Current Projects

Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation supports excellence for the future of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District. FVRL Foundation's focus is to extend the reach and enhance the depth of public library services to the more than 470,000 residents of Southwest Washington.

FVRL Foundation plays an important role in meeting the emerging needs of the library. Tax limitation measures affecting the traditional source of revenue, rapid growth in population, increasing library usage and rising costs challenge the provision of quality library services. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, FVRL Foundation can more easily respond to immediate needs and unique opportunities than a public agency.

Building New Libraries in Washougal and Woodland

Friends and staff gathered at site of new Woodland Community Library

FVRL Foundation is working with local Friends of the Library groups to raise money for new homes for Washougal and Woodland Community Libraries. The new buildings will replace crowded, outdated facilities, providing more materials, resources, internet and computer access, and additional space for meetings, study, programs and workshops. FVRL Foundation's efforts will help raise funds to meet the funding gap between FVRL's budget and tax income.

For more information, please visit FVRL's  Invest Washougal and Invest Woodland web pages.

"Our current facility is in need of expansion. The expansion would provide more space for children, adult, and community programs. I encourage you to continue building financial support from those in and around our community on the construction of a new Woodland library." -Will Finn, Mayor, City of Woodland

Grow a Reader – Early Literacy Initiatives

Grow a Reader bin and books at Klickitat County Health

Grow a Reader is a literacy and outreach project that supports FVRL's early literacy goals, is equitable, and benefits community members all over the district.

  • Grow a Reader: Read While You Wait bins containing books and bookmarks with literacy tips are placed in waiting rooms of facilities where high-needs populations are receiving services.
  • Grow a Reader: Learn Together focuses on partnering with community organizations to add more in-depth pre-literacy educational and skill-building opportunities for parents and caregivers of children ages 0-5.
"Our clients say [the Grow a Reader book bins] are great. They're great for entertaining the kids after appointments, and families feel like they're definitely beneficial." -Staff person, Sea Mar WIC office

Summer Reading

Man reading with daughter on beach

The annual Summer Reading program encourages the development of a daily reading habit from childhood through adulthood. By securing community sponsors, the Foundation's support allows the library to offer prizes for reading achievements to participants of all ages. Prizes include books, coupons for local vendors and grand prize gift cards.

"My son was very excited about reading every day and only missed a couple of days. He enjoyed going to the library many times and thought it was really neat every time he got a badge or prize." -Anonymous, from Summer Reading survey, 2017

Youth Program Support

Children attending program about bugs at their library

Youth programming encompasses a great part of the work of a public library. FVRL believes strongly in the value of reaching children with meaningful literacy activities that build skills to ensure their future success as readers and in life.

Here are two of the many ways FVRL Foundation supports this work:

  • Purchasing equipment for STEM programming for the entire district to share
  • Providing books to give to struggling readers or those who may have limited access to books in their homes.

Author Events

Author Brad Meltzer signing a book

Author events help build the visibility of the library, create more potential for community partnerships and give more people access to the excitement of hearing an author live. The Foundation provides support for our annual Teen Author Event in October as well as a new, upcoming Spring Author Event. We also present an annual Authors & Illustrator's Dinner every fall as a Foundation fundraiser.

Volunteer Support

Volunteer-led Conversation Circle at Battle Ground Community Library

The Foundation and FVRL have a long-standing relationship with our volunteers. At the annual volunteer receptions, both groups are combined in the celebration of those who make our lives better and easier with their help and support. The Foundation provides volunteer receptions and Conversation Circle event support, background checks, and eCoordinator software license renewal.

"The positive partnership between the Foundation and FVRL Volunteer Services benefits the entire community and brings success for all." -Sherry Braga, FVRL Volunteer Coordinator