Project Little Red has reached an exciting milestone, thanks to the incredible generosity of the community.
Representatives from Friends of the Lopez Island Library recently presented the library with a ceremonial “big check” for $227,000. The funds complete the community match needed to qualify for a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Together with the state grant and funding from San Juan County’s Public Facilities Financing Assistance Program, this support will make Phase 1 of Project Little Red possible: replacing the library’s aging roof and failing windows. These essential improvements will help protect the building, improve energy efficiency, and ensure this much-loved community space remains safe, sound, and ready to provide enrichment, education, and enjoyment for generations to come.
Nearly 300 individuals and families contributed to the campaign. Every donation, large or small, helped us reach the match and unlock significant public funding.
We are deeply grateful to the Friends and to everyone who contributed. This milestone is a wonderful example of what Lopez can accomplish when people come together around something they value. The library belongs to this community, and the community has truly stepped up to protect its future.
With Phase 1 fundraising complete, the library is moving ahead with the architectural and planning work needed to guide the roof and window project through design, permitting, bidding, and construction.
The big check is worth celebrating, but Project Little Red is not finished. The Friends are already raising funds for Phase 2, the final phase, which will address additional building and infrastructure needs and help keep the library welcoming, accessible, resilient, and functional well into the future.
Our heartfelt thanks go to the Friends for their remarkable partnership and year-round fundraising efforts, and to every individual, family, business, and organization that helped make this milestone possible.
Learn more about Project Little Red and the Friends’ continuing campaign at friendsoflopezlibrary.org.