Home sale’s proceeds added to fund for library

The fund-raiser for a new downtown Coeur d’Alene library got a $127,000 boost Wednesday after proceeds from a house sale went into the fund.

Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library recently sold a house next door to the current library on Harrison Avenue.

The volunteer group purchased two houses for investment in 1988 and 1991 and used the rental income to support various library projects.

The remaining house also is for sale and the proceeds will go to the Coeur d’Alene Library Foundation for the new facility, on which construction may start in the spring.

Plans for the 39,000-square-foot building overlooking McEuen Park were recently completed and will be presented to the city’s Design Review Committee on Tuesday.

The Library Foundation will name the used book store inside the new library entrance in honor of the Friends group.

Foundation Director Ruth Pratt said that individuals and organizations also can sponsor other areas in the new library, such as the community room or a bike rack.

In February, city voters approved a $3 million bond to help with the cost of building the $6.6 million library.

The foundation must raise the rest of the money.

For information on donating, contact Pratt at (208) 665-0040.