PLUMMER - Sure, it's a new, $786,000 building with 5,400 square feet upstairs and another 1,200 down.

Yes, it has 16,500 books, DVDs and tapes.

Certainly, the crowd of about 100 that gathered on a sunny, windy Monday morning for the dedication and ribbon-cutting for the new Plummer Public Library loved it.

But what some folks really appreciated, you couldn't read or check out.

"I've already had people this morning say, 'Public restrooms,'" Paulina Freeburg, library director, said with a smile as everyone laughed.

That's because the old library, all 1,600 square feet, didn't have restrooms. The 1940s building barely had space for the shelves and books literally crammed to the ceiling.

"It served its purpose, but it was time for it to go," Freeburg said.

It fell under the march of the bulldozer, and was replaced next door at 849 D St. with a new building 10 years in the planning. It was the result of many fundraisers, much paperwork and lots of community support.

And don't forget that God was there, too, said Pastor Randy Cordle during the 25-minute ceremony.

"Trust me, I have a pretty good idea of the amount of prayer that went into the building," he said.

Voters in 2008 approved a $500,000 bond that was financed by USDA Rural Development. USDA also provided a grant of $143,000 to match the community's contribution.

"If we wouldn't have passed the bond, we wouldn't be standing here today," said Chris Smith, library trustee. "All those fundraisers, look what you guys did."

John Lynn, USDA representative, said there were many people who made it happen, but most credit goes to the citizens of Plummer.

"People are saying libraries are a dying thing. Look at this. I don't think they are," he said as he turned to the building looming just behind him. "I think it's just a masterpiece for the city of Plummer.

With the speeches done and the ribbon cut, residents milled about inside the library described simply as functional and efficient.

There was nothing extravagant or luxurious, evidenced by the six folding chairs and a table that offered a place to sit and study in the center of the room.

Books organized in categories lined shelves. A computer for online public access waited for a user. In the kids area, small chairs surrounded an equally small table. There was a meeting room and an office for Freeburg, too.

Throughout, large windows allowed light to stream in, while eggshell colored walls and blue carpeting added a sense of space and comfort.

Garnett Riebold, who moved to Plummer two months ago to live with her sister, Lela Dunder, perused the shelves and gazed around the spacious, high-ceiling room.

She said it was the type of project that makes it special to be part of a small community.

"It's beautiful anytime we can upgrade our little towns," Riebold said.

The building was designed by Longwell and Trapp Architects of Hayden. Construction was by James W. Elmer Company of Spokane.

The location of the old library will be paved over for parking.

Freeburg, 25 year library director, called the library a "door to lifelong learning" and said it was a highlight of her career.

"Everyone here recognizes the importance of the library in our community," she said.