By Debby Farmer, Blaine branch manager
2018 was a significant year for the Blaine Library as the community celebrated the 30-year anniversary of the library at its 3rd Street location. Since the first library in 1911, Blaine area residents have enjoyed a rich history of recognizing the importance of the public library in a community.
New programs added this year included a Baby Storytime, and the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) based Whiz-Bang Club. Patrons were able to encounter llamas, learn how to train their dogs, raise chickens and build a cider press. Local authors shared their books on subjects ranging from Agent Orange use in Vietnam to community building through knitting.
Biannual classes helped prepare residents for the U.S. citizenship test, and eight countries were represented at the weekly English conversation class. Adult students thrived with one-on-one tutoring offered at the library by Whatcom Literacy Council volunteers.
To help mitigate public computer demand, three new laptops were made available for in-library use. The library system increased the number of sets of the hugely popular American Girl Dolls to minimize wait times and introduced additional family board games for checkout.
Failing ballasts spurred a much-needed lighting retrofit for the building and resulted in the installation of energy-saving LED bulbs. The damages from the latest car crash remain and repairs await availability of matching brick.
The Friends of the Library have continued to work tirelessly throughout the year to raise funds for Blaine Library improvements and hope to partner with the city of Blaine and WCLS to provide additional facility space in the future. In the meantime, Blaine Library staff remain ready to serve the thousands of area residents and visitors that walk through its doors.
Happy reading and New Year!
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