Boise library leaders outline facilities plan after survey shows rising use and digital checkouts

Boise — Boise Public Library leaders and members of the Boise City Council met in a joint session to review early work on a 10‑ to 20‑year facilities plan, present community survey results and usage trends, and seek council feedback before expanded public outreach in 2025.

Library Director Jessica Doerr described a system with rising demand across both in‑person and online services and said, “There is a resounding yes in the number of people who walk into our facilities every day or the number of people who access our facilities online every day.” Doerr also warned of growing costs tied to digital collections: “For the first time, Boise Public Library will exceed a 1,000,000 digital checkouts,” she said, while noting digital items are typically more expensive to license than print copies.

Why it matters: Boise’s library system is reporting steady year‑over‑year growth in visits, program attendance and circulation. Trustees and council members framed the facilities plan as a chance to match library space and staffing to evolving community needs — from early childhood literacy to teen space, meeting rooms and outdoor access — while…