Our Story

Buena has no sidewalks, restaurants, schools, or gas stations. Vacant homes and businesses line the streets. Many are covered with signs of gang activity. Children and teens have few alternative activities to counteract gang influence. There is a significant exception: Buena has a library.

The tiny town of Buena is set in central Washington State's beautiful Yakima Valley. It is unincorporated, rural, and isolated. Most of the approximately 800 residents work in the area's farms, vineyards, and orchards.

The Friends of the Buena Library (FOBL) is a non-profit, grassroots organization that includes orchardists, farmers, farm workers, and community leaders. We reconstituted FoBL in 2003 with the goal of saving the 80-year old library from having to close its doors for lack of a facility. With the help of funds from the Washington State Legislature, we were able to purchase the library property.

In June, 2011 ground-breaking will mark the beginning of construction of a permanent, 2,000 square foot library. The facility will also include a classroom providing meeting space within an attractive, inviting building for community use. Construction will continue through 2011 with completion anticipated before 2012. A new era for the Buena Library is beginning. Community members are enthusiastically looking forward to the beautiful new facility.