A trio of recent donations have provided significant support for the completion of the long-anticipated renovation of the Sequim Library.
The North Olympic Library System’s (NOLS) Board of Trustees on Dec. 12 approved three resolutions recognizing the donations to the Sequim Library Expansion and Renovation Project that total almost $450,000.
Activity spaces and features in the soon-to-be renovated library will be named to acknowledge a $211,967 bequest from Dorothy DeLand, an $80,000 grant from the Benjamin N. Phillips Memorial Fund, and a $150,000 donation from the Friends of Sequim Library, NOLS representatives said in late December.
Construction for the project is scheduled to begin in 2024.
DeLand had a love of gardening and was a kindergarten teacher for nearly 30 years. Through discussions with DeLand’s family after her death in 2021, NOLS officials agreed that naming the new Outdoor Play Area in her memory would be appropriate in recognizing her gift.
Photo courtesy of North Olympic Library System Dorothy DeLand, a kindergarten teacher, bequeathed nearly $212,000 to the Sequim Library.
At DeLand’s bequest the library received $211,967 between 2022 and 2023, as a beneficiary of the DeLand Family Trust
A tree in the Outdoor Play Area will also be planted in memory of DeLand.
The new Children’s Area in the renovated library will be named for the Friends of Sequim Library, in recognition of their support. The Friends of Sequim Library made a $150,000 donation to the project in July 2023, and donated an additional $50,000 over the last two years to support Sequim Library programming.
In January 2023, the Benjamin N. Phillips Memorial Fund awarded NOLS an $80,000 grant for the Sequim Library Expansion and Renovation Project.
Based on a recent recommendation by the fund’s administrators, NOLS board trustees agreed to recognize the grant’s support toward LEED Silver certification.
In addition to the Sequim Library building and mechanical systems becoming much more energy efficient, the facility will have a new solar array, landscape with native plants, filter all storm water on-site and utilize many other sustainable design features.
Based on NOLS’ current calculations, the renovated Sequim Library will use 93% less energy than the current building.
NOLS continues to seek funds for the Sequim Library Expansion and Renovation Project. The library system has received more than $3.5 million in donations and grants towards the project so far.
In addition to the three gifts highlighted above, NOLS received more than $106,000 in donations toward the project from more than 80 individual donors in 2023.
Graphic courtesy of North Olympic Library System / The Children’s Area at the soon-to-be-renovated Sequin Library will be named in honor of Friends of Sequim Library.
Those interested in contributing to the project can learn more at nols.org/sequim. Donations of $250 or more will be recognized on a donor wall in the building, and naming opportunities exist for donations of $50,000 or more.
Renovation work could start in March
The library system’s board of trustees unanimously approved two contracts in mid-December to renovate the former Brian’s Sporting Goods space at 609 W. Washington St., Suite 21, and for professional movers to relocate materials, shelving and equipment, as the library’s temporary home during the year-long renovation.
Library leaders anticipate going out for construction bids in mid-January 2024 and work starting as soon as March, in an expansion that adds about 3,800 square feet to the 6,200-square-foot library building at 630 N. Sequim Ave.
Hoch Construction of Port Angeles is scheduled to start renovating after the holidays, NOLS executive director Noah Glaude said, to make a restroom Americans with Disabilities (ADA) accessible, add networking systems and replace doors.
