Last night KTVB aired a story about our push for a library in West Boise, and subsequent lack of any branch in West Boise in the new facilities plan draft.

Library Director Dorr said in this interview:

“We don’t have the funds to put a library in every neighborhood that asks for one.  I wish we could.”

I would ask viewers to consider a few questions in response:

  • How many neighborhoods have asked for a library besides citizens in West Boise?
  • We do have the funds to replace two existing branches and enhance the main library, but we don’t have the funds to add a branch where we are missing one today?
  • When making a facilities plan, shouldn’t the library build a plan that makes Boise a city for everyone, and then work with City Council to determine if/how that plan can be funded?
  • Has City Council already told the library that if they work on a facilities plan, it may not include a new branch?