‘Friends Raising’ in Stanwood

A small group of citizens in the early 1900s gathered together to raise funds for the creation of a community library in Stanwood. They were called The Four Leaf Clover Club and it has been in existence in some form or another for over 90 years they were successful in their campaign for a library, named “Irvine Public Library,” which was built on the site of today’s Stanwood Library, through a bequest from the pioneer Irvine family).

T

hough its name has

changed over the years, the Friends of the Library’s dedication to support the local public library services has endured. This group of men and women from the Stanwood/Camano area meet the second Tuesday of each month at 11 a.m. Meetings are informational in nature, with various programs presented.

Now, they are seeking to “stream-line” the group into performing more services and activities within the Stanwood Library, cutting their business meetings to three a year, and adding three special program events, while also doing service projects or more direct involvement in library activities.

Therefore, they are seeking library supporters, avid readers and advocates to join the newly-reorganized group.

“Do you have a few hours each month to give back something to the community?” asks Stanwood/ Camano Friends president Bonnie Thielke. “Would you like to learn more about the inner workings of Sno-Isle Libraries system? Are you new to the greater Stanwood area and want to meet some fellow book enthusiasts?” She invites all those interested to visit the library during the month of May, to learn more about this dynamic service group, or call her, 360-654-1988, to discover opportunities to become better connected with the library.

“The Stanwood Library has vibrant, innovative librarians on staff,” said Thielke. “Managing director, Jill Wubbenhorst, children’s librarian Joy Feldman, and teen librarian Rob Branigin bring exciting, fresh, creative ideas to the library community,” she concluded.

(Editor’s note: It was just 40 years ago this spring that the Irvine Public Library building was sold to the Twin Citt Sportsmen’s Association. It was beautifully landscaped, with a circular paved drive past the front steps, coming off Main Street. The sportsmen’s group moved the building east of town 64th Avenue (Woodland Road), retaining much of the original architecture, and it can be seen today as the Twin City Sportsmen’s Clubhouse. Construction on the new library building began shortly after the old building was moved from the site, and became what is today’s Stanwood Library building.)