Post Falls Checks Out Library New Facility Decked With Computers, Children’S Wing And Meeting Rooms

The double doors of the new Post Falls Public Library swung open to the public for the first time Monday morning.

Kids played along window seats in the children’s library while adults used the numerous computers scattered throughout the spacious new building or browsed the library’s collection with more elbow room than they’d ever had.

“It’s easier to keep things organized because there’s lots more room,” said library assistant Lucy Barnard on Monday afternoon. “We had books before that we weren’t able to get out because we didn’t have room.

“It’s nice to be able to have the whole collection on the shelves.”

Post Falls voters gave themselves a property tax increase in November 1997 to cover the cost of a new library. The old library was outgrowing its building. Property taxpayers pitched in $2 million and the City Council contributed $225,000.

Before library patrons enter the building, they pass under a tall awning and through two sets of glass doors. A large clock face with Roman numerals hangs above the outside doors.

Once inside, they face a water fountain made of large stones. To the right is a circular window into the children’s library with a round bench seat for kids. Monday afternoon, there were a couple of them reading to one another, making a sort of window display as people walked in.

To the left is where the next phase of construction will take place. Once completed, which will be sometime in October, it will hold community meeting rooms, said Library Director Joe Reiss.

The open part of the library is to the right.

There is a tall, vaulted ceiling down the center part of the well-lighted, spacious building. The children’s library, the shelves of books, study tables, study rooms, the computer room and comfy sofas and chairs for reading are on either side.

In a back room, a television monitor shows views from five Intermountain Security cameras.

Regina Corbin of Post Falls and Anne Solomon of Coeur d’Alene each created a circular stained glass window for the library. Architects Ron Tan, Marv Moore, Monte Miller and Dick Stauffer designed the building.

“I love this,” a library patron said to her friend as she walked out the door.

Some details still need to be finished, Reiss said. A fireplace that will be in the middle of the main part of the library isn’t finished, and the library staff needs to get its computer system running properly, he said.

“We hope they (library patrons) like it,” Reiss said. “The city got itself something both functional and beautiful that it can be proud of.”