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NAVIGATION:
What is the plan for neighborhood libraries in Boise? The Boise Public Library Board of Trustees and the Boise City Council have endorsed seeking public comment on a proposed plan for four full-service branch libraries to serve residents of the East, West, Central Bench and Northwest portions of the city. The proposed libraries would be phased-in over four years and could be funded within in the city's budget without raising taxes. Why does Boise need more libraries? Boise's current Main Library facility opened over 30 years ago, and the city's population has nearly tripled since.
Given the availability of information on the Internet, aren't libraries becoming obsolete? With Boise Public Library receiving over 3,300 visits a day - up 29% since 2000 - Boise residents clearly feel libraries are as important as ever. Libraries provide a wealth of free resources that aren’t available via the Internet, including books and movies, programs for all ages, space for studying, and librarian expertise when help is needed. Many households don’t have computers or Internet access; these families depend on public libraries to provide technology for schoolwork, e-mail and research. More than 40% of students in Boise elementary schools qualify for reduced-price or free lunch programs; it’s likely that many of those households are among those without computers or Internet access at home. What about a new main library? Is the City still considering the Library Blocks proposal? The City and the Library are still exploring the possibility of a new main library, including consideration of the Library Blocks proposal, but the branch library projects are our top priority right now.
How old is the main library building? The Boise Public Library was moved to the former Salt Lake Hardware Building in 1973. The building itself dates from the mid-1940’s. The library was intended to serve a city population of up to 75,000. Today our population is 212,000, and projections for 2025 are for 265,000 citizens – about a 350% increase from 1973. The downtown library is at capacity for parking, public computers, space for materials and for many children’s programs. How much are Boise’s Libraries used today? Boise's public library is well loved, and well used, receiving about 1,122,413 visits each year - that's more than 3,300 visits a day.
How does Boise’s library compare to other cities? Boise is the only city its size in the United States without neighborhood (branch) libraries. Looking at Western cities of comparable size such as Salt Lake City, Spokane, Scottsdale and Eugene, Boise:
Where would the proposed branch libraries be located? The proposed plan calls for four branch libraries:
How big would the branch libraries be, and what would they include? All four branch libraries are proposed as full-service branches, offering adult and children’s programs, community meeting space, computers and Internet access, books, recorded music, movies, magazines & newspapers, online resources, homework help and information and reference services.
What is a full-service branch library? A full-service branch library offers all of the services that the downtown library offers. These include:
How much would it cost to build the branch libraries? By using a phased-in approach and scaling down the size of the libraries compared to previous plans, the City could fund the four proposed branch libraries within the current six-year budget projection without raising taxes. The two neighborhood libraries for the Central Bench and Northwest Boise areas are proposed as leased facilities. Costs for preparing those sites, including design, furnishings and equipment, are estimated at $640,000 each. Subsequent operating costs are estimated at $700,520, with the libraries open 5-6 days per week. The two community libraries for West and East Boise are proposed to be constructed on the existing sites owned by the City, at Cole and Ustick and in Bown Crossing. Costs for design, construction, furnishings and equipment are estimated at $5.46 million each. Subsequent operating costs are estimated at $1.1 million, with the libraries open 6 days per week. How and why were the locations chosen? The general areas were chosen based on long term growth projections, with the goal of providing service to the most heavily populated areas of Boise. Specific site choices are made on the basis of a variety of factors, including cost, accessibility, neighborhood dynamics and suitability for the space and structural needs of a library facility. When was the last time Boise built a library? The City of Boise has never funded construction of a new library. The Columbian Club, a local women’s service group, secured funds from Andrew Carnegie to construct a public library, which opened its doors in 1905. In 1973, the library was moved to the much larger space of the former Salt Lake Hardware Building, where it currently resides. A new public library building has not been constructed in Boise since 1905, whereas the new Meridian and Eagle libraries were built in 1997 and 1999, respectively. Where can I find more information about the library? Check the library’s website at www.boisepubliclibrary.org for updated information on the Boise Public Library proposed neighborhood libraries. |
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