Concrete, WA- December 04, 2025
After four years at the Upper Skagit Library, the library bids farewell to Library Director Erica Brown, who is departing to pursue a new position as the Branch Manager of the Arlington Library in the Sno-Isle Library System.
The Upper Skagit Library has grown and expanded its reach under Brown’s leadership, from installing Skagit County’s first community Freedge, a donation-based fridge aiming to combat food insecurity and food waste, to turning the library’s teen room into a haven for adolescents and a source of inspiration for many Washington libraries to follow suit. Brown also expanded the library’s reach within the community, such as working with the Concrete School District to provide library services to students after the school librarian retired, and expanding partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club and Puget Sound Energy.
“We started at the same time, Erica as Director, and me as a board member, so we have spent a lot of time working together! They have guided the library in so many ways, particularly updating policies and procedures, and managing the successful levy lid lift. I cannot imagine our library without Erica, but they leave us in a much better place than when they arrived. I wish Erica the best in their new role with Sno-Isle Libraries,” said Rachel Richter, the Board Chair for the Upper Skagit Library Board of Trustees.
The Upper Skagit Library Board of Trustees has begun the search for a new director. Assistant Library Director Loly Gomez will serve as Interim Library Director until further notice. The library will provide more information about the transition and search as time goes on.
The library will strive to maintain the same level of service by fostering safe spaces, encouraging community engagement, creating a caring culture, advocating for education, and providing stewardship.
The Upper Skagit Library Board of Trustees and staff wish the best to Library Director Erica Brown and their future endeavors.
About the library: The Upper Skagit Library serves the Eastern Skagit County communities in the Upper Skagit District who live within the Concrete School District from east Lusk Road to the County Line. The Upper Skagit Library District formed in 2001 to serve the rural community in the Concrete school district and first opened its doors to the community in 2005 at the first location in Ted Anderson East Skagit County Resource Center room B. Before moving to their current location on Main St.
