Fairhaven Library receives donation from Wilks estate

             The Fairhaven branch of the Bellingham Public Library received a donation of $37,500 from the Winifred Wilks Estate this January.

            It has not yet been determined how the money will be used. The Friends of the Bellingham Library have been discussing the possibilities, Assistant Director Christine Perkins said.

            “With a donation this large, we want to be thoughtful about what we propose, so that we make best use of the funds,” Perkins wrote. “We do not have anything finalized at this time.” Perkins stated that the decision should be made in the coming month or two.

Potential for improvement

            Librarian Donna Grasdock would like to see the funds used to enhance the building for the community. As a library specialist who works almost exclusively at the Fairhaven branch, she has a soft spot for the children’s room.

            “There used to be a skylight in here,” Grasdock said as she looked around the small space. “I’d like to make this room more kid-friendly; lower shelving, reading chairs, maybe some baskets for books.”

            Shelving for the children’s area is one possibility, according to the Bellingham Public Library’s Board of Trustees minutes from its Jan. 23 meeting. Other ideas that were mentioned include a “bestseller” collection for the Fairhaven branch, and putting some of it into a fund at Whatcom Community Foundation, an organization that helps to manage and distribute gift money for community betterment.

            Visitors to the library have some suggestions of their own.

            “I’d really like it to be open a little longer,” library patron Carol Ouellette said. “Two ‘til six doesn’t always fit my schedule.”

            Ten-year patron Kay Mason also advocated for longer hours, but also hoped for a stronger online presence.

            “I think it’d be great if there were more e-books available,” Mason said.

            The library system welcomes public suggestions, wrote Assistant Director Perkins. Suggestion forms are available at every library location.

A history of philanthropy

            Wilks, according to the Board of Trustees, was known to stop in at the Fairhaven branch on a weekly basis, “usually to get a stack of British murder mysteries.” This is just one of many donations made to the Fairhaven branch by a community member.

The Wilks donation is a continuation of the philanthropist efforts that first began the Fairhaven Library. According to the Bellingham Public Library, it started as a private reading room and subscription library in the bank building, paid for by citizens. It continued thanks to very generous donors with now-familiar names such as Larrabee and Wilson.

The Fairhaven Library’s current site was funded by a Carnegie grant and built on land donated by Charles X. Larrabee. This makes it an official Carnegie library, one of the 44 built in Washington State and one of the 14 in the state that still serve their original purpose. Throughout its creation and existence, philanthropy has been a vital source of income, keeping the library open.

Although private dollars have kept the library’s doors open, public funding has kept the building standing. The Bellingham City Council approved a repair plan that cost $1.3 million in 2008. Thanks to this contribution, which came out of the council’s emergency reserve fund, the building is in working, waterproof condition.

As discussions on the Wilks donation continue within the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library, the public is still encouraged to contribute what they can. Books, CDs, DVDs, and other material are as welcome as money in the library system.

According to Assistant Director Perkins, the Bellingham Public Library hopes to announce its plan for the donation during National Library Week, April 8-14.