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Library staff: Eagle branch is crowded as circulation and program counts rise
Summary
Library staff and trustees said Eagle Public Library is operating at capacity, with program attendance and circulation up substantially; staff urged the Friends to compile usage statistics to support advocacy and planning for expansion or satellite branches.
Library trustees and staff told the Friends of the Eagle Public Library that the library is pressed for space and that rising circulation and program usage support planning for expansion.
"We we just broke our highest circulation numbers ever... I mean, it's it's great. It is a wonderful problem for a library to have," a board member said during the meeting. Library staff (identified in discussion as Steve, the library director) added that circulation is up dramatically and gave a projected year-end figure: "I think we're gonna be at 7 about 760,000, here at the end of at the end of September for for the year."
Trustees noted the city population has grown since the library was built and that the board's strategic plan (2023—28) includes a goal to "make space" and to develop a facilities master plan. Staff said they already track program attendance and submit annual statistics to the Idaho Commission for Libraries and offered to help Friends access that data so Friends members can better advocate to council.
Staff and trustees also described operational constraints: a small back room/garage used for processing materials, limited workspace for staff, and high demand for children's programming and the Family Place offerings. The board encouraged the Friends to request specific, foundational metrics (program attendance counts, number of library cards, circulation per capita) that trustees can use in conversations with city council.
