Snohomish Library accolades add up

SNOHOMISH — It’s been a good year for the Snohomish Library.

On July 14, people gathered at the library to celebrate its fifth anniversary at the current location, said Eileen McDonnell, the managing librarian of the library. They enjoyed live music and cakes.

“It was great,” McDonnell said. “We had a lot of people coming.”

People got a bumper sticker that celebrated another library achievement this year. In March, the library at 311 Maple Ave. made the top 10 libraries in the nation, selected by Nancy Pearl, a National Public Radio book commentator.

The list of Pearl’s 10 favorite libraries was published in USA Today. Pearl chose the Snohomish Library mainly because of its homey atmosphere.

“I do feel like we really have to live up to this,” McDonnell said. “We want to maintain our excellence.”

When the $8 million library was built in 2003, people in Snohomish were involved in its design. The 23,000-square-foot building was designed to match the city’s traditional landscape, especially its historic downtown along First Street.

Before the new library was opened, the Carnegie Building in the historic downtown had been used as a library. Supporters of the 1910 building are now trying to raise $4 million to preserve it.

The new library on Maple Avenue continues to grow with the community, McDonnell said. The library’s success depends on people in the community.

“We do appreciate the community’s support getting the library built and its continuing support for the library,” she said.

Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Snohomish Library recently celebrated its fifth year in a new building. Here are some numbers about the library.

23,000: building’s square footage

5,100: library visitors in an average week

120,000: books at the library

45,000: items checked out each month

8 million: library’s construction cost in 2003 dollars

21: employees

42: computers available for the public