North Olympic Library System officials plan to coordinate the reveal of a new design for its future Sequim Library remodel and expansion at 630 N. Sequim Ave. with a new fundraising effort.
Part of the fundraiser includes donation tiers and naming rights as library leaders look to cover some of the approximate $2 million difference remaining after securing grants and other funds in recent years.
NOLS executive director Noah Glaude said they will encourage contributions with a “big splash” kickoff this fall after SHKS Architects completes a more concrete proposal for the public.
SHKS Architects presented a conceptual plan in April to trustees.
The estimated $7.8 million project could add about 3,000-plus square feet to the library built in 1983.
NOLS has obtained and budgeted about $5.1 million for the project and continues to apply for grants, Glaude said.
Library trustees voted on June 23 to move forward with a donation policy that honors donors for how much they give. Donations of $250 or more will be recognized on a donor wall by the library entrance. Those who pledge at least $25 a month for one year become a “sustaining donor,” Glaude said.
Following a theme for Sequim, larger donation tiers include: $500 Lavender; $1,000 Salmon; $2,500 Elk; $5,000 Cedar; $10,000 Eagle; and $25,000-plus Olympic.
Opportunities for naming rights of rooms/upgrades total at least $1.5 million, depending on construction plans.
Rooms available include: $500,000 meeting room; $200,000 children’s area; $200,000 outdoor stage; $150,000 conference room; $150,000 outdoor play area; $100,000 reading area; $75,000 leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) silver certification; $75,000 teen area; and, $50,000 study room(s).
Library staff report in the past five years, several donations were made toward the project for as much as $200,000 prior to the updated naming and recognition policy, and staff plan to reach out to donors to see if they’re interested in name recognition.
Glaude said a community group is still forming to promote the new expansion/remodel fundraiser and that a group for the 2018 building bond is no longer active.
Once a design is complete, Glaude previously said the construction bids could go out late this year with construction starting in spring 2023 and finishing nine to 12 months later.
For more about the Sequim project, visit nols.org/sequimlibraryproject.
________
Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach him at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
