Below is a summary for the new Library Commons project, plans, and a comparison of today's facility versus what a new facility would offer.

The Library Commons is the name for what will someday be a combined parking structure, library and community center.  The City hopes this project will act as a catalyst for downtown development.   The City’s research and development reports, including the downtown development plan and sub-area plan, indicate that more parking spaces in downtown (in conjunction with the floodwall) will spur development and create an even more vibrant community center.

​​The parking will include:

• 269 spaces, including 76 EV charging stations 
• 12 E-Bike charging stations and lockers
• Well-lit accessible spaces in a long beam structure (fewer pillars)
• Security control for the structure
• Good elevators
• Great space marking (30-minute, senior, family, employee)

There is much more detail on the history of this project at the City's web site here.  Caution-some documents may take a long time to load.

The Commons: Gathering, Learning, and Business Spaces

Business and community groups in our community have limited meeting and conference space without a dedicated events center. The library and community center will provide fun, comfortable, and useful space to support our growing community.  

The space will offer:

• A Conference Center meeting space for 200, sub-dividable into two rooms of 100
• One large conference room
• Projectors, screens, conference phones, free wi-fi and whiteboards for business support
• Electronic locking for ease of access
• Community Kitchen available to serve conference center catering, community service organizations and incubator kitchen functions. 

The Library: Expanded services to meet a g​rowing community

The new library will better meet the needs of our growing community. With larger space we'll have more books, programs, and services available. 

The space will offer:

• ​Children's Library (including reading nook, family play area, and more programs)
• Sonya's Quiet Reading Room
• STEAM Center
• Three Study Rooms
• Art Gallery Space

Quick Facts

Operations

Now:

​​The library operates on a 28% smaller budget than comparable libraries serving populations of 35,000 residents (the current population of Mount Vernon), but we have the highest percentage of budget invested in resources for libraries serving communities of our size. That is $40,000 more than any other library in Skagit County.

Future Building:

There will be minimal increase in operating expenses because the new facility will be designed with staff efficiency in mind. The increased revenue potential will offset new costs to make a neutral operating budget. As well, we can double the programs available, be a hub for community activities, and so much more.

Building

Now:
​

• Designed for a population that was 15,000 at the time of last construction
• 12,621 sqft
• No conference space
• 16 computers
• Oldest Library in Skagit County (Constructed in 1956 with minor renovations in 1977 and 1982)
  
• No outside group use

Future Building:

• The library will have configurable space to accommodate multiple types of use
• Designed for a population of 50,000
• Estimated space of 28,000 sqft
• Multiple conference spaces (Activity room, Kitchen, Art / Maker space)
• Will employ the latest computer and audio-visual technology
• The ability for outside group use