​The vibrant sounds of music and laughter filled Hillcrest Park on Saturday, May 11 as the Mount Vernon City Library hosted its annual Día de los Niños celebration. This year's event, drew a crowd of over 300 attendees, marking it as one of the most successful celebrations to date.
 
Sponsored by the Mount Vernon Library Foundation, the Día de los Niños event highlighted the importance of literacy and cultural heritage among children. The highlight of the day was a dynamic performance by the Grammy Award-winning children's music duo, Lucky Diaz, as part of Skagit Kids Read Week. His energetic and engaging performance captivated children and adults alike, turning the park into a lively festival of music and dance.
 
In addition to the musical performance, the event featured a variety of activities designed to promote reading and cultural appreciation among children. The Mount Vernon City Library set games, arts and crafts, treats and Folklorico performances. 
 
Thank you to our donors for helping the Mount Vernon Library Foundation sponsor the event, you played a crucial role in its success and allowed for the inclusion of high-quality entertainment and activities, ensuring a memorable experience for all who attended. The foundation's commitment to fostering literacy and cultural appreciation within the community was evident throughout the day's festivities.
 
Library Director Isaac Huffman expressed his gratitude for the foundation's support and the community's enthusiastic participation. "Día de los Niños is a special event that brings our community together to celebrate the joys of childhood and the richness of our diverse cultural heritage," Smith said. "We are thrilled with the turnout and the positive feedback from families. This event truly embodies the spirit of our library's mission to inspire and educate."

In what can only be described as a literary extravaganza, the Lincoln Theatre and Mount Vernon Library Foundation played host to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Timothy Egan, who graced our stage in support of the Mount Vernon Library Commons Capital Campaign. The event was a resounding success, leaving attendees inspired, enlightened, and eager to champion the cause of literacy and community building.

Egan's presence alone was enough to draw a crowd, but it was his eloquent words and passionate advocacy for libraries that truly captivated the audience. With his trademark wit and wisdom, he spoke about the importance of libraries as not just repositories of books, but as vital community spaces that foster learning, connection, and social cohesion.

Throughout the evening, Egan shared anecdotes from his own literary journey, offering insights into his writing process and the profound impact that libraries have had on his life and career. His deep reverence for books and libraries was palpable, igniting a sense of shared purpose among everyone in attendance.

But perhaps the most powerful moments of the evening came when Egan spoke directly about the Mount Vernon Library Commons Capital Campaign and the transformative potential of the project. His impassioned plea for support resonated deeply with the audience, galvanizing them to action and reaffirming their commitment to building a brighter future for our community.

Incredibly, thanks to the generosity of attendees and supporters, the event raised an impressive $80,000 for the Mount Vernon Library Commons Capital Campaign. This remarkable contribution brings us one step closer to realizing our vision for a state-of-the-art facility that will serve as a beacon of knowledge, culture, and community engagement in Mount Vernon.

In the end, Timothy Egan's appearance at the Lincoln Theatre was more than just an author event—it was a rallying cry for literacy, community engagement, and the enduring power of the written word. As we reflect on the impact of this unforgettable evening, we are reminded of the incredible things that can happen when we come together in pursuit of a common goal.

To all who attended and supported the event, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Your enthusiasm and generosity have set us on a path toward realizing our vision for the Mount Vernon Library Commons, and we couldn't be more excited for the journey ahead.

Read more about the Timothy Egan event from La Conner Weekly News.

City of Mount Vernon approved naming opportunities for the new Mount Vernon Library Commons. Donors who give $25,000 or more have the option to name one of the rooms or areas in the new library. 

Below is the approved list of naming opportunities for the Mount Vernon Library Commons. 

If you are interested in a naming opportunity, please contact Capital Campaign Director, Jennifer Pitner. 

Mount Vernon City Library participated in this year's Library Giving Day on Tuesday, April 4 with the support of an anonymous donor who matched up to $25,000 in donations towards the new Mount Vernon Library Commons. 

We are pleased to announce we surpassed our goal and raised a total of $50,021! Thank you to the 65 donors who donated to support the Mount Vernon Library Commons. ​

The city website has an excellent chronology of the events related to the new Library Commons Building project,  click this link to see the latest! 

​There is also a fun webcam on the construction site so you peek in to see what's going on right now!