Cd'A library considers satellite branch at Lake City High

A trip to the library could soon be a shorter distance for Coeur d'Alene residents living in the northwestern part of the city.

Coeur d'Alene Public Library, city and school district officials are exploring the feasibility of creating a satellite branch of the downtown library at Lake City High School.

"We love the idea of being where there is a trail of families and kids, and that's what's going on over there near Lake City," said Coeur d'Alene Public Library Director Bette Ammon.

Ammon said they began looking at the possibility of partnering with the school district after the library board's annual review of the library's long-range plan.

One of the objectives and goals, Ammon said, is to provide library service where people live.

It would be based on a model in place in Missoula, where Ammon was the library director for eight years before coming to Coeur d'Alene.

"We had a school-library when I was there, and since I've left, they've established four more," Ammon said. "It's a highly successful model, and with very little overhead."

Most of the school-library branches in Missoula are open to the public for 16-20 hours per week, mainly weekdays after school from about 4 to 8 p.m. Each branch's hours are tailored to meet the needs of the neighborhoods and school communities they serve.

Ammon and school district representatives will present the idea to the Coeur d'Alene school board when the trustees hold their regular monthly meeting April 6.

"I think when someone is looking to partner with us, it's always worth examining," said Coeur d'Alene School Superintendent Matt Handelman.

He said the plan is expected to be of minimal cost to the school district with the library carrying the cost of personnel. That could offer some cost-savings opportunities for the school system, Handelman said, since there may be times when the district will no longer have to pay for a librarian to be there because the position will be staffed by the city library.

He said they will ensure there are no inappropriate reading or other media materials accessible to students.

"Nothing's been decided," Handelman said. "This is the decision of policymakers and in this case, there are three groups of them: the library, the school board and the city."

The school board won't be making a decision about the plan April 6. Organizers are also expected to present the concept to the Coeur d'Alene City Council next month.