Coeur d'Alene library director resigns

COEUR d'ALENE — The director of the Coeur d'Alene Public Library turned in his resignation Monday.

Michael Priest accepted a library position near his hometown and family in New Zealand.

"It was an unexpected opportunity, and one that my wife Megan and I have given much consideration over the past few days. We ultimately decided that a fresh challenge in a location closer to family would be the best decision for us at this time," he wrote in his resignation letter.

Priest started with the city in October 2020. His last day will be July 12.

His resignation comes shortly before a new law takes effect over materials in public libraries that are deemed harmful to children.

In a note to City Administrator Troy Tymesen, Priest wrote that his decision "is in no way a reflection of any unhappiness about the library, its staff, nor its Board of Trustees. I think the library and its services are in a great place right now, even with the pending impact of Idaho Code 18-1517B come July 1."

According to Idaho Education News. House Bill 710 passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Brad Little earlier this year establishes tighter restrictions on library materials that are available to children. 

The new law establishes a statewide policy for reviewing materials that could be considered “harmful” to minors, including items with sexual content, nudity or homosexuality, IEN wrote. It takes effect July 1. 

If a patron challenges an item, library officials have 60 days to remove or relocate it, after which the patron can file a lawsuit, according to INE. A library that violates the law faces a mandatory $250 fine.

Priest wrote that he understood the timing of his resignation "is not ideal with the uncertainty surrounding 18-1517B," in his note to Tymesen. "I feel the library is well poised to meet the challenges. Staff are up to date on the policy and procedure at play."

Jim Windisch, library board chair, said Priest did an excellent job as director during challenging times. 

He said Priest came on board in 2020 when the library was beginning to expand services from the curbside checkout and online programming that the library was limited to during the COVID-19 shutdown. 

Library offerings and use grew under his leadership with over 100,000 items checked out and 300 library programs conducted last year. 

With Priest at the helm, the library also introduced initiatives such as the Library of Things, established the Children’s Library Reading Cabin, introduced a new adult programming position and initiated the renovation of the Teen Zone.

"He has been a calm and level-headed presence through that growth and as the national trend toward increased scrutiny of library materials reached our community," Windisch said. "Over the last four years, he maintained a high-quality staff to help our community make the most of the library and he was instrumental in developing a clear, strategic plan that will continue to guide us as we move forward."

As a trustee, Windisch said he could count on Priest to provide the board with thorough information about the library's operations and find information to help the board with questions regarding library policies. 

"I wish him the best in his new position, and we will certainly miss him here in Coeur d'Alene," he wrote.

Priest oversaw a library with a budget of about $2 million, a staff of about 30 full- and part-time positions and offered services to 27,817 cardholders. 

The library director's salary range is $85,259 to $103,177.

"Under Michael's guidance, our public library has navigated through challenging times since 2020. The library remains committed to adapting to changes and supporting the community with a wide array of meaningful services," said Library Communications Coordinator JD Smithson.

The library board selects the director with support from the city's human resources department. It will begin talks on finding Priest's replacement when it meets at 4 p.m. today in the Coeur d'Alene Public Library Meeting Room.