Our online catalog database combines materials from nine southwest Idaho public libraries, through the LYNX! Consortium, Southwest Idaho's largest wide-area network. Housed at Boise Public Library, the database contained 1.1 million item records as of Oct. 1, 2005, with an annual circulation of 4.2 million.

Libraries participating in LYNX! are: Ada Community, Boise, Caldwell, Eagle, Garden City, Hailey, Meridian, Nampa, and Twin Falls.

Boise Public Library installed the first automated circulation system in Idaho in 1975 and was one of the first libraries nationwide to use such a system. The original consortium was formed in the late 1970s with an agreement between Boise Public Library, Nampa Public Library, Caldwell Public Library, and Twin Falls Public Library. Within months of this formation, these libraries were also on the automated circulation system.

In 1994 the Consortium began looking for a totally integrated online system, and by March 1996 the LYNX! Consortium had completed its migration and was online with its new system. As the years have passed other libraries have joined including, Meridian Library District in 1997, Eagle Public Library and Garden City Library in 1998, and Hailey Public Library and Ada Community Library in 1999.

Boise Public Library continues to be the hub for the system providing, system administration and maintenance, wide area and local network consulting, and a web server for Lynx Consortium Website and web sites for several of the members. 

Last Updated: 06/26/2006