Community members and visitors alike gathered on Saturday March 22nd for the long anticipated grand re-opening of the Sno-Isle Langley Library branch. After over a year of construction, the library hosted an unveiling of grandiose caliber with an old-fashioned block party.

The day was filled with various activities. These included sidewalk chalk drawing and giant games of Connect Four. There were also extravagant bubble wands and a limited-edition library card. Chef in the Black Bandana was serving up various Italian bites and various other vendors provided refreshments throughout the day. The Mutiny Bay Brass band livened up the block and who knows… a street dance might have started? Over 600 community members were in attendance throughout the day to see the library’s sleek and energy efficient remodel.

“The Langley Library remodel is a significant investment in our community and a commitment to lifelong learning and early literacy. We invite you to be a part of our next chapter, your stories bring the library to life,” said Sno-Isle Libraries Executive Director Eric Howard. “We appreciate Mayor Horstman, City Council, and City staff for their collaboration on this complex project.”

As a kid I remember the library when it had its original façade… nestled in an entryway garden overlooking the Puget Sound harbor. The first room you enter is the imaginative land of the children’s area. That part is mostly the same with the addition more book titles, a sleek glass doorway and interactive jungle gym. My first thought when I saw that giant class door to the kid’s area was all the daily cleaning its going to need to keep its pristine look. The positive side to the new partition doorway is that it keeps the noise at bay. 🙂

The rest of the library has a sleek and refreshing look with new desks, computer stations, and intimate reading nooks. Overall, the library added 1,500 square feet to its foundation allowing for more inventory expanding their literary offerings. There’s even a downstairs area with more books, audio books, movies, and private meeting room. In addition to the upgraded inventory, there is also a used book sale benefiting Friends of the Langley Library downstairs nestle near the new elevator lift.

Sno-Isle Libraries partnered with Valdez Construction, Inc., a local Whidbey Island contractor, to complete this year-long project. The Langley Library now features solar panels to lower its carbon footprint and is on course to achieve LEED Silver Certification (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design). The project’s total cost of approximately $4 million was funded by Sno-Isle Libraries, two state grants, the Friends of the Langley Library, and the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation. That’s an incredible amount of work and funding and it truly shows in the library’s remodel.

The surrounding natural landscape is incorporated throughout the designs, with color and textures inspired by Saratoga Passage and greater Puget Sound. I especially love the intimate reading nooks perfect for one-on-one card games, reading, or whatever suits your fancy! The color scheme inside is pretty on brand with calming earth and oceanic tones. Sleek office chairs lined the row of new computers and there’s even a standing desk option!

Different events were planned during its opening week. Special Program’s manager Karen lead an evening class on beginning foraging: “Wild and Tasty”, which was insightful and entertaining. Following its opening the library plans to host events, lectures, and other forms of public gatherings in its newly souped-up meeting space. The Library nickname still rings true as “Langley’s Living Room” continues to give our residents a place to cozy up with your favorite book, study for your next big exam, or research anything and everything your heart desires.