FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 15, 2009

Grand Opening Scheduled for Library! at Cole & Ustick

Mayor David Bieter and the Boise Public Library Board of Trustees invite the public to the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Boise’s new branch library in West Boise, the Library! at Cole and Ustick. The library is located in the Evergreen Plaza Shopping Center at North Cole and Ustick, at 7557 West Ustick Road. The ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, at 9:30 a.m.

The public is invited to come to the ribbon cutting, and to stay for a look at the new library and the many features that will make it a vibrant part of the West Boise community. Structural highlights include a light-filled, welcoming building, beautiful architectural glass artwork, AV-equipped community rooms, and myriad “green” building features.

“We’re confident this new library will spur redevelopment and become a focal point for an area that has waited too long for both,” Mayor David Bieter said. “The building has turned out even more beautiful than we expected. I encourage everyone in the neighborhood and in the City to come out to join us on June 30.”

The City is aiming for a gold LEED certification of the new library, from the U.S. Green Building Council. Architects Fletcher Farr Ayotte, Inc., and general contractors Petra, Inc., were asked to incorporate sustainable features in the building’s design and construction, including efficient use of energy and water, and the use of recycled and local materials.

The new library’s 12,600 square feet of public space include two AV-equipped meeting rooms, 46 public computers with Internet access, a collection of 40-50,000 books and materials, and spaces for children’s programs, reading and studying. Its service area will encompass four neighborhood associations - West Cloverdale, West Valley, West Bench and Winstead Park.

Boise Public Library opened two smaller, full-service branch libraries last year in leased spaces in the Collister and Hillcrest Shopping Centers. Since their opening in February and March of 2008, almost 363,000 people have visited them in person, checking out 431,000 books, movies and other materials (as of May 31, 2009).

The City plans to begin design of a fourth library in Southeast Boise this fall and is hopeful construction can begin in 2010. The City 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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Contact:  Joanne Hinkel

              Community Relations

              Boise Public Library

              208-384-4372

              jhinkel@cityofboise.org