About Us
History
Freeland’s public library first opened its doors in donated space in Bettie Bell’s dress shop in 1962. Bettie led the community drive for a library building that culminated with the opening of the library in 1994.
By 1999, the library was so popular that it was already bursting at the seams and a new drive was begun to increase the size of the library. The new, larger library opened in early 2007 with more space and improved facilities for all, but especially for the children.
Today, the Friends of the Freeland Library continue the spirit of this tradition. Together with our wonderful librarians and our neighbors, we help fund Adult and Children’s programming that promotes love of reading, creativity, fun, and community.
Call 360-331-7323 for meeting information.
Join the Friends! Be an enthusiastic supporter, participate
in events, or become a Board member.
Donations accepted in person by check or cash at the library front desk or electronically by Venmo @friendsofthefreelandlibrary.
Current Board Members
Candy Charlwood, Finance Commissioner (Emeritus)
Candy manages finances and coordinates monthly book sales, with fantastic books available by donation at Freeland Library every second Saturday from 10 -2.
Susan Prescott, Newsletter Commissioner
Prescott, known by her magnificent surname, composes and sends out the newsletter twice annually and coordinates community outreach.
Rebecca Rickabaugh, Sorting Commissioner
Rebecca dedicates countless hours to organizing community book donations for our monthly sales.
Laura Bergman, Membership Commissioner
Laura manages the database for our wonderful Friends and is in charge of recruiting new Friends to volunteer with us. Please leave a message at the front desk with the Freeland librarians if you'd like to join!
Elaine Andrews, Records Commissioner
Elaine keeps the minutes at our annual Friends meeting in January each year and is responsible for sending letters of thanks to our donors. She also helps with book sorting and at the book sales. Thanks Elaine!
Betsy Waring, Booksale Commissioner
Betsy helps to coordinate the book sales, which are held from 10-2 at the Freeland library on the second Saturday of every month. This is a wonderful job thanks to our well coordinated volunteers!
Janet Young, Finance Commissioner (Incumbent)
Janet will be undergoing training in 2025 under Candy's tutelage to become a steward of the FFL finances. Thank you, Janet!
Join the Friends!
Everyone needs friends and libraries do too.
Sno-Isle provides most of the library’s resources
but more is always welcomed by the librarians
and the community.
Membership dues for the Friends support
library activities, events and equipment. Many
Friends volunteer by helping with the monthly
book sales, donating food for celebrations
and by promoting the library, reading and
membership.
Any Friend is invited to join the Board and help coordinate library events and fund raising. Funds from the Friends help support ongoing children’s and teen events and provide prizes for the summer reading programs. Activities enjoyed by our community, such as photography and gardening workshops or musical performances, are made possible by the money raised by the Friends.
Ask a librarian at the front desk for a brochure to join, or email us at friendsfreelandlibrary@gmail.com.
Donations accepted in person by cash or check, or electronically by Venmo @Friendsofthefreelandlibrary.
Bylaws
The Friends of the Freeland Library is organized as a charitable and educational nonprofit organization to:
- To support and promote public awareness and use of Freeland Library and Sno-Isle Libraries’ resources, services, facility and staff in positive and creative ways.
- To enhance and promote collaborations between the Freeland Library, the Friends of the Freeland Library and others interested in supporting library resources and services.
- To provide funds and other resources to enhance the Freeland Library’s support of the community’s unique needs, and to help enrich the lives of the local community.
- To do any and all lawful activities which may be necessary, useful or desirable for the furtherance, accomplishment, fostering or attainment of the foregoing purposes.