Contact:  Joanne Hinkel

              Boise Public Library

              208-384-4372

              jhinkel@cityofboise.org  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –  

West Boise Library Groundbreaking Scheduled - June 17

(Boise, Idaho – 6/04/2008)  Mayor David Bieter and the Boise Public Library Board of Trustees invite the public to a groundbreaking ceremony for Boise’s new branch library in West Boise. The ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, at 10:30 a.m. at the future library’s site in the Evergreen Plaza Shopping Center at Cole and Ustick. 

"By providing library services at the neighborhood level, we’re reaching people we wouldn’t otherwise reach,” said Mayor David Bieter. “Though it’s true this will be the first library the City of Boise has built from the ground up, I’m confident it won’t be the last.  If the community reaction is similar to the Hillcrest and Collister library openings, this new facility will be a focal point for West Boise.”

During the project’s design phase, the City asked architects Fletcher Farr Ayotte, Inc., to create a facility that would reflect the identity of the surrounding West Boise neighborhoods, and would act as a community center, welcoming and integrating the neighborhood and surrounding businesses.  The building’s design also incorporates sustainable features for efficient use of energy and water and using recycled and local materials. The City is aiming for a gold LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. 

The full-service library is expected to open in late 2009.  Its service area will encompass four neighborhood associations – West Cloverdale, West Valley, West Bench and Winstead Park.  The 15,000 square-foot space will include two AV-equipped meeting rooms, 40-50 public computers, a collection of 40-50,000 books and materials, and spaces for children’s programs, reading and studying. 

Earlier this year, the City opened two smaller, full-service branch libraries in leased spaces in the Collister and Hillcrest Shopping Centers.  In April, the first full month of operation for the two facilities, over 20,000 people visited them, checking out over 25,000 items. 

A fourth library planned for Southeast Boise is expected to open in 2010.  The Library is also investigating the feasibility of building a new Main Library in downtown Boise.

For more information, visit www.boisepubliclibrary.org or call Library Administration at 384-4238, weekdays.

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