The Post Falls Library has the room; what it needs is improvements, said Anne Abrams, administrator for community resources for the Community Library Network.

Post Falls Library is home to several children's programs and special presentations, such as the Patrick McManus impersonator who attracted a crowd of more than 300 people last year. Abrams said guests of the event sat or stood anywhere they could, crowding in against the stage and around the book stacks for a view of the show.

"I want us to host big programs, especially during National Library Week and Banned Book Week," Abrams said. "It's just so cool to have the community all gathered in our library."

While there is no plan to expand the building, the library network is seeking a $4,970,940 levy to improve facilities and meet changing patron needs across its seven libraries in the district.

The levy, spread over three years, is estimated to cost $16.65 per year for taxpayers with a home valued at $200,000. In 2005, the district passed a 20-year bond for which residents with a home valued at $200,000 pay about $3.32 per year. The levy, which goes to voters May 17, would "sunset" in 2020, Abrams said.

Last year, several community focus groups were held to determine the individual needs of the seven libraries, which include facilities in Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, Spirit Lake, Athol and Harrison in Kootenai County, as well as the Pinehurst library in Shoshone County.

Upgrades at the Post Falls facility include decreasing book-shelf height to increase visibility and light throughout the building. The shelves would be on casters to create "flexible space," allowing the furniture to be moved aside for programs and events. The large, arched wooden pillars throughout the library will remain in place, but everything around them could be moved when needed. The large fireplace, located in the center toward the rear of the library, would be removed and a new, energy-efficient model installed against the west wall of the building.

Post Falls librarian Rebecca Melton said one concern among the members of the focus groups was to create space for kids to gather in "age appropriate" environments. The kids area, known as Henderson Children's Library, would be expanded and enclosed, with flip-through picture book shelving added.

"Probably the most important for this library is that the teens will have their own place," Melton said.

Teenagers "hang out" in the library or outside on the sidewalk daily, so Abrams said they would like to offer an enclosed area where the teens can talk, plug in electronic devices and study. Abrams said the teen area would be close to where the new "maker space" is planned, located in what is currently the technology room on the south side of the building.

A small "cafe-type space," with food and drinks available from vending machines, is also in the plans for the south side of the library, located just past the circulation desk near the front entrance. Melton said the current circulation desk would also be removed, adding more open space and book shelves.

"One of the things that we heard from our consultants is that our circulation desks, this one and the one at Hayden, are incredibly large for the size of our facilities," Melton said, emphasizing the word "incredibly" as she gestured to the long, wide desk that took up several yards of space near the entrance.

Patrons would then be able to move toward "quiet areas" located on the west side of the building, away from the children and teen areas, where semi-enclosed private seating would be available.

Laptops and tablets, plug and play furniture and charging stations, a meeting room with a presentation screen, and creation of an overall "warm and welcoming atmosphere" are just a few more upgrades Abrams said the levy would cover for the Post Falls facility.

The Post Falls Library is one of the largest in the district, recently celebrating a 100-year anniversary. The "new" library facility was built in 1999, and since then, technology and population growth has created a need for improvement.

"The things that work we are keeping, and the things that need to be improved upon can be improved upon," Melton said. "We love this building, Post Falls loves this building, but after 17 years it's getting outdated."

The library network held open houses throughout the week at facilities including Athol, Hayden and Rathdrum. A presentation and tour will take place during the Post Falls Library Open House from 4-5 p.m. April 20.

Information: www.communitylibrary.net/tomorrow.