision we have been working towards may need to be revised to better reflect the priorities of some community members. Please understand that adapting that vision will take time and creativity.
FOBBL members are committed to working with WCLS and its Board of Trustees, and we support their need to explore all project options. While WCLS is doing this work, we will continue to do our work; advocating for a library in Birch Bay and supporting library services.
Dianne Marrs-Smith,
FOBBL President
WCLS Responds to Birch Bay Library Article
As reported in the March 31 issue of The Northern Light, following recent elections, the Birch Bay Library project is currently on hold while the Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) evaluates systemwide facility needs and project funding. This is a pivotal moment, and we want to make the best decision for everyone we serve. While many community members have actively participated in these conversations, others may not be familiar with the history. We are grateful for this opportunity to address concerns shared in The Northern Light and via online forums regarding the proposed Birch Bay Vogt Community Library… full article here
Christine Perkins,
Executive Director, Whatcom County Library System
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.
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!