MY TURN: Are we losing our public libraries?

It has been a tremendous honor to serve on the Community Library Network (CLN) Board of Trustees to guide and grow public libraries in seven North Idaho communities — Hayden, Post Falls, Rathdrum, Spirit Lake, Harrison, Athol and Pinehurst — for over 30 years. These communities have a long history of library support and public investment, even as times change.

Longtime Community Library Network trustee resigns

Katie Blank served library district for over 30 years

Katie Blank, a longtime Community Library Network trustee, has resigned from the board. Blank served on the library board for more than 30 years and as chair for more than 10 of those 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."

Longtime Community Library Network board member resigns

Katie Blank served library district for over 30 years

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

CLN trustees vote for new insurance

Board minority, director say move is reckless

While two libraries remain closed due to catastrophic water damage, Community Library Network trustees are poised to make costly changes to CLN’s insurance policies. If no other quotes come in before Friday, library trustees will accept insurance quotes from Wright Specialty Insurance and American Family Insurance and cancel current policies with the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program and the Great American Insurance Group. These changes will nearly double the library network’s insurance costs.

Here's what public libraries actually are

They're sanctuaries for personal freedoms, including the First Amendment.