A newly refreshed kids’ space at Sammamish Library opened to the public on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Heidi Daniel, King County Library System Executive Director, kickstarted the celebrations with a ribbon cutting ceremony, welcoming parents, caregivers, and toddlers to explore the new space.
“Spaces like these,” Daniel said, “incorporate important stories, allow our youngest customers a place to learn and explore, and represents our commitment to celebrating art and uplifting communities we serve.”
Featured artist, veteran, and Snoqualmie Tribe member Bethany Fackrell introduced her design and led the library in a special commemorative Story Time.
Fackrell, one of the artists behind KCLS’ new library card designs,, opens a new window designed the kids space mural using traditional Salish patterns in a contemporary way. The new mural reflects and honors the journey of the Kokanee salmon through Pacific Northwest waters. Surrounding the space are fun furniture additions of cushy logs, stumps, and rocks that become natural shelters for salmon in the wild as they make their long journey back to their spawning grounds.
It is our shared spaces as much as our shared stories that invite connection, and at the refreshed Sammamish Library kids' space, we have both. This refreshed space is an illustration of KCLS’ dedication to supporting literacy and lifelong learning, while honoring our commitment to bridging cultures and building communities of belonging.
Here we start a new chapter at Sammamish Library with a space that celebrates imagination and learning, encourages exploration, and of course, play.
