NORTHERN IDAHO – A library network that includes 27 libraries in northern Idaho and eastern Washington is splitting up.
The Cooperative Information Network gave communities access to 27 libraries’ worth of books across the region. The network will end September 30.
From St. Maries to Rathdrum, Idaho, the CIN allowed residents to take their local library card and use it at libraries around the region to access books, movies and programming events.
Residents could take their Coeur d’Alene library card and check out a book at the Liberty Lake Library, but with the dissolution of this network, that will be going away.
Fourteen of the libraries voted to dissolve the partnership, with only one voting against and one abstaining. The Community Library Network, a member of the CIN, said in a statement that “the CIN did not comply with Idaho statutes, and so legally the network could not continue.”
“It most definitely benefits a lot of our small rural libraries that don’t have the budget for books that some of the bigger networks have,” said Naomi Strom of the Library Alliance of North Idaho.
Strom said she is disappointed about the network ending.
“I’m really sad that this came to this. I’m really sad that the CIN is breaking up. I definitely think it’s going to hurt our community,” Strom said.
Those who oppose this decision believe this will restrict what books people have access to.
“We now have a board that is actively censoring and restricting access to books,” Strom said.
After Idaho’s Children’s School and Library Act was enacted, libraries were able to pull books from shelves that they believed were harmful to minors. Strom says some of the libraries in the region have been pulling books that talk about the LGBTQ community or people of color.
“A lot of controversial and potentially unconstitutional choices with regards to restricting access to books,” Strom said.
The end of this program does not mean residents cannot access libraries in other districts. It just means they may have to pay for that access.
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