About Francis Bichler

Frank Bichler was a regular at the library, and after his death in December 2010 he left an endowment with the Skagit Community Foundation, Mount Vernon City Library Director Brian Soneda said. 

"He liked to read quietly here, and he apparently liked the way he was treated," Soneda said. When he passed, Soneda said the library was approached by the estate attorney about an endowment to support the library's book budget.

Most of Bichler's bequest was in silver bullion, and estate attorney Robert Cole was responsible for selling it and converting it into funds the library could use. The attorney sold the silver during spikes in the silver market, and with the help of Mary McGoffin of the Skagit Community Foundation, created an endowment for the library's use, Soneda said. 

The library receives about $20,000 a year to add to its book collection, which has made a big difference. 

- Source: The Artgus, September 15, 2015

"It's been really significant," Soneda said. "Our 2015 book budget was about $55,000, down from more than $100,000 in the early 2000s. The Frank Bichler money has been crucial."