Library district gets new name, logo

People using most area libraries will soon notice change.

Kootenai-Shoshone Area Libraries is now the Community Library Network. The name change comes as Post Falls Public Library merges with the district.

"We didn't take the name change lightly," said John Hartung, district library director. "After talking to our board, staff and community, the benefits of changing our name outweighed any negatives."

The Community Library Network provides library services in the cities of Athol, Harrison, Hayden, Pinehurst, Post Falls, Rathdrum and Spirit Lake and through its mobile library.

Along with the new name comes a new logo - the first one ever professionally developed for the district.

Visitors will soon see Community Library Network decals on entrances of their home libraries. And online library users will notice the home page of the district's website at http://www.communitylibrary.net.

Because the district is unifying services throughout its eight locations, Hartung secured a federal grant through the Idaho Commission for Libraries. The grant paid for contracting with a firm to help with communication logistics.

The grant is $70,826 and the local match is $27,005 for a total project cost of $97,831.

Another strength the district has is seamless service throughout the area in partnership with the Coeur d'Alene Public Library and others throughout the region, said Michele Veale, who serves on the Community Library Network board. She has noticed other benefits, too.

"When I served on the Post Falls board, we had another layer of government between us and the public," she said. "Now we deal directly with, and are elected by, the public."

The expansion of the district makes the Community Library Network second only to Boise Public Library in service population, according to 2009 ICFL statistics.