Post Falls Voters To Decide On Library Upgrade Books Discarded For Lack Of Room; Expansion Would Cost $2 Million

John Steinbeck isn’t paying his dues.

Works of the classic author are among the little-read books that have been tossed from the Post Falls library collection in recent years to make way for newer titles.

While patrons complain of too little privacy and too much noise, librarians are scrambling to make room for popular new releases.

“We are losing the muscle and bone of our collection now,” said librarian Joe Reiss, “but we are looking at this bond as a chance to do something really terrific for this library and community - move the library forward rather than backward.”

Post Falls voters will be asked Nov. 4 whether they want to pay for a $2 million renovation and expansion of their library. It means an additional 35 cents for every $1,000 of taxable property, or $22 on a $100,000 home with a homeowner’s exemption.

Inside the 4,400-square-foot library there’s Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” but not “Tortilla Flats.” There are samples of many great authors, but not their lesser-known works. More obscure authors are disappearing from the shelves. The library has stopped taking book donations. And any book not checked out over the last year becomes a serious candidate for removal - usually donated to schools or other organizations.

“If it’s not getting used or paying its way over the last year, it has to move over,” Reiss said. “The true tragedy for us is losing the breadth. The whole body, as you start slicing it, becomes weaker and weaker.”

Despite getting 63 percent approval, the last three school bond levies failed here, just shy of the two-thirds majority needed. Library supporters are quick to point out that the school district is supporting the bond and even donated land west of the library for the proposed 18,000-square-foot addition. The city has pledged $225,000 toward the expansion. The library bond also requires a two-thirds majority vote to pass.

The Spokane Street library was built in the early 1970s and then expanded in 1980. Since that time, the city population has increased more than 300 percent and the number of library card holders has mushroomed from 2,700 to 8,141.

The proposed addition would have study space, reading areas as well as a large children’s room. Meeting rooms and a high-tech room wired for computers would add a social aspect to the library.

“… A place where people can be comfortable being with other people,” Reiss said. “Besides Tidyman’s, there’s not a lot of that happening here.”

The library bond would be repaid over a period of 15 years.

Freeman Duncan, a former legislator who also served on the state library board, heads the library’s building committee. He will begin informational meetings tonight at 7 p.m. at Templin’s Resort Hotel. Post Falls, Duncan maintains, is a highly residential community where more people tend to use the library. The Post Falls library’s circulation rate of 154,859 is 50 percent more than the Lewiston library, for example, which serves 30,000 people.

Residents may register to vote at the Post Falls City Hall or county courthouse until Oct. 10 or at their designated polling place on election day. Absentee ballots will be available October 25 at city hall.

, DataTimes