New library inches toward reality

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Nearly 200 islanders turned out Feb. 12 to catch a glimpse of the conceptual designs architects cooked up for the new library.

“The overall tenor of the open house was excitement about the possibilities a new library could bring,” Library Deputy Director Anthony Morris told the Journal. The Open House at Brickworks lasted from noon to 7 p.m., with architects, library staff and board members available to answer questions.

Two designs were unveiled, and it was reiterated to participants at the Open House that they were not choosing between the two designs, but for the library and architects to gather feedback from the community as they move toward next steps.

Both concepts integrated community feedback from two previous public meetings. Those key features, as explained on a library handout, included:

• Intergenerational: Fostering interactions between different age groups that influence creativity, knowledge exchange, problem solving and collective well-being;

• Sustainability: Create a lasting project that will serve future generations on multiple levels: social, economic and environmental.

• Reflection of Place: A new facility will be a reflection of the community’s history, future and also of the island itself.

• Cultural and Historic Celebration: Acknowledgment of the Indigenous history rooted in the San Juan Islands. Intentional paths to celebrate this.

• Placemaking: A place where all are welcome and public services are provided. A place of pride for the community and where the community feels welcome to gather, engage, focus, learn and play.

• Plan for Future: Flexibility, planning for future generations’ needs with programs and spaces. Expansion opportunities.

• Collaboration with Community Partners: Intentional paths to meeting community needs with SJI partners. Together is stronger.

• Maintain and Improve What People Already Love: Assurances that the cozy, helpful, active and joyful environment currently felt by the community will migrate to the new space and even be improved.

The building in design number one is U-shaped, opening up to Spring Street. This plan uses the entire site. A large park-like area to the south of the library has a playground. Inside the building, there is a large meeting room, an auditorium, a makerspace and a youth area, among other features. The second design reserves the north parcel for partnership opportunities, and or further building expansion. The building is L-shaped in this option, has one meeting room and a reading room that takes advantage of natural light. The courtyard is smaller with a playground adjacent to the main outdoor gathering space.

There were a few common points of discussion during the Feb. 12 meeting, Morris said. One was whether utilizing the green space in front of the library as a community park and walking path was a good use of the space. Some people were excited by the idea of more green space available in town, while others wondered whether other uses for the space would be better. The other was exploring what could go into the library if a larger square footage were possible. Many of these ideas built on the idea of a “community-centered” library and included particulars like additional meeting rooms, a park and large spaces for kids and teens to hang out.

Over the next few months, the library will continue to collect feedback. Anyone who wasn’t able to attend the Feb. 12 meeting can visit https://www.sjlib.org/aboutus/library-building-project to learn more, view the designs and provide input.

No public meetings are currently scheduled, Morris explained, adding, “The Steering Committee is bringing the information to community organizations and asking for feedback. If your group, club, non-profit, or any other organization would like a short presentation about the information from the open house, please reach out to us at sjlib@sjlib.org, and I’ll get a Steering Committee member scheduled with you.”

The next steps include hiring a development director and having contractors estimate the approximate costs of both designs.” We will continue collecting feedback while working on those tasks, so that all Library Board decisions are made with robust community input,” Morris said.