Small-town Idaho library says it will become adults-only

The Donnelly Public Library announced it will become an adults-only library and says Idaho House Bill 710 is responsible.

“Donnelly Public Library was deeply saddened by the passing of HB710,” a news release stated. “Unfortunately, the ambiguous language in the legislation leaves us no options but to make some very drastic changes.”

Sherry Scheline, the library director, told KTVB that the building will become an adult-only library, but children will be allowed in if they are accompanied by a “signing adult.”

In a statement, officials with the library said because of its size, it can’t comply with the new law and create an adult section out of children’s range. The library is 1,024 square feet, a tenth of the size of the state’s average library, which is 10,552 square feet.

“This change is painful and not what we had hoped for at all,” officials stated. “We desire to comply with state and federal legislation, but because of size, we have to protect our staff, our library, and our taxpayer money.”

Library officials said that despite the “saddened news,” they will continue their after-school programming and summer learning.

“After-school programming has become an essential part of the Library,” officials stated. “It is our primary source of funding through both grants as well as tuition monies paid by participants. It is imperative we continue to grow our programming offerings.”

Officials said students participating in their programming will be able to sign a waiver allowing librarians to curate learning material for them.

The Donnelly Public Library encouraged the public to donate to the Donnelly Public Library Building Fund, a multi-year effort to expand the building. Without the expansion, the building will remain an adult-only library.