updated February 2007

HISTORY

The Post Falls Public Library originated as a shelf of books in the living room of Mrs. Annie Patterson in 1903.   Mrs. Patterson had decided to share her books with the other residents of the small village of Post Falls, Idaho.

The village had been around since the establishment of Frederick Post’s first sawmill in about 1880.  By the turn of the century, the population had risen to over six hundred, but then fell drastically after a fire destroyed the mill.

In 1915, the citizens of Post Falls established the library as a tax-supported public library chartered on December 7th under the prevailing statutes of the Idaho Code. The library spent the next 52 years being moved from location to location.  Its temporary homes included the back of a bank and a room that later became the ladies' powder room of the old Oddfellows Hall.

In 1967, through the hard work of dedicated library devotees, the library obtained funding to build a 3,000 sq. ft. building at the cost of $26,250.  The design of the building featured a bank of slanted windows facing northeast and framing a large black locust tree.  Coeur d’Alene architect R.G. Nelson, who would later design the landmark Coeur d’Alene Resort, designed the building.

The library continued to grow during the 1970’s under the leadership of a paid librarian, Mary Alice Wilson.  In 1980, a 1,400 sq. ft. addition was added under the leadership of Kathy Prather, the library’s first professional librarian.  The building addition cost $112,000.

During the 1980’s, the City and the library continued to grow.  The town’s population grew to approximately 7,000.  Corene Jones-Litteer followed Kathy Prather as librarian, and administered a growing staff and collection.  Staff members from those days included Charlotte Newman, Pat Sheldon, Cate Symons, Rebecca Melton, Sandi Powell and the beloved Virgie Davis.  The library had a collection of about 23,000 items, with an annual circulation of 80,000. 

The library had joined with the Kootenai/Shoshone Library District in forming the Cooperative Information network to provide an automated circulation system for the member libraries.  Aside from the system terminals, the library owned one personal computer that was dedicated to use by the library staff for technical work.

Litteer-Jones left the library in 1988, and was replaced by Joe Reiss in November of that year.

Reiss’ hiring coincided with the beginning of Post Falls’ explosive growth, which continues today.  The City’s population in 1988 was approximately 7,200, and now stands at approximately 23,000.  The library has attempted to stay abreast of that growth, and to offer the best possible library services to its citizens.

In November of 1997, the citizens of Post Falls passed a two million dollar general obligation bond to build a new library, with a 78% approval.

THE  BUILDING

Architect Ron Tan of Tan/Moore Architects, who partnered with Miller/Stauffer Architects of Coeur d’Alene, headed the library building project.  The building has gained many accolades for its surface of traditional beauty overlaying an up-to-date high-tech library.

The library was constructed for a total cost of 2.3 million dollars.  The building has a total of 21,500 sq. ft., and includes an outside patio/trellis area where events are held in warm weather.  The Harpers Technology room, Francisco Fireplace, Jacklin Fountain, stained glass widows, and the “village green” lobby area all contribute to the multiple uses of the building, which in turn reflect the library’s evolving role in the community.

Virtual tours of the building will be made available on the library web site.

GOVERNANCE

The Post Falls Library is part of the municipal government of the City of Post Falls.  The Library Board of Trustees is composed of five city residents appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council to five-year terms of service.  There is also one City Council member who serves as liaison between the Mayor and Council and the Library Board.

The Library Board is responsible for composing, submitting, and carrying out a budget for the library.  The Board creates all policies pertaining to the library’s operation.  The Board hires (and possibly fires) and evaluates the library director, who in turn administers the Board policies.  

Board members serving in 2007 are:

            Michele Veale, Board President

            Lynn Hauer

            Mary Dimmick

            Nancy Ebel

            Lewis Billingslea
           

            Copyright 2005, Post Falls Public Library. All rights reserved.