PROGRESS: Year brings growth, momentum for EBCLD

This year brought another period of growth and momentum for the library, with significant strides made in expanding services, strengthening community partnerships, and continuing to evolve as a community hub.

We broadened access to our community in several meaningful ways. Checkout limits were increased to 50 items per card, giving library cardholders greater flexibility and convenience. New library card options were added to better serve students and unhoused community members as part of our strategic priority to expand accessibility.  Basic hygiene kits are now available to patrons in need.  These efforts underscore the library's role as a place of practical support as well as information.

Behind the scenes, the library invested in staff and service quality by filling key positions and refining our organizational structure. A successful staff training day focused on inclusion, collaboration, and library operations. Significant improvements were made to internal technology infrastructure to enhance our communication, collaboration, and overall efficiency behind the scenes.

Within the library walls, both the Clark Fork and Sandpoint branches received upgrades that improved comfort, safety, and functionality. These included space enhancements for youth services and reading and learning areas, making the library more welcoming and adaptable for a wide range of activities. In addition, the staff‑led Decoration Committee helped enhance the atmosphere throughout the year by adding seasonal and holiday decorations, creating warm, inviting spaces. As in years past, the library also continued to meet strong demand as a gathering place, hosting a high volume of community meetings and offering engaging programs for all ages.  Recently, we shifted toward planning and promoting library programs by season, helping patrons look forward to library events and stay engaged year‑round. Our upcoming Summer Reading theme, “Plant a Seed, Read,” will include nature‑inspired events for all ages at the Sandpoint Library, in the Library Garden, at the Clark Fork Library, and at locations throughout the community.

Beyond the library walls, we partnered with local schools, nonprofits, and city organizations to expand learning opportunities, including helping sponsor and create the Born Learning Trail at Travers Park and reaching hundreds of students through STEM, exploration, and hands‑on programs.

Looking ahead, the library has begun to move forward with an expansion of the Sandpoint branch. The Library Board approved design concepts for a new two‑level expansion on the northwest side of the building. Funded through donations and local sales‑tax revenue—not levied tax dollars—the expansion will add much‑needed meeting rooms, study spaces, and behind‑the‑scenes work areas to better serve the community for years to come. We’re even planning a cafe.

With continued community support, the library looks ahead to another year of discovery, connection, and lifelong learning — both within our walls and throughout the community. 

From year‑round programs and reading challenges to the upcoming Sandpoint Library Expansion, there are many ways to engage with what’s happening next. Explore upcoming events, follow expansion updates, and discover all the library has to offer at ebonnerlibrary.org—and better yet, stop by and be part of it.

    An architect's rendition of the East Bonner County Library District's planned expansion.

Vanessa Velez is the library director for the East Bonner County Library District.