Our Supporters

Shelley Butler

I made my way to the Northwest from California back in the 1980s. From the time I was a young girl, I was enthralled with the beauty of the Northwest, “the bluest skies you’ve ever seen and the hills the greenest green.” While only a part-time resident, our family has been here for over 20 years, first in Langley and now in Clinton.

Libraries have been a part of my whole life. As a child, it was where I went with my mom each week to get new books. As a teenager, we would do our research and hang out together. When our kids were in school, I volunteered with each of the classes.

It was a place of wonder, excitement, escapism, and dreams. It is open to all, and free, a precious gift. As times toughen, and books are banned, I want to do everything I can to support this access for everyone.

Sno-Isle also has wonderful educational opportunities beyond books. I was lucky enough during COVID to participate in a cooking class with Kate McDermott, sponsored by Sno-Isle Libraries. It led me on a fantastic adventure, and “Pie Camp” for a week this summer in Port Angeles, with Kate, whom I cherish now as a friend. For me, the library is priceless, and a joy to be part of.

Jane Spalding & Nick Fowler

My father introduced me to the Crescent Hill Library in Louisville, KY, at a very early age, and libraries have been part of my life ever since. After 25 years living in Seattle, Nick Fowler persuaded me to move into his home on Whidbey Island to wait out the pandemic. We’ve been married for two years now and have a happy home in Langley.

I’ve supported libraries ever since I was able. And I use the libraries. When I was a teacher, I was at the library at least once a month picking up a collection of books about so many topics, such as the solar system, pioneer life, and baseball. Often, the children’s librarian selected the books for me.

When I read Susan Orleans' book about the fire in the Los Angeles Library, I thought, “I could have been a librarian.” She so beautifully described the many varied and interesting roles of librarians. I took my young daughter to the Green Lake Library in Seattle at least once a week. She selected a pile of books, came home, settled right down, and tried to devour the whole pile in one sitting. Now I’m so lucky to call the beautiful new Langley Library my home for books and so much more.

Nick and I make donations from our Required Minimum Distribution. This method gives us more money to distribute, and we don’t pay taxes on it. The library, along with public television and National Public Radio, is at the top of our list. It is so important in this time of upheaval to support the flow of trusted journalism and information. The library is one institution that keeps information accessible to all.

We are so happy to support the excellent Sno-Isle Libraries! Thank you for all the many services you provide to our community, including the many book sales. We’ve been volunteers at the Clinton Library Book Sale for years. What rich resources library book sales offer our communities!

Robin Hertlein

I grew up in Everett in Snohomish County and currently live in Coupeville in Island County. I have always been able to keep community connections alive through interaction with my local library, and I’ve been blessed to be a patron of Sno-Isle Libraries for most of my life.

I have always enjoyed reading and utilized the Sno-Isle Bookmobile from the age of six. With subsequent moves I would always look around for a local library to join. When we moved to Coupeville 30 years ago, I started using their library on a frequent basis. In addition to checking out books, I use the library as a place to relax with a magazine or bring my computer to catch up on work in a beautiful setting, or attend a community event in the conference room. Since getting a Kindle a few years ago, I always have a library-loaned e-book available for my end-of-night reading.

In addition to the traditional services of libraries, I’ve been excited to participate in the varied programs offered, such as combing local beaches for edible seaweed, wandering Earth Sanctuary with the founder to learn about the sculptures and spaces developed there, and enjoying a magic show with my grandchildren.

I donate to Sno-Isle Library Foundation to support their mission, vision, and values. As a board member of the Foundation, I’m especially drawn to the Foundation’s work to expand the reach of library services so that everyone in Snohomish and Island Counties can enjoy a lifetime of learning through the library.

Harry Frudd with Hattie (left) and Celeste from Library on Wheels

Harry Frudd

Books have been important to me all my life. My father was blind, so I became interested in books at a young age so that I could read to him. My career revolved around books—from managing the book department at Marshall Fields to teaching in Indianapolis to getting my Master's in Library Science and serving as a Reference Librarian at the University of Illinois.

At 96 and unable to drive, knowing that Sno-Isle’s Library on Wheels will arrive on the second Tuesday of the month guarantees me a welcome day of pleasant expectation. Celeste and Hattie are always reliable and accommodating of my requests. I receive that neglected classic I always meant to read, and the non-fiction title recently recommended. Maybe even a CD or two.

The services provided by Sno-Isle Libraries are meaningful to me and much needed. Supporting the Foundation allows me to say thank you.

Joann Roomes

When I was young living in Nebraska, the public library was a truly awesome place: it was an original Carnegie Library nine miles from my own much smaller town. I was used to a “library” of about four shelves of books in our two-room school, so going into that public library in “town” seemed like entering a cathedral. And you could take books home! Astounding.

As I’ve often told students, my first quest when moving to a new place is to register to vote, and to get a library card. Sno-Isle Libraries offer us so much to enhance our skills and interests, nurture us in so many ways, and feed our intellects with innumerable ideas. As Groucho Marx so wisely put it: “Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.”

Emily Fischer

The first place I go when we move to a new town is the library. I always know that there are good people there. They are knowledgeable about the area and always willing to point me to where I need to go. Additionally, I get a library card; that way I start feeling as though I actually do belong. If the library likes me so will others.

Before I retired, I was a Nurse Practitioner. Often, I needed professional literature and manuscripts that I was not subscribed to. But the Stanwood Library could always get the very ones I needed. I am eternally grateful for those professional journals that kept me on my toes with the latest studies. I thank you forever.

Reading wonderful books has drawn me joyfully into the world of the intellect, spirituality, and personal evolution. It has given me gifts and made me feel rich. Supporting the library is my way of giving back what deliciousness I've been blessed with.

Picture of Nicolas Kadir Jensen

Nicolas Kadir Jensen

I grew up in Tulalip and Camano Island. I love the natural beauty of our area and the many diverse communities that call this place home. As a kid, the Camano Island Pilot Project Library was an important resource for me. The library was my gateway to the wider world. I would check out an armful of books at a time to help me research my History Day projects each year. The library allowed me to explore stories that are similar and so very different from my own and expand my worldview.

Sno-Isle Libraries center the community in their mission and provide a space for the community to gather, read, learn, and explore. Now as a board member of the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation, and a recurring donor to the Foundation, I am able to give back to the libraries that gave me so much.

Gail Sailer

Disclaimer: This snippet is written by Gail Sailer, who thinks Gutenberg's printing press was, and remains, the world's greatest invention and whose guiding principle comes from Francois Mauriac: "If you would tell me the heart of a man, tell me not what he reads, but what he rereads."

I must thank my mother Grace for reading to me daily as a child and then introducing me to our hometown public library and librarian Ann Graves. I spent many hours happily ensconced in a sunny nook reading through biographies, history, historical fiction and most books that have landed on various Book Ban lists! Libraries have always been my sanctuary of choice.

Wherever I have traveled, I've always sought out and supported the local public library. In ALL cases, I've felt immediately at home and peace within its walls. Not a day goes by that I don't have a book in hand or on my Kindle and a Bluetooth in my ear, listening to stories that take me everywhere and anywhere.

Reading is a gift I've passed on to my children, and I'm gratified that as adults, they both voluntarily read for pleasure. I've saved the volumes of Scholastic Book Club books that I didn't donate so I can read them to future generations.

I'm so thankful to have had a Sno-Isle Libraries card since I moved to Edmonds in 1981. I used CDs and eBooks to accompany me during 38 years of work commutes, walking, yard work, and chores. I've attended author events at the Edmonds and Mukilteo Libraries and participated with my daughters in Edmonds Storytimes.

We all did homework at the library, enjoyed the view from the top-floor outdoor space, and carted home loads of books over the years. My older daughter is convinced that I've read every book in the library. Sadly, I haven't, but with the assistance of Libby and tags, I can now tell her how many I've read every year.

I was honored to join the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation on a construction tour of our newly renovated Edmonds Library. I found the design and light-filled rooms with beautiful, soothing colors very welcoming. This gem in the Edmonds Bowl will be cherished by many for years to come.

So many books, so little time! What a gift to have this fabulous space to learn, visit, and expand my mind. Thank you, Sno Isle Libraries!

Cheryl Jensen

Sno-Isle Libraries has been my library system for twelve years. During that time, the staff of Sno-isle has consistently provided quality services courteously. When our family fund decided to dedicate a portion of our funds to the promotion of kindness, civility, and etiquette, we chose to work with Sno-Isle Libraries because the employees consistently exemplify kindness and civility. The Sno-Isle Library system has proven to be an excellent partner, utilizing our funds wisely and creatively. We feel fortunate to have access to this fine library system and are pleased to support them in this way.

Browse Sno-Isle Libraries' online collection with a focus on kindness and civility purchased with generous support by the De Spain Family Fund held at the Community Foundation of Snohomish County.

Steve & Lin Fogg, Camano Island

Steve & Lin Fogg

Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation provides valuable resources and promotes literacy in our communities through a wide array of programs. We have been avid readers from a young age, and because of this, we are lifelong learners. We take advantage of the benefits that come with a library card - free copies monthly, 24-hour Express Lockers, and free online public access to newspapers, magazines, podcasts, e-books, and much more. Our library is the heart of our island community and we support it through membership in the Camano Island Library Friends. Please help keep our libraries strong by supporting the work and outreach of the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation.

Rim Benoud-Schmitz, Edmonds

Rim Benoud-Schmitz

I am committed to supporting the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation to ensure that our community members have equitable access to library resources. Every donation made is an investment in the growth and development of community members who might otherwise lack the means to access these resources. Libraries hold the power to transform lives, and I am honored to play a part in making that transformative potential accessible to everyone in our community. As a child, having access to libraries opened doors to a world of resources that I would have never otherwise encountered. Libraries became my sanctuary, fueling my passion for reading and nurturing my intellectual curiosity.

Becky Bolte, Oak Harbor

Becky Bolte

When I think of Sno-Isle Libraries and the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation, the word that comes to mind is “community.” In over 20 years of involvement with Sno-Isle, that is what I have most appreciated. Each of the 23 libraries is an important partner with the people and organizations in their local community. Sno-Isle Libraries has supported schools and families through the Third-Graders Read Together program, a critical age to build excitement about reading leading to future success academically and in life. Community-wide reading through book discussion groups and Whidbey Reads, now in its 20^th year, brings community members together to connect over books. The Trudy Sundberg Lecture Series with the support of the Foundation and many community sponsors has brought an eminent speaker each year to inspire and educate residents. Public Internet access, online databases, children’s story times, and legal, medical, and consumer information are just a few of the free services available to all. I am pleased to provide continued support for our libraries.

Jackie & Frank DeFazio, Camano Island (joined here by daughter Patti DeFazio)

Jackie & Frank DeFazio

To those who know us, it comes as no surprise that our family are longtime supporters of the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation and the 23 libraries it works to support. After all, we are lifelong readers and learners, and that’s what libraries are for, aren’t they? That – and so much more. Libraries archive our history. They level the playing field by providing equal access to information for everyone. They are centers of our communities – a major resource for early childhood education, a safe gathering space for people of all ages, the one place that guarantees free public internet access to those with limited or no access. We proudly give both time and treasure to the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation to help support programs and projects that will ensure that these critical community resources will not only survive—they will thrive.