WCLS’s former Executive Director Joan Airoldi passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 3, 2022.

Joan was our leader from 2002 to 2013.  She will be remembered as a Library Champion on a multitude of counts: establishing the Whatcom READS program in collaboration with partners at Whatcom Community College, advocating for new libraries in Ferndale, North Fork, South Whatcom, Island and Point Roberts and encouraging all of us to “Be Curious” and to “Listen, Learn & Lead”.  Joan’s courage in defending patrons’ rights to privacy earned her a national recognition with a PEN/Newman Award.  She generously donated the prize money to start the Whatcom County Library Foundation.