A look back at 2024, a look into 2025
LYNDEN â The Lynden Library has accomplished much in the past 12 months.Â
The library offered a wide variety of education and entertainment resources such as books, computers, films and video games to rent.Â
Along with that, the library also hosted many regular events that helped foster community during times of isolation and division.Â
Some of those events and programs include their book clubs, tech help meetings, storytimes and social hours.
As the Lynden Library reflects on some of its hard won accomplishments from 2024, it only makes sense for them to look forward to what is to come in 2025.
The Lynden Tribune spoke with Library Manager Dianne Marrs-Smith about some of these accomplishments as well as what is getting them excited for the new year.Â
Lynden Tribune: Could you give me at least three things your department is proud of accomplishing in 2024?
Dianne Marrs-Smith: After 20 years, the Lynden Library received new flooring. This flooring project took us over three months to complete. The staff were incredibly happy to provide services and be open during this work.Â
We want to thank our library patrons and supporters for their kind words, understanding and flexibility during this 15,000 square-foot project.
A big thanks to the City of Lynden and the Whatcom County Library System for funding this project and facilitation assistance during this labor-intensive activity.
We had a wonderful turnout for summer reading. Through a variety of activities that centered around reading and trees, county readers of all ages completed 26,558 activities.Â
To commemorate this achievement, our partners from Whatcom County Million Trees Project planted a tree at the Lynden Library on Oct. 26.Â
We held a little tree planting ceremony with all in attendance shoveling dirt and talking about our love of trees and books. Whatcom Million Trees Project will be planting 250 trees in the county on behalf of our 2024 readers.
Library door counts are up by about 10% over last year. We are getting to know new patrons and continue to see regular patrons weekly. We are excited to see patrons using the library for meetings, classes, clubs, school, and work needs, along with materials checkout, information requests and social visits. It has been fun to see our Monday Lego Club grow, our Teen Craft Hour thrive, and our Social Hour continues to delight patrons each week.
Tribune: Could you give me a few things that the library looks forward to in the new year?
Marrs-Smith: In 2025, we are looking forward to seeing more of you in the library or at popup events out into the community. We will have a broad selection of in-branch programs for a variety of ages. Library staff will be bringing the library to events such as the Whatcom Farm Expo to promote our seed library, the Lynden Farmers Market with craft, stories and sharing the love of stories and reading in a parade or two.Â
We always have a wonderful selection of books, library materials and resources to share.Â
For those times when you cannot make it to the library, you can always find information, and digital services at www.wcls.org.
We will have one little library renovation this year.Â
With the help of the Friends of the Lynden Library, we plan to tackle our family bathroom, giving that space a much-needed makeover in the summer.
