Contact:       Joanne Hinkel

Boise Public Library

                   208-384-4372

                   jhinkel@cityofboise.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 

“Wallbreaking” Marks New Era for Boise’s Libraries

LIBRARY! at Collister

(Boise, ID – August 09, 2007)  Join Mayor Bieter and Boise Public Library’s Board of Trustees as they wield golden sledgehammers in a symbolic “wallbreaking” next week, marking the beginning of work on the new LIBRARY! at Collister.   The ceremony is scheduled for Thursday morning, August 16, at 11 a.m. in space leased for the library in the Collister Shopping Center. 

"This wallbreaking ceremony is the first step in achieving an historic milestone for our city," said Boise Mayor David Bieter. "Making this a reality has been a passion of mine for years.” 

“For me personally, this will be a poignant day and for the rest of our citizens a day to remember.  The entire community benefits from access to libraries.  Children, families, students, start-up businesses, retirees – it is something we all can enjoy and benefit from."

The LIBRARY! at Collister, along with another storefront library planned for the Hillcrest Shopping Center, is scheduled to open in late November or early December.  Two larger libraries will open in 2009 and 2010 – one in West Boise at Cole and Ustick and one in Southeast Boise’s Bown Crossing.

“This wallbreaking marks an exciting moment for library service in Boise,” said Library Director Kevin Booe.  “We’re evolving from having just one main library to a city with a system of full-service neighborhood libraries.” 

“This means you’ll be able to go to a library in your neighborhood to use a computer, do research, check out books and movies or to take the kids to storytime.  You’ll also find comfortable spots to sit down with a magazine and cup of coffee.” 

The wallbreaking ceremony will be held in the future library space at 4724 West State Street, in the Collister Shopping Center at Collister Road and State Street.  For more information about the ceremony, call 384-4238.  To see a floor-plan of the Collister and Hillcrest libraries, or for detailed information on the library facilities plan, visit the library’s website at www.boisepubliclibrary.org.

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