Library activities to conclude with building dedication
COEUR d’ALENE – When the Family Book Brigade heads out at 10 a.m. today, it will set in motion a series of activities culminating in dedication of the new Coeur d’Alene Public Library on Sept. 9.
Participants will be carrying books from the old library at 201 E. Harrison Ave. to the new building at 702 Front Ave. Those books will be offered for sale by the Friends of the Library in the organization’s new bookstore, Second Story Books.
The Family Book Brigade will be led by an antique firetruck owned by Harris-Dean Insurance – which operates from a former library building – and also will include a decorated van used by the current library. Other participants will include individuals carrying backpacks full of books as well as an entry sponsored by a neighborhood and described as a “human-powered train.”
“We want the community to come out and cheer on the Book Brigade,” said organizer David Townsend, library communications coordinator. “This will be a historic event and fun for families.
“If people decide at the last minute that they would like to join the parade with a late entry, things are flexible enough for them to do that,” he said. “Grab your wheelbarrow or little red wagon and come along.”
Parade participants will line up at the old library at 9 a.m., with the parade getting under way at 10. The route follows Harrison Avenue east to Fifth Street and then goes south to Front Avenue, where it will continue on the Centennial Trail east to the new library.
Participants will be met by volunteers at the front door, where the books will be collected and moved to Second Story Books.
Young Book Brigade participants must be accompanied by an adult.
Due to ongoing work, today’s event won’t include tours of the new building. But participants will gather on the park side of the building for refreshments and are invited to check out the new bookmobile operated by Kootenai-Shoshone Area Libraries, partners with Coeur d’Alene in the Cooperative Information Network.
Sponsors of the Family Book Brigade include the city of Coeur d’Alene, the library foundation and Friends of the Library.
Sunday is the last day when the Harrison Avenue library will be open to the public.
Dedication of the new library is scheduled for Sept. 9 at 2 p.m., when the community is invited to ribbon-cutting ceremonies and an open house.
Internet and checkout services will not be available during the open house but will resume when the library opens for full public operations on Sept. 10 at 10 a.m.
During the two weeks when the Coeur d’Alene Public Library will be closed, patrons are encouraged to use the other libraries in the Cooperative Information Network.
Information on the design of the new building and photos of its construction are available at the library Web site, www.cdalibrary.org.