Contact: Joanne Hinkel

             Boise Public Library

             208-384-4372

             jhinkel@cityofboise.org

- REVISED -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 

“Wallbreaking” Scheduled for new LIBRARY! at Hillcrest

(Boise, ID – October 03, 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 Hillcrest.   The ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday morning, October 9, at 11 a.m. in space leased for the library in the Hillcrest Shopping Center.

“Three years ago,” said Boise Mayor David Bieter, “Boise ranked last in library services among our peer cities.  With today's wall-breaking we are well on our way to having two new neighborhood libraries, with two more on the way in the next few years.   For all who recognize the importance of books, knowledge and access to technology, this is indeed a great day.  I am proud of what we have accomplished as a community."

The LIBRARY! at Hillcrest is scheduled to open in early 2008, following closely behind the December 2007 opening of another neighborhood  library in the Collister Shopping Center.   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 another 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 5246 West Overland Road in the Hillcrest Shopping Center at Overland Road and Orchard Street.  For more information about the ceremony, call 384-4238.  To see a floor-plan of the Hillcrest and Collister libraries, or for detailed information on the library facilities plan, visit the library’s website at www.boisepubliclibrary.org.

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