In July 1966 the people of Sandpoint got the news that the former U.S. post office property, located at Second and Alder, would be turned over to the city for use as a library. The city fathers set up $20,000 in the budget for preliminary work on the building to assure its safety for library use.
In September 1966 people gathered in the city hall council chambers to witness the signing ceremony that would transfer the post office building to the city. Clayton S. Brown, representing the Federal government and Sandpoint Mayor Floyd Gray signed the legal papers. After the signing there were many speeches by the local politicians as well as those from Boise. The program ended with the turning over of a box of keys to Mayor Floyd Gray by Postmaster Robert Willer.
The keys worked well in unlocking the knowledge of the world for the citizens of Bonner County, both young and old. More and more people appeared at the library and the once "spacious and beautiful" facility was full to overflowing. The two story building, plus abasement, could not fulfill what the citizens of the county expected of it. New books were a must and modern equipment was mandated to keep abreast of an ever-changing world.
From Sandpoint History
In 2000 a spanking new 31,000 square foot library was opened in Sandpoint, replacing the old Federal Building which the library had occupied since 1966.
On April 25, 1990 the Bonner County Daily Bee reported that the library had been given the use of a "people counter" to help get an idea of the daily usage of the facility. It turned out that they had greatly underestimated the number of people that were making use of their library. At that time the library was still within the old Federal Building. Read the story below.
People counter' shows increase
in library use
Using a "people counter" donated to the East Bonner County 'Library, the library staff has discovered more people are using the library than previously estimated.
An electronic laser device funded by the Friends of the Library has helped determine it is not uncommon for over 600 people to use the library in a day. Previous estimates were at 600 people per week.
The executive board of the Friends of the East Bonner County Library decided at its February meeting to donate money raised at the monthly used-book sale for the purchase of the laser counter which, has been counting people at the main entrance of the library.
The library has been using the counter on a trial basis since March. Due to the success of the April book sale, the group was able to present a check for $229 this week.
Over 10,000 people visited the library during February. April 16 was the busiest day tabulated so far, with 668 people visiting the library. Library director Gloria Ray said she feels the number of library users will be even higher in earning months. The counter will aid with planning staff assignments and the space needed for building expansion.
The monthly book is held In the library basement from noon to 2 p.m, on the first. Wednesday of each month. Call the library at 263-8930 or Jim Clarke at 263-6791 for more information.
From the Bonner County Daily Bee