The Mount Vernon Library Foundation’s Presentation of Daniel J. Brown at the Lincoln Theatre
 
When we read a book, we engage with its writer to find meaning in the words he or she has written. We may think about choices the author made, reflect on new insights and information, and lose ourselves to other times and places.  Such is the case with The Boys in the Boat (about the University of Washington’s 1936 Olympic rowing team) and Facing the Mountain (about young Japanese-Americans who fought in WWII while their families were imprisoned in internment camps). 
 
On Saturday March 8, 2025 the Mount Vernon Library Foundation brought author, Daniel J. Brown to the Lincoln Theatre where he told stories of writing these two books: how he found the stories,  how he met with the books’ heroes or people who had known them, how he researched details, and most importantly—what he learned about valor and strength of character from the men whose stories he told.  
 
Many audience members had read one or both books. During the question-and-answer time several former rowers told stories of their experiences with subsequent University of Washington crews. One even wore his crew letter sweater. Others talked about their relatives who fought in the 442nd and their families who were interned in camps during the war. Both books told stories of people who had lived in the Skagit Valley, and the evening with its author brought us together.
 
The best part?  The community came together by the power of the written word and stories of human valor that connect us all. We will remember the evening for a long time.  
 
The Mount Vernon Library Foundation is grateful to everyone who supported the event.

​Join the Mount Vernon Library Foundation on March 8, 2025 at 7:30 pm for our second annual author event to support exciting library programs for the entire community. The Foundation seeks ongoing financial donations to continue supporting the programs that make the Mount Vernon Library Commons extraordinary.
 
Mr. Brown is the author of The Boys in the Boat, about the University of Washington rowing team during the 1936 Olympics, and more recently, Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II, which introduces us to the Japanese Americans who fought in a special unit during WWII while many of their family members were incarcerated in detention camps. He’ll talk about both books, how they are related, and how he came to write them.

​Both books will be available for purchase at the event, courtesy of Seaport Books in LaConner.Looking to reserve one in advance? Call or email Seaport at (360)-399-1800 or [email protected]  and they will hold your book for pickup or bring it to the event for you.
 

Community members gathered on January 16 for Ukrainian Game Night. There were cards, board games, snacks, lots of laughter and talk—and importantly, ideas for future gatherings. How about Ukrainian cooking classes once the Commons kitchen is open? Food is always a draw, and teaching others to make simple, traditional meals serves as a window to appreciating one another’s cultures. 

The Library is working to expand its Ukrainian book titles, and in the larger picture, is also developing its world languages collection. As Dr. Suess wrote, “The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”  And you don’t even have to leave Mount Vernon. Ghanian cooking classes, anyone?  
​
Ukrainian Game Night was just the beginning of using the Library’s new space to bring more people and their families together to share cultures and help make us a more cohesive community. 

​The Mount Vernon Library Commons staff has long been on the road, visiting preschools, school/after school programs, and adult locations such as The Bridge, Mountain Glen, and Martha’s Place.  They’ve done it, loading books and materials into their own cars, driving bags and boxes to nearly 30 sites each month, not counting school and community events. 
 
Recently the city supplied a car, and the Mount Vernon Library Foundation funded a “wrap” to make the vehicle identifiable.  We wanted townspeople to witness and appreciate the library’s outreach efforts.
 
When you see the tulip car, imagine it filled with words and images as library staff delivers joy to your neighbors—to our young, to our not-so-young, and to those in between.  

This has been an exciting year for the Mount Vernon Public Library and its Foundation. There was sadness and joy as we left the old library with a party where 300 people drank punch, ate cookies, reminisced, and cried as we said good bye to that beloved building which has served us so well.

On to the new library where the Foundation co-hosted a joyous Ribbon Cutting with federal, state, and local officials congratulating us on our astonishing new building. The library opened softly a few weeks later while construction continued. It was time for the Foundation to start spending the money we had raised from generous citizens and businesses.

Library staff told us what they needed to furnish a modern library. We funded a well supplied STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) Maker Space in the new teen room with a 3D printer, laser cutter, and poster printer as well as sophisticated gaming consoles and games where teens gather and experience the library in new ways. Younger kids found a huge soft dragon and small rugs in the story time area, new books, and kid friendly furnishings that allow crafting, lego building, and parent-child reading.

We added to the Adult World Languages Book Collection, supported the Indigenous Knowledge Series, and bought lots of new books to put on brightly colored book trucks that help the staff organize shelving and reshelving by color.

We underwrote free books for the summer reading program where each participant received a free book. Free books went to start the Spanish language book club, and to the juvenile detention center where the Outreach Department staff visits young inmates every two weeks.

The city supplied a car for the library which we “wrapped” with distinctive library logos to show the community the extent of outreach as staff goes to retirement homes, and places where children gather such as the Boys and Girls Club.

We brought celebrity entertainer, Lucky Diaz to Hillcrest Park for the Dia de Los Ninos celebration organized by the Outreach staff.

The Foundation never stopped fund-raising to stay abreast of the vital programs the library brings to the community. We brought author, Timothy Egan to the Lincoln for a very successful evening of fundraising, inspiration, and community joy. Donors responded generously to National Library Giving Day in April and our end-of-year plea for funds.

​On the morning of September 28, 2024, after years of thinking and planning, long months of construction and anticipation, and stupendous effort all-around, it was time to gather the community to celebrate the new Mount Vernon Library Commons. 
 
Nearly 500 people filled chairs, found places on the Courthouse steps, or stood with strollers and dogs.  Folks in high spirits told stories among themselves about the old library, caught up on news with their neighbors, marveled at the amazing structure before them. A trio of brothers who’d walked together from their house because they REALLY WANTED to see inside. A little girl hoping she’d like the new library because she REALLY LOVED the old one.  Everyone looking forward to getting inside.        
 
Federal, state, county, and city officials talked of the innovative project, its history, its place in the future of Mount Vernon—all lauding the cooperation it had taken to successfully complete the project.  
 
And after a hearty thank you to Mayor Jill Boudreau, it was time. Officials and design/construction managers stepped forward with scissors to cut a 50-foot ribbon.  And with those cuts, the doors opened to the community.
 
Right away, children were playing with building blocks inside THEIR room. Parents were taking pictures. Children lead their grandparents among rows of shelved picture books, covers facing out. Laughter and bright talk everywhere. Adults tried out the chairs in the quiet reading area. Teenagers checked out THEIR room. Library staff circulated, answering questions, directing traffic. People went up into the parking garage just to see—top floor with the best view of the town. 
 
It would be several weeks before the library officially opened, and longer until it was fully functional, but anyone who was there that September morning will not soon forget the joy of it all.