New Ferndale Library
Since 2006 the City of Ferndale, in cooperation with the Whatcom County Library System and supporters of the local library, have sought to build a new facility for the community.
On April 23, 2013, Ferndale residents will vote during a special election as to whether they would like to approve an excess property tax levy for the final $550,000 of the proposed $5.4 million project. About 59 percent of the project’s financing has so far been donated privately thanks to the hard work of the Whatcom Community Foundation. The election would account for about 9 percent of project costs.
Until from 1992 until 2011, the Ferndale Public Library building was on Main Street, but patrons began to express concerns about its size and functionality. An assessment was done in 2006 spelling out the need for a larger facility with expanded parking, more community meeting space and other amenities the existing facility did not have. That same year an anonymous donor offered $1 million toward the construction of a new facility. Since then, thanks to a commitment from City officials and aggressive fundraising by the Whatcom Community Foundation, the project is near the finish line to begin construction.
This page serves as the repository for information related to the new Ferndale library project. Click the links below for additional details.
Links & Documents