The Post Falls and Athol libraries will begin offering limited services today following three months of closures brought on by building damage from severe winter weather and flooding in January.

Services will include one-on-one staff assistance, internet and Wi-Fi access, book browsing and hold pickup. The Community Library Network Bookmobile will be at the Athol Library, 30399 Third St. The lobby and meeting room at the Post Falls Library, 821 N. Spokane St., will be used to provide these services.

"This reopening represents a significant step forward in restoring essential resources and community access to library facilities,” Library Director Alexa Eccles said in a Monday news release. “We are committed to serving the community, even in the face of adversity.” 

These efforts underscore the library's dedication to meeting the needs of its patrons despite challenges and maintaining its role as a vital resource within the community, the news release said.

The CLN has contracted with Hayden-based Compass Construction to make repairs to allow the libraries to resume full services as soon as possible. The library district's insurance provider, Idaho Counties Risk Management Program, is expected to cover all construction repair costs, which are nearly $700,000. Athol's repairs costs are estimated at $197,000 and Post Falls repairs are estimated at $504,000.

“While insurance coverage for construction repair costs alleviates some financial burden, the cost of replacing all damaged items remains a significant concern," Eccles said.

The uncertainty surrounding this adds to the challenges faced by the Community Library Network in restoring full functionality to its services. Efforts to address the issue have included fundraising book sales and may involve seeking additional funding sources or exploring cost-saving measures to mitigate the impact on the library's budget.

Post Falls limited library services hours will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Bookmobile service hours at Athol will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

A facilities update for the Athol and Post Falls libraries is on the agenda for the board of trustees' regular meeting scheduled 2 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hayden Library, 8385 N. Government Way.

The update is one of more than 20 items on the agenda, which also includes: a five-minute discussion about the implementation date of the updated personnel policy and holidays; a 20-minute discussion about the materials selection, acquisition, withdrawal and reconsideration policies; discussion on delivery of legal reports, 15 minutes; periodic acquisition reports and the cost of a customized program, 15 minutes; a 20-minute discussion on taking minutes; and 30 minutes for public comment, which will later be followed by a five-minute response to public comment.

    Eccles