Friends of Birch Bay Library

The Birch Bay Vogt Express Library will be a focal point for our community. Upon completion of our $300,000 fundraising goal, the Whatcom County Library System will renovate the current historic Vogt home: transforming the first floor into a 1,700 square foot, library express and reading room in the heart of Birch Bay. An added unique feature is the beachfront that is included in the land purchase. Our library will keep beach access open to the public, offering summer programs to patrons, and providing an outdoor area to enjoy library materials.

Friends of Birch Bay Library started working on this building project in 2016. While the library system has been providing a four-hour-a-week bookmobile to Birch Bay for decades, it’s become clear that our growing community needs something more. Our library will provide enhanced library service and a learning environment for residents of all ages. The library will also provide a community gathering place that is open year-round for our residents and businesses. Our area continues to grow, with the current population of approximately 10,000 residents projected to grow to over 13,000 by 2036, per Whatcom County’s 20-year growth plan.   

 Our unique site was purchased from the Vogt family, one of Birch Bay’s founding families.  The library property is located on land once inhabited by the Lummi Nation. Particular care has been given to site work; our project is working with the Lummi Nation and an archaeologist to ensure that any historical artifacts unearthed are treated with care and respect. 

 The Birch Bay Vogt Library Express scope of work change request was accepted in 2023 by the Washington State Department of Commerce, allowing our previously awarded $2 million state appropriation for the larger Birch Bay Vogt Community Library project (2019), to transfer to our Library Express project. The Friends of Birch Bay Library are working to raise the final funds of $300,000, which will complete to this $2.6 million project, by June 30, 2024.

The donation you make today is a gift our community will appreciate for years to come!