Idaho Falls Public Library
The Idaho Falls Public Library provides materials of popular interest to the community, emphasizes and encourages reading by children, supplements the learning and educational needs of the community, and furnishes timely, accurate information.
The Library Turns 25
A Silver Anniversary to Remember
2002 marked the 25th anniversary of the Idaho Falls Public Library's relocation to the current building on Broadway and Capitol. The article below written by Gary Mills of the library staff outlines the history of the Idaho Falls Public Library.
Early settlers of Eagle Rock understood the importance of a library and having access to books for the citizens. As early as 1884, Rebecca Mitchell started a reading room with 300-400 volumes in the Baptist Church. A short time later, in 1896, the Women's Christian Temperance Union developed a reading room "for the purpose of keeping young people away from saloons and pool halls."
The Carnegie building on the east side of the railroad tracks was originally built during 1914-15. (The building that now houses the Bonneville Museum) It opened with 2,000 books, 63 periodicals, and 420 cardholders. The building was expanded and remodeled with Public Works Administration funds for 70,000 dollars between 1938 and 1940 and held a collection of nearly 20,000. According to the Post Register, in 1954, "the library was recently equipped with an elevator large enough to hold one person and a truckload of books."
Since opening the doors in 1977 the library has worked to provide quality library services to community with up-to-date methods. The next year will be spent seeking input from a variety of organizations and individuals for planning the Library's direction over the next twenty-five years. The goal of the library is to be responsive to community needs for information and recreational reading. Staff will be looking towards implementation of newer and more capable technology as well as expanding the collection available based on public interests.
Explore Related Categories
