Longtime Community Library Network board member resigns

Katie Blank, a longtime Community Library Network trustee, has resigned from the board.

Blank served on the library board for more than 30 years. She submitted her resignation Sunday.

"Recently some very challenging health concerns have been brought to my attention," Blank said in the resignation letter. "This has caused me to look carefully at the priorities in my life. I am realizing that it is no longer sustainable for me to serve on this board. It is negatively affecting my health. It is negatively affecting our livelihood. It is negatively affecting my relationships with my family and friends."

The resignation was effective immediately. Her term was set to end in 2025.

Blank's exit follows the June 7 resignation announcement of Library Director Alexa Eccles, who will depart from the network effective July 7. Eccles has been with the district just over a year. Her predecessor, Amy Rodda, resigned from the director position in November 2022 after joining the network in May 2021.

The Community Library Network is one of Idaho’s largest public library districts, with libraries in Post Falls, Athol, Harrison, Hayden, Pinehurst, Rathdrum and Spirit Lake, as well as the bookmobile. The Post Falls and Athol libraries are currently offering limited services as they undergo significant repairs caused by weather damage in January.

Blank said in a phone interview with The Press the decision to resign from the Community Library Network board was painful.

"To serve this community and the public library for over 30 years has been an insane honor," she said.

The Community Library Network board is holding its annual meeting from 2-5:30 p.m. today at the Harrison Library, 111 S. Coeur d'Alene Ave., Harrison.