Janna Woolfley with her children, were part of the book parade Saturday, which moved from the old library to the new one. 

Photo by Carolyn Rounds.

DUP WANTS CARNEGIE LIBRARY FOR MUSEUM
The Preston Citizen, February 13, 2002
By Wes Hanna
     The first organization to make a formal request to use the Preston Carnegie Library came forward during Preston City Council proceedings Monday.  The city took over control of the building after the library move.
     The Franklin County Daughters of the Utah Pioneers (DUP) President Nancy Wilkes addressed the Preston City Council and proposed using the recently vacated Preston library building as a headquarters and as a museum, and that each DUP camp would be willing to volunteer two week- ends a month to take visitors through the artifacts and historical records.
     Wilkes also said that many of the existing structures such as shelving would not have to be moved and could be used by the DUP to aid in organization.  The DUP plan is not to buy the library from the city but to rent it from the city.
     City council members said that before they decide what to do with the old library it needs to be inspected and improvements to its structure need to be made.  There is ceiling damage in the basement area and the 1915 building may need to be made accessible to persons with disabilities.
     The city council is planning to visit the library during their next meeting, March 11, and will continue to discuss improvements and possible uses of the library at that time.
     Other organizations or persons who may have an idea for the use of the old library are encouraged to approach the city council.

 CARNEGIE LIBRARY BUILDING UP FOR GRABS
The Preston Citizen, June 12, 2002
 By Robert Merrill
     Preston City officials want public input regarding the future of the old Carnegie Library building owned by the city at 28 E. Oneida.  The building has been abandoned since early this year when Franklin County Library District officials moved into a new facility at the corner of 100 South 100 East.
     “We would like written responses from the general public regarding the future of the building” said Mayor Jay Heusser at Monday’s council meeting.  “The big obstacle in my mind regarding the building is how to come up with adequate funds to make it functional.”
     City Engineer Darrel Wilburn estimates it will cost the city, or some other organization, approximately $100,000 just to make the structure habitable.  Wilburn said electrical wiring has to brought to current code and estimates the price tag for that project alone at $10,000.  He also said the heating system has to be replaced at a cost of $15,000.
     “Entrances and exits will have to be engineered to comply with the American Disabilities Act.  Access from the basement to the main floor will have to be provided,” he said.  “Two restroom facilities will have to be installed with a price tag of $20,000.  Other interior work will bring the overall cost up to at least $100,000.”  Wilburn estimates costs of demolition at $20,000
     Councilman Neal Larson said he wants to review a structural analysis of the building before making any decisions on the building’s future.
     “We will have the library building on the agenda for our 5 p.m. meeting on June 24.  We would like written comments submitted to the city prior to the meeting,” said Heusser.  (The remainder of the article is devoted to other city business.)

OLD LIBRARY DRAWS SOME INTEREST IN PRESTON
The Herald Journal, June 26, 2002
By Jeff Hunter
Duplicate information reported in the Preston Citizen by Robert Merrill
     A request from Mayor Jay Heusser and the Preston City Council two weeks ago that citizens provide them with some input about

the future of the old Carnegie Library may have already yielded a potential tenant.  At Monday’s council meeting, Heusser introduced

John Hafen, who said that shortly after reading about the plight of the library in the newspaper, he was contacted by Guy Ballard,

Executive Director of Bear River Head Start.  “Ballard came up about a week ago and is interested in finding some administrative

offices for his organization,” Hafen explained.  “I had read the article in The Herald Journal and just kind of put two and two together

and thought it would be a good spot for Head Start.”
     After visiting the library, Ballard told Hafen that he felt the building would meet Head Start’s needs but was concerned over the

price of having the 87-year-old structure renovated.  Ballard also told Hafen that his organization would only need about half of the

space in the building, leaving the rest available for use as a museum or by another community agency.
      “At this point, it’s just an idea,” Hafen emphasized.  “But he has expressed interest in it.”
     When asked by Heusser for a “time frame,” Hafen said Ballard believed it would take “one to two years” to secure the necessary

funds and complete the library’s refurbishing.
     Heusser said he didn’t know what type of feedback the city council had received from other citizens on the building’s future, “but

the feedback I’ve got has been, ‘tear it down.”
     “But obviously we’d like a commitment from someone saying that it’s a useful building,” Heusser said, then added that he’d still

like to hear more input from the public on the issue.  (The remainder of the article deals with other city business.)

LOCAL LIBRARIES ON TOES
The Herald Journal, July 11, 2002
Opinion
     If you think of small-town libraries as musty, dirty places where the stern-faced librarian shushes you with a finger over her lips,

you obviously haven’t been to some of Cache Valley’s small libraries.
     In North Logan, Librarian sue Randleman woos kids with her duck puppet Quaker Jack and adults with lectures and cooking

classes.  Now Preston’s brand new Larsen-Sant Library has come up with a convenient idea for families on the go:  a drive-through

window.  Much like a Chinese restaurant with take out, the idea works this way:  Patrons call in their requested books an hour or more in advance, then drive past the window to pick them up.  If your day is even too hectic to ask your kids what they want to read, order the “six-pack”:  six pre-selected children’s books in a bag.
     In this age of computer games and the Internet, it’s nice to know libraries are making it easier than ever for kids to get their hands on a good old-fashioned book.  It’s still the best thing to stimulate a young imagination, and it’s hard to lie out on a beach towel with a computer.  The drive-up library window is believed to be the first in the state.  Who says Cache Valley is behind the times?
     To use the service, go to www.lili.org/preston on the Net to access Larsen-Sant’s card catalog, then call 208-852-0175 to order your books.
     What will they think of next?  Free book delivery to your home?  We wouldn’t put it past these folks.

CARNEGIE LIBRARY TO GET NEW LIFE?
The Herald Journal, no date available
By Mark Randall
     The old Carnegie Library in Preston may get a second chance at new life.  A local nonprofit agency has expressed an interest in renting space in the building from the city.  The Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency (SEICAA), a community outreach group which assists families in need, approached Preston Mayor Jay Heusser about the possibility of leasing the top floor of the building.  “They don’t have a place to store their food,” said Heusser.
     The 87-year-old landmark at 28 East Oneida St. has been vacant since the opening of the new Larsen-Sant Community Library last February.  In a letter to the city, officials with SEICAA said they believe the Carnegie Library building will serve as a more efficient location to distribute goods and services.  The building has adequate parking, is in a safe neighborhood and is easily accessible to volunteers and clients.  The group would also use the park next door for its community events and celebrations.
     “” I have conducted a preliminary walk-through of the premises and feel it would be an ideal location for the wide range of community services we offer,” said SEICAA Franklin County Coordinator Julia Cushman.
     SEICCA presently rents space in the Oneida Town Square building.  SEICCA collects and stores canned goods, personal toiletries and blankets and distributes them to families in Franklin County. 
     Heusser said he is amenable to renting the building but said it has some structural problems that may need to be addressed first.  “I think this ought to be researched,” Heusser said.  “The last time we walked through, that building wasn’t in very good shape—carpets, windows, drapes—all those things.”
     The city was told this summer by a state inspector that the building doesn’t meet state electrical codes.  The building was re-wired five years ago to accommodate the addition of computers, but the work performed by the contractor was apparently shoddy.
     City engineer Darrel Wilburn told the council then that he estimated it would cost the city at least $10,000 to bring the building back up to code.
    Other items such as ADA compliance, heating and air conditioning also need to be looked into.  “There might be a lot of work to do,” Heusser said.
     But according to Councilman Neal Larson, the problems with the electrical system are less severe than originally thought.  “I had an electrician go over with me to the building, and he said they were minor things as far as what we were written up by the state for that could be fixed quite easily,” said Larson.
     Cushman indicated in her letter that the building is in a suitable condition to meet their needs.  SEICAA is offering to rent the building for $400 a month.  Council will revisit the request to rent the building at their Dec. 23 meeting.

2003

COUNCIL PONDERS PLIGHT OF THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, January 1, 2003, p. 3
By Robert Merrill
     The future of the old Carnegie Library, owned by Preston City at 28 E. Oneida, is still up in the air six months after officials issued a plea for public input regarding the 1915-era building.
     At Monday’s city council meeting, councilman Neal Larson reported he and other city officials recently walked through the facility to determine whether it could be rented. 
     “There is just too much remodeling and upgrade expense involved for the city to be able to rent it and come out money-wise,” said Larson.  “It’s just not a good idea for the city to consider renting it. The only possibility I can think of, short of demolition, is selling it with an historical easement that will maintain the outside structure.”
     Larson said electrical wiring has to be brought to current codes.  The heating system needs to be replaced.  Entrances and exits will have to be engineered to comply with the American Disabilities Act.  Restroom facilities will have to be installed to ADA specifications, along with other interior work.  Demolition costs have been estimated at $20,000.
     City officials in June issued a plea for concerned citizens to attend a public meeting to discuss the fate of the building.  Only one out-of-town resident attended.  The building has been vacant since February of 2002 when Franklin County Library District officials moved into a new facility at the corner of 100 S. 100 E.  (The remainder of the article deals with other council actions.

MAN HAS PLANS FOR PRESTON’S OLD LIBRARY
The Herald Journal, September 10, 2000
By Mark Randall
     An Idaho State University student wants to turn the old Carnegie Library into a “homework place.”  Jared Wortham told the Preston City Council that he is working on getting grants to help turn the historic building into a youth center.  “It would mostly be a place where they could come and study and do their homework and also an area where they could participate in wholesome recreation, "Wortham said.
     The 87-year-old landmark at 28 E. Oneida has been vacant since the opening of the new Larsen-Sant community Library last February.
     Wortham said he’s already talked to County Economic Development Specialist Richard Westerberg about the idea.  Wortham said Westerberg told him there are grants available that could assist him in renovating the building.  “We don’t know exactly how much yet,” Wortham said.  “The grants would be enough to restore the library so it’s safe to go in there and make it (handicapped) accessible.”
      The building does have some structural problems that will need to be addressed before the public will be allowed to use the building.  “It’s not in particularly good shape,” said Mayor Jay Heusser.”  “The roof needs to be looked at before winter,” added Councilman Neal Larson.  The boiler and heating system are also suspect.  Councilman Milt Liechty said it will probably take about $18,000 to bring the building up to code.
     Wortham said he plans to charge a monthly fee to use the building once it’s restored.  Proceeds from the fee would be used toward maintenance.
     Heusser said the city would work with Wortham, but there are some issues that need to be addressed, such as liability and whether the Oneida Stake Academy will need the parking spaces at the library.  “I think you should proceed,” Heusser said.  “I don’t know that we have another plan for the building.”
     Others on the council expressed similar views.  “It’s the best option we’ve had on the table for a while,” said Councilman Bruce Petersen.  Larson said he’s hopeful the building can be saved and reused.  “I’d like to see them preserve it,” Larson said.  Wortham told the council he will continue researching grant opportunities and report back to the city with something in writing.  “I’ll do the research and grants and see what I can come up with,” he said.

2004

PRESTON CITY FAVORS DESTROYING OLD LIBRARY
The Herald Journal, date unknown
     The days are numbered for the city’s old Carnegie library.  The City Council on Tuesday decided to look into what it will cost to demolish the building to make way for more parking, rather than spend money to repair the leaky building.
     “I really feel it needs to be torn down,” said Councilwoman Saundra Hubbard.  “We need the parking.  It’s going to cost us too much to maintain.”
     The 87-year-old library has sat empty for a number of years, since the opening of the Larsen-Sant Community Library and needs a new roof.  Councilman Mike Kunz said the inside of the building has sustained water damage and is deteriorating rapidly.  “It’s water going down the walls and inside and into the basement,” Kunz said.
     Officials estimate that it will cost about $200,000 to renovate the structure.  In addition to the roof, the building would also need to be brought up to state electrical codes, be made handicap accessible and have a new heating and air conditioning system installed.
     The city has entertained a number of proposals in the past from groups interested in the building, most recently from a resident interested in turning the building into apartments and office space.  The city was unwilling, though, to deed over a dozen parking spots behind the building to the developer citing a need for the space.
     Public works director Scott Martin said the city would have to hire a contractor to tear down the building.  He also favors remodeling the parking lot and cutting back some of the trees.
     The library fronts Oneida Street and has parking in the back that is used by the businesses on Main Street.  “You would have a great parking lot,” Martin said.
     Kunz said he would like to see the city tear the building down and redo that parking lot because the city is short on parking for events.  “During rodeo time when Preston is really on the map, we don’t have enough parking.  And during the Festival of Lights we don’t have enough parking,” Kunz said.  “I think it would be a real benefit to have that gone.”

CITY VOTES TO PUT WRECKING BALL TO CARNEGIE LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, April 28, 2004
                                                                                                           The council voted to demolish the old Carnegie Library on East Oneida to make way for a parking lot.  J. B. Parsons was awarded the contract to tear down                                                                                                                  the 87-year-old building for $4,500.  The city will bear the costs of handling any asbestos that might be found.
                                                                                                           The structure has been vacant for several years since the Larsen-Sant Library opened and has been deteriorating.  It has a leaky roof, substandard wiring,                                                                                                                      plumbing, heating and air-conditioning issues.  Cost estimates to renovate the building have been placed at over $200,000.  Hubbard said the space is                                                                                                                                    needed for parking in down-town Preston.

                                                                                                    AFTER 89 YEARS THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY GOES FROM DOOMED TO DUST
                                                                                                    The Preston Citizen, June 16, 2004
                                                                                                         Public works director Scott Martin saved a brick from the old structure and reminisced about going to the library when he was a youngster.  “I remember the                                                                                                                librarian, Martha Geddes.  It was just a neat place to go to when I was young,” he said as he held the brick in his hand.
                                                                                                         The building has been vacant since the Larsen-Sant Library opened at the corner of 100 South and 100 East in February 2002.  City officials estimated it would                                                                                                              have taken at least $200,000 to rehabilitate the structure.  The roof was leaking and needed extensive repair.  The electrical, plumbing, and heating systems needed                                                                                                        to be replaced as well.  Parson’s bid $4,500 to take the building down.
                                                                                                         City officials entertained proposals to utilize the facility from various individuals and organizations during the past two years.  Ideas ranged from an apartment                                                                                                            complex to a homework/study/after-school retreat for high school students.  But none of the ideas panned out.
                                                                                                         City crews and others spent the past month stripping the building of a boiler/heating system, radiators and other salvageable items.  Officials had feared the                                                                                                                building contained asbestos insulation that would have had to be removed prior to demolition.  But it did not.
                                                                                                         Officials are beginning to formulate plans to redesign the entire parking lot area on the east side of State Street behind businesses from Oneida to 100 South.  The area where the old library once stood will be incorporated into that plan.  No actual work will start until next year.   Officials are hoping to increase parking availability by at least 30-50 new spots when work is completed.

The Preston Teachers Association presented Julie Westerberg, President of the Friends of the Library Board, a check for $1,000 to be used in the building fund for the new library.  With Westerberg are association members, John Klinke, vice president elect; Steve Smith, president elect and Kaye Woodward, vice president of the PTA.  “As the Preston Teachers Association, we feel the library is not only a resource for education but also betters the lives of the people in the community,” said Klinke.

1998

NO LIBRARY BOARD MEETING WAS HELD IN JANUARY.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
February 10, 1998
     Decisions for grants did not go in our favor.  We were not accepted as a final applicant for the ICDBG, and we were notified that we did not receive the LSCA Grant.  Latah was awarded the LSCA grant.  They had all but 4% of their funds, plans, and were ready to go.  Dianna Clough from the ICDBG said $500,000 was far more than we could expect from them, and that their main focus is for sewer and water projects.  She said that a smaller request may be approved between the gaps in the larger projects.  We will continue with the demolition of the Jefferson School so we will have a site for a new library.  This will be a benefit in applying for future funding.  Rivada Corp. will hold a sale at the Jefferson.  They will sell items from the building and begin taking it down on Feb. 23.  We will use money from library funds to pay for demolition.  The school will own the building during demolition and the county will haul the debris.  The feel of most people of the community is to take the building down.  When the building is down the property will need to be maintained.  Building and funding possibilities include:  contractor build building and we purchase; contact more major donors.  Bond and form a new district; downsize the project; remodel our present facility.  It was decided to table the idea of bonding and forming a district library.  Sid will put some facts together about districting and bonding.  A Technology Plan was sent to all board members.  Motion passed to accept the plan.  

CD-ROM BOOKS GIVE KIDS NEW WAY TO READ
The Preston Citizen, February 18, 1998, p. 1
By Tom Busselburg
     At times, young Reese Johnson looked thoughtful.  At other times, he was laughing.  At other times, he was just a curious eight-year-old out romping in the snow and getting into mischief.
     The son of Sandy and Clyde Johnson of Preston was experiencing the wide world of books and reading through the new CD-ROM book

collection.  It’s provided locally through a State Library Family Reading Grant.  Reese appeared to be enjoying his reading of the book

“Sneak into Harry’s Haunted House.”  It’s reading of a multi-dimensional nature as each page virtually comes to life.
     First, a voice reads the words printed on the page, visually highlighting each word and phrase as it is read.  But that doesn’t signal a turn

of the page.  It’s only the beginning.  By using the computer mouse, Reese pointed the cursor at various objects on the color page illuminated

on the screen.  He watched as one of the second-floor windows of the haunted house began snorting and making loud noises.  Or, there was

the dancing and singing that he brought to life by pointing the cursor at Spot and his friends.
     The young man seemed in no hurry as he let the page unfold.  In fact, Librarian Cloteele Dahle says that the CD-ROM apparently stores

several versions or possibilities to each character or physical feature, meaning you’ll get a different twist to the story each time.  Depending

on the child’s mood or the amount of time he or she (and parents) have, each CD-ROM can become an hour of exploration and pleasure. 

“It’s pretty fun,” Reese says.  “You get to pick your own games that are intertwined into the book-CD-ROM.”
     “Most of them (CD-ROMS) are to help kids with reading, or to prepare them to begin to read.  Kids can interact or follow along while they read,” Dahle says.  “It’s a way really to get into reading, to use the computer.”
     Titles include “Green Eggs and Ham,” Dr. Seuss; “To Get in a Fight,” and “Arthur’s Teacher Trouble,” largely geared for ages 3 to 7.  For now,

the CDs can be used only in the library.  However, up to three terminals can be used at a time if the demand is there, Dahle says.  And, with

the flick of a button the narration can be switched from English to Spanish, she adds.
     Helping children develop a love of reading is one of the most important things a parent can do for 
Their child.  It is a skill that is needed to succeed in life,” the librarian emphasizes.
     In addition, the library is adding to its small but growing CD collection.  Multi-media choices are also growing in the “talking books” , which includes a couple of hundred titles that can be checked out for one week.  New titles there include “Homer the Iliad”, “Four” by L ’Amour (four hours of selections from that famous author), to “Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul”, Danielle Steel’s “The Ranch” and “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte.
     The library provides fresh, new titles on a regular basis through its affiliation with the Eastern Idaho Books on Tape audio circuit, whereby 55 titles are rotated every two months.  “These book tape sets are ideal for all ages, especially for people who commute to work, travel a great deal, or for farmers to use when they are on their tractors,” Dahle notes.
     For more information call the Preston Carnegie Free Library at 852-0175.   

JEFFERSON SCHOOL COMES DOWN
The Preston Citizen, February 25, 1998, p. 1
By Robert Merrill

​

      Demolition of the old Jefferson Middle School is now underway by Read and Associates, under contract to the community’s library board.  The library district signed a demolition contract on Jan. 20 with Jim and Cliff Read to take down the old school for $28,870.  The Reads also have salvage rights to materials in the building.
    Sid Titensor, chair of the library board, said the contract stipulates the building will come down within 120 days.  “There could be some delays, especially if we have problems with the weather.  But we are shooting for the building to be down by the end of May,” he said.
     Franklin County Road crews will haul “clean debris to the landfill’s demolition pit once the building has been demolished.  Some material may also be hauled to Preston’s industrial park to be used for fill in selected locations.
     Titensor said Preston School District still owns the property the school sits on.  “Once the building has been demolished and everything cleared away, the library board has the option of recommending Preston City accept the property as the site for a new library,” said Titensor.  “We have several months after the demolition is completed to consider our options and to raise monies to construct a new library.”
     The library board applied last year for two state grants totaling $750,000, which were turned down last month.  The applications were made after the State Library, an agency that determines whether local facilities are adequate or not, stated months ago circulation and population figures indicated a new or expanded facility was warranted in Preston.
      “Of course library board members were disappointed when we learned the grants were turned down.  We were banking on this money to pay for the new 10,000-square foot library,” he said.  “The existing library is 3,600 square feet.  The price tag for construction of a new facility has been estimated at $1 million.  Friends of the library (FOL) have raised $150,000 over the past several years for construction of a new library,” he said.  “Some of these monies will be used for demolition.”
     Titensor said monies raised through FOL, coupled with the value of the 220 by 315-foot property and in-kind work pledged by Franklin County and Preston City were used as a match for the grant application.  “The grants went to Latah County, which had much more cash-in-hand for their proposed library construction project than we did.”  The matching cash Latah County had for its project was the determining factor in them getting the grants,” said Titensor.  “I guess the state library wanted to make certain the winning project was an immediate go.  Latah convinced them of that fact.”
      We (the Library Board) have for many months been agonizing over several different options to
Improve library service to the community,” he said.  “Now we are almost back to square one concerning funding because there are no more monies for a state library grant.  That money source has completely dried up.  I am sure we will be agonizing some more.”
     Titensor said the library board will consider several funding options in the coming months.  “I am sure we will go after monies from private foundations.  We have already applied for funding from Albertson’s, Inc. and the Jon Huntsman Humanitarian Foundation.  We are currently exploring several other organizations,” he said.  “We may be forced to float a small bond to get cash-in-hand to help us match any grants we may apply for in the future.  “In any case, the library board and FOL plan to keep a high profile.  We want the citizens of the county and Preston to know we have property to build a new library on.  We have plans for a new library.  We are pursuing funding possibilities at all levels,” he said.
      Titensor said a lot of people have put in a tremendous amount of time and effort in a volunteer capacity to get the project to the point it is right now.  “I would like to thank all those who have been associated with our efforts in any way over the past months,” he said.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
March 11, 1998
     Meeting was held at Sid’s home.  Discussion of the bond possibility mailed to each member by Sid.  Even though the amounts of such a tax were low and short term, it was a majority feeling that bonding is still unacceptable to us if any other possible funding can be found.  The remainder of the meeting was spent discussing the possibilities of self-contracting and building a building more within our means.  Questions and ideas presented were:  Could the Friends hire a non-public works contractor?  Can such a building be built on public ground?  Can we sell the Carnegie for funds?  Could the school district keep the ground until the building is built?  Should we create a county library district?  What are the possibilities of county board acting in a more dominant role during construction?  Sid will speak with attorney Steve Fuller and make sure all of our plans could move ahead legally.  After the legality issue is settled the next steps would be building plans, bids and educating the public as to our progress and future plans.  It was agreed to send a gift of thanks to Myrna Moyle who served as president of Friends this past year.

LIBRARY BOARD MEETING

April 8, 1998
     Futures Conference is April 15 in Pocatello.  Inter-local cooperation agreement for the Southeast Idaho Regional Consortium (SIRC).  This is the result of a cooperative planning grant that we have been working on for the past year.  The final project evaluation and summary is on file at the library.  This project has developed better working relationships between the librarians of our region and has helped speed delivery of interlibrary loan requests.  The end result will be access to catalogues of all the libraries through computer programs.  The Friends held a very successful magic program for boys and their fathers.  More than 100 participants enjoyed learning about and seeing magic tricks performed.  Cloteele attended a workshop on collaborative problem solving presented by the Idaho State Library where they discussed future cooperation between libraries in our area and developing a state-wide library system, which would include access to library catalogues and materials delivery.  Also a teleconference on “Technostress.”  We must keep the vision of the values and purposes of the library and not forget the basics (books).  At the workshop on “What’s New in Children’s Literature” we were able to talk about and review some of the best books published in 1997.  The trend is moving to more picture type books for young adults.  Several contractors have said they feel a building could be built for $65-70 per square foot depending on the plan and materials used.  A contractor from Montpelier will be contacted to get an idea what he thinks we could do for around that price.  We will try to set up a

​meeting with him.  Some of the legalities of self-contract were reported by Sid.  Maybe a smaller library should be considered.  We might have to scale down and add on in the future.  There are some libraries in Utah around 5000-6000 square feet we could look at.  We need to get some plans in order to get a better idea what it will actually cost.  A citizen requested removal of the Tarzan video.  It was decided to leave the video in the collection.  It represents old time silent type movies.  It is a 1918 black and white silent version of Tarzan.

​

INTERLIBRARY LOAN BRINGS WORLD TO PRESTON LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, April 15, 1998, p. 8
By Tom Busselburg 
     Looking for a book detailing the history of German-speaking peoples living in Russia and not sure if the Preston Carnegie Library will have a copy?  Not to fret.  Thanks to Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and modern technology, most likely such an item can be found.
     “Through the Western Library Network, we have access to more than four million holdings,” says Librarian Cloteele Dahle.
     ‘That’s more books than many of the nation’s largest library systems.  The staff can search out titles locally by checking the mammoth system’s holdings with a Laser Catalog on CD-ROM.” 
     Holdings are listed from libraries throughout Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, and California.  “We’ve even borrowed a book from Alaska before,” she said.  ‘It had to do, appropriately enough, with how to build a dog sled.  We try to borrow as much as we can from Idaho libraries,” she said.
      Currently it isn’t possible to check for titles from Utah, particularly a Logan library, because they’re not included on the Laser Cataloger.  To minimize cost, telephone calls or fax requests are made to nearby libraries.  “Otherwise, inquiries are made by mail,” Dahle says adding, “If there’s really a rush on it we’ll order it by phone.”
     So far, the library normally doesn’t charge anything for the service, except in cases where other libraries—notably some in Washington—require a $15 fee.  In those instances, the patron wanting the book is asked first if they will bear the cost of the ILL.  Currently, all materials sent between libraries are mailed, Dahle says.  However “preliminary discussion” is under way about starting a courier service between area libraries.
    Patrons are normally asked to be patient to the extent of anticipating a week to 10-day wait to receive the desired item.  However, it all depends on mail service and how far away the sending library is, she said, noting that “sometimes, we can have the desired item within four days.”
     Up until this year the most demand for ILL service came from Preston High School students.  However, Dahle says it is down this year.  One problem some students had was that they required information faster than could be supplied via ILL.  Tamara Sessions, librarian at Preston High School, speculated that ILL use might be down “because this is the first year that we’ve had Internet access.  They (students) are able to get the most current materials down to the minute.”  That is particularly desirable when dealing with such topics as health, where information tends to change so quickly, she added.  Other new programs at the high school include virtually immediate access to new magazines, with publications being updated daily, Sessions noted.
     Dahle adds that while some people may believe Preston’s library is “old and small,” particularly, the many residents who’ve never ventured inside, it has much to offer.  Its book collection numbers about 30,000 volumes.  Or nearly three items for every resident—a level many areas fall far short of.  Other services range from large print books and the ability to sign up for the Idaho Talking Book Program, to a literacy program, and a particularly large children’s library on the lower level.  “We’re really crowded but still feel like we need to provide the best service possible,” Dahle said.
     A Friends of the Library group is among those spearheading efforts for eventual construction of a new library.  However, costs are estimated in the $1 million range.  Among services that could be added with a larger building are a meeting room, individual study carrels, and more children’s programs, the librarian said wistfully.  The library is owned and operated by Preston City, but through a contract with Franklin County, all residents in the county can obtain a library card free of charge.

FATHERS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THEIR SONS’ ABILITY TO READ
The Preston Citizen, April 22, 1998, p. 4
     Preston Carnegie Library is hopeful, along with librarians and educators throughout the state, that more fathers will spend time reading and visiting the library with their children.  This week is Idaho Family Reading Week.  “Research shows that children who are read to by their fathers do better in school,“ said State Librarian Charles Bolles.  “Librarians are working to become more “father friendly” and making sure fathers feel welcome to come to story hours and other library programs.”
     A 1991 study done of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade boys in Modesto, Ca., found those who were read to by their fathers scored significantly higher in reading achievement.  The study also shoed fathers who read recreationally had sons who read more and scored higher than boys whose fathers did little or no reading.  Research also shows that boys, in particular, need male reading role models.  Boys make up more than 70 percent of the enrollment in the United States remedial reading classes.  Because 99 percent of primary school teachers and an even higher percentage of children’s librarians were women, young boys often associate reading with women and schoolwork.
     “We want to reach moms and dads to let them know what a difference reading aloud to children from birth on makes to their future,” said Cloteele Dahle, local librarian.  “Reading together can be a very relaxed, quiet activity that is a nice break from the hectic routine of many families’ daily lives.” 

WRECKERS MOVE FORWARD ON DEMOLITION OF JEFFERSON SCHOOL
The Preston Citizen, May 6, 1998
By Robert Merrill
     Demolition of the old Jefferson Middle School is almost complete and debris is now being hauled away.
     Jim Read, of Read and Associates, has been under contract to the community’s library board since Jan. 20 to take down the old school.  The contract stipulates Jim and Cliff Read take down the old school for $28,870 and specifies it be demolished in 120 days.  The Reads also have salvage rights to materials in the building.
     “The top two levels of the building are essentially down,” said Jim Read.  “We just have a little bit of work left and would’ve finished it Monday morning, but a track came off the track hoe we’ve been using and we essentially shut down for 12 hours.
     “It won’t take long to complete work on the top levels once we get up and going again.  Then the track hoe will continue to crunch the brick and other materials into small pieces so it can be easily loaded and hauled away.”
     Read said the turn-of-the century building has been relatively easy to take down.
     “We went slow at first to salvage as much material as we could.  Then we had a little trouble getting the track hoe high enough to do its work.  The operator got ill for over a week two weeks ago.  But last week things really started moving along,” he said.
     Franklin County road crews will haul “clean” debris to the landfill’s demolition pit starting this week.  Some material may also be hauled to Preston’s industrial park to be used for fill in selected locations.
     “I estimate there is between 400-500 truckloads that will have to be hauled off.  It could take three to four weeks,” said Read.
     Read said some of the bricks from the outside of the building are in relatively good shape and he is contemplating selling them.
     The Preston School District still owns the property the school sits on.  The library board has the option of recommending in the near future Preston City accept the property as the site for a new library.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
May 13, 1998
     A grant application for funds of $5000 to purchase accelerated reader books has been sent to the Idaho Community Foundation.   We will be closed May 23-June 1 for inventory and cleaning.  Sid demonstrated the layout for 5000 square feet and 7000 square feet.  It will cost about $166,000 more for the larger building.  Friends currently have about $161,000.  5000 square feet will give us about 1400 more square feet than present library.  Space would be better utilized in a new building.  Plans would have to be drawn to allow an addition for a meeting room, etc.  Sid, Walt and Cloteele visited with Kevin Turner, public works contractor from Montpelier.  He felt he could build a building for around $85 per square foot.  Montpelier library has 6400 square feet for a collection of 41,000.  Shelley Library has 6900 square feet for a 24,000 volume collection.  These libraries are both planning building projects to increase their space.  We have 31,000 volumes in 3600 square feet.  After discussion, Myrna agreed to use our proposed written building plan and space needs to lay out a library on a grid.  This will help determine the square feet necessary for our needs.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
May 15, 1998
     Myrna showed the layout of our space needs and wants.  It was decided that we should make plans for a 7000 square foot library.  The building committee will meet and draw a sketch to send to the architect.  Side will contact Mr. Linton.

STATE LIBRARY RELEASES CHECKLIST OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS
The Preston Citizen, May 20, 1998, p. 18
     The Idaho State Library has just released the latest edition of the Checklist of Idaho Government Publications, now available through the Internet or in paper format.  Published annually, the lists all state agency and university publications received at the state library in 1997.  It can be requested through the Preston Carnegie Library.  “This is the first year we are offering the Checklist in both paper and electronic formats,” editor Carol Silvers said.  “We hope it reaches more Idahoans this way.  All citizens have a right to know about government activities funded by their tax dollars.” 
     Both versions include Internet addresses for state agencies and for individual publications posted on the Internet.   In the electronic Checklist the Internet addresses are active links.  “We like to picture an Idahoan using a computer, scanning the checklist to find current titles, and using the links to find a wealth of government information,” Silvers said.  “It brings us a little closer to the democratic ideal of informed citizens actively participating in their government.”
     Monthly updates to the Checklist are published only on the Internet.  Both monthly and annual editions can be found at the state library’s website at http//wwwlili. org/isl/ls6/  htm.  Paper copies of the annual are available by contacting Candace Wittner, Idaho State Library, 325 West State, Boise, ID  83702, phone 208-334-2150, or 1-800-348-2171, email cwittner@isl.state.id.us 

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
June 3, 1998
     Summer reading program will begin Wednesday June 25.  We have been approved to participate in the LTAI Program for 1999.  Theadora Petterborg with the community education outreach will be helping with this.  Circulation on Monday, June 1 was just under 800.  We anticipate higher use of the library in the summer.  We are preparing the story kits for the story kit circuit grant.  They will start circulating in October.  We will be receiving the Bifolkal kits for the Bifolkal Kit circuit.  They will start circulating in November.  County has been very supportive in hauling away the remains of the Jefferson School.  They provided $20,000-$25,000 of in-kind service.  The area where the boiler room was continues to fill with water.  It will have to be filled.  Estimates are that it will take 1500 yards of fill dirt.  Would the county be willing to give more help?  Will they haul the fill if we purchase it?  Would area concrete businesses donate?  Costs to fill are estimated at $10,000.  $3500 to pack if county would haul.  Commissioners will be contacted.  Mr. Linton will draw plans with the understanding that standard architect fees will be paid when built, or he will do drawings and specifications for $80 per hour if we do not hire him as the architect for the project.  The building committee has a sketch for 7500 square feet they will give to him.  Motion passed to hire him at $80 per hour.  Walt Ross sent some examples of advertisements that could be used to promote the library.  A $2000 donation will be matched to run ads in the Preston Citizen.  Board members were asked to write a monthly letter to the editor.  This will promote public relations and will let the community know what the library is doing.  Each board member chose a month.  Green Thumb program has asked us to contribute $250 cash match for the July 1, 1997-June 30, 1998 program year.  Gayle Lowe has been working on this program since 1994 at 20 hours per week.  For the closing summer reading program we had a presenter scheduled for a story song program.  He charges $200 for the program.  We will hold it at the Pioneer School library.  We would like to have a summer youth worker for 32 hours a week through the Job Service program.  We have been invited to join the Southeast Idaho video circuit.  50 videos circulate between libraries.  Cost is $100 per year.  Letter of Understanding for Bifokal Kit Circuit and Story kit Circuit needed board approval.  Motion passed to approve all of above.

​​LIBRARY SPONSORS “BEE A READER” PROGRAM
The Preston Citizen, June 3, 1998, p. 4
     The Preston Carnegie Library will help children in Franklin County find fun and adventure through reading this summer.  The library is sponsoring the 1998 summer reading program, “BEE a Reader – Ride a Wild Tale!”  Children of all ages are invited to join the fun. 
     Activities are planned to begin on Wednesday, June 24 at 3 p.m. in the Benson Park, and will be held each Wednesday at 3 p.m. through July 22.  Each child who participates will receive a registration packet with a reading log and activity booklet.  Children may register on June 24 at 3 p.m. or may sign up after that date at the library.
     “Ride a Wild Tale” is part of a state-wide program sponsored by the Idaho State Library and local public libraries.  Last year, approximately 10,000 children and over 80 libraries participated.  This year children can look forward to stories and activities revolving around “bee” a reader of tall tales, fairy tales, and animal tales with special guests and story tellers.  The library staff encourages children to “bee” a participant and get a “buzz” out of books this summer.
     For more information about this free program, visit the Preston Library or call the library at 852-0175, or Connie Moser at 852-2723.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
July 15, 1998
     The road and lawn in front of the library had to be torn up to repair a water leak.  Trees on the side of steps were removed.  Pictures and information on visit to new library in Morgan, Utah were shown to board members.  Friends has a sign ready to hang at the property for new library.  They were working on a barometer to track fund raising.  It will be put in front of the library.  Estimated cost to take out remaining floor and brick, fill and level is $17,000.  An anonymous $10,000 donation towards this project was given to the Friends.  Balance of funds for this project can be taken out of current budget.  The water found on the property is not a spring; it is the high water table.  After property is leveled, we will contact Helen Harris about using the young people to plant grass.  Kris will try to get the plans for some buildings.  We can make changes in them and have a draftsman draw the plans for us.  Shelly Olson contacted Sid about the project of doing fireworks on July 24. This project could bring in estimated $15,000.  She felt it was too large of a project for the Friends to do without help of library board.  Board will take it under consideration.  Publicity ads in the Preston Citizen and letter to the editor were very good.  This will help keep the public informed and draw attention to the library needs.  Chuck Peterson was contacted about donation to the library.  A donation of $500 was received by the Friends.  He may be contacted in the future to see if he can give us more monetary support.  Sid met with city council about the 1999 budget.  Budget will stay about the same.  He asked that the $40,000 for new library be carried to next year.  Council said the only way to get more money for library building is to have a bond.

SUMMER READING EVENT TO BE JULY 22
The Preston Citizen, July 15, 1998, p. 11
     Preston Carnegie Library has been buzzing this summer with children reading books.  “Bee a Reader--Ride a Wild Tale,” has been the theme for this year’s summer reading program.  Over 150 children registered for the program.  For each five books read, a bee is put on their hive.   
     The activities for this year have included special guests speaking about beekeeping, animals, fairy tales and tall tales.  The closing activity, “Story Songs with Magic Mark”—a musical adventure with Mark Krantz, will be Wednesday, July 22 at 3 p.m. in the Benson Park. 
     Children’s author and singer/songwriter Mark Krantz is the musical artist in residence at the Children’s Museum of Utah.  He heads an outreach program that brings music and children’s literature together in literacy training.  He is the Creative Director for The Children’s communication Network and author of a series of “Read and Sing” books and tapes and story songs CD’s and tapes.  As a radio personality on the Imagination Station (KKDS 1060 AM, Salt Lake City, Ut.) Mark educates through entertaining and has become an important role model for local children.
     The library staff hopes that these activities have motivated children to “BEE” a reader this summer.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
August 5, 1998
     The summer reading program was very successful.  Connie Moser did an excellent job.  150-175 children and parents were in attendance each week.  Circulation has increased this summer.  Total to the end of July is 60,000.  ILA/PNLA annual conference will be August 12-15 in Sun Valley.  The County agreed to haul more of the old concrete, brick, etc. away.  The lot should be leveled up soon.  Kris had floor plans for a building.  After discussion it was decided that we should have plans drawn.  Sid will call Mr. Linton for an estimate on cost for plans.  Kris will talk to a draftsman.  Walt will talk to USU and ISU architectural departments.  We will try to get an estimate of what drawings for a 10,000 square foot building will be.  Cloteele will contact Kuna library director about plans for their new library.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
August 17, 1998
      Sid contacted the director of North Logan Library.  The building they are constructing is 11, 0000 square feet at about $150 per square ft.  They have hired architects Jensen and Haslam.   Cloteele checked with director of Kuna Public Library.  They are building a 9780 square foot library at the cost of 1.2 million.  Architect is Tom Ensley.  He also did Caldwell, Meridian and Eagle new public libraries.  Walt contacted Wendell Morse at USU.  They agreed to meet with a committee and may be able to work with us on getting a library plan.  Kris suggested that we advertise for bids to draw plans and build a 10,000 square foot library.  Interested contractors can then draw a plan and bid on the construction.  The board can choose the plan and price they like best.  A timeline for interested parties to contact the board could be set at 14 days with 60 days to complete the plan for construction.  Cecelie said plans are needed so we can apply for grants to some of the larger foundations.  Contacts will be made with architects, USU, and other library directors to hear suggestions for drawing a plan.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
September 2, 1998
      Gard Hanks from ISU will present “Legal Red Flags, How to Avoid Legal Problems for your Library” at the Trustee Meeting.  Sid, Kris, Cecelie,

Zelma, Walt and Cloteele met with Mr. Morse at USU.  He gave good information concerning plans and building projects, but said students

were not available to help us with a library plan.  Sid and Kris met with Tom Jensen, architect for North Logan Library.  He has done several

libraries, and has toured libraries throughout the U.S. to become familiar with library floor plans and operation.  He will draw plans and give

a colored picture of finished library for $2000.  This could be used to promote the building project to the community and to use for applications

to foundations for grant money.  If he is hired to oversee the project his fees are 6 to 7% of the total project.  Sid contacted Joe Linton.  He said

he would do plans and a color picture for comparable costs, but he would understand if we decided to use another architect that has done

libraries.  Beth reported that the Friends are going to do the meal for the Farm Bureau banquet on November 4.  They have asked that the

board members help with this project.  Motions carried to hire Jensen and Haslam to be our architect and to spend the $2000 and get the color

rendering of the library.  Kris will set up an appointment with Mr. Jensen.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
September 23, 1998
     Tom Jensen and his associate met with us and gave suggestions for a library plan.  $2000 fee will include site plan, building plan and color

rendering.  The group went to the site for the building and discussed how to place the building on the property.  Mr. Jensen will make contacts

with Cloteele and try to have more information to us before next board meeting.

NO BOARD MEETING IN OCTOBER

PHS STUDENTS COULD BENEFIT FROM NEW LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, October 28, 1998, p. 6
Dear Editor,
     Recently my Grandmom asked me to write a letter outlining the reasons a typical high school student would benefit from the construction

of a new library.  The following are just a few ideas that I came up with.
     First, the proposed site for the establishment of a new library is ideal to the high school student.  Knowledge would be at our fingertips. 

Although the Carnegie Library is not far from PHS, the proximity of the new library would prove much more convenient.
     Next, a new, larger library would enable students a more adequate source of research.  A larger building would provide space for the

ever-increasing volume of books and novels in our world today.
     Finally, a new library would bring respect to the community.  The library is a reflection of the city’s concern for its citizens and their desire

for learning.  I would like our library to express Preston’s unquenchable thirst for knowledge.  Wouldn’t you?
     These are just a few of the reasons I thought of when contemplating the benefits of building a new public library.  My ideas are only the tip of the iceberg, and I am positive there are reasons I haven’t even thought of.  If you like the effects a new library would have on yourself and your community show your support.  The Friends of the Library would appreciate it.
Sincerely,    
Megan  Henrichs 
Senior at Preston High School 

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
November, 1998
     Sid, Zelma, Carol, Kris and Cloteele met with Tom Jensen to discuss building plans.  He left a rough draft with us, and will have a detailed plan for board meeting.  Cloteele, Connie and Laura attended an emergent literacy workshop.  Activities for children’s book week are being planned.  Janice Porter has volunteered to co=ordinate the adult literacy program.  She will be in charge of publicity and promotion, and co-ordinate students and tutors.  Myrna will train tutors.  A drawing for the new library building and plat plan were looked at and discussed.  A few minor changes will be made.  Cloteele will contact Mr. Jensen.  The next step is to make drawings for the outside of the building.  Sid met with planning and zoning.  They said the proposed parking for the new library would be sufficient.  Julie Westerberg from Friends reported that they made $1400 on the Farm Bureau Banquet.  The banquet meal and decorations were very good and received many good comments.  Sid discussed various ways to raise funds for the building.  He divided the board into groups to work on different projects:  local heavy hitters, Zelma and Sid; local good citizens, Phyllis and Beth;   Former residents/non-resident heavy hitters, Kris and Walt; Former residents/non-residents good citizens, Carol and Sharon.  foundations/governmental grants within Idaho and outside Idaho, Cecelie and Myrna;  money-making projects, Friends of the Library.  The board all agreed that bonding would be done only as a last resort.  Kris will check with the LDS Church about the earnest money paid for property east of the present library.  Funding groups were encouraged to meet and work together before the next meeting.

FREE LOCAL PROGRAM HELPS ADULTS BATTLE ILLITERACY IN FRANKLIN COUNTY
The Preston Citizen, November 4, 1998, p. 11
By Necia P. Seamons                                                                            
     November is Idaho Literacy Month.  It was declared so by the Idaho Legislature in order to bring attention to the importance of literacy for all Idahoans.  Gov. Phil Batt signed a proclamation which followed the theme that “Literacy Makes a World of Difference.”  Local literacy program coordinator, Janice Porter, agrees whole-heartedly.  “I don’t know how people can survive in this world without being able to read.  They can’t read road signs; they have to do everything by memory; it is a real burden to them,” she said.
     According to literature from the Idaho Coalition for Adult Literacy, reading skills enable people to achieve their goals and develop their potential because when a person can comprehend what they are reading, they are more able to complete tasks in different contexts.  Literacy is not a single skill but can include math skills, writing skills, and critical thinking skills.
     In Franklin County, the Preston Carnegie Library is the hub of a free adult literacy program.  “We know that there’s a lot of people who could use the service if they felt they could come and take advantage of it,” said Porter.  “The program is really good for those who don’t feel comfortable with their reading.”  Porter coordinates tutors with student schedules either at the library or at the student’s home.  The program follows a curriculum to help adults increase their reading skills.  
     There are a number of reasons people don’t read well.  Some of them are childhood illness resulting in significant school absences; frequent family moves causing disruptions in learning patterns; lack of family involvement and encouragement in schooling; limited English speaking proficiency; unrecognized learning disabilities; physical or emotional needs preventing receptivity to learning, and family economics or other responsibilities forcing school dropout.
     However, these obstacles can be overcome and the program offered locally can help to enroll in the local literacy program, tonight at the library, or call 852-0175.

ILLITERACY HITS HOME
The Preston Citizen, November 4, 1998, p. 4
     In a  day  and  age  when  "there's  a  sign,  pamphlet, or book  on  anything  and everything   one  would  ever  want  or not  want  to  know,  it may  be difficult  to conceive that  there are those  among  us who  do  not  read  sufficiently  to  use  that  skill  or that there are those who  don't read  period. 
     But there are. Their world is extremely limited, especially as our society becomes increasingly technological in nature.   Those without basic reading, writing, and oral language skills will find fewer and fewer opportunities to make a living, noted Jim Mariani, or Idaho State University.  The future belongs to the literate.  It always has.
     Unfortunately for the illiterate, literacy is not just about reading a good book.  Literacy affects a person’s abilities in math, writing, and critical thinking.  Literacy is a complex set of skills which are not easily defined or measured.  Literate people are more able to develop their potential and achieve their goals because they are more able to focus and relate information from one context to another. 
     A program offered through the Preston Carnegie Library can help people increase their literacy.  Although an individual’s own literacy is his or her own responsibility, there are things we can do to help them with this problem. 
     In Idaho alone, 31 percent or one third of all Idahoans age 16 or older, have significant literacy needs, according to a study conducted in 1994. Literacy is important to families.  Parents are their children’s first teachers, and they pass their attitudes and values about education on to their children.  Parents are vital to a child’s success in school and the happiness of most children is closely tied with their ability to achieve in school.
     Literacy is important to the local, state and national economy.  Literate residents are better able to make informed decisions, to compete in the economy.  In the context of the workplace, literacy skills increasingly involve understanding and using technology as well as other workplace basics such as decision-making, teamwork, and habits of personal responsibility.
     Nationally, literate citizens are more capable of exercising the rights and responsibilities of citizenship—the crux of our democratic society.  
     Illiterate adults have a responsibility to themselves to get the help they need to be able to understand what they read.  Illiterate children should have parents that love them enough to help them overcome their disability. 
     It has been shown that just reading to a child 10 minutes a day will significantly increase their comprehension and desire to read.  The first four years are especially critical as young brains are still developing.  Parents and grandparents can help children value learning and reading by putting books on their holiday shopping lists.  Another idea is to introduce children or a friend to our library.  A world of information and adventure await anyone willing to step through its doors and open the pages of the books waiting there.
     The Citizen encourages parents to help their children value reading and learning.  Just reading the paper together will not only increase their reading skills but will help children discover the treasures of this community, learn of the problems we face together and the resources we have to deal with them.
     It’s Idaho Literacy Month.  Let’s make it count.          

CHURCH DONATES BOOKS, SOFTWARE, MUSIC TO LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, November 17, 1998, p. 9
     As part of a project to disseminate accurate and positive information about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the entire United States and Canada, leaders at Church headquarters have selected and provided Church-related books and audio-visual materials to public, university, and college libraries.  A recent survey found that a surprising number of library patrons attempting to research the Church could locate only outdated or misrepresentative information about church history, beliefs and doctrines.  It is hoped that having access to accurate, positive information will help the public to become familiar with and better understand the Church.
      The Preston Carnegie Library is receiving a copy of each of the selected materials, some to be kept in the reference section and some to be in circulation.  The materials have been chosen as scholarly and historically accurate publications that may meet the research needs of local patrons.  Librarian Cloteele Dahle has been presented the materials by local area Church members Sharon Keller, Tina Stewart, and Jesse Peterson who each serve as Public Affair Directors for the church and liaisons between the Church and the community.

     Keller reports that “the Church appreciates having a central location to place materials that can be used by all of the residents of the county.”  Many families, individuals and students will find uses for the material.  Among the books being provided are “Encyclopedia of Mormonism,” which is a four-volume reference set with signed articles covering many facets of the history and beliefs of the Church; “Faith, the Essence of True Religion,” in which Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shares from his worldwide experience and wisdom; “Our Search for Happiness:  An Invitation to Understand The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” by Elder M. Russell Ballard, which answers frequently asked questions about the LDS Church; “Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism,” a well-researched book published by the University of Illinois Press describing the early history of Mormonism and the background of the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith; plus scriptures basic to The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which include the Bible, the book of Mormon—another Testament of Jesus Christ,” “The Doctrine and Covenants” and “The Pearl of Great Price.”
     Also available to the public will be three compact disks of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir: “Come, Come Ye Saints,” Hymns of Faith,” and “The Tabernacle Choir’s Greatest Hits.”  Two videocassettes are included in the materials: “Mountain of the Lord,” the epic story of the 40-year construction of the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—one of the most visited sites in America today; and “an Ensign to the Nations,” the story of the world-wide growth and expansion of the church, filmed in several countries, recording inspiring stories of faith, sacrifice, and perseverance.
     For those interested in computer-based information there are two searchable computer CD-ROMs: “Latter-day Library” by InfoBases, Inc., is a comprehensive and fully searchable compendium of more than 100 LDS books and reference materials, with many pictures and maps.  “Faith in Every Footstep” allows you to experience 150 years of Mormon pioneers from 1847 to 1997, walking the 1,300-mile trail to the valley of the Great Salt Lake.  It includes trail photos and descriptions, excerpts from pioneer journals, several profiles of pioneer descendants, a clip of President Gordon B. Hinckley, and interviews with prominent members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
     Dahle said she encourages Franklin County patrons to make good use of these new materials.  “The recent donation fits in well with the Friends of the Library’s plans to expand the collections and to gather funds to build a new library.  We all benefit from having ready access to current information,” said Dahle.

NO BOARD MEETING WAS HELD IN DECEMBER

LIBRARY HOSTS HOLIDAY STORY HOUR
The Preston Citizen, December 9, 1998, p. 8
     Preston Carnegie Library shares the holiday spirit by inviting children to a special Christmas

Story Hour— “stories and songs with Santa’s helpers.”  It will be held Saturday, Dec. 19 from 11 a.m.

to noon at the Preston Library.  Attendance will be limited, so register your children by calling the

library at 852-0175 by Tuesday, Dec. 15.  Two of Santa’s helpers, Kathy Kerr and Tracy Ransom, will

fill the hour with Christmas stories and songs.  A snack will also be provided.      

​1999

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
January 13, 1999
     A Christmas Story Hour was held on Dec. 19.  Tracy Ransom presented songs, and music.  Cathy Kerr did stories and activities.  There were about 30 in attendance.  Connie Moser planned the event.  LTAI will begin on January 12.  The theme is “The Common Good.”  The state is presenting a Trustees Teleconference on Fund Raising on January 16.  It promises to be very good.  Gard Hanks will send us the information and handouts for this program if you are interested.  Annual statistical report was sent to the state.  Circulation was 76,309, compared to 68,750 last year.  Sid, Zelma, and Kris met with Mary K. Aucutt, Bobie Youmans, and J. D. Williams.  Mary K. Aucutt gave information about finding sources for foundation and grant money.  Panels and boards approving disbursements are made of everyday persons.  Many entities will not give to something they view as a tax-based project.  Bobbie Youmans from the Idaho Community Foundation said most of their money is given away in $5000 blocks.  Albertson money is given away in our district I $25,000 blocks to schools.  J. D. Williams made a $100 donation.  He will keep our need in mind and look for opportunities to help.  Robert Geddes gives his support to libraries and is a good contact for legislative needs.  Kris is going to make contact with the church about refunding earnest money.  Fact sheet for grant to Kresske needs to be completed.  Cloteele will get the information together for Cecelie.  City Council reviewed the county library contract and felt that no changes needed to be made.  They requested that it be reviewed each year at budget time.  Handbooks on districting were given to Sid and Zelma.  They will look into what we need to do to become one library district.

LIBRARY RECEIVES $10,000 DONATION
The Preston Citizen, February 3, 1999
By Robert Merrill
     A recent donation of $10,000 towards a new city/county library is the latest in a series of fund-raising efforts that have pushed the long-awaited project along the road to completion.
     Clair Bosen, a Preston resident and farmer/rancher, recently donated $10,000 for the project.  A recent campaign has netted $40,000 and pushed the cash-in-hand amount for the $1 million project to over $250,000.
     “I’ve been asked by officials in the past to donate towards the construction of a new library.  I’ve done a lot of thinking about the request and decided now is good a time as any,” Bosen said.  “My dad died when I was very young, and I spent a lot of time at the current library when I was a youngster and into early adulthood.  I became friends with then librarian Martha Geddes.  She directed me to books about farming and ranching and would let me know when new material arrived.
     “I never had the opportunity to go to college.  But I spent a lot of time in the library educating myself.  I received a lot of help from the library.  In reflection, it was important to me and probably is even more so for today’s youngsters.”
     This past fall, the old Jefferson Middle School was demolished and the property near downtown Preston is ready for construction of a new library, said Sid Titensor, chair of the library board.
     Titensor said, “Friends of the Library (FOL), a tax-deductible entity, is doing the fund-raising for the library board.  This allows those who donate to deduct the amount from their income taxes.  I appreciated Bosen’s recent donation as well as everyone’s.  Every little bit--$10, $20 and $50—helps us along.” 

​    Titensor said the fund-raising effort is vitally important to construction of a future library to meet the needs of the growing community. 

“We have raised over $250,000 during the last several years through various fund-raising campaigns,” he said.  “The funds that have

accumulated and that will come in will be used to match any grant applications that are made.
     “The library board has submitted applications for various state and federal grants and monies from private foundations in the past. 

But we have been unsuccessful so far.  The main sticking point is a lack of cash to match the requested amounts.
     “We are going to concentrate for another year on local fund-raising efforts.  Past experience has taught us we need between $350,000

to $400,000 of cash on-hand prior to making grant applications and requests from foundations.
      “We can now use the land that is available, and the in-kind labor performed by county road crews as part of our local match towards

grants.  We still need cash.  The more local match we can provide, the greater our chances will be when we apply for future grant funding,

and make requests to foundations.
     “This has been a painfully slow process.  But it is worthwhile.  I wish we had more local funds for the project so we could move ahead

faster.”
     The library board applied two years ago for two state grants totaling $750,000 which were turned down.  The applications were made

after the State Library, an agency that determines whether local facilities are adequate or not, stated many months ago circulation and

population figures indicated a new or expanded facility was warranted in Preston.
     “Of course, everyone was disappointed when we learned those two major grants were turned down.  We were banking on the money

to substantially pay for the new, 10, 0000 square-foot facility,” he said.  “The main reason we were not funded was because we lacked the

adequate cash-on-hand.”
     The existing library is 3,600 square feet.  The price tag for construction of a new facility has been estimated at $1 million.
     FOL sent out a flyer in The Citizen last fall requesting each household throughout the county give a $100 contribution to the library

project.  He said that effort netted approximately $40,000.
     Titensor said a lot of people have put in a tremendous amount of time and effort in a volunteer capacity to get the project to the point

it is right now.  “I would like to thank all those who have been associated with our efforts in any way over the past,” he said.

QUALITY COMMUNITY LIBRARY NEEDED
The Preston Citizen, March 3, 1999
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,
     I write to support construction of our new Preston/Franklin County library.  I hope all have driven by the vacant site where the

Jefferson School used to be.  You will have seen the results of great work given by county crews and the demolition company which

we hired.  The Franklin County Library Board has worked for years to plan and prepare for a new building—your county now has the

spot.  We have the building plan—now WE NEED YOU TO HELP!
     A library fundraising drive is off to a good start—but that’s just it--- it’s only a start of what needs to happen for this wonderful edifice to become a reality for our county.  A community the size of Franklin County desperately needs more space than the current Carnegie Library has to offer.  We’re bustin’ at the seams!  Come in and see for yourself.
     School libraries cannot begin to fill the needs of students and meet their educational challenges.  A good quality community library is essential to keep pace with the information age we now live in.  Help send the message that we care about knowledge and learning.  Get involved with the fundraising—help the new Franklin County Library become a reality—KNOW YOUR DONATION WILL BE GREATLY  APPRECIATED.      

Please send your donations to:
Friends of the Library
28 E. Oneida
Preston, ID  83263
Very Sincerely,
/s/Carol Mumford

HEROES
The Preston Citizen, March 31, 1999
     Gordon Richins, 43, shared his story of courage to about 40 young boys Saturday at the Preston Carnegie Library.  Richins was a local dairy farmer for eight years before a bale of hay feel on his neck, breaking it and robbing him of the use of his legs.
     Richins has found a new job for himself as an advocate for persons with disabilities and as a peer support coordinator for the AgrAbility of Utah project, which provides services for individuals in the agricultural community who have disabilities.
     He enjoys people, gardening, the outdoors and his computer.
     Other participants in the Hero Program were Karen Kunz and Melinda covert.  Kunz gave book reviews to the young men and Covert played hero games with the boys and their parents.
     The program was designed to help the boys discover the true meaning of courage from one who had to develop it.  The hardest thing, Richins told the boys, is asking people for help.  Richins and his wife, Faustine, have been married for 23 years and they are the parents of a 22-year-old son, Dustin.

PRESTON LIBRARY HIGHLIGHTS FEATURES DURING NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK
The Preston Citizen, April 14, 1999
     Preston Carnegie Library joins the nation in celebrating National Library Week.  Where do you go when you need to know?
     Chances are it’s the library.  Some two-thirds of Americans say the library is where they go to get books, use computers and find other resources they need in the information age, according to a poll conducted by the Gallup Organization for the American Library Association (ALA).  “Read!  Learn! Connect! @the Library” is the theme for this year's National Library Week, April 11 through 17, sponsored by the ALA and library supporters across the nation. 
     “National Library Week is a time to celebrate this great democratic institution and the freedom we enjoy as Americans to read, learn and connect to ideas and information,” says Ann K. Symons, president of the 56,000-member ALA.  “We encourage everyone to visit their public, school or college library and see what’s new.”

      The role of libraries and librarians in providing public access to information is more important than ever, according to Symons.  “There’s an

overwhelming amount of information out there—not all of it helpful or even accurate,” explains Symons, a school librarian from Juneau, Alaska. 

“Librarians can help you find the best source of information, whether in a book or online.” Symons notes that some 75 percent of public libraries

now offer public access to the Internet—almost double the number two years ago.   Many libraries have Web pages and offer classes for parents,

business people, seniors, children and others on how to use the Internet.  Following are some helps for how your family can “Read! Learn!

Connect! @ the Library.  
•   Get answers.  Many libraries offer telephone or online reference service.  Librarians are experts at knowing the best sources of information

whether in books or online. Borrow books and magazines.  If your library doesn’t have the title you want, chances are it can get it for you through

Interlibrary Loan.  Librarians are happy to recommend good reading for you and your child.
•   Attend free programs.   In addition to books and other resources, libraries today offer educational and cultural programs for adults.
•  Log  on.   Three-quarters of the nation’s public libraries now offer public access to the Internet.  ​Most also offer public access to the Internet. 

Most also offer books, magazines, and other resources to help children and adults learn how to “Surf the Net.” 
•   Discover the  fun.  Check  out your library’s services and programs. 
•   Get help on your home­work.   Libraries are stocked and staffed with computers and other reference materials to assist students. 
•   Check out videos.  Almost every library offers video tapes for loan.  Choose from classic children’s films as well as travel and how-to tapes.
•   Remember  the  library is a public  place.    Parents should accompany young children to the library.  Older children should be provided with

guidelines for the types of materials their parents wish them to read and use. 
     The library director, Cloteele Dahle, the staff, and both Preston City and Franklin County library board members  invite  you  to  visit your local library and see  the  new books, videos, audio tapes, and all the services available to you.  We have a great library with excellent book collections for both adults and young people.  New current materials and Internet access are available.  Activities and programs are provided for young and old alike.
    The library is in need of more space and  a more  modern  building with new electrical service that can accommodate the increased demand for computers and space to hold more community programs, but excellent service is still provided to the community.  Come in and pick up handouts and tips to improve your family reading.   
     Stop by the library and “Read! Learn! Connect!”

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
April 14, 1999
     Mayor Heusser asked for a report on Y2K compliance.  We have five machines that are not Y2K compatible.  These are older, slower computers that really need to be upgraded anyway.  Upgrade cost will run $289 for each machine plus $45 if a new video card is needed.  Fax machine is not compliant.  Novell network operating software is compliant and also the Winnebago circulation and catalogue software .  Our copy machine is in need of repairs.  About 76,000 copies have been made since we purchased the machine.  J. K.s technician recommended that we put a new drum, service and clean the machine, rather than purchase a new one because of the low number of copies we have made.  Cost to service the old machine is estimated at $500.  We could also look into leasing a machine.  Library will close on April 19 so staff can attend a training workshop on use of the Lili data bases.  These data bases allow us to access over 1800 magazines with full text, plus many other reference sources. Staff needs to attend the LA mini-conference on April 19.  This would mean closing the library another day.  Estimates needed for software to be able to connect more than one computer at a time to Internet.  This is a much needed service with the availability of the Lili data bases.  Sid reported on necessary steps to forming a district.  Board discussed pros and cons to forming a district.   It will take at least 2 years to get district approved and operating.  There is a grant available through LSTA to fund districting planning and possibly first year operation.  City would need to continue funding for first year.  We would need to prepare now for either the November or May election.  Beth will try to attend the regional tax meeting usually held in May and get information about the override election and setting a one-time levy for a new district.  Kreske grant application is ready to send.  We could hear by late fall.  Kreske is the only foundation we have found to give large amounts of money.  It is a challenge grant.  Matching funds would have to be raised within the grant timeline.  Motion passed to apply for LSTA grant to help plan, form, and fund a district and start preliminary work in preparation to meet with the city in January and prepare ground work for an election in May.   County board members present also approved of this motion.  Sid will make a list of tasks necessary for districting.

WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE OLD BUILDING?
The Preston Citizen, April 21, 1999, Letter to the Editor
Editor:
     I would like to comment on Carol Mumford’s plea for monetary help for the new library.  While I do agree a new library is a good idea, I would like to know what was wrong with the school building?  It could have been converted for a fraction of what a new one will cost.  The key word and answer is new.
     The cold and expensive fact is people around here cannot stand old.  Buy a new car and soon the neighbors got a new one.  Same way with the churches, when they get so old it’s abandoned and a new one built.
     If they could, I’m sure they’re working on a way to eliminate grandparents.  Maybe they should see Dr. Kevorkian.                                                         

Harold Rossow, Weston

NO LIBRARY BOARD MEETING IN MAY, JUNE OR JULY

LIBRARY BEGINS SUMMER YOUTH READING PROGRAM
The Preston Citizen, June 9, 1999
     “Treasure Your Library” 1999 Summer Reading Program will begin on Wednesday, June 23 at 3 p.m. in the Benson Park.  Register your child at the library beginning on Monday, June 14 through June 23.  Children of all ages are invited to participate.  Join us at the library this summer as we discover the treasures of books.  Become a pirate and set sail for summer fun!  Each child will be able to decide how many hours or books he wants to read.  For every five books or two hours of reading, the child will receive a coin to add to their “treasure chest.”    Children will receive a reading log and some “pirate” materials.
     This year children can look forward to craft and story hour programs revolving around “Pirates” making stops at Shipwreck Island, Parrot Island, Lost Island and Treasure Island.
     Kids who read, succeed.  Reading is important because students who read well and enjoy reading are more likely to do better in school.  Children’s skills also improve dramatically when they discover that reading is fun.  Children will treasure their library as they dig into the past and explore future possibilities.
     Visit the library or call at 852-0175 to receive more information.

THE LITTLE LIBRARIES THAT COULD
Herald Journal, June 13, 1999
By Ann Bluemlein
     Libraries are thriving in Cache Valley.  There are eight libraries in the valley, from Preston to Hyrum.
     And while county residents may soon be able to check out books from the Logan City Library, many librarians think their patrons are happy with the services provided by smaller libraries.
     The Logan Library Board decided to vote in July whether to offer library cards to the 133,000-volume Logan City Library for $157.12 per family per year.  The amount was derived from the average amount a Logan family pays annually in property tax to support the Logan City Library.  If that proposal passes in July, the Logan Municipal Council will vote on final approval this fall.
     While the idea is debated and decided, many towns maintain their own libraries.
     Lewiston is a great example of a small town library serving its community.  The 18,000-volume library moved to its present location on Main Street in 1980.  Since then, computers, Internet service and a new children’s reading room have been added.
        “We did a survey about voting time a few years ago to see if people wanted to join up with the Logan library,” librarian Vella Durrant said.  “There were only 13 votes to join Logan.”
     Lewiston, with a population of about 1,500, should be proud of its library, Durrant said.  “For our town size, we are pretty big,” she said.  “We have two computers for children with games, story times and computers, I feel pretty good about our library.”
     While some families may benefit from the opportunity to join the Logan city Library, Durrant said Lewiston is far enough away not to get involved.
     Distance also keeps Preston librarians from being too worried about possible changes.  “We have a well-used curriculum,” librarian Cloteele Dahle said.  “We serve all of Franklin County and Preston.”
     The 32,000=volume Preston library checks out about 625 books a month. 
     Logan Mayor Doug Thompson suggested last year that local communities combine and support the Logan library as the new county library.  But local communities felt the cost wasn’t worth the return.
     Some communities have built their own libraries.  The new North Logan library is scheduled to open in august.  Then its volume count will jump quickly from about 15,000 volumes to about 30,000.  (There is more to this article, but this is all that was copied in the Newspaper Articles scrapbook)

LIBRARY FUNDS
The Preston Citizen, Wednesday, June 16, 1999
     The Friends of the Library continue to solicit donations for the new library and have created this fund-raising indicator on the wall of the Preston Carnegie Library.
     The public is invited to donate funds to the project and as funds are raised, the indicator will reflect how much money has been collected towards the new building.
     There are several ways to donate to the building of the new library.  One can make memorial donations in the name of the deceased or leave a legacy by making

the library a beneficiary in their wills.
      “Donations of any kind and size are welcome and encouraged,” said Julie Westerberg., president of the Friends of the Library. For more information on the library,

call Westerberg of the Friends of the Library or Sid Titensor of the Library board.

LIBRARY TURNS READING INTO SUMMER TREASURE HUNT
The Preston Citizen, June 30, 1999
 By Reuben Wadsworth
      The “Treasure Your Library” summer reading program started Wednesday June 23, at 3 p.m. in Benson Park.
     “The treasure we will find this summer will be in books” program director Connie Moser told a group of over 90 children and some of their parents.  The program

will be held another four weeks every Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the park.  It is open to children of all ages.  Since the theme is “treasure your library,” the subject matter

of the program is pirates.
     Karen Kunz, dressed in pirate attire, told pirate stories to the audience during the one hour event.  Each child is encouraged to set their own goals.  For every five books they read, they receive a gold coin sticker to put on their treasure chest.  The purpose of the program is to encourage children to read over the summer,” said Moser.
     It is an incentive program which has been going on for over five years, will be beneficial for each child involved.
     “Children, especially those struggling in school, can’t afford to take a vacation from reading during the summer, said U. S. Education Secretary Richard Riley in a recent press release.  “Reading is a skill that must be taught, supported, and sustained.”
     Parents can offer stimulating experiences to children who want to read and learn, said Riley.  “Adults who pay attention to children’s interests can make a difference.”
     According to Riley, summer is the perfect time to capitalize on children’s natural curiosity and engage them in activities of all kinds.
     “Kids can use the break from school to explore their interest through books and computers,” he said.  “Involvement from parents or caring adults is critical to success.”
     Riley suggested the following resources that can “help children keep cool with reading this summer:”
     Keep kids engaged.  Call the U.S. Department of Education for “Museums and Learning:  A Guide for Famiy Visits,” which is for kids ages 4-12, available free at 1-877-4ED-PUBS.  For more on kids and reading, a website at www.ed.gov/inits/americareads can be visited.
     Do some surfing inside.  Can’t make it to to the beach?  Surf the web instead!  The American Library Association points you to the best at www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites/.
     Tend to your budding readers.  Reading is Fundamental (RIF) offers helpful materials for parents who want their children to grow up reading.  Call toll-free at 1-877-RIF-READ.
     Those interested in the summer reading program may contact the library at 852-0175 for more information.

YOUTH TO FIND TREASURE AT THE LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, July 7, 1999
     “Treasure Your Library”—The summer reading program sponsored by the Preston Library, will be held on Wednesday, July 7, at 3 p.m. in the Benson Park.
     This week’s activity, “From Sea to Shining Sea” will include a special guest speaker, Randy Halford, from the Idaho National Guard who will talk to the children about the United States flag.  “Pirate Pattie” will also be there to tell stories.
     The library staff encourages children of all ages to attend and to continue reading this summer.  Many children are filling their “Treasure chests” at the library with gold stickers which represent the books they have read.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
August 17, 1999
     In May the board traveled to visit the North Logan New Library in place of board meeting.  Committees were working on individual assignments and gathering information to be presented at board meeting.  Cloteele attended the ISL summer institute on library services for youth.  Very good information on developing programs for youth of all ages.  We would like to do more reading programs for parents, youth and teens.  Space and staff-time limit what we can do.  Cloteele visited the Kuna District Library, Boise Public Library, Meridian Public, and Ada District libraries.  Computers will be upgraded to meet  Y2K compatibility, Internet connection will be modified in order to connect more than one computer at a time.  This is needed to get full benefit of the LiLi (Full text magazine and reference) data bases for students.  A meeting with other librarians in the district and ISL consultant Frank Nelson will be held at our library on August 19.  We will be talking about group grant applications.  We want to apply as a consortium for funds to make our catalog available over the Internet, and possibly a grant to fund E-Books and portable computers for workshop use.  We will be meeting at Bear Lake Library in September for a workshop on developing a homepage.  LTAI approved for January.  Thedora Petterborg with the outreach center is working with us on this program.  ICF has approved grant funds of $1350 to purchase theme packets for readers in the 3rd-6th grade.  Equal matching funds are required.  The ISL display on brain development will be at the County Fair.  Handouts to promote early emergent literacy will be available.  The Friends are also doing a community booth to promote awareness of the library.  Districting and Bonding were discussed by the board.  Sid has outlined steps toward joining the present library district.  (See attached pages.)  Motion passed to join the existing Franklin County Library District.  Friends of the Library representatives asked if the board felt they should continue with the annual fall letter campaign or donations.  Board felt it should be continued.  Kris will get a legal description of the property for new library and have the school finalize the donation to the city with a restriction for library use only.  Board members will continue to make contacts with possible sources for large donations.  Assignments:  LSTA Grant – Walt; Budget, Phyllis and Cloteele;  Plant Facilities-Bonding – Carol and Myrna; Contact city council – Kris; contact county – Cecelie and Beth.

AD BY FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, August 4, 1999, p. 12
      Where can you come face-to-face with a stegosaurus, take part in a mammoth adventure or find out what a brontosaurus has for brunch?  The answer is The Preston Library, where a world of discovery is yours for the asking with just a wave of your Iibrary card.  But that's not all. Your Preston Library Is also a place that can aid you with a school project, prepare you for a college exam or help you research a business opportunity or vacation spot.  Young or old, without a doubt, your Preston Library is worth checking out.

To Thee I bequeath
Some of My Estate
The Preston library.
You can make a difference.
Act Today

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
September 15, 1999
     Cloteele will attend the Eastern Region Grants Luncheon on Sept. 21 in Montpelier to receive the grant from ICF for $1350.  She will attend the ILA conference in Boise on Oct. 6-9.  At the regional meeting in Downey on Thursday, a demonstration of the bookware software and the network of libraries will be given.  This will demonstrate how the Eastern Idaho Library Network will operate.  Walt met with Frank Nelson to work on the LSTA grant for districting.  Three things are needed for the timeline:  consolidation election (Feb. 2000), bond election and permanent override election.  Add the two budgets together and use one quarter.   Eastern Idaho Technical college director, Suzanne Ricks, is writing a grant for web-based catalogs for libraries in southeastern Idaho.  A consortium of libraries will be formed.  A charter fee of $250 will be assessed.  Ongoing fees will be discussed by the consortia but will probably be 1% of the library’s yearly operating budget with a cap of $2500.  Each library participating in the web-based catalog grant will be responsible to pay their matching share of any LSTA grants received.  Motion passed to join the consortium.

NO BOARD MEETING IN OCTOBER OR NOVEMTER

LIBRARY SPONSORS READING WEEK EVENTS WITH STATE
The Preston Citizen, November 3, 1999
     Idaho’s third annual Family Reading Week will begin on Nov. 14 and run through Nov. 20.  “Reading Takes You Places,” the theme of the week, is designed to encourage families to spend more time together reading and learning.
     The effort is supported y Governor and Mrs. Kempthorne, superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Marilyn Howard, and other members of the Idaho education community.
     Southwest Airlines is also supporting the week-long celebration of reading by providing board books to all passengers with young children flying from the Boise terminal and by providing four free airline tickets for a Family Reading Week drawing taking place at participating public libraries during that week.
     The Preston Carnegie Library will also sponsor some special activities during that time.  In addition, the library continues to conduct a “Preschool Storytime” every Wednesday at 11 a.m.  “We encourage parents to bring their children and participate in this activity.  Parents and children will understand the value and joy that reading can bring as they use the library weekly.:
     The story time schedule for November and December is as follows:
                Nov. 3 – Harvest Time
                Nov. 10 – Bears
                Nov. 17 – Pilgrims
                Nov. 24 – Turkeys and thanksgiving
                Dec. 1 – Gingerbread
                Dec. 8 – Bells
                Dec. 15 – Elves
                Dec. 22 – special program
      “Reading aloud is the single most important thing parents can do to ensure their child’s success in school and libraries are a great place for families to learn more together,” said Dr. Charles Bowles, state librarian.
      Persons interested in being a storyteller for the library should call 852-0175.

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LIBRARY PROJECT TO GIVE BOOKS AWAY FOR CHRISTMAS
The Preston Citizen, November 24, 1999
     Preston Library is starting a new tradition for the holiday season.  Residents of Franklin County will have the opportunity to help fill Santa’s bag with new children’s books.  These books will be distributed before Christmas to families throughout the county.  People can choose a book title off the library’s Christmas tree, and donate money for the book to be purchased or they can buy their own favorite books from a bookstore and drop them into Santa’s bag at the library.
     “This project is a great way to catch the spirit of “Seasons Readings.”  New books for Christmas will provide parents with the opportunity to promote literacy and the love of books in their homes.  All books donated will be distributed this holiday season.  For more information, contact the library at 851-0175.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES 
December 15, 1999
     At a meeting with the Friends, steps to joining the present county library district were discussed.  Those present felt that a county-wide district would benefit the library and make it possible to equalize funding and taxation.  Tasks necessary for a districting project were outlined:  Presentation at city council on January 10.   Notice of approval of District Library Board.  Necessary petitions.  Meet with city council members and county commissioners.  Discuss details with ISL, Frank Nelson consultant.  Schedule election.  Publication of necessary documents.  We will try to hold a districting election in February.  A plant facilities levy for $850,000 election could then be held in May.  A majority of people voting would be needed for  the levy to pass.  It would raise taxes on a $100,000 home about $30 a year for ten years.  Board members were each assigned a task to help accomplish necessary steps by end of January.

HOLIDAY GENEROSITY CAN EARN TAX CREDITS
The Preston Citizen, December 15, 1999
By Necia P. Seamons
     Contributions made to public libraries can earn individuals a tax credit up to $1000 and corporations up to $500.  As of March 17, 1998, Section 63-3029A of the Idaho Code allows credit of one-half the total contribution (not to exceed $50 for individuals, $100 for joint returns or $500 for corporations, and not to exceed 20 percent of taxpayers tax liabilities or 10 percent of corporations tax liabilities.)
     If a couple, filing a joint return and earning $55,000 federal taxable income before the contribution, donates $50 to the library, they are entitled to a federal tax reduction of $14, an Idaho tax reduction of $4 (both itemized deductions) and an Idaho tax credit of $20.  So, of the $50 donated to the library, $38 of those dollars are eventually returned and out of pocket costs to the couple is $2.
     If a couple, filing a joint return and earning $55,000 federal taxable income before the contribution, donates $120 to the library, they are entitled to a federal tax reduction of $14, an Idaho tax reduction of $10 (both itemized deductions) and Idaho tax credit of $60.  So, of the $120 donated to the library, $84 of those dollars are eventually returned and out of pocket costs to the couple is $36.

​GUTTER GUSSIES GIVE BACK TO TOWN
The Preston Citizen, December 22, 1999
By Jean Carter
     The Preston Gutter Gussie Association, part of the Women’s Bowling Association,

presented two checks to local businesses and adopted a family for Christmas last

week, using funds raised throughout the year.
     State gutter Gussie president Leslie Hurless and member Addie Hurless

presented a check for $500 to the Friends of the Library and a similar check for

$500 to the franklin County senior Citizens.  Accepting the check for the library

was Beth Schumann, while Carol Parker, manager of the Senior Citizens Center,

accepted the check on their behalf.  In addition to the money, the Preston Gutter

Gussie League put $500 towards gifts and food certificates to a family of six for

the holidays.  The gifts were given to a local LDS bishop to be delivered for Christmas. 

(Article goes on to give bowling scores.)

Library Director Cloteele Dahle is excited about the upcoming opening of the new Larsen-Sant Library in Preston.

DeWall Construction carpenter, Joe Peninger measures a piece of plywood for placement on the library building.

Friends of the Library and library board members stand for a picture while inspecting the library with Monsanto representatives.

State Gutter Gussie president Leslie Hurless and member Addie Hurless present a check for $500 to the Friends of the Library and a similar check for $500 to the Franklin County Senior Citizens.  Accepting the checks are Beth Schumann for the library and Carol Parker, manager of the Senior Citizens Center.

Where the red fund grows.  Craig Kunz of Kunz Construction Company updates the donation barometer on the outside of the library last week as the donations reached $350,000.  Board members are shooting for an April groundbreaking.  The new facility will cover 8,700 square feet, or nearly three times the size of the current building, which has 3,400 square feet.  It will be built on one level and will be built to handle computers and other services that were not even dreamt of when the Carnegie Library was completed.  The money will quickly be put to good use as the Franklin County Library Board is accepting bids from interested contractors for the project through April 9.  Plans and specifications can be picked up at Jensen & Haslem Architects, 1335 N. Main in Logan, Utah.  Bids can be dropped off at the Preston Carnegie Library until April 9 at noon, when bids will be opened by the board.  The Preston Citizen, March 21, 20001

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NO LIBRARY BOARD MEETING IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY

GIFT OF FEAR
The Preston Citizen, January 3, 2000
     Jeff Gunnell, president of the Neighborhood Watch Program, presented two books on how to prevent crime to the Preston Carnegie

Library.  The two books, by author Gavin deBecker, were sent to Gunnell by the Gavin De Becker Inc. Company of Los Angeles, Calif.
     Gift  of Fear features chapters which include violence in the work place, domestic violence and date stalking.  Protecting the Gift: 

Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (and Parents Sane) provides insight into the behavior and strategy of predators.  Included are 12

safety skills children should know before they are left alone in public.  Chapters include children away from home and baby sitters and

nannies and what parents should look for in care givers of their children.
     De Becker is a threat assessor of political figures in Washington, D. c.  He has worked for the FBI and for various public figures.  Gunnell

contacted his company, and was sent the two volumes.  Accepting the books on behalf of the Carnegie Library is Laura Wheatley.

LIBRARY LAUNCHES  ‘LET’S TALK ABOUT IT’ FOR NEW YEAR
The Preston Citizen, January 12, 2000, p. 5
     The “Let’s Talk About It” reading and discussion program will begin at the Preston Carnegie Library on Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. and will be held every other Wednesday night for five programs.
     This year they will be discussing favorite biographies.  The library loans out the books selected for the series and schedules a scholar to lead a discussion about each book.  Readers are invited to join the group and share their reactions and thoughts about the books. 
     Books and presenters in this series are:
January 19 – Ford Swetnam, Idaho State University, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.  An American personality, a revered public figure and a humorous, self-reflective, entirely human man.
February 2, Presenter:   A Mormon Mother:  An Autobiography by Annie Clark Tanner.  One participant’s perspective of polygamy practiced in Utah.
February 14 – Kristin Buck, Idaho State University, Desert Exile by Yoshiko Uchida.  First generation Japanese American family experience in World War II and Japanese internment camps.
March 1, James Papworth, Ricks College.  I Know Why a Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou.  The world of the segregated South during the 1930s as experienced by a little girl.
March 15, Dan Hunt, Idaho State University, Black Elk Speaks by John Neihardt.  This book celebrates the Sioux nation from Little Big Horn to Wounded Knee.
     This program is sponsored by the Idaho State Library, the Idaho Humanities Council, the local public library, U.S. Bancorp and the Dr. Ezekiel R. and Edna Watis Dumke Foundation.   Libraries across the state are chosen to participate in this program from applications submitted by each interested library.  Preston Carnegie Library has participated in this program for the past eight years.
     This program offers a chance for readers to get together, discuss the book, learn about the author and gain insight into various cultures and life styles.  The program has been very popular in the past and everyone interested is invited to take this opportunity to participate.  Call 852-0175 or stop by the library for more information.

FRANKLIN COUNTY PONDERS LIBRARY TAX
The Herald Journal, January 13, 2000
By Jeremiah Stettler
     Franklin County government is debating the creation of a county-wide taxing district to fund the library’s operations and a proposed new facility.  The district, if approved by the county, would more evenly distribute operation expenses throughout the county, said library spokesman Sid Titensor.
      It would dissolve the current procedure of collecting 45 percent of the overall expense from the county and collecting 55 percent of the cost from Preston City.
     As part of the district’s tax realignment, the county would see a slight increase in the amount of library assessment fees.  Preston residents, on the other hand, would pay slightly less for the same service.  The principle, Titensor said, is to equally distribute the financial burden.
     Few problems have developed between Preston City and Franklin County under the current system, but Titensor is concerned the plans to construct a new library could throw a wrench in future cooperation between the entities.
     “What we have now is an arrangement with the county to contract with the city for library services,” Titensor said.  “But I foresee problems down the pike if the city builds the building or if it is owned by one entity or another.  We don’t want to see the same problems occur in Franklin County that happened in Cache.  I think the transition to a new library will be much smoother if it is a county movement.”
     According to Titensor, the current facility fails to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards and accommodates only a third of the county’s need.
     More than $350,000 has been donated by private investors for a new library, while additional revenue is expected from county funding and grant money.
     The transition will, however, require support from the city.  Titensor said the library will need to “wean” itself from the city’s budget over the course of a year and a half to establish itself under the county’s direction.  Under the present circumstances, Titensor said, funding could be a greater concern than expected.
     Even after receiving a go-ahead from Franklin County, the library would need to submit an application to the state taxing commission proposing the library district as a new taxing entity.  If approved during the Legislative session for 2001, tax dollars could be directed to the library fund no sooner than December 2001.  The library could maintain financial support under the city’s budget until October 2001, but a 90-day window would exist between the cessation of the city’s funding and the beginning of the county’s support.
     Titensor is confident that grant money could ease the financial burden during that period but urged the county earlier this week to maintain funding up to that point.  The Preston City Council supported the proposal unanimously in principle, but stated no commitments would be made until the district was approved by the county.

CARNEGIE LIBRARY TO SEEK COMPUTER GRANT
The Preston Citizen, January 26, 2000
      With only one Internet-accessible computer, patrons of the Preston Carnegie Library often have to wait in line, or come back.   Librarian Cloteele Dahle hopes that situation can change, soon, with the addition of up to two more computers.  She is busy completing necessary documentation to submit for a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant application that will mean computer equipment for many Idaho libraries.  If approved, the computers could be in place by June, the librarian said.
     She attended a day-long seminar in Twin Falls earlier this month to obtain details about the grant.  Other area librarians that attended were from Montpelier, Downey, Grace, Malad and Lava Hot springs.
      While it’s too early to know exactly what Franklin County patrons could be getting if the application is approved, Dahle explained that the project is a “state partnership grant with the foundation.  They’re trying to bring access to the public libraries with the Internet.”
     She emphasized that “we would have more terminals, so could have more people on-line at one time than one computer.  There is quite a bit of demand.  It is needed.  It would be used.
     “We’ve probably had the need for more access to the Internet for quite some time,” she continued,    “especially with the students coming over from school.  More and more people are coming in to use the Internet, but with us only able to access one computer at a time, and having to wait, this may have turned some people away.”     
     Not every library in the state can hope to obtain help through the grant.  Dahle said that “the purpose is to expand availability, provide access to those who are low income, who don’t have access to a computer at home.”    To even apply, an area had to show proof of a certain level of poverty, meet certain other qualifications—Franklin County does qualify, Dahle said.  She has until Friday to submit the application.  A lot of that involves figuring out the specific needs of this particular building, Dahle said.  Grant recipients do not have to provide any kind of funding match, with installation and training included.

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The Preston Citizen, February 9, 2000

LIBRARY SPONSORS ‘LET’S TALK ABOUT IT’ ADULT BOOK READING/DISCUSSION PROGRAM
The Preston Citizen, February 9, 2000, p. 11
     The Preston  Carnegie  Library is again sponsoring the adult “Let’s Talk About It” reading program.  This year’s theme is “autobiographies.” 
     The first meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16.  Kristin buck of Idaho State University will discuss the book “Desert Exile” by Yoshiko Uchida.  A student at the University of California at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the author tells the story of her first generation Japanese-American parents’ early years in the United States and the family’s subsequent relocation to a Japanese internment camp in Utah during World War II.  In telling the personal story of her family, Uchida also testifies of the courage, resiliency and commitment to community which was exhibited by two generations of Japanese-Americans, whose only crime was to resemble the enemy.
     On March 1, also at 7 p.m., the book “I Know Why a Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou will be discussed by James Papworth of Ricks College.  Angelou plunges the reader into a world of segregated South during the 1930s as experienced by a little girl.  The narrative moves effortlessly between memory and reflective analysis so that we have a sense of a vulnerable, dignified and perceptive child, as well as a vividly alive and evocative adult who recalls the story.
     On March 15, Dan Hunt of Idaho State University will discuss “Black Elk Speaks” by John Neihardt.  This book challenges the autobiography form.  Generally, autobiographies celebrate the individual; this book celebrate the Sioux nation.  In addition, the story of a 67-year-old Sioux holy man is told through the words of a white poet (Neihardt).  Black Elk relates a life spanning the period from Little Big Horn to Wounded Knee.
     These books can be checked out at the Preston Carnegie Library.

PETITION RESULTS IN HEARING TO FORM COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
The Preston Citizen, February 16, 2000
By Robert Merrill
     A public hearing to discuss the possibility of forming a county-wide library district has been set by county commissioners for March 13.  A petition containing the names of over 60 Preston residents was submitted to the Franklin County commission Monday.  It requested the public hearing.
     The reason for forming a county-wide library district is two-fold, said Beth Schuman of the existing county library district. Preston City currently owns and manages the library and contracts services to residents of the county through an existing county library district.  Preston residents pay approximately 55 percent of the operational costs and those living in the county fund 45 percent.    If a district is formed, those costs would be equalized,” she said.
     Schuman said fund-raising efforts over several years towards construction of a new library have raised about $300,000--one-third of the needed amount for the proposed facility.
     “We want to get away from the county library district contracting with the city for services.  When we raise enough funds for construction, there may be a question over ownership and we want to tie up loose ends now,” she said.  “We want a county-wide district that would be a separate entity and removed from both city and county government.”  Schuman said the existing county district would annex the city into its jurisdictional borders under the proposal.
     Last month Preston City officials gave support-in-principle for the formation of the county-wide district.  Following the public hearing, if everything proves positive, the commission would have to pass a resolution favoring the proposal.  “At that point Preston officials would be asked to schedule a city election to allow residents to vote on the annexation,” she said.  “The annexation only needs a 51 percent majority to be approved.”
      City Clerk Jerry Larsen said the soonest a vote could be held would be this May.
     Schuman said the council would be asked to consider three separate requests from the library board before proceeding with the election.  “If a district is formed, no funding would be available until Oct. 1, 2001.  We would need the city to continue to budget funds similar to this year’s operational needs.  The newly formed district would have no building until a new facility could be built.  We would need to contract with the city for use of the existing library building.  The district would have no books or equipment housed in the current library to be donated to the district.”
     County attorney Jay McKenzie told Schuman the county certainly isn’t large enough right now to support two separate libraries.
      “The two boards that now oversee the operation of library functions have worked very well together in the past,” he said.  “It only makes  sense at this point to forge ahead and form one district with one board to oversee all library functions.”
     Commission Chair Brad Smith said it seems pertinent to move towards the library-district concept to move forward the planning process for a new facility,” he said.
       (The rest of the article deals with other commission business.)  

LIBRARY BOARD DISCUSSES DETAILS OF NEW BUILDING
 The Preston Citizen, February 14, 2000
     The new Franklin County Library continues to be the focus of library board meetings these days.  During the January meeting, t he building committee, made up of members from the board, met with architect Tom Jensen of Jensen-Haslam Architects of Logan.  His firm is designing the new facility with plans set to break ground in April, says Sid Titensor, a member of the old city library board.
     Discussion in January centered on the configuration for the parking lot to be built as part of the project.  The facility will be built on the old Jefferson School site.
     February’s meeting is set for Feb. 21 at noon at the Carnegie Library.  Interior furnishings and some details about the electrical system will be discussed, Titensor said.  He estimated that the board will announce for construction bids within the next month.

On Books For A Tax Hike
FRANKLIN COUNTY OFFICIALS WANT LIBRARY’S EXPENSES SPREAD EQUALLY OVER THE COUNTY
The Herald Journal, February 19, 2000
By Jeremiah Stettler
      It’s all about equality—paying the same price for the same services.
     The proposal of a countywide library district reached the Franklin County commission on Monday as district member Beth Schuman sought county support for a change that would more evenly distribute operating expenses for the library throughout the community.  She hopes the proposal will guide Franklin County past the challenges and stumbling blocks libraries in Cache County have faced.
     A petition containing the names of more than 60 Preston residents was submitted to the commission, requesting a public hearing to discuss annexing Preston City into the existing library district.  Franklin officials approved the request, designating March 13 as the hearing date.
     The proposal, if passed by county resolution in March, and later by city election in May, would create an equal taxing district between the county and city.  At present, Preston is shouldering 55 percent of the library’s operating costs, while the county has contracted for 45 percent.
     Library spokesman Sid Titensor said county residents would see a slight increase in library taxes but said the cost would be insignificant.  “We have no more revenue now than we’ve ever had,” Titensor said.  “We’re just going to spread the expense equally over the county.  By doing that, Preston’s levy will be slightly lower, and the county’s will be slightly higher.  But the change will cost no more than a night out to dinner.”
     The board emphasized that tax adjustments will be made only to equalize library expenses for Franklin County residents.  Few problems have arisen between the county and city thus far, but Schuman hopes to curtail ownership disputes that may surface once the new library is constructed.  Although the two sides have a strong working relationship, she hopes to tie up any loose ends before questions arise.
     Titensor agreed, saying last month that Franklin could experience a replay of the Logan Library scenario.  “I foresee problems down the pike if the city builds the building or if it is owned by one entity or another.” He said.  “We don’t want to see the same problems occur in Franklin County that happened in Cache.  I think the transition to a new library will be much smoother if it is a county movement.”
     As the Preston Carnegie Library becomes increasingly cramped, however, board members have focused on preparing for a new facility.  Fund-raising efforts have been launched to finance the project, providing more than $300,000, or one-third of the projected construction costs, but Titensor said additional money could be drawn from county funding and grant dollars.  Yet board members are still facing a funding crunch.
     Even after receiving the go-ahead from Franklin County to create a county-wide taxing district, the library would need to submit an application to the state taxing commission to become a new taxing entity.  The proposal would then be discussed before the Idaho Legislative in 2001.
     The dilemma facing board members, however, is that no funding would be available until Oct. 1, 2001, even if the proposal is accepted.  The library appeals to the city last month, where the proposal was supported unanimously in principle. 
     The library hopes to contract with the city for use of the existing facility while the new library is built.  The board has also requested that all books and equipment belonging to the current library be given to the new district.
     No commitments have been made by the city, but the proposal will be re-evaluated once the district is approved by the county.

COUNTY SETS PUBLIC HEARING ON COUNTY-WIDE LIBRARY DISTRICT
The Preston Citizen, March 1, 2000
 By Robert Merrill
     A public hearing will be held next month in Franklin County Commission chambers to discuss forming a county-wide library district.  The 10 a.m. hearing was set Monday by commissioners after discussing the formation process with county attorney Jay McKenzie.  He has been reviewing the names of over 60 Preston residents who submitted a petition to the commission over two weeks ago.  The petition requested the public hearing.
     McKenzie said the reason for forming a county-wide district has two purposes.  “Preston City currently owns the library building, its books and other operational equipment.  The city contracts services to residents of the county through an existing county library district,” he said.  Preston residents pay approximately 55 percent of the operational costs and those living in the county fund 45 percent, he continued.  If a district is formed, those costs would be equalized, he said.
     Library officials said fund-raising efforts over several years towards construction of a new library have raised over $300,000, about one-third of the needed amount for the proposed facility.  “From the county’s perspective, the district would be a very good thing.  The county wants to get away from contracting with the city for services.  When we raise enough funds for construction, there may be a question over ownership and we want to avoid that situation now,” he said.  “There’s definitely not enough monies to operate tow separately owned libraries.”
     McKenzie said the district would be a separate entity and removed from both city and county government.  Library officials said the existing county district would annex the city into its jurisdictional borders under the proposal.
     Last month Preston City officials gave support-in-principle for the formation of the county-wide district.  Following the public hearing, if everything proves positive, the commission would have to pass a resolution favoring the proposal.
     “At that point Preston officials would be asked to schedule a city election to allow residents to vote on the annexation,” he explained to commissioners.  “The annexation only needs a 51 percent majority to be approved.”
     Clerk Elliott Larsen asked if the election could be held by the county in conjunction with the May presidential and state primary.  McKenzie said he would have to research that further, but added code requires the election to be under the jurisdiction of the city.  McKenzie requested Larsen to confer with city officials about the election process.  (The remainder of the article deals with other commission actions.

PRESTON RESIDENTS TO SETTLE LIBRARY MERGER ISSUE
The Herald Journal, March 14, 2000
By Dan Chase
     The ball is in Preston residents’ court now.
     The Franklin County Commission on Monday unanimously approved a proposal to annex Preston City into the county’s existing library district, but it still needs to meet the approval of Preston residents.  And they’ll get their chance to vote on the Proposal on a date—most likely May 23--to be chosen by the Preston City council.
     If the proposal is accepted by voters, Preston residents’ current library levy—55 percent of the city-owned library’s costs—would be lessened to one-third.  The county would handle the remaining two-thirds.
     “The way it is now, city residents are shouldering quite a bit more of the burden,” said library spokesman Sid Titensor.  “When the tax burden is equalized across the county, two-thirds of the burden will fall on the county property, and one-third on city property.  It will really make it equitable, because whether you own a piece of property in the city or the county, you’ll pay the same library levy on it.  “It’s just an idea that’s good,” added Titensor.  “It just makes sense.”  But Titensor said it’s going to create some challenges.
     “The challenges will be in working with the city for an 18-month transition period when we’re really a library district but our income stream hasn’t started yet,” Titensor said.  “But we’re going to work with them and they’re still going to help us with funding.”
     Titensor said that other obstacles will surface as well.  “There will be a little bit of tax realignment … and the library boards themselves have to be realigned,” Titensor said.  “It causes a lot of work for county people and it causes a lot of work for city people.  You have to call an election, so there will be a little bit of expense involved in that.
     “This is one of those processes that will be just a little bit painful,”Ttitensor added.  “There’s just some hurdles that have to be cleared.”  And while clearing hurdles often requires change, Titensor said that won’t be the case if residents approve the proposal.
     “There’s going to be a lot of things that stay the same during the 18-month transition period,” Titensor said.  “As a practical matter, we are going to operate with the city … until deep into 2001 because we won’t get funding as a library district until that point.”  And though the wait for funding may seem long, Titensor said it will be worthwhile.  Even if the proposal is approved in the May vote, it still needs approval by the Idaho State Tax Commission as a new taxing entity.  Funding likely won’t be available until late 2001.
     “Overall, I think if you take the long picture, there will be less work and less grief from one countywide library district than there will be with any other method we use,” Titensor said.  “It’s one of those things for the long-term good of all county residents—whether they live in the city or whether they live in the county—and save us any type of grief in the future.”
     But Titensor’s chief motive in the proposal is to avoid problems similar to what Logan City and Cache County have faced.  “We’ve seen problems in Cache County between Logan City and (the county’s) residents,” Titensor said.  “By going through a little bit of effort right now, I think we can preclude that sort of thing from happening as we go forward.”

COUNTY APPROVES NEW LIBRARY DISTRICT
The Preston Citizen, March 15, 2000
By Robert Merrill
     A resolution favoring the formation of a county-wide library district was unanimously approved by the Franklin County commission Monday following a public hearing.  No one opposed the concept and only a few members of the library board and two Preston officials attended.
     The hearing was called last month after a petition containing the names of 54 Preston residents was submitted to the commission.  It requested the hearing.  The commission requested Preston City officials to schedule a city election to allow its residents to vote on the annexation.  The annexation only needs a 51 percent majority to be approved.  Only Preston residents will vote.  City Clerk Jerry Larsen said the city, by code, can only hold an election on four dates each year.  The city will have to research which dates are open and then the council will select one.
     The reason for holding a county-wide library district is two-fold, said Sid Titensor, library board chair.  He said Preston City currently owns and manages the library and contracts services to residents of the county through an existing county library district.
     “Preston residents pay approximately 55 percent of the operational costs and those living in the county fund 45 percent.  If a district is formed, those costs would be equalized,” he said.  Titensor said fund-raising efforts over several years towards construction of a new library have raised about $300,000—on-third of the needed amount for the proposed facility.
     “We want to get away from the county library district contracting with the city for services.  When we raise enough funds for construction, there may be a question over ownership and we want to tie up loose ends now,” he said.  “We want to avoid the problems that surfaced in the past between Logan City and Cache County.”
     The county-wide district would be a separate entity removed from both city and county government.  Titensor said the existing county district would annex the city into its jurisdictional borders under the proposal. 
     In January Preston City officials gave support-in-principle for the formation of the county-wide district.  Titensor said the council would be asked to consider three separate requests from the library board before proceeding with the election.
     “If a district is formed, no funding would be available until Oct. 1, 2001.  We would need the city to continue to budget funds similar to this year’s operational needs.
     “The newly formed district would have no building until a new facility could be built.  We would need to contract with the city for use of the existing library building.  The district would have no books or equipment.  We are requesting all books and equipment housed in the current library to be donated to the district.”  (The rest of the article deals with other commission actions.)

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
March 15, 2000
     We were approved for a Read to Me Grant of $5000 to purchase easy beginning- to-read materials and do outreach service to the child care centers and Head Start.  We have to provide $1250 as a match.  This grant also includes the first book program sponsored by Idaho Public Television with the goal to place books into the hands of “at-risk” pre-school children who may never have owned a book of their own.  This grant was through LSTA and funds are from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  We were approved for the Gates Grant and will receive the award packet shortly.  The expected total of this grant is valued at $17,634 which includes 4 computers, 1 content server, a laser printer, software programs, and internet connection upgrade to wireless Airnet.  We will need to provide furniture and space for these computers.  Training for this grant will begin on March 28.  Eastern Idaho library Network Grant was approved for the EILNET consortium of 20 participating libraries in southeastern and central Idaho. Total amount of the grant awarded is $130,552.  Each library will need a 25% match for the share it receives.  A committee is working on finding funding for the match from other grant sources.  Money will purchase software and hardware upgrades that will enable patrons to view library holdings by using the web.  Shared catalogs of participating libraries will be visible to users on a 24-hour basis.
     Thirteen libraries are participating with the Idaho Health Sciences Library of Idaho State University to provide access and training in the use of medical bibliographic databases.  Each library will receive $1000 to be used for training, materials, and meetings to educate and inform each community.  Cloteele attended the “Sparking the Connections” conference in Boise.  Attendance to this conference was by invitation only because of limited space.  The conference was sponsored by the Albertson Foundation in connection with Idaho Dept. of Education, Idaho Education Association, Idaho Commission of Hispanic Affairs and Idaho Public Television.  It was one of the best conferences I have attended and will help me to work more closely with groups in our community to develop a multicultural and bilingual collection in our library.  Information about working with all youth will be very helpful and I hope that the library can work more closely with other community organizations and schools to promote and develop learning and support programs for all our youth.  There was also a meeting at Nampa Public Library for library directors for the libraries receiving the Read to Me Grant.  Libraries that participated last year told about their project, successes and failure.  Libraries funded this year were asked to report what they would be doing.  Karen Kunz is the new president of the Friends. Sid suggested that we could hold an Internet class for senior citizens when we get the new computers.  We could have a demonstration and one-on-one help.  We could also develop a program for the Spanish speaking population. The district library can have five board members and a treasurer and clerk.  It will need to register as an employer, get workman’s comp, prepare to do bookkeeping, get insurance.  Estimate for insurance on the building is $2051 per year.  The city will have time to get ready for the May election.  City council has the library on the agenda for March 27.  Sid will present a Memorandum of Agreement (see Appendix) with the city.

PRESTON LIBRARY ISSUE TO GO UP BEFORE VOTERS
The Herald Journal, March 27, 2000
     The Preston City Council adopted a resolution Monday to hold a special election to determine if the city will become part of the Franklin County Library District.  The council designated May 23, the same date as the county’s primary elections, to vote on the annexation.  The polling places for the library vote are the same as those for the primary elections.
     “We wanted to join the primary election with the county over the library because we didn’t see the need to have separate polling locations,” said Preston Mayor Jay Heusser.  “We felt it was appropriate not to add confusion.” 
     Jerry Larsen, Preston City Clerk, said residents can vote at Oakwood Elementary School, the American Legion building, the Robinson Building and the North and South LDS Church Stake Centers.
     “What will happen is they’ll ask them (voters) if they’re a resident of Preston, then direct them to a separate table to vote on the library,” Larsen said.  “Then they can go back and vote on the county.”
     If the proposal is accepted by voters, Preston residents’ current library levy—55 percent of the library’s costs--would be lessened to one-third.  The county would handle the remaining two-thirds.

 LIBRARY RECEIVES $17,913 IN COMPUTER EQUIPMENT FOR PUBLIC
The Preston Citizen, April 5, 2000, p. 3.
    By mid-June, patrons of Preston’s Carnegie Library wanting to access the Internet will have

access to four new computer terminals.  That’s because the library was one of several in

Southeastern Idaho chosen to receive a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant providing

computers, complete with installation and a content server needed to provide the service,

Library Cloteele Dahle said.
     “We’re real excited about that.  The total of the grant was $17,913,” she said, noting the

package to be installed will include “a lot of reference programs.”
     In addition, connection fees will be waived and a “really nice” printer included.  And the

gift will also include installation and training for library staff.  “We’ll try to make space where

the other computers are (now) in our reference section,” Dahle said.
     In anticipation of the computers’ arrival, staff  has already received training in what preparations must be made to accommodate this modern technology in the historic library building, the librarian continued.
     “We will have to make some new (electrical)outlets, etc., (but) I think we can fix it so they’ll work without any problems”, she said.
     In addition to regular library patron use, Dahle said “we’re hoping that we can possibly have some classes for senior citizens.  There is a program (included in the coming package) that makes the print large so it’s easier for them to see.  This will facilitate them on use of such programs as genealogy, among others”, she explained.
     There is a definite need for the new service, which will expand the library beyond the one internet-ready computer now on line, Dahle emphasized.  “We’ve had people waiting to get on the Internet.  This way we’ll have those four connected all the time.”
     She noted that most libraries in the area received computers, including Montpelier, Grace, Downey, Lava Hot Springs and Malad.  “It depended on the income level of the communities served, with Soda Springs not receiving any, she said.
     Those areas with more than 10,000 people, such as Franklin County, received four computers, while those with fewer people, such as Grace, received two.
     Patrons will still have access to two other computers that are available for living books and various reference programs, Dahle added.

CITY LEASES LIBRARY TO COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
The Preston Citizen, April 12, 2000
By Robert Merrill
     A formal agreement between Preston City and the Franklin County Library District was approved Monday that leases the city-owned library building to the district for $1 per year.  The lease will remain in force until the building ceases to be used as a library.  An agreement between the two entities also formalizes a request that the city continue to budget funds on an annual basis for operational expenses until Oct. 1, 2001.  All books and equipment housed in the current library will be donated to the district, under the agreement.  The document is contingent on Preston City residents approving a measure on May 23 during Idaho’s primary election to join Franklin County’s Library District.
     Last month the city council unanimously passed a resolution setting May 23 as the day for the annexation election.  Preston residents will be the only ones voting on this issue.  It will be a separate ballot question.  County officials will handle the election and cover most of the costs.
     Preston residents will be able to vote at five county precincts that lie within city limits.  The polling places include the American Legion building; Oakwood Elementary School; Robinson Building; North LDS Stake building; and South LDS Stake building.  Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Only a simple majority is needed for the annexation to be successful.
     Franklin County commissioners in February approved a resolution favoring the formation of a county-wide library district.
     The reason for forming a county-wide library district is two-fold, according to library board chair Sid Titensor.  He said Preston City currently owns and manages the library and contracts services to residents of the county through an existing county library district.  “Preston residents pay approximately 55 percent of the operational costs and those living in the county fund 45 percent.  If a district is formed, those costs would be equalized,” he said.
     Titensor said fund-raising efforts over several years towards construction of a new library have raised over $300,000—one-third of the needed amount for the proposed facility.
     “If a district is formed, no funding would be available until Oct. 1, 2001.  We would need the city to continue to budget funds similar to this year’s operational needs,” he explained Monday.  “The newly formed district would have no building, until a new facility could be built.  The district would have no books or equipment, either.”  (The rest of the article deals with other actions of the Preston City Council.)

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
April 12, 2000
     Library will be closed April 22 and 27 for staff to attend ILA conference.  Gates plans to install the computers the first part of June.  Internet connection and wiring need to be done soon.  Wireless Airnet has been installed.  Lions Club may be interested in donating the computer furniture.  Cloteele and Cecelie will pick out computer desks to be ordered.  City council voted to accept the Memorandum of Understanding as written.   Motion passed to accept the memorandum as written.  County will fund the election along with the general primary election.  Separate ballot will be available for city voters.  Sid asked Walt to draw up an ad to publicize the election.  The wording on the ballot will be “Shall the city of Preston become a part of the Franklin County Free Library District?”  Friends will help us publicize the election.  We will look into a program for computer training for minorities and senior citizens when the  new computers are installed.  Sid will look into a lease program for the copy machine through the state.  Sid, Zelma and Beth will attend the Trustees Meeting in Pocatello in April.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
May 10, 2000
     Gates computers will be installed on June 22, and staff training and open house will be that day.  Open house from 4:30-5:39.  Staff training will also be on June 22.  Eight staff can be trained.  Summer Reading program starts June 26.  Sherri Ransom, volunteer, will be in charge of it and is very excited about it.  She would like to hold it at 11:00 on Monday mornings.  Library will open at 11:00 and close at  7:00 on Mondays for the summer.  We are participating with the State Department of Commerce in the Idaho Corps of Discovery Passport program.  We are one of the sites for the passport stamp.  This program encourages travel in Idaho and promotes each county.  Board members divided lists of city patrons to be called and reminded to vote for joining the Franklin County Library District in the election to be held May 23.  US West (WOW) computer classes will be held July 10 and 11.  There will be three classes each day for 12 to 24 people in each class.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.  Karen Kunz will ask a representative of the Friends to work with a board member to advertise these classes:  Introduction to Internet; Applications of Internet for Small Businesses; Applications of Internet for Educators; Advanced use of Internet.  A lease through State of Idaho for three years on a photo copier would cost $40 per month for 1500 copies.  This includes supplies, except paper, and maintenance of the machine.  Cloteele will contact Davisco about a contract.

CITY SETS DATE TO VOTE TO JOIN COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
The Herald Journal, March 28, 2000
    Preston City residents will decide on May 23 whether to join Franklin County’s library district or not.  On Monday, the city council unanimously passed a resolution setting May 23 as the day for the annexation election.  Clerk Jerry Larsen said Preston residents will be able to vote that day in conjunction with Idaho’s May primary.
     “Preston residents are the only ones voting on this issue.  It will be a separate ballot question.  County officials have graciously proposed to handle the election and cover most of the costs,” Larsen said.
     Preston residents will be able to vote at five county precincts that lie within city limits.  The polling places include the American Legion building, Oakwood Elementary School; Robinson Building; North LDS Stake building; and South LDS Stake building.  Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.   Only a simple majority is needed for the annexation to be successful.
     Last month Franklin County commissioners approved a resolution favoring the formation of a county-wide library district.  The reason for forming a county-wide library district is twofold, according to library board chair Sid Titensor.  Preston City currently owns and manages the library and contracts services to residents of the county through an existing county library district.  “Preston residents pay approximately 55 percent of the operational costs and those living in the in county fund 45 percent.  If a district is formed, those costs would be equalized,” he said.
     Titensor said fund-raising efforts over several years towards construction of a new library have raised about $300,000—one-third of the needed amount for the proposed facility.
     “We want to get away from the county library district contracting with the city for services.  When we raise enough funds for construction, there may be a question over ownership and we want to tie up loose ends now,” he said.  “We want to avoid the problems that surfaced in the past between Logan city and Cache County.
     “We want a county-wide district that would be a separate entity and removed from both city and county government.”
     Titensor said the existing county district would annex the city into its jurisdictional borders if the election is successful.  In January, Preston City officials gave support-in-principle for the formation of the county-wide district.  Titensor said the city’s library board will remain intact until funding for the district becomes available on Oct. 1, 2001.  “If a district is formed, no funding would be available until then.  We will need the city to continue to budget funds similar to this year’s operational needs.  The newly formed district will have no building until a new facility could be built.  We will need to contract with the city for use of the existing library building for $1 per year.  The district will have no books or equipment.  We are requesting all books and equipment housed in the current library to be donated to the district.”  

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
June 7, 2000
     Election held on May 23, 2000, for Preston Library to join the existing Franklin Library district passed.  756 yes, 81 no.  Franklin County Library Board is the official library board now.  Zelma Woodward is the board chairman.  Advertise meetings for Franklin County District Library.  Sid handed out assignments that need to be done:  Setup district as an employer – Carol; verify taxing authority, Walt; expand accounting system – Sid, Beth, Cloteele; employee manual – Cloteele, Myrna, Phyllis; policy manual – Cloteele, Myrna, Phyllis; property transfer, Kris; District Board Plan – Beth; WOW Program (US West computer classes) – Sharon; August Plant facilities levy – Sid, Cecelie, Zelma; Long-Range Plan (5 year plan) – Cloteele.  Internet/computer use policy was handed out for the board to review.  Cloteele will make arrangements for the new computers open house to be  held on June 22.

CHILDREN MAY REGISTER FOR SUMMER READING PROGRAM
The Preston Citizen, June 7, 2000, p. 2
     "Cosmic  Connections"   is the theme of this year’s Summer Reading Program at the Preston Carnegie Library.  Registration for the program runs until June 26 at 11 a.m. when the program begins at Benson Park.  Children ages three to 11 years old are invited to participate.  They can be registered at the library.
     Sherri Ransom is the program coordinator.  Each child will receive a reading log and an alien travel book bag filled with “cosmic” stuff when they register, she said.  The program will be held Mondays, June 26 through July 31.

FRANKLIN COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT ANNEXES CITY INTO JURISDICTION
House To Be Burned To Make New Parking Lot Entrance
The Preston Citizen, June 14, 2000
By Robert Merrill
     Recent election results, which showed 91 percent of Preston residents approved the formation of a Franklin County Library District, were reviewed by county commissioners and several library board members Monday.  Results of the election, held in conjunction with Idaho’s May primary, revealed 756 yes and 81 no ballots.  Clerk Elliottt Larsen said the new district will have to hold an official budget hearing in August, even though no funding from county tax rolls will be available until October 1, 2001.
     Library board chair Sid Titensor said the first election for a board member of the county-wide district will be next May.  Each of the five-member board is elected to a five-year term.  One board member is up for election each year, he said.
     The reason for forming a county-wide library district is two-fold, said Titensor.  He said Preston City currently owns and manages the library and contracts services to residents of the county through an existing county library district.  “Preston residents pay approximately 55 percent of the operational costs and those living in the county fund 45 percent.  Now that a district is formed these costs will be equalized,” he said.  Fund-raising efforts over several years towards construction of the new library have raised about $300,000—one-third of the needed amount for the proposed facility.
     “We want to get away from the county library district contracting with the city for services.  When we raise enough funds for construction, there may be a question over ownership and we want to tie up loose ends now,” he said.  “We want to avoid the problems that surfaced in the past between Logan city and Cache County.  “The county-wide district is a separate entity and removed from both city and county government.”  The existing county district has now annexed the city into its jurisdictional boundaries.  The district will now formalize a memorandum-of-agreement with Preston City which will address three separate topics.   “First, no funding for the district will be available until Oct. 1, 2001.  We need the city to continue to budget funds similar to this year’s operational needs until monies from tax rolls are available.  Second, the newly formed district has no building until a new facility can be built.  We need to contract with the city for use of the existing library building.  Third, the district has no books or equipment.  We are requesting all books and equipment housed in the current city library to be donated to the district.”

      Board Member Beth Schumann said the district’s first and foremost priority is to provide the best library services it can to the entire county.  “The trend across Idaho is to form library districts to better serve the public,” she said.
(The remainder of the article deals with other commission business.)

 LOCAL 10-YEAR-OLD AUTHOR TO READ HIS STORY MONDAY AT LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, June 21, 2000
    Reece Johnson seems like an ordinary enough 10-year-old.  The son of Clyde and sandy Johnson of Preston likes to play in his “handmade” fort in his back

 yard, likes to play video games and Pokemon, do twirls on the family’s backyard trampoline, and he likes to read library books.
     He’s also into aliens, whether it be dressing up like one or reading and writing about them.  In fact, Reece has written a story about aliens that he will share

with his peers as part of the opening day of Preston Library’s Summer Reading Program on Monday, June 26.  Activities begin at 11: a.m. in Benson Park next

to the library.
     Without spoiling Reece’s story, which he willingly shared, it talks about a UFO and its two aliens, and how he gets carried away and ends up looking like

an alien himself, complete with green skin.  Rest assured there’ll be something about octopuses and slime, and a few other goodies thrown in.
     The incoming fifth grader at Oakwood Elementary said that he read a lot of books and would write in his journal as a fourth grader in Nancy Bosworth’s

class.
     “It’s fun,” Reece said, noting he has studied a lot about aliens and UFOs, “way back in the 60s and 70s.  Even now, a farmer saw an alien by his shed, and

then the next day it had the shape of an alien encoded onto the shed”, he said.
     Like any good author, Reece said he plans to have illustrations accompanying his work—but he’ll draw them himself.  “They like to read and draw pictures

of things they like,” Sandy said, speaking also of her five-year-old son Zane.  Reece’s story may be published as part of a collection by students in the school

library.  For more information on the reading program, call the Carnegie Library at 852-0175.

 LIBRARY CLOSES FOR TRAINING, OPEN HOUSE
The Preston Citizen, June 21, 2000, p. 6
     The public is invited to see several new computer terminals and other equipment firsthand that have been donated to the library at an open house Thursday,

June 22, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.  Preston’s Carnegie Library was among area libraries chosen to receive Internet accessible computer services and equipment

from the Gates Foundation that will enable the library to greatly expand Internet capabilities for its patrons said Librarian Cloteele Dahle.
     At the open house, experts from the foundation will be available to answer any questions and demonstrate the equipment and its capabilities for patrons

she said.  There will be light refreshments.
     To facilitate staff training, the library will be closed Thursday, except for the open house.  It will also be closed Friday and Saturday, the librarian added.

FREE CLASSES ON USING NEW COMPUTERS OFFERED AT PRESTON CARNEGIE LIBRARY, BEGIN JULY 10
The Preston Citizen, June 28, 2000, 
     Preston  Carnegie  Library  held an open house Thursday, June 22 to introduce the public to their new computers.  The library received four computers, complete with software and a web browser, from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  “There is something for every age group,” Aaron Smith said of the Gates Foundation.  “Most of the really good learning games are for kids pre-school through sixth grade.  The browser makes it possible for the library to create its own web site. 
     Gates’ Foundation plans to give computers to all 50 states that qualify, Smith said.  The qualifications are based on the poverty level and the population of the town, Smith said.  If the poverty level is higher than 10 percent the library would qualify,” Smith said.  “If the city has a lower poverty level they will receive a partial grant.  The cities that don’t qualify will not get the free computers but they could buy the computer from us with all of the software.”  The computers will be open to the public anytime the library is open to the public”, said Cloteele Dahle, head librarian.  “There will be no charge to use the Internet.  Just if they do a lot of printing.”  Dahle said.  “It will be the same price as copies.” 
     The library will offer five classes next month for anyone wanting to learn more about the Internet.  Basic Internet for Beginners, will introduce people to the language and fundamentals of the World Wide Web.  It will be held Monday, July 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Tuesday, July 11, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Scott and ChristieTamano from Preston came to teach.  Christie taught some of the basics of computers on the day of the open house.   Internet for Beginners, taught in Spanish, will be Tuesday, July 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Internet E-mail will explain how to send, receive, reply, file and manage e-mail.  Participants should have taken Introduction to the Internet or be familiar with the Internet.  Advanced Internet will be taught Monday, July 10 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Participants should have taken Introduction to the Internet or be familiar with the Internet.  
     Learn to browse, enter Web addresses and use search engines to perform keyword and phrase searches.  This class can have any focus, genealogy, arts and entertainment, shopping  for  EMTs  and police, for  realtors,  for  health  care providers    Classes can be taken individually or with a group.  These classes will be taught by the Instructional/Technology Department at Utah State University in conjunction with the U. S. West Foundation.

LIBRARIANS WELCOME INTERNET
The Herald Journal, no date listed
By Sally H. N. Wright
     Local librarians say they don’t feel threatened by the popularity of the Internet and are more determined than ever to offer patrons irreplaceable services.
     Sue Randleman, director of the North Logan Library, has been working as a librarian for 30 years, long enough to remember when books did not compete with the Internet for the public’s attention.  However, libraries haven’t suffered too much from the technology, she said.
     “When the Internet first came out, I thought, ‘Oh, gosh, what’s going to happen?  This will put librarians out of work!’ but then I realized that nobody’s going to read a book on the Internet,” she said.  “The Internet has actually helped us,” Randleman said, “because even though it changes the way people find information, we’re still here as a source.”
     Kent Slade works full time as the electronic services librarian for the Logan Library but also volunteers at the North Logan Library.  He, too, said the Internet’s popularity has only boosted library visits.
     “The Internet has made people expect information quicker and faster, but it’s allowed librarians to do that, too.  People use the Internet and find something of interest, but then they come in to find out more about it.”
     The personal touch is also something the librarians say they are pleased to offer patrons.  “There’s a human element that librarians offer,” Slade said.  “We help people dig through everything and direct them to what’s best for their needs.  We help them find the Web sites that are most appropriate for their research.”
     Randleman agrees, pointing out there is “erroneous information on the Internet.  A trained librarian can guide children to more valid sources.”
     Slade said all the books in the library are hand selected, based on recommendations and reviews.  “With the Internet, you don’t have that.  Everything comes in and you don’t know what’s reliable and what’s not,” he said.
     Some Web sites, like Utah’s state library site (www.pioneer.lib.ut.us), are often overlooked in random searches, Randleman said.  But they are excellent sources and librarians are trained to help students of all ages navigate such sites, she said.
     Slade said Logan Library patrons can access many Web sites there that are not available to private Internet users.  One such site displays up-to-date Mitchell Manuals, which teach people how to repair cars.  “You just click your year, and your car and your question and there’s diagrams and everything,” he demonstrated.  …
     Librarians attend workshops to stay current on the latest technology, Randleman said.  Slade has a master’s degree in library science, which he said helps him understand both theoretical and practical aspects of running a library.  “Librarians are very cool people,” Randleman said.  “They are very organized … generally,” she added as she eyed a stuffed file folder on her desk.
     The Internet and other computer technology helps libraries conserve space, she said, making their atmosphere even more patron-friendly.
     “A true librarian just wants to give information to people, whether they get it from the Internet or in books.  That’s how we find satisfaction and fulfillment, when people are here and using our resources,” Randleman said.

LIBRRY BOARD MINUTES
June 29, 2000
     Training for using the Internet for Interlibrary Loan among the EILNET consortium members will be held June 28 at EITC.  Cloteele will attend the technology track of the Idaho State Library summer institute at ISU from July 27-July 30.  A training session for using the Gates computers will be held on July 27 and 28 in Pocatello.  LSTA grants are to be in by Sept. 29, 2000.  We need to contact Frank about applying.  We can apply for an advocacy grant.  Cloteele will be in contact with Anne Abrams at ISL about this.  Preston City Council will be holding a budget workshop in July.  We need to work with them on the budget for next year.  Beth, Walt and Sid met with the county commissioners.  A budget hearing will be held in August.  After discussion of plant facilities levy, motion passed to hold an election to pass a $104,000 per year for 10 years plant facilities levy on August 1, 2000, to build a new library building on the lot on the northwest corner of First East and First South, Preston.  Notices of plant facilities levy will be posted on July 10, and legal notices will be publicized in the paper on July 12, 19, and 26.  55% of vote needed to pass the levy. (.000259).  Cost of levy on a home valued at $100,000 will be about $25.90 per year.   Sharon made arrangements for U. S. West to teach WOW computer classes at the library.

HISPANICS INVITED TO SIGN UP FOR COMPUTER CLASSES AT PRESTON CARNEGIE LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, July 5, 2000, p. 2
     Spanish-speaking residents  of Franklin County are urged to sign up for computer classes scheduled at Preston’s Carnegie Library July 10 and 11.  Sid Titensor, Chairman of the Preston Library Board, said that “a couple of classes will be conducted for Hispanics, but we’ve had very few Hispanics sign up for those.  We will have translators there, people to teach Spanish-speaking parents and/or children.”  There will be translators to assist both children and adults, he emphasized.
     The classes are designed to help English and Spanish-speaking residents to get acquainted with the newly-donated and installed computers—gifts of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  Four computers are included in the gift, complete with software and a web browser.  Among other assets, the additional computers will offer greater access to the Internet than was possible before, library officials have explained.  Computers and software were donated to several area libraries based on poverty levels and population.  To sign up, call the library at 852-0175.

BOARD, FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY MAKE PLANS FOR LIBRARY LEVY ELECTION
The Preston Citizen, July 19, 2000
      Members of the Franklin County Library Board and Friends of the Library anticipate spending much of their time during Wednesday’s meeting hammering details out of a massive phone tree planned to “get out the vote” Aug. 1.  During that special Tuesday election, voters throughout Franklin County will be asked to give their pro or con vote on a proposed library levy.  A legal notice detailing the proposal appears in this week’s paper.
     The plant facilities levy would raise about $104,000 per year toward construction of a new library on the old Jefferson School site, with the land donated by the Preston School District.  For the property owner of a $75,000 home and land, the levy would  increase their yearly property tax about $19, explained Sid Titensor, former city library board director who is now an ex-officio member assisting the new county board during a transition.  Exact amounts aren’t known yet, until 2001 property values are officially set.  The fund raised from the levy would go along with the $350,000 already raised in donations from Franklin County residents.  Emphasizing the importance of those donations, “when you think about a little community like this, I think that people have been real generous.  That amount speaks well of people’s generosity,” Titensor emphasized.
      In addition, the board is also expected to pass a resolution indicating the library’s official name.  “There has been a little bit of confusion as to what the name of the library district is,” Titensor said.  “The old board name said “Franklin County Free Library District.”  Then we’ve got the city library that was the Preston City Library.  The building said, “Carnegie Library.”  “Technically it’s the Franklin County Free Public Library District,” he continued.  “We will drop the word “Free”.  Last month, the old city library board was officially dissolved as far as its voting powers, although some of its members are continuing to provide support.  The county library board, which previously attended meetings but had no vote, now has that official voting power.  Zelma Woodward of Franklin, who has served on the county board for many years, is the new chair of the district.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
July 19, 2000
     Steel-Reese Foundation approved a grant of $28,000 to the EILNet consortium to pay the grant match for participating libraries.  The Internet classes were very successful.  We have had many requests to hold more classes.  The computers are busy nearly all the time.  Summer reading program is well attended about 200 each week.  Circulation on Mondays has been about 800.  Plant facilities levy election notices have been in the Preston Citizen and have been posted around town.  Sample ballot will be in next week.  The vote of 55% of those voting are needed to pass.  Motion passed to formalize the name of the library district was The Franklin County Public Library District.  Transfer of the property from the school to Franklin County Public Library district will be done as soon as we get the legal description of the property.

​HARRY POTTER BOOSTS LITERACY
The Preston Citizen, July 26, 2000
By Debbie Lamb
     One of the largest selling series of books on the market today is Harry Potter.  The story has caught the nation by storm including a local Preston boy.  Sean Griffeth, 10, the son of Greg and Angie Griffeth, purchased the book in the morning of June 8.  He completed the 334-page book by the following night.  “We got up a 5 a.m., to drive to Wal-Mart, to get in line to get the book,” Griffeth said.  “We stood in line for about 10 minutes before the store opened and we were about the eighth person in line.”  “I just decided to start reading a little bit,” Griffeth said.  “It got more and more exciting, so I just decided to keep reading.”

​      “These students have displayed outstanding zeal in the pursuit of their individual studies,” Don Philbrick said, the boys’ English teacher at FCHS.  “They read the books for English during their individual studies.”
     Joseph and Aston were assigned to read the books, Philbrick said.  “I never thought they would read as many as they did.  I kept assigning them as fast as they could read them.  When the boys first came here at the beginning of the year, they did not like to read.  I think the message they are sending is that reading is fun.”

     Joseph read 1,457 pages and Aston read 1,296.  “I just read because I needed the grades,” Aston said.  “The more I got into it the more reading I did.” Among the books the boys read were “The Odyssey”, “The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights,” “The Catcher in the Rye,” “Mindhunter,” “A Morning for Flamingos,” “Man Hunters,” “Burning Angel”

and “Sunset Limited.”

KEMPTHORNES DONATE BOOKS TO LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, July 26, 2000, p. 23
By Debbie Lamb
     Governor Dirk Kempthorne and his wife, Patricia, presented children’s books to Cloteele Dahle, librarian of the Preston Carnegie

Library while they were in Preston on Monday.  Patricia is an ambassador for the Idaho State Library Association and is helping to

promote the state-sponsored summer reading program that Preston’s library is offering to local children.  About 250 children are

participating this year, said Dahle.  Both the governor and his wife supplied some books as give-aways for children who excel in the

summer reading program. 
      “We want to encourage parents to read to their children,” she said.  Studies have shown that children whose parents read to them,

even as early as newborns, have an advantage in language development, she continued. 
     The book titles presented by the Kempthornes are “Where the Red Fern Grows, written by Wilson Rawls, “Come Along Daisy,” by

Jan Simmons, and “Caddie Woodlawn,” by Carol Rine Brink.   

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
August 9, 2000
     Weather Shield Lite Foundation will grant $1000 to purchase Chilton Repair Manuals and update the reference section.  Cloteele and

Laura attended workshops by the Gates Foundation on hosting web pages.  A web page will be developed.  Nancy Griffin from ISU

Health Sciences Library will conduct a town meeting for our community about how to obtain information concerning health issues on

health data base Access to Electronic Health information for the Public.  Her tentative schedule is for Sept. 13.  This a from a grant we

agreed to participate in.  We will receive $1,000 to help cover the costs of attending workshops and providing training for our community. 

Plant facilities levy election results:  257 voting yes, no: 229.  Yes!  Beth will make arrangements to publish notices and set date for budget

hearing notices and set date for budget hearing.  Board members will work on previous assignments and report at next meeting.  Kris has

the legal description of property and will meet with school board on Aug. 16 to confirm property transfer to the district.  Steps to take now

that the levy passed:  county-wide +library district becomes official Jan. `, 2001.  County residents will pay on the levy beginning this

year; city residents will not pay until Dec. 2001.  The following items were discussed:  borrow the money and get started on building. 

Legal paper work could run $11,000.  Borrow from an individual (interest at market value).  Borrow from Friends, $300,000-350,000 and

use the levy from Jan. $52,000, and June - $52,000.  Start next spring without borrowing until later.  Cloteele, Myrna, and Cecelie will meet

with Tom Jensen to go over the library plan.  A budget and employee plan needs to be worked on. 

THE PRESTON LIBRARY INCLUDED AS ONE OF IDAHO PTV’S NEW FIRST BOOK PARTNERS
The Preston Citizen, August 9, 2000
     Idaho Public Television’s First Book Program recognizes new partners for this year.  The outreach program is geared to give 2,000

underprivileged Idaho children a book a month for a year.  Every book is accompanied by an educational activity page for families and

Idaho PTV’s Connections newsletter which links public television children’s shows to relevant books and activities.
     First Book is funded by grants from the Idaho State Library, the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation, and the U.S. Department of

Education.
     New partners this year are:  Public Libraries in Idaho City, Downey, Rexburg, Preston and Montpelier; Head Start Programs in Rexburg, Sandpoint, Rathdrum, St. Maries, Spirit Lake, Shoshone County, Athol and Salmon; Even Start Family Literacy Program, Ontario, Ore.; Family Services Alliance, Pocatello; and Success by Six, Boise.
     First Book continuing partners are (and then they are listed).  Applications for First Book partnerships are accepted each May.  For information, contact Lynn Allen at 208-373-7316.

WITH PASSAGE OF LEVY, NEW LIBRARY PLANS GET REVIEWED
The Preston Citizen, August 9, 2000
     Following an 89 percent positive vote last week, it’s anticipated the Franklin County Library Board will review previously-drawn up construction plans for a new building during its meeting today.
     The board will hold its regular monthly session at noon in the Preston Carnegie Library.  With an eye to construction of a new facility, plans were formulated last year that could at least be used as a starting point.  Librarian Cloteele Dahle said the actual direction the meeting takes will be up to the board.  She said she assumes the board will “just be reviewing that plan and making sure that is the one we want to have.”
     The board can look at such an option following last week’s vote that registered 256 votes, with a total of 228 affirmative for a tax increase and 28 against.  The tax is actually being referred to as a plant facility levy.  About $52,000 will be collected every six months, or $104,000 annually, to go toward construction of a new library, said County Clerk Elliottt Larsen.  However, this fall, only patrons in the county will be assessed the levy while Preston homeowners will begin paying next June—because the city just joined the new county district.
     “It will go on the tax rolls to be paid in December of 2000” for county taxpayers and June of 2001 for city taxpayers, Larsen explained.  He noted that the use of a plant facility levy “is becoming more common because the percentage (positive vote) needed on a plant facility is not as high as bonding.  To pass a bond it has to be at least a two-thirds majority.  On a plant facility, it’s based on the amount of the bond in relation to the total alue, so the percentage (needed) might only be 60 percent,” Larsen continued.  Once that levy is passed they (library board) probably have the ability to borrow on that so they could build the thing right away if they so desired,” he added.
     Such a levy was passed in Grace about five years ago, making it possible for that much-smaller community, to build a recreation center.  A private individual put up the funds to construct it with the levy then paying those lent funds back.
     Over the 10-yer life of the levy just over $1 million could be raised which could be added to the $300,000 or so already contributed towards the new library from private donations.
     Dahle said the preliminary plan shows a 10,000 to 11,000-square foot building on the old Jefferson School site.  The one-story structure would include a community room for public meetings, recitals, etc.  there would be separate adult and children’s sections, as exists in the current building. 
     The existing Carnegie Library, built in 1915, has been found to be too small and inadequate to meet modern computer and other needs.  A community fund drive has been going on for quite some time, receiving strong support from the community.   At least one board member said that under a “best case scenario,” a new library could be a reality within two or three years.

LIBRARY BOARD TO NOW GET DEED TO JEFFERSON LOT
The Preston Citizen, August 16, 2000
     Representatives of the Franklin County Public Library District are expected to formally receive the deed to the old Jefferson School property tonight, Wednesday, from the Preston Board of Education.
     Although the property has been designated for a new library for a long time, the final action has yet to be completed, said Sid Titensor, former chair of the old Preston Library Board of Trustees.
     In related news, the library board explored preliminary options for the new building during its meeting last week.  Librarian Cloteele Dahle said.  “We talked about the steps we need to take to start working to get a plan and reviewed the plan.”
     Among preliminaries, a sub-committee was set up and has already met with Jensen-Haslem Architects of Logan.  Board members wanted to see what that firm did in designing the new North Logan, Utah library—one which is about the same size as the 10,000-11,000 square foot facility planned for Preston.
    The group toured the North Logan Library and met with the librarian to gain ideas for the Franklin County board’s next meeting, set for August 23 at noon at the Preston Library.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
August 23, 2000
      A  grant for $3540 to purchase books and other materials for Take Home Learning Packs was awarded from ICF.  Property for the new library has been transferred from the school to the Franklin County District Library and recorded.  Phyllis suggested we look into liability insurance for the property.  Beth and Sid met with Thayne Winward about setting up a bookkeeping system for the district library.  He would be willing to work with us.  Board will need to find out what level of audit is required and work out an agreement with him if that is what is wanted.  Budget hearing will be held the first part of Sept.  A date will be set.  Sid looked into borrowing money to build from U. S. Bank, and a private individual.  Bank could not give a firm quote.  Individual will beat quote from the bank.  Levy will bring an estimated $50,000 every 6 months.  $750,000 is about the amount we could borrow and make the payments.  Friends has $250,000 to $350,000 that we can use or borrow from.  We will have roughly a million dollars to work with. If we need to cut costs, how will we do it?  Cut quality?  Down-size?  Do our own contracting?  Board members will consider possibilities for lowering building costs.  Myrna, Cloteele, and Cecelie met with Tom Jensen about building plans.  Some changes in the floor plan were suggested.  His costs for plans and/or architect fees was not fully discussed.  Mr. Jensen would like to meet with the board and discuss the building project and architect fees.  Sid will try to set up a meeting with him for our next scheduled board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 7.  Problems the North Logan Library had with their building project were discussed.

HEALTH ON THE INTERNET WORKSHOP HOSTED BY PRESTON CARNEGIE LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, August 23, 2000, p. 5
     A series of free public meetings entitled “Health Information on the Internet” will be held at public libraries throughout southeast Idaho from Aug. 28 through Oct. 31.  The meetings will be led by Nancy Griffin, director of the Idaho Health sciences Library at Idaho State University, and directors and librarians at the host libraries.
     Griffin will demonstrate how the public may use the Internet to help meet their health information needs.  Participants will also receive hints on how to evaluate the quality of information they find.  At the end of the meetings, Griffin and the local library directors will be available for question and answer sessions.
      “There is an enormous amount of health information available on the Internet,” Griffin said.  “Much of it is of good quality and up-to-date, but some is biased, old, or just plain wrong.  We will present information on how the public can find and evaluate Internet health information.”
     Participants will base the opportunity to discuss their health information needs and experience at the  meetings,  or they may submit them in advance to host library directors and librarians.
      These meetings are funded by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) as part of its goal to promote the use of health information by the public.  Public input is needed to help the National Library of Medicine improve its products and service, Griffin said.  “As librarians, it is our job to provide people with information to better understand their health and their diagnosed disorders,” she said.  “Specific medical advice will not be provided, and the NLM urges you to consult with a qualified physician for diagnosis and answers to your personal questions.”
     The meeting in Preston will be held at the Franklin County Extension Office on Sept. 13 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.  For more information contact Cloteele Dahle, director of Preston Carnegie Library, or phone Griffin at 208-282-3104.   

​LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
September 7, 2000
     Tom Jensen, from Jensen and Haslam Architect Service met with the board to discuss his services.  Items discussed were

building codes Utah/Idaho.  State and county laws will be checked into and followed.  Purchasing plans from another library: 

The architect would have to release the plans (copyright).  Plans may not be suited for our lot and soil conditions.  Site work is

a large part of plans.  About what size building could we build for 1 million dollars?  Mr. Jensen estimated around 9500 square

feet (too small).  Building consists of three things:  cost (money), how fast can it be built?  (5ime), how good can it be built?

(quality).  Architect fees include structural engineer (beams, footings, foundations), mechanical engineer, electrical engineer,

soils engineer to test compacting of property and civil engineer, professional standards, onsite coordination and overseeing

of the building.  Problems and/or questions will be responded to immediately.  Fee is 7.5% of construction cost (what the

contractor bids).  Library board would be billed monthly.  Architect is responsible for major problems with the building for 12

years.  Cecelie asked if some parts from the “Old Academy” building could be used.  Some parts of it could probably be worked

into the construction of the new library.  Mr. Jensen talked about problems with North Logan Library.  Too large of a committee

to work with for decision-making.  Heating system-installation problems were taken care of.  Interior designer was hard to work

with.  We would like to work closely with the interior design.  Plans could be ready in about 6 weeks, bidding would take from

3-6 weeks, might be difficult to start digging before spring.  Motion passed to hire Jensen and Haslam as architect for the new

Franklin County Public Library.  Sid will contact Tom Jensen and let him know our decision.  Beth reported that we need to

get liability insurance on the property.  She checked with Bruce Naylor.  Cost for liability on property and coverage for board

members as well as insurance for board and staff when travelling to business meetings was estimated at $750 per year. 

Motion passed to purchase a liability insurance policy for the library. 

PROPOSED BUDGET, FRANKLIN COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT, 2000-2001
Library Board Minutes, September 21, 200
M & O                   $45,000
Insurance             $1,500
Printing                    $350
Election                    $350
Total                    $47,500
Income from Taxes          $47,500
Revenue from plant facility levy; proposed to pay for professional services and capital expenditures                             $52,000

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
September 21, 2000
     Soil tests on the building lot will start soon.  Tom will go to Kuna with the library board to tour their library.  Sid has seating on his plane for Sid, Tom, and four others.  He plans to fly to Boise the first or second week of October.  Steve and Myrna Fuller visited the Kuna Library and made a video tape.  Phyllis and Bob Acock also have visited the library and were very impressed with it.  The video Myrna made was shown to board members.  Sid met with the Friends and it was decided that they would commit $300,000 of their money to the library building.  If we get the plans done as soon as possible, the bidding process can begin, and we can be ready to start the building process by early spring.  Sid will try to get a firm commitment from the individuals he is talking with about a loan for the library building.  Motion carried to accept the Franklin County District Library Budget.  Sid reminded the board members of their prior assignments and asked them to continue to work on them. 

LIBRARY BOARD TO MEET THURSDAY; SPRING CONSTRUCTION START HOPED FOR
The Preston Citizen, September 20, 2000
     The Franklin County Library Board has been getting together a bit more frequently, lately, with all eyes fixed on making necessary preparations to start construction of a new building.  After meeting just under two weeks ago, on Sept. 7, the board has set another session for this Thursday, Sept. 21, at noon at the Carnegie Library in Preston.
     As far as a construction start, Board Chair Zelma Woodward said “not this fall, but I think we’ll be able to start in the spring sometime, probably.  The Friends (of the Library) are still working on (fundraising), and the tax levy was passed in August.  We think we will have enough funds that we can start next year sometime.”
     The Franklin resident noted that on Sept. 7, the board met with architect Tom Jensen, CEO of Jensen Haslem Architects PC of Logan, Utah.  He designed the North Logan Library, in Utah, which opened within the past 18 months.
     “He (Jensen) has done a lot of work (with libraries) and he has really helped us a little bit before.  He has been very knowledgeable and so we felt it was a good meeting with him,” Woodward said.  Sid Titensor of Preston, an ex-officio board member and former board chair before the reorganization, said Jensen spent about an hour meeting with the board at the earlier September meeting.  “Some people from the board (had stopped into the North Logan Library), got some negative comments.  But a lot of the things (comments) had nothing to do with architecture, were things out of the realm of an architect (role).  He (Jensen) went over how things were, made people feel a lot better,” Titensor said.
     He said Jensen may make a trip to Kuna, near Boise, to survey the new library there.  That community has about 5,000 residents, so is similar in size to Preston.  “A couple of us (board members) have been there,”Ttitensor said, “and we really liked it.  It’s about the size that we want, the layout is just real good.  Whoever we get to do our design, we want them to look at that design.”
     Viewing the 18-month old facility gave Titensor “an example of one about the same size as we have (in planning).  When I see it’s this many square feet, etc., that makes sense to me.  The (library) director took me through, showed me the things they like.  There was about nothing she didn’t like.”
     Woodward, meanwhile, noted that the board transition is continuing.  However, especially during this time of planning for a new facility,” since we have all been working with it for so long, we just said we would work together as a uniform board, with the city and county representatives staying involved”, she added.
     With the new library to be a main focus at Thursday’s meeting, Jensen possibly could be retained as architect.

AREA LIBRARIES RECEIVE OVER $5,000 IN GRANTS
The Preston Citizen, September 20, 2000, p. 6
     The Idaho Community Foundation granted $3,540 to Preston Carnegie Library and $1,500 to Downey Public Library on Sept. 20.  The Idaho Community Foundation is a statewide, tax-exempt, nonprofit organization, composed of 221 individual funds which are pooled for efficient management.  Money is distributed to charitable organizations as grants aimed at improving the quality of life in Idaho communities.
     The counties of Bear Lake, Caribou and Franklin received a combined total of $55,702 this year.  The Preston library grant is intended to purchase books and other materials to make take-home learning packs for rotation to childcare centers.  The Downey Library grant is intended to purchase the Read-To-Me six pack of books to help provide an outreach program for pre-school through second grade.

LIBRARY BOARD SELECTS ARCHITECHT FOR NEW BUILDING
Preston Citizen, Wednesday , September 27, 2000
     A well-known and respected Logan, Utah architect has been selected to prepare plans for the new Preston/Franklin County Library.  Tom Jensen, CEO of Jensen Haslem Architects PC, was given the nod by the library board at their meeting last week.  He is a graduate of the prestigious Cornell University .  His firm has designed many buildings over the past 15 or so years, ranging from a major hospital facility at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center to the North Logan Library, which opened within the past two years.  It is the North Logan project which drew the interest of board members, with most of them having paid a visit to the facility, which is about the size of the proposed new Preston Library.
     “We were short a couple of board members members  (at the board meeting), but we were in favor of him,” said Sid Titensor, a member of the expanded board which includes members from the old county and city boards.  “It’s a small job for him, but a big project for us.”  The board is hoping to receive drawings from Jensen and be prepared to let bids in January, Titensor said.  That way, construction could start next spring.
     “Tom (Jensen) has learned a lot from (designing) North Logan.  I think he got some ideas on how to pivot off to design Preston’s library, he continued.  “The Kuna library has caught everybody’s attention,” he said, noting that “about half of the board members have been there to visit.  We want him (Jensen) to go see it.”
     During the meeting, board members viewed a video tape made by board member Myrna Fuller when she visited Kuna.  “That was the main thing (of the meeting).  She (Fuller) liked the whole thing (Kuna library), just like the rest of us.  It’s really nice.”
     As Titensor has told The Citizen previously, the Kuna library is about the 11,000-12,000 square feet, one-level plan that has been looked at locally.  In addition, the city, with a population of about 5,000 people, is about the same size as Preston.
     In other business, there was some discussion about adding two or three non-voting members to the board in the future, he said.  Those could include a clerk, among other positions.  “We’ve got plenty of board members now,” at 10, he said.  “The law only allows five (voting) members.”
     Currently, the board has been expanded so that the former Preston board members can assist what were the Franklin County representatives in the transition period, which includes preparations for the new library.  Possible assignments for the board members were also discussed, said Board Chair Zelma Woodward.  She said the budget was also briefly discussed, along with purchasing insurance for the old Jefferson School site where the new library will be built.  Insurance would also be needed for liability purposes, she added.  Although several special sessions have been held within the last month, the board opted to take a breather, not scheduling their next meeting until Wednesday, Nov. 1, at noon at the Preston Carnegie Library.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
November 1, 2000
     Idaho Family Reading Week is November 12-18,2000.  Family activities are being planned.  Cloteele, Myrna and Karen visited the Kuna Library with Tom and Sid. Tom took notes on areas of the library that were especially liked by Cloteele, Myrna and Karen.  The staff work area was especially well-designed.  Sid will contact Mr. Jensen to see if a drawing for the new library can be available for our next meeting.  Sid will ask about the roof design, the fill and compacting of the lot, the exterior products to be used, how it will tie in with surrounding buildings, if any parts of the Academy building an be preserved and used, and what timeline we can begin working with.  Beth reported that the district has liability insurance on the building lot ($750 annually).  Carol has sent a package of information to the state so the library district can be registered as an employer.  We are waiting for return information.  Beth sent information to the State Tax Commission concerning the election for the city to join with the county district.  Board members will continue to work on previous assignments.  Sid and Zelma met with the Lions Club to talk about the library building program.  Sid and Zelma will find out what the taxation rate will be for the combined district and how much money it will generate to operate on next year.  The city will have last year’s fiscal year audit completed by the middle of November and will know the balance due from the county for last year.  Cecelie inquired about the decision to hire Jensen and Haslam as architects for the new building.  She was not present for the vote but would have cast a dissenting vote because she felt we should give local people of our community the opportunity to design the library.

PRESTON CARNEGIE LIBRARY HOSTS FAMILY READING NIGHT
The Preston Citizen, November 8, 2000
     A storyteller will be on hand to entertain and educate families Monday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. at the Franklin County Library as part of the first monthly Family Reading Night.
     Carol Bodily will tell stories and present ideas to encourage family reading as part of the evening, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m., says Librarian Cloteele Dahle.  A family reading night will be held the second Monday evening of each month thereafter, she said.  Library staff will be on hand to demonstrate programs available on computers, new books, videos, and other materials “to encourage childhood and family reading.”
     This Monday’s kickoff is part of Idaho Family Reading Week 2000 which is being held at libraries across the state.  Materials for the local effort have been paid for through grant funds from the “Read to Me” grant made possible by the Federal Institute Museum and Library Services in cooperation with the Idaho State Library.
     Some $5,000 was received from the Institute and $3,540 from the Idaho Community Foundation to purchase early childhood videos, board books, easy reading books and parenting books to encourage family reading.
     These new materials will be on display, ready for checkout.  Light refreshments will be served.
      “It is especially important for young parents to understand the importance of reading to a child when they are just a baby,” Dahle said.  “The number of words an infant hears each day is the single most important predictor of later intelligence, school success, and social competence.”
     She added that, “We feel it is important for parents to become familiar with the resources available at our library.”  As a part of this effort, an outreach program to area childcare centers called “Totes for Tots” features a board book, an easy-to-read book, a picture book, a read-along book/tape set, and a video, will be placed in a tote bag that can be checked out  as they pick their young children up from the care center.
     “We hope this outreach program will help make it easier for these busy young parents to have access to books for their child and encourage them to read together.  We encourage all parents to visit the library and take advantage of the services and materials available to them,” Dahle added.
     Further impetus for the program is pointed out by State Librarian Charles Bolles.  He notes studies done during the past decade show a sharp decline in the number of students who read for fun and a drop in home support for reading.  U. S. Department of Education statistics show on average mothers spend less than 30 minutes a day and fathers only 15 minutes daily, talking with their children.  Bolles is challenging families to visit their public library, read more books, and spend more time talking with children.  Idaho’s fourth annual Family Reading Week runs Nov. 12-18.  For more information on Franklin County activities call the library at 852-0175.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
December 6, 2000
     Idaho Family Reading Weeknight at the library was a success.  Carol Bodily told stories, refreshments were served.  Next family reading night will be December 11.  Circulation since Oct. 1 is over 15,000.
     Tom Jensen presented and explained drawings for the new library building.  He showed the floor plan, the site plan, and the elevations.  All board members expressed approval of the building plans.  A soil and foundation evaluation will be done by Strata Inc.  Sid will contact the city to see if they will supply a backhoe.  Sid and Beth met with Elliot Larsen to discuss the levy for the district library.  They will do more research on how the levy rate will be determined by combining the city library budget with the district.  The board members walked over to the building site and looked at how the building would sit on the lot.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
December 13, 2000
     Sid talked about the pros and cons of hiring a contract manager.  A contract manager is most effective when used at the beginning of the design phase so he can make suggestions about cost savings, alternate design options, etc., to the architect.  He must have a public works license before bidding.  He would be in control of subbing so we could have local subs work on our project.  The price would be guaranteed.  We would split the difference if he came out ahead.  We could sort bids from local contractors.  We would save $25,000 on insurance policy to protect us from bankruptcy, if the contract manager left in the middle of the job, etc.  It wouldn’t all be riding on one guy.  The downside of contract manager is that it takes the competition out of the job, and we are a little too late on the time line for a contract manager to really be effective.   Sid then explained the bid process.  We don’t have to take the low bid.  Usually most of the bids will come in towards the middle.  High bid way over the middle is usually inflated.  Low bid much lower than the middle doesn’t have a good concept of the project or has forgotten to include something in the bid.  The public works license deadline is January 15 of this year.  We can require a list of subs.  Motion passed to go with the bid process instead of using a contract manager.  The geotechnical survey looked better than expected.  The job is finished and off to report phase.  Should have that soon.  Cost of new library is over our budget. Discussed other ways to fund the building.  May have to cut square footage, design options, parking lot and landscaping to meet budget, or we’ll have to come up with more money.  (Groan)    Motion passed to give Sid authority to commit funds up to $10,000 without prior board approval for preliminary construction of the library building and to sign any and all contracts necessary to commit such funds.    Motion passed to ratify and confirm the contract signed with STRATA to do the geotechnical survey.  Steven Fuller, attorney, joined the meeting and asked questions about borrowing money from an individual.  He made the following observations and cautions:  1. Someone from the board will have to sign a contract.  Do any of you feel confident in your ability to risk that much money?  2.  What happens if the lender dies, or decides to call in the loan?  3.  Make sure contract includes a clause that lender must give two or three months’ notice before calling loan due, if doing it early.

PLANS COMPLETED ON NEW COUNTY  LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, December 20, 2000, p. 1
     It’s easier to imagine Franklin County’s new library, now that plans have been drawn up and approved by the board.  On Dec. 6, the board devoted its noontime meeting to the new facility which will be built on the old Jefferson school site.  Architect Tom Jensen of Jensen-Haslam presented and explained the plans, with the board also taking time to visit the new site to get a feel for what things might look like in a year or so.
     Myrna Fuller, one of three building committee members is excited about the plans.  “Right now, it’s a brick exterior,” she said of plans for the structure, which will include 8,700 square feet and cost about $900,000.  It’s going to give us a lot more room than we’ve got right now,” she said, comparing that with the two-story, 3,000 square foot Carnegie Library which was built in 1917.
     Several factors impress her with the planned facility: upon entering the front door, which will be on the south side, it will be possible to view everything, making it easier to locate what a patron wants.    The librarians will also have the ability to see what is going on throughout the library.

There will be a “main area” with a higher ceiling than the sides, that will include skylights throughout, adding light to the building.  In addition, many windows on the walls will further accent a bright, open, cheery atmosphere, Fuller said.  Two highlights are a rock fireplace that will accent the reading area and a community meeting room.  Instead of the initially desired space for 50, “an added bonus,” in Fuller’s view is that 80 can be accommodated for events there.

     Originally, 100,000 or 120,000 square-feet were envisioned for the structure.  However, Fuller said, the smaller building should handle the 40,000 books, magazines and other items anticipated to be in the collection by the time the building opens.
     The building committee and library staff pored over materials provided by the State Library, including formulas to determine what square footage is needed to house a book/materials collection, number of patrons, material check-out, etc.  In addition, the committee visited about a dozen libraries in Idaho and Utah.
     “It’s all we can afford,” board member Sid Titensor said of the scaled back building plans.  “But it’s a lot bigger than we have,” he said, echoing Fuller’s enthusiasm.  The existing library opened in 1917.
      Jensen’s firm, based in Logan, has built a wide variety of projects over the years, from a $50 million University of Utah hospital addition to the couple-year-old North Logan Utah, library.
     With plans in hand, Jensen-Haslam must complete a geo-technical study of the Jefferson site before the board can call for bids on the project.  Construction, the board hopes, will be started in the spring.

​

​​2001

BOARD RENAMES NEW LIBRARY FOR LARSEN, SANT
The Preston Citizen, January 10, 2001,
     The Franklin County Public Library District received a $500,000 donation towards a new public library last week.  This

contribution is from former Preston residents David G. and Diann L. Sant of Saratoga, Calif.
     To reflect the half million-dollar donation, the new library board will name the new building the Larsen-Sant Library in

honor of David and Diann’s mothers, Deene and Zelda.
     David is the son of the late Arnold G. Sant and Deene G. Sant of Preston.  Diann is the daughter of the late Virgil Larsen

and Zelda Larsen of Preston.
     Both women were surprised and honored with the decision of their children.  “We’re really proud of David and Diann. 

David is very generous,” said Zelda Larsen.  “I think it is wonderful that my son-in-law and daughter would do what they’re

doing.  They didn’t need to put my name in it, but the library is important,” she said.
     “It was a surprise to me.  The library has been a part of my life since I first moved here to Preston about 55 years ago. 

I really felt it saved my sanity.  I was so lonesome,” she said.  Deene said her love of the library came from her own mother

who was a school teacher.
     “I learned to read long before I went to school,” she said.  Now Deene’s love of reading and libraries has passed on to her

own grandchildren.  One of the first places her grandson, Jeff, wants to go when he comes to visit grandma, is to the library,

said Deene.  “I tried to teach my children that if they’d make books their friends, they’d never be lonely,” she said.  Her favorite

books to read are biographies.
     “I think people’s lives are so interesting—more so than fiction,” she said.  Zelda enjoys mysteries and helps her own children get through school by taking them to the library to find information for their reports.
     According to Sid Titensor of the Franklin County Library Board, the family’s donation will have a lasting impact on the community.
     “The impact will be felt over a period of decades,” he said.  “We would like to thank Mr. Sant for his generous contribution to our project.  On behalf of the library board, library patrons and all Franklin County citizens, I would like to acknowledge the large difference in our community this donation will make,” he said.
     “The new library facility will undoubtedly open doors for other persons from our county to emulate David Sant’s success in the world.” said Titensor, a role Deene hopes the new library will play in the lives of the people of Franklin County.
     “I hope it will make people more aware of their opportunities as they read and grow, such as there is a life beyond their immediate scope of Preston.  It is a wide, wide world,” she said.
     Zelda hopes the youth of the community, especially, will take advantage of all the library will have to offer them.
     The library board expects to begin construction on the new facility this year.  It will be built on the site of the old Jefferson School which used to stand on the corner of First East and First South.  The Preston School District sold the lot to the library board for $1 when it tore the historic school down in 1998.
     Naming the new library after Larsen and Sant is an honor, said Titensor.  “Many may not be aware that David’s mother and father were long time supporters and users of the old library.  Years ago, Arnold contributed a periodical that the library could not afford and our large print book collection is comprised almost entirely of books donated by Deene Sant.  I think this influence from parents is being shown in Sant’s willingness and ability to help his home community,” said Titensor.
     “The Library Board and Friends of the Library have long known that we needed supporters like the sants to enable our county to have a first class facility.  Many people in this community have given generously, but until this donation, we were still short funds to erect and furnish a library designed to serve the county for 75 years or more,” he said.
     David Sant went to Utah State University where he received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering.  Employed by IBM in San Jose, Calif., he spent the rest of his career in the computer and telecommunications industry.
     Diann studied nursing and occupational therapy at San Jose State University in San Jose, Calif.  She received a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy and a bachelor’s degree in nursing then worked as a nurse in the critical care unit at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Gatos.
     “It is really exciting to participate in such an important project.  A new library will be an educational and cultural plus for the community for years to come.  This is such a valuable addition to the city of Preston and the surrounding areas.  I was very lucky to grow up in Preston and have the values that growing up in a close knit community provides.  My parents have been supporters and users of the current library and it is a privilege to aid in the building of a new library,” said David.
     Diann echoes her husband’s sentiments and added a tribute to their mothers.
     “I am really pleased that we can recognize our mothers and their contributions to our success in life with this lasting memorial.”

 

NOTES FROM MEETING WITH KRIS BOWN, ARCHITECT
Tuesday, January 16, 2001, Cecelie, Myrna, Sid, Kris Bown
1. Jensen-Haslam would be much happier with a public works contractor than a regular contractor.  Kris said our choice should be based on experience with big projects.  There isn’t a difference in knowledge between a public works and non-public works contractor, only the bond.
2. We discussed with Kris the $500,000 donation from David Sant and asked Kris what we could do now with our building with the new budget.  Sid explained that we now have money from the following sources:
      a. $360,000                        Friends
      b. $ 80,000                         Reserve
      c. $ 50,000                         First levy payment received
      d. $ 50,000                         Next levy payment in July
      e. $500,000                         David Sant money
Total is $1,040,000         Money in the Bank
     Sid suggested that we could conceivably build the library without borrowing any money.  However, it would clean out the Friends account and leave us without a reserve right now.  These funds could be reimbursed on the next levy cycles.  Myrna suggested that we borrow $200,000 or another small sum, leave Friends an amount decided by the board, and leave the reserve alone for a contingency for operating, especially in light of increases in insurance rates, electrical rates, and heating rates.  This will give us a cushion on operating fess money and give us a little security there for the future.
3. We have an additional 30 feet not included on the survey.  One option we discussed was having the parking on a lower level on the south end of the property that we could wait to build until next year if we decided not to borrow any money.  The retaining wall could be drawn in and built later on levy money, or we could grade a small slope closer to the library.  Kris will design a two-phase parking lot if we decide to do this.
4.The recommendation of the board is:
      a. Leave the building as designed, replacing everything we were going to remove because of budget considerations.
      b. Finish everything, landscaping, parking, and furnishings, with the David Sant money.  Kuna Library spent $120,000 from Technical Furniture Systems, 1727 E. Marine View Drive, Suite #, Everett, WA  98201 (Fax:  425-252-2433).  Rick Timmerman is the library furnishings specialist, which includes electrical for laptops.
      c. Do not enlarge building to 10,000 feet as technical capabilities in the future will make storing information more efficient and eliminate need for additional space.  Our new building plan is almost three times the size of the current building.  We would rather put the money into finishing everything and putting more money into extras in the interior.  Cloteele is satisfied with the building plan as is.
5. New timeline:  Jensen-Haslam will have architectural plans ready to bid by March 1, 2001.  Bidding will take two weeks so we could collect bids by about the 15th.  It would take us another two weeks to go over bids and grant one to a contractor and sign contracts.
      First week of April – DIG!  Need someone assigned to start planning ceremony for this.  Dave Sant wants to be here for this.  Kris estimates it will take six months to complete, and that we should be able to move in sometime in October.
Open house in November?  During Festival of Lights?  Have Dave Sant or Sant-Larsen families be Grand Marshall?  Or do it right after you move in?
Do we want to form an Open House committee now?  Invite Ann Hankins from state Library.  Suggestions:  appreciation dinner for everyone involved in the project.  Move books from old library to new by human chain.
6. The sidewalk needs to be replaced on the north side of the property.  The city can probably do this.
7.We need to keep a list of things that we want to include in the building so that they can be entered into the design when the time comes.  Possible list:
Station for self-check-out
Security system at the door:  Check Point Systems, Box 8538-379, Philadelphia, PA  19171 (1-800-253-7580; Idaho Rep. Al Skinner (1-800-257-5540, ext. 370.)
            Track lighting in the community room
            Place for name of library on outside          
           Monument for name of library in conspicuous place on property
           Plug-ins under the soffit outside for Christmas lights.
           Display cases with removable shelves in the community Room
           10-person study room with jacks for laptops.
           4-person study room with jacks for lap tops
           Central vacuum.

 LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
January, 17, 2001
    EILNET consortium progress report indicated that the consortium will use the Horizon ASP as the shared catalog and circulation system.  Cost will be based on the number of ports used by the individual library.  We will use 1½ or 2 ports.  Cost will be $2500 per year.  The board was excited to accept a $500,000 donation from David Sant to build the new library.  Building budget:
$360,000 – Friends
$80,000 Reserve from District
$50,000 – first levy payment received
$50,000 – next levy payment in July
$500,000 – David Sant Money
$1,040,000 – total in the bank

The board discussed bringing the building up to 10,000 square feet.  Things to consider are the complete finish, landscaping and furnishing of the library.  The decision was to build it using the plan presented by the architect on Dec. 6.  It will take about $40,000 to prepare the lot before we can start building on it.  Plans will be ready to bid by March 1, 2001.  We could be ready to dig the first week of April.  The boards are working together to determine the levy for the combined district.  Sid is waiting for more information from the Idaho Tax Commission.  Following a discussion about public works licensed contractors versus private general contractors, motion passed that we require contractors bidding the library building to have a public works license.  Voting was as follows:  Walt, Phyllis, Carol, Zelma, Sid, Sharon, Beth – yes; Kris, No.  Board would like it stated that they do not necessarily have to accept the lowest bid.  They have the right to refuse any bid.  Motion passed to join with the EILNET consortium in contracting with Horizon ASP to provide a shared catalog and circulation system.  Zelma signed the memorandum of understanding.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
February 21, 2001
     Sid gave a presentation about the new library building at Rotary.  Those present were very interested and seemed to be supportive of the project.  Cloteele estimated that it will take at minimum, about $175,000 budget to operate the new library.  Costs for utilities are increasing, and additional staff (at least one to 2 more part-time – 16 hours per week will be needed.  This estimate was based on expected increase in circulation, and actual budgets of other libraries in communities comparable to Franklin County.  The current library district override for operating has expired.  When the city joined the district library, the district used information to determine the budget from the library laws concerning a combination; the state is using the codes for an annexation.  Depending on which codes are used, we could have as little as $50,000 or as much as $104,000 on which to operate the library.  Because the current override expires we will need to hold an election in May to set a levy to operate the library.  A new combined entity can set a permanent override.  An override to raise $180,000 will cost about $51.61 on a property valued at $100,000.  To do an override for $190,000 will only cost about $6.00 more per $100.  This will still be under the maximum levy rate of .0006.  Motion passed that we hold a permanent override election on May 22, to raise a total of $190.000.  Vote was unanimous.  Myrna explained the truss and roof detail on the plans.  The heating and cooling units will be on the roof.  If all are on one side, the heat ducts will be open duct work across the interior or space will be taken from children’s section to make an access.  Board members expressed dislike of open duct work.  Plans are progressing with the electrical, mechanical, and case work being completed.  The building committee will meet on Feb. 28 with the architects.  It is hoped that plans will be ready the first part of March.  Phyllis, Myrna, and Cloteele are working on the policy manual.  Membership applications were filled out and will be paid for all current city and county board members for ILA membership.

NO BOARD MEETING WAS HELD IN MARCH

HARRY POTTER FANS PACK THE LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, March 14, 2001
By Rodney D. Boam

​

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
April 9, 2001
     Bids from 13 general contractors were opened and reviewed.  Motion passed to drop bid from Todd Jensen as his bid did not include the number of days for completion.  Motion passed requesting DeWall Construction, Lundall Building Systems, Cannon Builders, Wadman Corporation, and Vince Whitehead supply a list of sub-contractors with public works license numbers as required by law and a lump sum breakout for site demolition, cleaning and grubbing, and backfill and compaction to rough grade.  We also request them to submit a list of projects of comparable size completed in the last 5 years.  The above list will be due at Jensen Haslem Architects by April 11, 2001.  Sid is gathering information concerning a permanent override election to be held May 22, to set the levy for the operating budget.  He will have information for the next board meeting on April 11, 2001 at 12:00 noon.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
April 11, 2001
     Kris Bown, architect, suggested we keep a contingency fund of 5-10% of construction costs for testing concrete, compaction,

etc.  Money available for the building is $900,000, plus the plant facilities levy which will allow us to borrow if necessary.  We also

need to continue fund-raising efforts and apply for grants to use for furnishing, shelving, etc.  David Sant may also be willing to

match other funds raised by the community.  DeWall construction from Pocatello is the low bidder.  After reading the list of

subcontractors provided by four bidders and discussing previous projects completed by them, it was decided to look at some of

the projects before making the final decision.  There is $58,000 difference in DeWalls’ bid and the second lowest, Lundall Building

Systems.  It was concluded there was no way to include more local contractors.  Sid has met with Utah Power and has a contract

with them to provide electric service for the new library.  Board will meet again on Friday, April 13, and give information about

previous projects completed by DeWall construction.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
April 13, 2001
     Sid led a discussion about the override.  If we ask for the maximum (.0006) we can budget $180,000 = $190,000 to operate on,

but if needed in the future we could raise the budget.  If we do a lower permanent override levy we will be held to a 3% annual

budget raise.  Motion passed that we submit to the electors within the district, a ballot question as to whether or not the district’s

budget from property tax revenues may be increased commencing with the fiscal year 2001-2002 and for all subsequent fiscal

years up to an amount not to exceed in the aggregate a sum equal to six hundredths per cent on each one dollar of market value

for assessment purposes of all taxable property within the District.  Walt, Phyllis, and Myrna reported their findings about projects

completed by DeWall Construction.  Reports given by owners of previous projects were very favorable and noted that the projects

were done on time in a quality manner.  The progress of the construction will be checked every two weeks or more often by

architect, Kris Bown, and the building committee.  Motion passed to accept DeWall construction to build the Larsen-Sant Library. 

Sid will set up a meeting with the architects and DeWall Construction.  Board will make a list of items to negotiate and questions

to ask Mr. DeWall.  Cloteele will send a letter of thanks and notification to all construction companies that submitted bids.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
April 18, 2001
     Purpose of this meeting was to meet with Mick DeWall and talk about library construction.  Kris Bown brought two standard

contracts that can be used.  Documents pertaining to the construction are specifications, plans, and soil reports.  Any directions

that go to the contractor after construction starts must go through Kris Bown, the architect.  All pay forms will be reviewed by Kris Bown.  DeWall will submit bill for payment on 20th of the month so he can have a check to pay bills by the 10th of each month.  He will generate a schedule of values and a timeline.  10% of cost will be held in contingency.  Final payment will be made upon “substantial completion” meaning when the building is occupied and can be used for what it was intended.  Maintenance manual will be given to the staff and board and the staff will be trained in use of the mechanical systems.  Warranties will be provided.  STRATTA will be hired as an independent inspector to verify soil compaction and will be responsible to give final report before concrete can be poured.  Board members asked to see the bid breakout for site work.  DeWall listed $49,000 for site work.  Mr. DeWall thought it was $24,000.  Kris Bown will check on the bid he submitted and fax the figures to Sid.  Daily logs will be kept on progress, weather, etc.  Monthly progress meeting will be held with architect, contractor, and building committee.  Site visits by architect and building committee will be made every two weeks.  Appointments to visit the site should be made (date and time).  Board members making visits to other projects completed by DeWall Construction had good reports on his work.  Motion was unanimously passed that we hire DeWall pending a review of his excavation bid.  Kris Bown  will make up a contract and meet with Mick DeWall, Sid and Zelma.  Mr. DeWall said he plans to start by the end of the month.  He listed 210 days to completion on his bid.  Sid will contact David Sant to see if he could come to a ground breaking around May 10 or 11.  Beth said the date has been set for Aug. 22 for the district budget hearing.  Notice of the override election will be published on May 9 and May 16.

LIBRARY OFFERS SUMMER READING PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN
The Preston Citizen, May 2, 2001, p. 3
     Join the Preston Carnegie Library this summer as they take a reading road trip and explore the many destinations that can be visited through books.  The 2001 Summer Reading Program “Reading Road Trip U.S.A.,” is open to adventurous readers of all elementary-aged children.  Pre-readers are invited to participate with a parent.  Become a tourist in summer fun.  Discover interesting places to visit and the many vehicles that can take you there.
     The library will be offering a variety of activities, give-aways, and contests.  All programs are free of charge and will begin June 5, and be held every Tuesday in June at the park next to the library from 11 a.m. to noon.
     Register at the Library May 14-18.  Pick up your travel kit and get on the road to great reading.

LIBRARY GROUND-BREAKING SET FOR 11TH OF MAY
The Preston Citizen, May 2, 2001
     New Franklin County Library Ground-Breaking has been announced.  It will be Friday, May 11, at 11 a.m. on the corner of First East and First South.  Invitations have been sent to many of the state and local dignitaries.

LIBRARY CONSTUCTION BEGINS
The Herald Journal, May 8, 2001
By Tucker Heap
     Construction on a new library in Preston, estimated to cost approximately $1 million, will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at a groundbreaking ceremony on the corner of 100 South and 100 East.  Officials hope to have construction completed by December.
     The keyword of the new facility is “more”—more space, books, computers, reading programs, service and access for the disabled.
     The old building, 28 E. Oneida St., is only 3,600 square feet while the new one is 8,700 square feet.  The new library will also be one level, which makes it more accessible to the elderly and the disabled.  The building meets all the requirements prescribed by the Americans with Disabilities Act, said Cloteele Dahle, library director.
     Greater accessibility won’t be enjoyed only by the disabled though.  There will also be a drive-through window where Dahle said there will be “limited services.”
     The library has eight computers and will possibly get eight more.  They will be available to the public along with a new card catalog patrons can download on the Internet.  Study rooms will be used by staff members to increase child and adult literacy within the community.
     Dahle said she isn’t sure if the staff will grow when it moves into the library, but workers are happy with the future work environment.  Space was in high demand in the old building.  The new facility will feature a staff work room, among other perks.  “This is the first time I can say that I will have an actual office,” Dahle said.  “There will also be a community meeting room which is something it needs.  I’m just really excited because this is something we’ve been working towards for almost 12 years.”
     Thelma Woodward, chairwoman of the Franklin County Library District Board of Trustees, said almost all of the funding was raised through local residents and organizations, such as the Friends of the Library.  “Several years ago, we wanted to raise money from our own area,” Woodward said.  “We raised $350,000 but we knew that would not be enough.”
     Help arrived in January in the form of a check for $500,000.  David Sant and his wife, the former Diane Larsen, who both grew up in Preston and now live in Saratoga, Calif., donated the money.  Thus, the building will be named the “Larsen-Sant Library.”
     The remaining $150,000 will be made up through a plant facilities levy. 

LEADERS LINE UP FOR LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, May 16, 2001
By Rodney D. Boam
     About 70 people turned out for the new Larsen-Sant Public Library groundbreaking at the northwest corner of the Preston High School block at First East and First South, Friday morning.  Along with Preston City, Franklin County officials, county and city library boards, David and Diann Sant of Saratoga, Calif., were in attendance.
     Sant boosted the fund-raising efforts with a $500,000 donation to the library which will be named in honor of the couples’ mothers, Zelda Larsen, Diann Sant’s mother, and Deene Sant, David’s mother.  Sant, a Preston native, spent most of his professional career in the tele-communications and computer industry.
     Jensen-Haslam, an architectural firm from Logan, Utah, designed the new library while DeWall Construction, Pocatello, is the contractor selected to build the new 8,700-square foot structure at a cost of $900,000.
     Zelma Woodward took control of the gathering, thanking all those who had a part in making the new library possible.  She emphasized the gratitude of the community for the Sants’ donation.  Then, under the direction of Sid Titensor of the Franklin County Library Board, several groups had an opportunity to be photographed with shovels in their hands in token of the support given for and to the library.
     The groundbreaking is the beginning of the end of a 12-year quest by the library boards and the library.  The library board bought the parcel of land for $1 after the Jefferson School was torn down in 1998.  “The new library facility will undoubtedly open doors for persons of our community to emulate David Sant’s success in the world,” said Titensor.
     Deene Sant said she hopes the new library will make people more aware of the opportunities the world has to offer as they learn and grow by reading at the library.  There is life beyond their immediate scope of Preston.  It’s a wide, wide world, out there,” she said. 
     David Sant is proud of growing up in the close-knit community of Preston and is happy to make the contribution to help the community with a long-lasting project like a new library.  “It’s exciting to participate in such an important project.  A new library will be an educational and cultural plus for the community for years to come,” Sant said.
     Woodward said the new library will be almost twice the size of the current library.  “It will have carrels where individuals can work and study and we will have twice as many computers as the library currently has.  We will have new rest rooms, a kitchen and handicapped access,” Woodward said.
     The future of the old library is still up in the air.

FRANKLIN COUNTY RESIDENTS VOTE TUESDAY ON LIBRARY TAX
The Herald Journal, May 20, 2001
By Tucker Heap
     Franklin County residents will vote Tuesday on whether to make a library tax permanent instead of voting on it every two years.  Residents will find the booths open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Franklin County Courthouse, 39 W. Oneida St., Preston.  The tax amount has not been set by the Franklin County Library District, but the state limit is a .06 percent increase on property tax.  It will appear on residents’ tax notices in December.
     The permanent tax requires the support of two-thirds of the voters, according to County Clerk Elliott Larsen.  “After that the library board will meet and establish the budget for the new library.  I doubt they (the board members) will pass the maximum amount,” said Sid Titensor, former board member of the Preston Library District, which has merged with Franklin County’s.
     Some residents have called The Herald Journal anonymously and complained about the proposed tax. But Titensor said the district hasn’t received much opposition.  Besides, residents have already been paying a library tax for years.  The only difference would be that instead of voting on it every two years, it would be permanent, he said.
     Thelma Woodward, Chairwoman of the Franklin County Library District Board of Trustees, said almost all the funding was raised by local residents and organizations, such as the Friends of the Library.
     “Several years ago, we wanted to raise money from our own area,” Woodward said last week.  “We raised $350,000 but we knew that would not be enough.”  Help arrived in January in the form of a check for $500,000.  David Sant and his wife, the former Diane Larsen, who both grew up in Preston, donated the money.  They live in Saratoga, Calif., and were at the library’s groundbreaking ceremony.  The building will be named the “Larsen-Sant Library.”
     The remaining funds will be made up through a plant facilities levy that will raise $100,000 a year for 10 years.  It was passed by residents in August 2000.
     Construction of the new library, estimated to cost approximately $1 million, began Friday at the ground-breaking ceremony on the corner of 100 South and 100 East.  Officials hope to have construction completed by December.  There will be more space, books and computers, reading programs, service and access for the disabled.
     The old building, 28 East Oneida, is only 3,600 square feet while the new one will be 8,700 square feet. 
     The new building will also be one level, which makes it more accessible to the elderly and disabled.  The building meets all the requirements in the Americans with Disabilities Act, said Cloteele Dahle, library director.
     Greater accessibility won’t be enjoyed only by disabled patrons though.  There will also be a drive-through window where Dahle said there will be “limited services.”  The library has eight computers and will possibly have eight more.  They will be available to the public along with a new card catalog patrons can download on the Internet.  Study rooms will be used by staff members to increase child and adult literacy within the community.
     Dahle said she isn’t sure if the staff will grow when it moves into the library, but workers are happy with the future environment.  Space was in high demand in the old building.

LIBRARY BOARD SUFFERS CRUSHING BLOW TO FUNDING
The Preston Citizen, May 30, 2001
By Rodney D. Boam
     On the heels of the exhilarating groundbreaking ceremony for a new $900,000, 8,500 square foot library building, heralding their hard work, accomplishments and dreams finally coming to a reality, after raising all of the money from private donations the board’s hopes took a turn for the worse, as the community gave the Franklin County Library Board a cold slap in the face last Thursday when they defeated the override election.
     The Library Board was not prepared for the demoralizing rejection of their library funding measure.  Out of the 957 votes cast, 703 voted against the proposed Budget Override Election.  “People didn’t understand what it was all about, I think there was a lot of misinformation spread out there,” Zelma Woodward, director of the Library Board, said.  “In the last board meeting there was the assumption the information would get out with an article in The Citizen, but it didn’t happen,” Woodward said.
     The Library Board usually meets once a month, sometimes more often, and the agenda is posted on the library doors.  Meetings are open to the public.
     The library is separate from both the city and county governments.  They are governed by a board made of diverse community members with the common goal of offering a community place to read and study.  Woodward defended the Library Board saying that there was no hidden agenda and they weren’t being greedy, they were trying to save money.
     If the .06 percent of one dollar is the most we would be allowed to use, we don’t even intend to use that much.  This election would have saved us from having to go through the election process every three years,” Woodward said.  A .06 percent is about .0006 cents on the dollar.  The cost of the election is about $1,000 by the time the ballots and legal notices are printed, then they have to hire the county clerks to run the election, said Sid Titensor, a former member of the Preston City Library Board.
     The legal notice stated the money would be used for rooms, structures, facilities, furniture, apparatus, appliances and the purchase and distribution of library materials and payment of expenses and salaries for the library district operations.
     The library used to be funded two-thirds by the city and one-third by the county but with the formulation of the new Franklin County Library District, the funding from the two entities was shut off, said Walt Ross, former board member.  “When you’re a new entity, you have to petition for funding.  Usually for an existing entity the increase can only be .3 percent but because there is no history the Library Board asked for .06 percent.”  That translates to a house with a taxable value of $100,000 would be asked to fund the working capital of the library at $5 a month.  “That’s really not very much for the value the library is to the community,” Ross said.
     Franklin County Tax Assessor Rich Umbel said the tax would be on the taxable value of the property, not the assessed value of the property.  “Most home owners have about a 50 percent tax exemption for owning their home.  That, added to the property, is what is taxed.  In other words, if you have a $120,000 house and the house is worth $100,000, you would be taxed on $50,000, plus the $20,000 on the land.  The taxable value would be $70,000,” Umbel said. 
     “That is the high end,” said Reed Nelson, Stokes Thriftway manager.  His wife, Kathy is one of the Friends of the Library.  “Chances are they would never use that money,” Nelson said.  Somebody stuck flyers on windshields in the parking lot of the store, but Nelson didn’t see who it was or condone the practice, he said.  “The thing that hurts the most is that people think we were trying to be sneaky,” said Ross.  “We were not trying to be sneaky, we were trying to save money.  We thought by not having the expenditures on elections we would save money for library use.  Right now we have a library building built with no money to operate it,” Ross said.
     Titensor said that this election turnout was the most he’s ever seen.  The most that ever turned out in the past has been about 189 people he said.  Nobody has really cared what the library was doing.
     The city funds will dry up in September and the board has a contingency plan to cover three months, but the board will have to get together and figure out what to do, Titensor said.
     Before the measure, funding would have been spread out to all of Franklin County residents at a cost of $2.93 a month equally spread across the county on a taxable value of $100,000.  The funding was to be spread out equally between both county and city residents, Titensor said.  If the Library Board got their expected increase to run the library with their proposed budget, it would cost the tax payers $1.60 more a month on a $100,000 taxed assessed property.
     When the new library district was organized, the funding changed.  The election was to give the board the maximum limits for increase on a budget and necessary data for the board to set a budget.  Now that the override election was defeated, the library board must figure out how to fill their new building with books, computers and personnel with no money.

READING ROAD TRIP USA IS THEME FOR SUMMER PROGRAM
The Preston Citizen, June 6, 2001
     Youngsters can travel the nation, this summer, without ever leaving Franklin County.  That’s all thanks to the Franklin County Library’s Summer Reading Program which will have kids reading to the theme, “Reading Road Trip USA.”  All of the action starts Tuesday, June 2, at 11 a.m.
     Volunteer Jennifer Garbett is serving as “travel guide” for the adventures into reading, which will take place each Tuesday for about an hour, through June 26.  Youngsters from preschool, or age 3, through sixth grade are invited, with more than 300 signed up, she said.
     “There’s a lot we can bring into all that,” Garbett said of the theme.  On Tuesday, youngsters will have the chance to rotate through four learning stations, all related to travel.  One station will feature a contest where kids can design a travel brochure, a postcard, or write an essay about their favorite trip or an imagined trip they’d like to go on.
     At another station, kids can read some stories that will be packed in a suitcase.  Kids will form relay teams and pack and repack the books.  The last station will provide examples of what a souvenir is and show what kinds of souvenirs people receive.  Participants will get a little “souvenir” of their own, a box drink.
     On other Tuesdays, the kids will go on an imaginary museum tour, including a dinosaur hunt and get to dig for dinosaur bones (bone candies, in reality) and make skeletons out of pipe cleaners.  There will also be a puppet show, and a chance to make license plates and bumper stickers.
     On the 19th, kids can enjoy a “beach party,” where they’ll be asked to bring beach towels and read, listening to ocean-type music.  There’ll be a volleyball game, beach ball, as well as instruction on how to be safe in the sun and to keep from overheating or getting sunburned.  In addition, kids can learn how to make visors out of paper plates--all to protect them from the sun, Garbett said.
     In addition, participants can fill out a reading log of how many books and pages they’ve read.  After the first 100 pages, kids will receive a small postcard with a whale and monkey and road and big mountain and eagle, and they can take a trip based on how many pages they’ve read.
     Garbett wants to thank the many who have helped make the program possible.  For more information call 852-0175.

CHILDREN READ TO AT HOME HAVE A HIGHER SUCCESS AT SCHOOL
Submitted to the Preston Citizen by the Larsen-Sant Library staff
     If you’ve ever shared a book with a child, you know the joy and excitement this small but meaningful act can bring.  But did you know that, according to the National Center for Education statistics, only 53 percent of children ages three to five were read to daily by a family member?
     Reading is a skill that must be taught, supported, and sustained.  It requires substantial commitment from parents, older brothers and sisters, and other caring adults.  The effort may be great, but so are the rewards:
     Children who are read to at home have a higher success rate in school.  Children who read frequently develop stronger reading skills.
     To encourage more adults to spend more time reading with children, the National Education Association (NEA) America will mark five years of celebrating reading and Dr. Seuss’s birthday.
     Principal Wynn Costly shows his support for children’s literacy by taking 560 students of Pioneer Elementary School on a tour of the new Larsen-Sant Library.  With his Dr. Seuss hat on, he enjoyed reading to each class as part of the Read Across America activities to promote early childhood literature.
     Everyone can help brighten our children’s lives through books.  There are opportunities for you to volunteer, to read and to share your life experiences and help make reading a high priority.
     Larsen-Sant Library holds a weekly story time each Wednesday morning at 11 and will be working with other community partners, (SEICAA, Head Start, elementary schools, child care centers, health department, etc.) to implement programs to help encourage parents and anyone involved with children to spend time each day reading aloud to them.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
June 6, 2001
     Summer Reading Program started yesterday.  268 have signed up, about 165 attended the activity.  Jennifer Garbett, volunteer, is in charge.  Myrna reported on construction progress.  The seminary, school district, city officials, and library representatives met to resolve boundary line, water line and storm drain system.  We will give the small area in the southeast corner back to the school.  School will put up a fence and take care of the storm drain area.  Waterline will be moved to the south corner.  The trees on seminary property where their parking lot will be expanded will be given to the library.  Conduit will be run from library to school property for computer and internet use.  City will help with sidewalk replacement.  Our first payment to DeWall Construction will be made on June 29.  It will be made by the Friends of the Library.  We need to reopen the Library District budget in order to spend the donation made by David Sant.  Motion passed to file a petition with the district court to re-open the Franklin County Library District budget.  Friends will be in charge of doing the recognition for people making donations.  They are considering pavers and/or plaques.  Categories for donations will be set up.  Board members feel it is important to get correct information about library tax out to the public.  The override failed because people did not understand the levy.  Tax notices sent out may not have correct library tax information.  There wasn’t a breakdown between plant facilities levy and the operating levy.  Plant facilities are a fixed amount for 10 years.  Board was asked to review the worksheets handed out.  Sid will try to set up a tax workshop with county clerk and county assessor.  The Friends would be invited to the workshop.  We will try to pass an override for operating money again in August.  If passed in August, money would be available Jan. 2002.  After discussion about cutting library hours to help save on the budget, motion passed that new library hours are noon to 6:00 Monday to Friday, and noon to 4:00 on Saturday.  Only no vote was from Cecelie because she feels the library is not open enough now.  People from out of town are either here before it opens or after it closes.  New hours will become effective immediately.  We will work on the budget in July and August.

LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES WHILE BOARD WORKS ON FUNDING PERCEPTION
The Preston Citizen, June 13, 2001
By Rodney Boam
     As the construction on the library rapidly goes forward, the Library Board discussed the money issues that have the future of the library operations up in the air.  Builders were compacting the floor area of the new library getting it ready for underground wiring last Friday.  Several dump trucks, backhoes and compactors were spreading dirt and leveling the ground readying it for the next step.
     “This building has some interesting architecture to it.  It’s different from most of the schools and other buildings we see communities build.  It’s going to be a nice-looking building,” said Dirk DeWall of DeWall Construction.
     At the monthly library board meeting members went over numbers and dollar figures to find a solution to the setback of their failed election.  In an attempt to try and conserve what little money is left and not trying to appear vindictive, the board voted to cut library hours last Wednesday in their noon monthly meeting.  Cecelie Costley was the lone dissenting vote.  “I don’t think the library is opened enough as it is,” said Costley who lives in the county a half hour from Preston.  She told the board at the meeting by the time people out where she lives get home from work and head to the library it will be closed.  What people don’t realize is the only factor dictating library hours is the budget.  That’s all the money they have to employ the help,” Costley said.
     New library hours are Monday through Friday, noon until 6 p.m., and Saturday from noon until 4 p.m.
     Current money from the city and county will stop sept. 30, leaving no option for continued funding.  The board discussed the hopes of turning the public’s perception by having workshops explaining the purpose and methods of funding the library.  The soonest the library could have another election is Aug. 7, but the board still hasn’t decided what to do.
     Sid Titensor said that even if the levy passed, there would have been a three-month period with no funds available.  However, the board had a contingency plan to cover the no-funding period.  This gap in funding was inevitable because of the redistricting of the library.
     The former board member said that the residents of both the city and the county have always paid for the library in the past but it was rolled into their other taxes.  This year, in an attempt to equalize the county and city taxation, the board was trying to establish an operating budget separate from the two taxing entities.
     “This tax is not altogether new,” Titensor said.  “Taxpayers have always paid for the library budget, however, the maintenance and operations tax has been redistributed equally over city and county property and the budget request has been increased some to take advantage of the capabilities of the new larger facility,” he said.  Titensor showed figures on a home and farm with a taxable value of $500 thousand.
     If the board requested operating budget of $180 thousand (the anticipated amount), the increase would be approximately $7.50 per month above the estimated library district amount shown on the assessment notice that the property owners recently received.
     Most properties in the county and city, would be valued far below the half a million dollar amount and these properties would, of course, be well below the $7.50 per month above the estimated library district amount shown on the assessment notice that the property owners recently received.
     Most properties in the county and city would be valued far below the half a million dollar amount and these properties would, of course, be well below the $7.50 per month.
     Richard Umbel from the County Assessor’s Office said if the homeowner would take the tax notice they just received, then multiply the net taxable property value by .000179487 and add that to the library’s current year’s estimated taxes that would give them their full tax burden for the library.

LETTER FROM SID TITENSOR TO BOARD MEMBERS
June 17, 2001
     I am having a party at my house on June 27 and you are invited.  It will start at 6:00 PM.  We will have something light to eat.  I thought we could have an informal discussion of mistakes we have made and remedies for said mistakes.  If you would like to participate in such a fun and enlivening topic please plan on coming.  Our board meeting is on July 11 and then it will be back to serious business.  This party will be an opportunity to laugh at ourselves and discuss things as friends with a common goal.
     I have attached an editorial written by Cecelie.  She has spoken with the Preston Citizen, and they will accept an editorial or two from us.  We might want to avail ourselves of this opportunity.
Yours Truly, Sid

Attached Letter to the Editor:
Dear Editor:
      Let’s talk frankly about the library.  Let’s stick to fact, not feeling.
1. The library cannot meet the changing needs of our growing community in the old building and is in jeopardy because of non-compliance with the American Disabilities Act.
2. The historic value of the current library building would have been compromised with a new addition and the cost of an addition was as expensive as a new building.
3. It was easier to find funding for a new building.
4. The cost of the new building was more because of the Public Works status it required.
5. The size of the new building was dictated by the funding.
     Now that we’ve got old issues out of the way, let’s chat about the new issues that must be addressed.
     In 2000, a petition was filed by Preston City residents to combine with county residents and become a library district.  A vote was taken and passed.  This action removed the library from ownership by the city and made it an independent taxing entity.  Why did we do this?  Prior to this action, county residents rented library privileges at the rate of 45% of the total.  As there are more county residents than city, this seemed disproportionately unfair, and districting was one way of evening the payments.
    This kind of arrangement has gone sour in Logan where county residents found themselves first paying outlandish fees for library use, and then finally denied privileges altogether.  Now they are faced with building other libraries, like the new one in North Logan and another one proposed for Hyde Park, so their residents can have access to a library.  We wanted to learn from them and avoid their problems.  However, a library district not funded by a city budget has to have a way to raise funds for maintenance and operation.
     Historically, we have passed an override election for this purpose every two years for the past ten years without opposition.  Nothing “sneaky” was attempted.  The notice for an election was published as required by law in the Legal Section of the Preston Citizen and the only difference between this election was it was a chance at a permanent override to alleviate the expenses of running elections and to give us the stability of a budget we could count on for the new building.  Having never run through an independent budget for a bigger building, salaries, insurance, utilities, etc. we were hoping to have a bit of a cushion.  Any rumor that we were buying new books or using operating funds for construction are totally unfounded.  The construction money is secure and grants for inside equipment and books are much easier to come by than grants for capital expenses.
     A word about the future of libraries.  Libraries have been around since 2000 BC.  They are not becoming obsolete, changing, yes, but not going away.  The free access to information for every citizen has been one of the greatest educational benefits of our nation.  They are repositories for historical collections as well as providing the latest in technological research for everyone without charge.  

      There are some in this community that say, “You like to read, I like to snowmobile, but I don’t ask you to pay for my snowmobiling.”  Oh, but you do!  You see 1% of the entire Federal Income Tax goes to fund the Forest Service for recreation as well as other purposes, and part of my State Income Tax grooms your snowmobile trails.  We do pay for each other, for our education and our recreation and it is a very generous, caring society that is willing to financially support programs that benefit everyone instead of a privileged few.
     The new library is conservative when compared to others being built; we proposed what we could afford.  We included in it a public meeting room that we could rent out and help with our budget.  This room will be able to serve a diverse group of needs from political forums, to wedding receptions, to the possibility of long-distance university courses.  We have a conduit running from the library to the high school so we can share technology between the buildings.  It was even designed to make future additions easy, if they become necessary.  We’ve done everything possible to make this a building capable of serving the community for many years to come.
     If you are a supporter, or even a critic of the library, please be informed and reminded that Library Board members are elected officials and you may run for this office so your input can be recognized.  Notices for library board positions are posted in the Legal Section of the Preston Citizen whenever a term expires.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
July 11, 2001
     Summer reading program has finished and had good participation.  Construction costs this far have been paid by the Friends of the Library.  Beth reported the district court approved a petition for the Franklin County Library District to reopen the budget to allow funds received from David Sant to be spent for construction.  Construction is close to on-schedule and there shouldn’t be many more change orders.  Security system has been wired and is under consideration for installation.  Costs of the system include self-check=out station, and barcode readers.  After considerable discussion about construction costs motion passed to authorize Sid Titensor to negotiate with lenders for a loan of $385,000 for construction to be paid back with the plant facilities levy over an appropriate time period.

LIBRARY OVERRIDE ELECTION SEEKS LESS THAN ‘EXTRAVAGANT’
The Preston Citizen, July 25, 2001
     Franklin County voters are being asked to go to the polls at the Franklin County Courthouse Aug. 7 to approve a library override.  The amount included is $180,000 for the 2001-2002 fiscal year which starts Sept. 1.  This will be the first budget for the new Franklin County Library District, explained Library Board Member Myrna Fuller.  Funds will be used for maintenance and operation of the library.  None of these funds would go toward construction of the new library.
     “Some people think because it’s free to check out books and other items from the library, we should be able to operate the library with volunteers,” Fuller said.  “They don’t think we have to pay salaries, for phones, or for books.”  She cited costs for some types of books, with reference books, at between $50 and $100 each, the most expensive.  Novels cost close to $25 a piece while children’s books cost about $15 each.
     “Franklin County residents are getting the best bargain for library service”, she emphasized.  “Nobody is spending less for library service.  And these aren’t places with high incomes,” that she’s referring to.  Board members researched what budgets and per capita costs are at several other Idaho libraries, all with similar populations to Franklin County and largely made up of a like farm-based economy.  Costs ranged from Burley, with a population of 9,500, at $12.56 per capita (per person), to American Falls, 7,000 population, and $30 per capita per year.  Others were Bear Lake County, 6,500 people, at $28 per capita, or Malad, with 4,000 people at $21.53. 
     Franklin County, with 11,000-plus residents, is similar to Kuna, population 12,000.  However, Kuna residents pay a per capita rate of $15 while Franklin county taxpayers pay only $9.21, or less than two-thirds as much.
     We looked at the North Logan (Utah), library with comparable population (to Franklin County),” Fuller said.  “Their budget is $293,000 for 2001.  Kuna’s is $289,000, or over $100,000 more than what we’re asking for.”
     The new budget will help in the transition to the new library, which is three-times older than the 80-year-old plus Carnegie Library.  Fuller recounted how the new facility was needed to meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements, which would mean installation of an elevator for well over $50,000, and virtually wipe out the adult section just to meet wheelchair accessibility requirements to shelves, for example.

WTIHOUT OVERRIDE, LIBRARY MAY CLOSE
The Preston Citizen, August 1, 2001
     On August 7 a second override election will be held to fund a library operating budget.  The election will establish a budget for the new library district, NOT pay for the new building.  County and city taxpayers have always paid for library operations.  Preston City owns the building and the county contracted for service.  County residents have been paying 45 percent and city residents 55 percent of the budget.
     The library board has been concerned for some time about the conflicts between Cache County and Logan City over library use.  Logan City has denied county residents access to the library, and the outlying communities have had to build their own libraries or go without service.  The Franklin Library District was created to avoid these conflicts, guarantee county-wide library service, and to equalize the rate everyone pays.
     Because of the new district, the library will be on its own in September.  No money will be budgeted from the county or city budgets for library service after September.  The library cannot operate without a budget, whether in the old building or the new one.  The upcoming override election will establish an annual operating budget for the district of approximately $182,000 and be in effect for only two years.  The library budget for the last two years has been $150,000 each year.  The money will be used to pay salaries, benefits, utilities, insurance, maintenance of the building, equipment, and grounds, books and materials, office supplies, etc.
     The on-going fundraising activities for the new library have been going on since 1990 when federal law was passed mandating all public buildings be wheelchair accessible.  Private donations from county residents total nearly $350,000, three times the amount usually raised on similar projects statewide.  This is a figure of which our county-wide community can be very proud.
     It was only after the plant facilities levy passed last summer and it was evident that the community supported the library project that David Sant became interested and donated an additional half million dollars.  This means that if the upcoming election is successful in establishing an operating budget, Mr. Sant’s donation will allow an early retirement of the plant facilities levy with about 39 percent of the original amount not being used.  A “yes” vote would show our support and appreciation to Mr. Sant for his generosity.  On your way to the polls on August 7, please keep in mind that:
a. The library cannot operate without a budget.
b. Our willingness to financially support community projects is the best way to influence future donations from outside the county.
c. The library is an asset to our community.  It is a public building owned by every person in the county, accessible to every person in the county.  Our children go there after school, lessons, and sports practices to wait for their parents because it is a safe place.  It is the educational equalizer, making books, videos, magazines, computers and other materials available to everyone, but especially to those who could not otherwise afford these things on their own.  We all contribute so that everyone benefits.
d. Studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between the quality of the library available and the quality of education your child gets.
Myrna Fuller
Cecelie Costley

HOW MANY TIMES MUST WE VOTE?
The Preston Citizen, August 1, 2001
Dear Editor:
     In regard to another vote on August 7 of the library, I can’t understand why we have to vote again when the first vote was so overwhelmingly against it.  Why do we have to vote twice in two months when their objective was so we would only have to vote once every two years.  This is ridiculous and expensive for us to have to go vote again when we have already voiced our opinion last time.
     If by chance there are more “yes” votes this time around can we call another election until we get another “no” vote?
Nelda Bingham

NO NEW TAXES, PLEASE
The Preston Citizen, August 1, 2001
To the Editor:
     I am wondering what part of No! the library board doesn’t understand.  The election was voted down and that is what the people here want.  I believe that we are all happy about the new library but with the drought emergency and other economic problems, I feel that everyone needs to tighten their belts and work with the amount of money they have.  Our community is not in any financial condition to be taxed more than we are already paying.
Peggy McKay

LIBRARY TAX VOTE SLATED FOR AUGUST 7
The Herald Journal, August 3, 2001
By Jason Bergreen
     The Franklin County Library Board hopes residents love to read enough to vote in favor of an override tax Aug. 7.  The board is asking county voters to approve a 24-month tax override of $130,000 a year.
     Board members clarified details about the override and community members asked questions at a public hearing Thursday. 
     According to board member Sid Titensor, the library currently operates on a budget of $150,000 a year.  With the construction of a new 8,750 square-foot library building expected to be completed in December, the library’s annual budget needs to be increased to $182,000 a year.  If the override tax passes, property owners would pay an additional $37.08 a year per $100,000 assessed property value.
     A permanent override tax was voted down in May by 72 percent of the voters. Board members blamed false rumors, public misconception about the new override and lack of advertising for its failure.
     “The board didn’t spend a lot of time on advertising or trying to sell it if you will,” board member Walter Ross said.  “We spent more money this time doing flyers, ads, the whole thing.”
     Though some community members seemed in favor, others complained the proposed tax would be unfair to farmers, the business community and large property owners.  Others said they were just tired of higher taxes all together.
     “They are tired of their taxes going up,” Preston resident Janette McKay said.  “I hope you don’t take it personally.  They’re just tired of it.”
     Board members pointed out that the tax increase is minimal and will cost property owners with land assessed at $100,000 only $3.09 a month.
     “We’re not non-tax paying people trying pass along a tax to you that we’re not going to pay,”  Ross said.
     If the tax isn’t passed next week, the library will be forced to reduce its hours of operation and possibly even its days.  “If the override doesn’t go through we can operate the library $52,000 worth of the time,” board member Myrna Fuller said.”  The county funds the library $52,000 from back taxes each year.
     “Can we afford not to get behind this?”  board member Cecelie Costley asked.  “I don’t think so.  It’s not a big amount of money.”

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
August 8, 2001
     After celebrating with a $100 Grand Candy Bar the passing of the override last night with a vote of 722 in favor of and 423 against, the board took action on the next steps to operating the library:  the budget.  The budget hearing will need to be changed to August 29, to allow publishing the legal notices.  Zelma will take care of the publishing.  Beth and Sid will work on setting up a bookkeeping system for the district, and on the budget.  They will set up a meeting with Jerry Larsen, City clerk, to discuss present budget.  The Quick Books computer program can be set up with the help of an accountant.  Myrna reported on progress of the building.  DeWall construction has asked for 15 additional days to complete the construction.  The date for completion is Dec. 15.  The Parking lot will be finished this week.  The Board will talk to the school board about sharing the costs of the parking lot.  Eighteen parking stalls could be used by the faculty between 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  No overnight parking.  It was suggested we negotiate snow removal with the school also.  Motion passed to drop the security system and borrow less money.  Sid will make arrangements to borrow money to complete construction.  At next meeting on August 14, the board will meet in executive session to discuss library personnel before the regular board meeting.  Zelma will meet with Eldon Bennet to accept a $600 donation from his graduating class.

READER SUSPECTS TAXING SCAM
The Preston Citizen, August 15, 2001
Dear Editor:
     The current struggle being faced by the library district in Franklin County will soon be repeated with the newly created fire district.  One has to wonder what has happened to put a normally tranquil county into such consternation.  While we may argue for or against the validity of the Library Board’s request for more funding; you also have to wonder about the position they find themselves in.
     I am concerned that our county and city leaders have reverted to an innovative way to increase taxes without having a tax increase.  Simply put it amounts to this:  Create a special district with separate taxing authority, then, use the money that used to support that particular function to do other things.
     Case in point is the new fire district.  In the past the county budget used to support the fire-fighting operation to the tune of about $85,000 a year according to county administrators.  Now with the newly created fire district that money can be used for other purposes.  In essence it becomes a source of new monies for the county.  Meanwhile, the firet district will simply show up on our tax bills as a new taxing entity with all the authority needed to assess taxpayers for their services.
     In the case of Preston City, residents have seen the same thing happen with regard to the Library.  Is it any wonder there now exists a great deal of skepticism about the Library Board’s intentions.  The same scenario will soon play itself out with the fire district.  In the case of the fire district even more doubt exists because of the governing board appointed by the county commissioners.  They (the governing board) are comprised mostly of fire fighters and EMT’s.  How can they possibly be objective with our tax money when (to their credit) much of their lives have been devoted to these organizations?
     I think the solution to these problems lies right where it began—with the governing bodies of the county and city.  We hope you are getting the message loud and clear from your constituents:  No more tax increases disguised in the form of special service districts!  There is no end to the amount of public services that could be portioned out to special service districts.  In essence it amounts to an “end-run” around existing state statutes that are in place to limit the amount of taxes imposed by local governing bodies.  It needs to be stopped now (in its tracks) and perhaps even be reversed to address the above issues.
     As voters we share part of the blame for not rallying to stop the creation of the special districts in the first place.  We now need to let our leaders know how we feel about the situation, so this mistake won’t happen again.
G. Kevin Phillips, Dayton

LIBRARY WINS APPROVAL TO SET BUDGET
The Preston Citizen, August 15, 2001
     Armed with nearly a two-to-one margin in favor the library tax levy, the Franklin County Library Board has conferred in several budget sessions since.
     The election tally of 722 for and 423 against allowed the board to plan for about $180,000 in funds to operate during the next fiscal year which begins Oct. 1.  “We were relieved,” said Librarian Cloteele Dahle the day following the vote.  “Now we just need to try to get our budget set for a budget hearing, get it finalized for next year.”
     This vote was in marked contrast to May’s election, where voters soundly defeated a proposal for a permanent levy vs. holding an election every two years.  Opponents of the levy’s passage this time around, however, had strongly voiced their feelings, through letters to the editor and other means.  About 50 people attended a public meeting at the library the week prior to the election, with most feedback there appearing in favor of the levy’s passage.
     With the levy’s passage, board members have been scrambling to meet September deadlines for preparation of a new budget under the new county library district.  Board member Sid Titensor noted that includes everything from meeting with an accountant to set up budget categories, to reviewing employee salaries and duties and offering wage/benefit packages as the new library district.
     The employees previously were employed by Preston City, so it means there will be a technical change to the library district, he explained.
     “Everybody’s doing stuff that should’ve been done over a period of months (that we’re trying to do over a period of weeks,” Titensor said.  “We’re sure trying” to meet deadlines.  That included two board members on different aspects Wednesday afternoon, for example.

     “Now that we’ve got such a tight little window, we’ve been with it every day for a couple fo hours.  There’s lots of things:  health insurance (for employees), insurance on the building, to set up an employer tax ID number, all kinds of different things have to be done.”

 

​MONSANTO DONATES TO FUTURE LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, August 29, 2001
By Wes Hanna
     The future is a dim and murky thing to try to look into, but the latest company

investing money into the new Preston library is looking 15 or 20 years down the

road before their investment comes back to them in the form of employees

knowledgeable in the sciences.
     Monsanto, a biotechnology corporation, has pledged $2,000 to the new

library, in addition to a previous $20,000 donation, for the promotion of young

people’s interest for science and technology.
     “Many people are concerned that their children will have to leave this area in

order to find long-term, stable employment,” said Trent Clark who represented

Monsanto in Soda Springs.  “That doesn’t have to happen if they get the

education that local employers need.”
     Clark said that the partnership would also benefit the company because it

wouldn’t have to expend resources looking outside the area for employees. 

Clark and other representatives from the St. Louis, Mo., based company were on hand Wednesday to view the progress of the new library and discuss the best way the money could be utilized.
     This most recent donation is slated to become a children’s reading room according to Sandra Webb, a member of the Friends of the Library.
     The new library building, which broke ground in May, is now tentatively scheduled for books to being lining the shelves by mid-December.
     Meanwhile, Clark said that this isn’t the only project that is bringing his company closer to the people of Franklin County.
     “We are looking to do other things with the community to establish more ties with the City of Preston,” he said.
     Monsanto has contributed over a million dollars to the southeastern portion of Idaho, according to Clark, with projects that promote education and resource conservation.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
September 5 and 6, 2001
     Executive meeting and then regular meeting without enough county board members to have a quorum.   Construction is progressing on schedule.  Operating budget for the 2002 fiscal year was itemized and approved.  On the 6th, the county board met to go over the detailed budget.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
October 10, 2001
     On the building report, the brick is complete; sod is being done today and landscaping will be complete; insulation is about ½ done.  Windows are there today and completion date is the end of December.  The rock for the new library name was donated by Doug Porter.  The engraving will be done by Darrel Geddes.  Board was asked to bring a suggestion for a quote to be put on the rock to our next meeting.  The rock will say “Larsen-Sant Library” 2001, with a quote.  The sign on the building will say “Larsen-Sant Public Library, Franklin County Library District.   PERSI Retirement benefit program will continue for Cloteele.  At their September board meeting, the PERSI board changed the process for new smaller employers to join.  This will allow us to enter without an entry cost liability.  The board signed the contract and certification papers necessary to continue paying to this program for Cloteele effective Oct. 1, 2001.  Sid reported that we will still owe about $341,000 to DeWall Construction.  The building construction was put out for bids as a complete package; carpet and landscaping included.  Sub-contractors interested picked up the plans and gave their bids to the general contractors.  All sub-contractors were required to have a public works license.  Local sub-contractors interested did pick up plans from the library.  Sid wants a list of needed items and cost.  Myrna, Cloteele, and Cecelie will met and finalize list for shelving, furniture, computers, and etc.  It is estimated at $140,000.  Bookkeeping program and procedures are being set up with purchase orders and vouchers.  Also the date to present bills for board approval was set.  The board will contact Alvaro and Beverly Jones about the custodial and yard work at the new library.  Friends of the Library have purchased a piano for the meeting room.  The Friends will not be selling pavers for the new library.  We need to order and purchase new library cards.  They will cost about $1200 for 50,000.  We need to order 3 new scanners for check-out desk and drive-up window; order 2 new slip printers and can use old one if new drivers are downloaded.  We need this for the new Horizon circulation system.  This equipment for the new library can come out of building funds.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
November 7, 2001
     The board met at the new library building for a quick tour.  Building committee reported the construction completion date is the end of December.  Shelving and furniture will be here the first part of January.  Friends will meet November 12 to finalize the donation board.  We owe DeWall $340,000, Jensen and Haslam about $10,000, furniture and equipment estimates are $158,000.  Operating money for next three months $45,000.  This totals to $554,000.  Sid estimates we will need to borrow $225,000 and that it can be paid off in 5 payments.  We need to make sure records of donations are as accurate as possible when recognition board is being done.  Sharon Nelson will coordinate moving with Cloteele and the library staff.  James Dryden wants to work with the committee and involve his scout group as an Eagle Scout project.  We will close for Thanksgiving and be closed the Friday and Saturday after (Nov. 22-23, 24(.  We have told the schools we will close Saturday December 22, and will be closed until we reopen in the new library, probably the first of February.  Quick Books program has been set up and Cloteele has been printing checks with the help of Judy Phillips and Mike Kunz.  We need to review the financial record keeping and bill paying process with Thayne Winward.  We will try to set up a meeting with Thayne.  Board will approve bills each month.  Motion passed to hire Gayle Lowe (former employee on the Green Thumb program), for temporary work at minimum wage, if we feel it is necessary to have her help process the new books before we move to the new library.  Sid and Walt want to host a party for board members on January 26 at the new library.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
November 28, 2001
     A grant for $2000 to purchase new materials for the children’s library was received from the IFFT Foundation.  Shelving will be delivered and installed the first week of January.  Next Friends meeting will be December 10.  Sharon Nelson and Karen Kunz are working with the staff and will ask for volunteers to help move the library.   Motion passed to approve the Community Room Policy with changes.  We are being contacted about reservations for the room in February.  The library will close at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 22, and will open in the new Larsen-Sant Library after moving is completed.  After discussion about library hours, the board was in agreement with present hours of 11:00 to 7:00 Monday thru Thursday, 11:00 to 6:00 on Friday, and 11:00 to 4:00 on Saturday.  Closed Sundays and Holidays.  Sid discussed a tax anticipation note (see addendum).  If payments of the note were increased to $48,500, we could drop the last payment and have the note paid off in 4 years.  Motion passed to authorize Zelma Woodward, Chairman of the Franklin County Library District, to sign the tax anticipation note in January of 2002. The city has billed the library district for $4800 to pay Jones Construction for 36’ of sidewalk at the Larsen-Sant Library.  Kris will check with the city to see if the bill includes the 3 access ramps which the city agreed to pay for. 

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
December 12, 2001
     The library is working on weeding and getting the new books and new circulation system ready.  Contractor has asked for 3 additional days because of snow.  They will be doing the carpet next week.  Light fixtures are in and lights will be turned on tonight to test.  Shelves will be delivered the first week of January and will be installed by January 12.  Furniture will be here the week of January 21.  Friends group will help with the move.  Trish Garner will be in charge of publicity.  Myrna will be in charge of scheduling the meeting room.  We need to get tables and set them up to see how much room they take.  Myrna will check with Anderson Lumber on tables and chairs.  Sharon has scheduled three groups to help box books on Dec. 27, 28, 29.  Randy Moser will be in charge of the “chain” and plans to involve every child in school.  This will be done the week of January 14 (people and car chain).  Each board member was asked to collect 20 boxes.  Kris will be asked to work on organizing the sale after we have moved.  Ribbon cutting, open house, and reception will be handled by Beth.  Cloteele will check with Jerry about the audit completion and annual statistical report due to the state Library.  Employees will get more than 20 hours each week while we are moving to the new library.  Cloteele will check to see how this will work with the part-time rules.   We will try to get overdue books returned by offering a fine –free period until the end of December.  Fees for books not returned will still be charged and patron cannot renew the library card until all fees are paid.  We want to offer everyone a new patron card when we open the new library.

LIBRARY MOVE COMING SOON; CHECK BOOKS OUT BY DEC. 22
The Preston Citizen, December 12, 2001
     There’s only about one week remaining to use the historic Carnegie Public Library—at least as Franklin County’s library.  Librarian Cloteele Dahle says the last day books can be checked out before the shut-down—in anticipation of the new library opening—is Saturday, Dec. 22.  After that, it will probably be about a month before patrons can enjoy the new facility.
     “It looks like about mid (to late) January,” confirmed Sid Titensor, longtime library board member and supporter.  “That’s just the way it went,” he said, noting that there have been no substantial delays or problems with construction of the $800,000 building.  “People will be really pleased, glad as well,” he said of the new building, which, fortunately, is seeing all of the work now on the interior.  The building covers just over 8,000 square feet, which is almost three times the size of the Carnegie building.  And handicapped and others who don’t negotiate stairs easily won’t have to worry in the new building—it’s all on one level.
     Dahle said that in anticipation of the old library closing on Dec. 22, patrons should check out more books than they usually would—enough, hopefully, to carry them through the holidays and when the new building opens.  While that date has yet to be set, she said it will be mid or, possibly, late January.
      In the meantime, patrons are being given an amnesty on overdue books—if they are returned to the Carnegie by Dec. 22.  All fines will be forgiven, she emphasized.  That way, people can start out with a clean slate.  They can also receive new library cards in anticipation of the new library’s opening.
     Dahle noted there is a lot to accomplish during this time for the small staff, most of whom are part-time.  That includes “weeding” the 30,000-plus collection of books that are no longer useable, either because they are outdated or no longer in sufficiently good condition to be retained.  While weeding is an ongoing part of operating the library, she said it is being intensified now so that as few unnecessary books will have to be moved as possible.
     Franklin County residents will likely be called upon to help with that move—continuing the strong community tradition of volunteerism.  That help will probably be in the form of a human chain as many hands pass the books down the approximately two blocks from the old to the new library which sits on the old Jefferson School site.  In addition, there will likely also be vehicle convoys set up to assist in the move.
     The Friends of the Library is coordinating much of that effort, and is holding meetings to finalize those details.  Another committee is preparing to mark the official opening of the new library with a program suitable to such a notable event.
     More details about the move and related events will be announced in future issues of The Citizen as specifics are worked out.

2002

MOVE TO NEW LIBRARY NOW IN FULL GEAR
The Preston Citizen, January 2, 2002
     It won’t be long now—maybe another month before the new library opens its doors to the public.  But activity is continuing in earnest behind the scenes. In fact, as shown in the accompanying photo, a group of young people lent a hand to box up some books in a sort of trial run last Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
     Franklin County Library Board member Sharon Nelson said three youth groups came for three hour stints on all three days.  “These were test days to see how many boxes we can pack and how much room it will take up,” she said, with a couple dozen kids involved.
     In addition, support from schools, both Preston and Westside school districts, will come through the direction of Randy Moser, a man she calls “very community minded.”
     Among the other pr0jects that are being formulated is a human chain—that is, moving books via hand-passing from the 86-year-old Carnegie Library the 1-1/2 blocks to the new facility.  “We’re a little brave to try it in the middle of January, but we’ll watch the weather reports,” she said, noting the high amount of community spirit for which Franklin County is noted.
     Community volunteer Trish Garner said it’s hoped upwards of 350 volunteers, both youth and adults, can commit to helping form the human chain on about January 24 or 25, depending on the weather.  The massive effort is geared for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with people asked to sign up for a one-hour slot, although she aid no one will be turned away if they want or can give more time.
     Those interested can sign up at O.P. Skaggs or Stokes or through local LDS ward Relief Society presidents.  To provide some needed energy for the hefting of books, McDonald’s will donate apple pies, while hot chocolate and coffee will also be available to help keep people warm.
     The new library is absolutely wonderful,” Nelson said.  ‘I can’t wait for the public to see it.  Thanks to the generous donation by David Sant of $500,000, plus the community support of dollars from so many, it has come together”, she continued.
     Expressing some frustration at the amount of time it is taking to make the move, she said North Logan, a smaller community, took twice as long to accomplish the feat—with a far younger library and smaller collection to boot.  And Kuna, a comparably sized community to Preston and the county, needed two-three months to accomplish it.
     In the meantime, there is the trial of knowing how many books can be placed in a box so that it can still be easily moved, as well as how much space will be needed to store books until they’re shelved, etc.
     Librarian Cloteele Dahle is excited at the move, but shares some of those same concerns.  After all, it’s been more than 85 years since a new library opened its doors in the community.
     Nelson does need one item from anyone who can spare them—strong, empty boxes.  Maybe you can spare some from what Santa left you.  Although the library will be closed, there should be staff there from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Just jiggle the main door which will be locked.

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES

January 7, 2002
     New library cards have been ordered and will be here in time to start patron registration at the new library.  Magnets with the library hours will also be ordered.  Cloteele will check on other promotional items to give to patrons as they come to the library.  Water backed up from sewer because paint and sheetrock mud were put down the drain.  Carpet in the children’s area needs to be cleaned or sanitized. Shelving is all in.  Furniture will be delivered the last week of January.  Myrna has purchased a wreath and will have Edwards floral decorate it.  Myrna had Bryce Bodily estimate cost to put shelving in storage rooms.  Cost will be about $4600.  Motion passed to have Bryce Bodily put shelves in the storage rooms.  Garbage cans and janitorial supplies have been ordered from Janitorial Supply.  Kitchen equipment has been ordered from U and I Furniture.  Friends are working to organize the car parade.  Julie Westerberg is in charge.  Friends will also do the recognition wall.  Moving assignments are being scheduled by Sharon Nelson.  Car parade will be Saturday, human chain will be January 24, or 25.  350 people are needed to form the chain.  Randy Moser and Walt are working to organize the chain and involve the schools.  Pepperidge Farm will donate cookies, hot chocolate will be served and McDonalds will also help with the event.  Trish Garner will help with publicity of the events.  She is hoping to have the TV stations give us some publicity.  Radio station and newspapers will do announcements and publicity for us.  This is a good PR activity.  Sharon has scheduled groups of youth to help box books, etc.  Parking lot needs to be done now.  Maurice Nielson has cleaned it.  Sid said he would help clean it.  Julie Westerberg will check with the school board about cleaning the parking lot.  New library ribbon cutting, open house, and reception:  Beth is working on the open house and program for grand opening.  February 9 was set as the date for the ribbon cutting, program, etc.  Beth would like to have a short meeting in the meeting room, do the ribbon cutting, have a tour of the library, and go back to the meeting room for refreshments.  She will arrange for the refreshments and the program.  Everyone was asked to make a list for invitations.

 

CONTRACTOR COMPLETES LIBRARY; IT’S NOW IN LOCAL HANDS 
The Preston Citizen, January 9, 2002

​

     At a pace some might consider breakneck speed, contractors for the new Larsen-Sant Library have

completed their work and handed the keys to Franklin County Librarian, Cloteele Dahle and staff.
     “DeWall construction of Pocatello completed work on the 8,700 square-foot facility in approximately 9

months, clearing the way for a planned opening around Feb. 1” said Trish Garner, spokesman for the library

and the move.
     “We are thrilled with this new acquisition,” said Franklin County Library Board member Sharon Nelson. 

“This is the realization of a vision that took years of work and much community support.”
     “This even is the culmination of many years’ work,” Dahle said.  “Now we have to move the books and

furniture and get the facility ready for the community.  We think the community has received a wonderful asset,”

she continued, praising the efforts of DeWall as well as architects Jensen-Haslam of Logan, Utah.
     “Be a part of community history,” Dahle said, adding, “many have been looking for a way to contribute

(since the 9-11 Disaster).  Now is a positive, concrete way to do it.”
                                                                                        Sid Titensor, who has been involved with the library as a board member and volunteer for many years, said, “This is a great asset at a great price (about $1 million).  The                                                                                                      community really is getting a bargain, when all is considered,” he added.
                                                                                       “Our goal is to be open in February.  We have a lot to accomplish and are calling on the citizens of the area for their help,” Dahle added.
                                                                                       “It is the spirit of volunteerism and giving that brought the Harold B. Lee Elementary School to reality on the West Side just a decade ago, and that has similarly made the new                                                                                          library possible, thanks to hundreds of donations, big and small.  Library patrons/residents are being asked to lend a hand—at least in the mammoth job of moving the                                                                                                        collection of tens of thousands of books. 
                                                                                             To help accomplish that, a “Family Car Parade” is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (approximately).  Families and others are being asked to join a “parade”                                                                                          loading two or three boxes into their vehicles and taking them around the block from the old Carnegie Library to the new facility.  Each car will receive an American flag for                                                                                                their car.  Julie Westerberg is in charge of the community Car Parade and can be contacted at 852-0803.

                                                                                        ​“There will be other volunteers/hands at the old and new library to load and unload the boxes.  Refreshments are being arranged to keep volunteers warm,” Garner said.
                                                                                       A “human chain” will hopefully be linked together, figuratively, at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 24, to move more books.  This effort will include young and old alike, with school                                                                                                 children from both school districts joining others in the effort.  Randy Moser and Walter Ross are spearheading this event.
                                                                                       McDonald’s and Pepperidge Farm are supplying goodies to keep participants warm as they work.
                                                                                       Posters and announcements will be forthcoming at local churches and merchants.  Nelson is in charge of this effort.
                                                                                       In addition, several church and school groups are gearing up to help in the move and organization at the new building.  For example, last week’s paper highlighted the efforts                                                                                           of young people to box up books for the move.

LIBRARY STARTS NEW CHAPTER
The Herald Journal, January 15, 2002
By Jeff Hunter
     When the Carnegie Library was constructed nearly 87 years ago, automobiles were still a relatively new innovation and the Internet was something beyond comprehension.  But beginning in February, patrons of the new Larsen-Sant Community Library will be able to select the books they wish to read from an online catalog.  After a phone call to the library, they simply have to drive up to a window and pick up their selections which will already be bagged and ready to go.
     “I’ve had that in my mind for five, 10 years,” librarian Cloteele Dahle says of the drive-up window.  “We thought it would be really helpful to some mothers  with real small children that want to pick up some books for their children, but don’t want to have to bring their children in and out of the library.  “We tried to figure out how we could do that at the other library, but we could never figure out how they could drive by and do it.”
     Built on the former site of Jefferson Middle School at the corner of 100 south and 100 East, the new library is a dream come true for members of the Franklin County Library District Board, some of whom have tried for over 10 years to get an updated facility constructed.
     “It seems like forever,” says board member Zelma Woodward.
     Private donations of more than $300,000 gave the board hope, but until help arrived last January in the form of a $500,000 check from former Preston resident David Sant, the future was very uncertain.

​

But the donation by Sant, who will have the new library named after he and his wife, the former Diane Larsen, allowed the project to go forward, and groundbreaking ceremonies were held last May.
     Kris Bown of Jensen Haslem Architects designed the building, while most of the construction was handled by DeWall Construction out of Pocatello.  Light and space are the two most notable features of the new building.  Patrons will enter through a large atrium, passing a large meeting room and men’s and women’s bathroom facilities, before entering the library itself, where natural light is abundant thanks to large windows and a tinted skylight.  “The high ceilings make it look bigger than it really is,” says library volunteer Trish Garner.  “It’s actually just 8,700 square feet, which was pared down from 10,000.”
     “We’ll have an area here where we can have story hour for the children,” Dahle says.  “We didn’t have one before at the old library.”  Around the circulation desk will be located a bank of card catalog computers, some of them new, along with a magnifying machine which will aid readers with poor eyesight.
     The general book collection takes up the northwest corner of the library, while a gas fireplace will make for a cozy, ski-lodge-type atmosphere in the periodical reading area.
     “This is the area we really love,” Dahle says, “We’ll have some big, nice chairs and tables here, and we just love the fireplace.  It’s designed so it can put some heat into the building as well.”
     Along the eastern side of the building is a small study room which will be available to the public, as well as a larger meeting room where the library board will meet and supplies for the adult literacy program will be kept.
      Then there’s Dahle’s office, something she’s been waiting two decades for.  “This will be wonderful,” she says. “I’ve never had an office before.”
     Prior to the move, Dahle had to share space with video storage, reference books, two computers, a fax machine and a couple of printers, while every available corner was used as a work space where new books were cataloged and barcoded.
      Now, behind the circulation desk is located a spacious work room where the library will be able to process books, including those dropped off in the night box and those slated to be picked up at the drive-in window.  Up front, the large meeting room can be reserved by the public, and while Dahle says a wedding reception has already been scheduled, she envisions it as a place where traveling displays can be set up and activities for children can be held.
     While the benefits of the new library are obvious, Dahle also says she has no mixed emotions about leaving the old Carnegie behind.
     “We’ve had enough problems over there with the plumbing and the wiring and things like that,” she notes.  “I mean, we have a fuse box over there we don’t’ even have a breaker.  And with all the computers over there, it’s been pretty scary.”
      Opening ceremonies at the Larsen-Sant Community Library are scheduled to take place on Feb. 9 at 1 p.m.
     A “family car parade” has been planned for Jan. 19, in which volunteers will help bring books over from the old library via a continually flowing procession of vehicles.  In addition, help is needed for a “human chain” that will pass the children’s book collection across the park to the new facility on Jan. 24.
     For more information on the car parade, contact Julie Westerberg at 852-0803.  Those willing to help with the human chain should call Randy Moser at 852-2893 or Walter Ross at 852-1422.

Related Article:
MAKING THE FINAL STEPS
BY Jeff Hunter
     If it hadn’t been for a steep set of steps on the front side of the nearly 87-year-old Carnegie Library, residents of Preston and Franklin County likely wouldn’t have a new library just about ready for use.
     Upon finding out that the drive to raise funds for the new library had all but stalled out, Preston native David Sant, knowing that his mother was no longer able to navigate the steps at the old library, donated $500,000 to the project.
     “I can’t do those stairs,” says Deene Sant while sitting at her home in Preston.  “I haven’t been to the library this winter because of the ice on the steps over there on the north side.”
     At the time of David Sant’s contribution last January, donations for the new library totaled just over $300,000—far from the projected cost of more than $900,000—and things were looking grim.
     Deene Sant said during visits to Preston, David, who now lives in Saratoga, Calif., had been keeping an eye on the giant thermometer on the front of the Carnegie Library that was charting the progress of the fund-raising drive.
      “He thought, ‘Boy, that hasn’t moved for quite a while,’ and said that was something that he’d like to do,” she recounts.  However, Deene Sant had no idea that “something” was a half-million dollars.  “I couldn’t’ believe it,” Deene Sant says.  “I had no idea how much he donated until I saw it in the paper.”
     David Sant moved with his family to Preston from the Teton Valley area of Idaho when he was in the first grade.  His wife, the former Diane Larsen, also grew up in Preston, hence the name:  the Larsen-Sant Community Library.
     A Utah State University graduate and retired electrical engineer, Sant says, “The community was good to me, and I wanted to be good to the community.”
     Sant’s mother has lived alone in Preston since the death of her husband, Arnold, 12 years ago, and she, too, has been a big supporter of the local library.  A former nurse, Deene Sant was working at a nursing home when she started going to the library to pick up large-print books for a patient with poor eyesight.
     “After about seven or eight trips there were no more books, and I couldn’t believe that,” she says.  “so I joined a large-print book club, and after I read them, I gave them to the library.  They’ve been nice enough to say that they owe many of their large-print books to me.”

BOOK BRIGADE; PRESTON LIBRARY MOVES WITH AID OF CAR CARAVAN
The Herald Journal, January 20, 2002
By Jeff Hunter
     Like deputies sworn in for a posse, dozens of vehicles were turned into temporary bookmobiles Saturday afternoon in order to move

books from the old Carnegie Library to the new Larsen-Sant Community Library.
     Billed as a “family car parade,” volunteers loaded up American flag-adorned cars, trucks and mini-vans with boxes of books at the old

library, then the books were driven to the new library where they were promptly unloaded and deposited on the shelves.  Although the

move was expected to take more than an hour, it took just 40 minutes for the Carnegie Library to run out of books, primarily because of

the stunning amount of vehicles and volunteers that came out to help.
     “I just couldn’t believe it,” head librarian Cloteele Dahle declared.  “I never thought we’d have that many people show up.”
     The parade wasn’t slated to begin until noon, but some people showed up as early as 11 a.m.  By 12:15 p.m. the line of cars waiting to

pick up books at the old library was 25 vehicles long.  “I was taking photos over there of all the cars lined up, and I just got choked up,”

said Carolyn Rounds, a member of the Friends of the Library organization.  “I’ve been so emotional.  It’s just been a really neat day.”
      Soon after the parade began, the boxes of books had to be rationed.  Because there were so many people on hand waiting to help,

even spacious SUV’s were limited to just one or two boxes per trip.
     “We just wanted to make sure that everybody got a turn that wanted to help,” said library board member Sharon Nelson.  “If we had

had more boxes, I think people would have kept coming back all day.  Everyone was so excited just to be part of this.”
     The books in the Carnegie Library were already boxed up prior to Saturday—many of them by a Boy Scout for his Eagle project—helping

things go even quicker.  Once dropped off at the new library, the books were taken out of the boxes and put on the shelves, not in perfect order, but close enough that they could easily be put in their proper place by library employees.
     By 12:40 p.m., just about the only books remaining in the Carnegie Library were from the children’s collection downstairs.  Those 8,000 books are scheduled to be moved, one by one, on Thursday by a chain of volunteers.
     Students from most Preston schools will be released from school to help.  Library officials also hope that a second chain composed of adults of the community will be on hand.  A bonfire will be built in the middle of the park with complimentary cookies and hot chocolate provided by local businesses.
     “We’re just hoping that people will show up again,” Nelson says.  I feel really good about it all.”   

LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
January 30, 2002
     Cloteele noted items needing attention at new library building:  water dripping and forming ice in front of entry door, window at main entrance has a large scratch, carpet loose in entrance, door into meeting room is not closing properly (outside door), front door lock is hard to lock, lock on employee door, alarms on doors, furnace, tap in ladies restroom.  Furniture is supposed to be delivered February 1.  Thanks to Sharon Nelson for her help with moving.  Myrna will check on bid from Bryce Bodily for shelving in janitor’s storage room.  Phyllis will check on a banner and a sign for opening day and order flowers for the opening day program, etc.  Carol will check with radio station to announce the opening.  Cecelie suggested we look into replacing the piano in the meeting room because of expected use of room for recitals, and other musical programs.  Cloteele, Beth, and Zelma met with Thayne Winward about financial records and future audit.  School said they would take care of cleaning the parking lot.  Alvaro Jones will do sidewalks.  Cloteele reported the need for cleaning snow on the east so the drive-up book drop and window can be used.  Open house is February 9, 2002.  There will be a ribbon cutting, etc  Beth is sending invitations, arranging for refreshments, and program.  Board members gave input about who invitations should go to.  Program from 1:0 -2:00; ribbon cutting, tour, and refreshments, 2:00-3:00.  Open House – 3:00-5:00.  Library will open and start checking out books on Monday, February ll, 2002.

THIS WAS THE FINAL MEETING OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT BOARD IN THE PRESTON CARNEGIE LIBRARY BUILDING.

2000 HANDS STRONG   
PASSING BOOKS FROM THE OLD TO THE NEW LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, January 30, 2002

​

     The day may’ve started cold, with a bit of falling snow mixed in, but hundreds of Franklin County school children, with a few adults for good measure, got the mammoth job of moving books to the new library done, last Thursday.
     A mammoth “human chain,” formed between the Carnegie and new Larsen-Sant Library, came to life about 9 a.m. as students from West Side School District, some with gloves and some without, began moving books from the children’s section.  The “chain” continued until 2:30 p.m., with students taking shifts.  Pepperidge Farm and McDonald’s provided warm refreshments, while a bonfire provided additional needed warmth.

                                                                                       As described by Trish Garner who has handled publicity for the project,

                                                                                       about 8,000 books were moved during the morning by brigades of students

                                                                                       from both school districts.  More than 2,000 school children made the day a

                                                                                       success!  In fact, students from each school in the county participated:  West

                                                                                       Side High and Harold B. Lee Elementary and Middle School on the West Side:

                                                                                       Oakwood  and Pioneer Elementary [Schools], and Preston Junior and Senior

                                                                                       High Schools in Preston.
                                                                                            “It was really a commitment on Walter Ross’ vision that this got done,” she said.  She was referring to a dream or idea that the former mayor and Citizen publisher had of                                                                                                 getting the community totally involved, especially the school children.  He received help from many to make that happen, including Randy Moser, who spearheaded all the                                                                                               organization, buses and everything behind the scenes to make Thursday a success.
                                                                                             As all the kids were freezing to death,” Garner said, “it wasn’t always easy to stay on task.  Some books inevitably received a tumble in the snow or parking lot between the                                                                                            libraries, but everything eventually arrived intact at the new library.  The kids were thrilled to be there,” she emphasized, “with many saying they felt a connection to the new                                                                                          facility by being involved.”
                                                                                             It was a yeomen effort, getting upwards of 30,000 items ready for the move.  All of this has been under the direction of the library board and Librarian Cloteele Dahle and                                                                                               staff, who have put in many extra hours.  Their work has included hundreds of hours culling books that either are too old and out-of-date, with some of those to be sold at a                                                                                               special book sale, and simply the tedious, but necessary task of boxing books up for the move—and then shelving them at the Larsen-Sant Library.
                                                                                             Many volunteers, particularly youth groups, have helped in that task, which has been underway, especially since the Carnegie closed just before Christmas and the new                                                                                                  library is due to open early next month.  An open house and special program will be held Feb. 9, with details to be provided in next week’s edition of The Citizen.
                                                                                             Garner urges residents to visit the new library Feb. 11 and after to obtain a new library card.  Those will be processed along with a new computer system which the staff is                                                                                              scrambling, along with everything else, to get in place.
                                                                                             Many have been involved in the effort to get the million-dollar library in place, including Sharon Nelson, who has supervised and arranged for volunteers to help with the                                                                                             various projects.

​

​

​

MANY PEOPLE MADE LIBRARY MOVE SUCCESSFUL
The Preston Citizen, February 6, 2002
Dear Editor,
     The job of moving a library is somewhat overwhelming and I did feel overwhelmed when I took on this responsibility.  The task has almost been completed with only a few odds and ends left to move.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank so many citizens from Franklin County who made this move much easier.  There were many youth groups and leaders who came in and helped us label and box books.  I appreciate those who supported our “car parade” and loaded their cars with boxes and drove them over to the new Larsen-Sant Library.  I also appreciate all of those who helped to make our “human chain” a success.  We had the support of our mayor and city officials, both school districts in the county, the seminary staff and students, and donations from Pepperidge Farm and McDonald’s.   Many hours of service have been given to this move from the Friends of the Library.  I also want to extend my appreciation to Walter Ross, Randy Moser, Julie Westerberg and Trish Garner for their help.  A special thanks goes to my husband Howard D and my sons who were always at my “beck and call” for anything that I needed any time of day that I needed it.
     Thank you again Franklin County for your help.  Our community has a beautiful new million-dollar library that we will all be able to enjoy for years to come.
Sharon Nelson

Library Board Member

LIBRARY OPEN HOUSE IS SATURDAY SET TO OPEN MONDAY
The Preston Citizen, February 6, 2002
     The community has responded by supporting a vehicle caravan and a brigade of students and others to physically hand-pass books from the old to the new library.  Now, at long last, the new Larsen-Sant Library is ready for the public.
     The doors will open Monday, but not before all of those involved take time to pause and reflect on all that has been done.  As explained by Trish Garner, who has provided publicity for the many preliminaries to the library’s opening, a program is set for 2 p.m. Saturday to honor the many donors, large and small.  Among those to be feted will be David Sant, who through generosity and financial ability, was able to donate  a large sum to see the library completed.  A ribbon-cutting is set for 2 p.m.  However, due to limited space in the library, only invited guests will be able to participate.
     The public is invited to an open house, with refreshments, at 3 p.m.  Saturday.  At that time, they can tour the library and visit with staff, library board members, and others involved in the mammoth undertaking.
     Possibly the first donors were Rex and Jane Pitcher, who live on Valley View Drive in Preston.  “We have so much we wanted to donate,” Rex Pitcher said.  And while the couple knew of many places which could benefit from financial support, “my wife said everybody benefits with the library.”
     Their donation came in 1995, just after they sold Head Manufacturing.  And while it could’ve been time for Rex to retire, he apparently doesn’t know the meaning of the word.  Since that time, the couple has purchased a “small” 100-acre farm, and he has started a machine shop and a plastic recycling business.
     “I love what I do, if I can just find the right balance,” Rex emphasized.  “I remember they (library board) were saying they had plans for little fund-raisers, like selling hot dogs, but were realizing how daunting a new library could be to finance, especially with such relatively modest money-making steps,” Rex recalled.
     The Pitchers’ $25,000 donation seemed to get them going on the road to eventually getting big and small donations from hundreds of Franklin County residents.
     “With the library, both young and old would benefit from our donation,” Jane agreed.  “It (library) would be there for a while and would outlast us all.”
     Jane learned from talking to some of those closely involved, such as Sandra Webb, that donations from the community were vital to obtaining any grant or other money from various sources.  She said, “In the early stages, it was so hard to get seed money.  It was hard to get grants.  We felt inspired to help.  I think it was a worthy cause.  And toward the end, all came together in a timely fashion, making the building possible,” Jane continued.
     Library board member Beth Schumann confirmed that the Pitchers were “the first big hope” to realizing the dream of a new library.  “We explored many options (for funding) over a long time.  For the past years we worked very closely with the (LDS) church to see if we could expand to the east from the Carnegie Library,” she continued.
     “It’s been a very hard struggle,” Schumann said.  “I have to give Sid (Titensor), long-time board member, a great deal of the credit for being where we are today.”
     Actually, the current “board” consists of 10 members, including the old Preston City and County boards.  “We worked well, were a real complement to each other,” she said.
      A new, combined board is now forging ahead, with a couple veteran board members choosing to retire, having given many years of service.  One of those is Zelma Woodward, chair, who has spent at least 20 years in service to the library through her board activity.  “She is among those who has helped give the board continuity over the years,” Schumann emphasized. 
     Other board members are” Schumann, Sharon Nelson, Cecelie Costley, Carol Mumford, Sid Titensor, Phyllis Acock, Kristen Beckstead, Myrna Fuller and Walter Ross.
     The library cost about $1 million, much of that amount donated by thousands in the community.  It includes nearly 9,000 square feet, nearly three times the size of the 1915 Carnegie Library.  It is all on one level, is handicapped accessible, and includes a meeting room and a special children’s story area.  Jensen-Haslam of Logan was the architect while DeWall contractors of Pocatello built the facility.

SANT DONATES $200,000 MORE TO LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, February 13, 2002, p. 1

                                                                                                             There had been rumors that David and DiAnn Sant were donating even more money to the new Larsen-Sant Library, named in honor of their parents.  That                                                                                                                         suspicion was formally announced as true, Saturday, during grand opening ceremonies which included speeches and a program, a ribbon cutting by the Chamber of                                                                                                             Commerce, and a reception for the public.  In fact, with the additional $200,000 donated by the Sants, that put their donation at roughly half the cost of the $1.1 million                                                                                                       dollar facility according to Sid Titensor, a long-time member of the board who was very involved in efforts to get the new library in place.  He said that with that                                                                                                                       $200,000 donation, plus the previous $500,000, added to the $350,000 in big and small donations from community members, it means only about $200,000 in facility                                                                                                             plant levy money will be needed for the construction and related costs.   All of that, including furnishings and landscaping comes to about $1.1 million for the 8,700                                                                                                               square-foot building.
                                                                                                            “Instead of needing the original 10 years to finance the rest at the building cost, which was envisioned as necessary before the Sant donations, the levy could be                                                                                                               retired far sooner,” Titensor said.  The library board will have to decide how long the levy has to continue, although he said it may be necessary for only a couple more                                                                                                           years.
                                                                                                             Speeches were made by Preston Mayor Jay Heusser; Kris Bown, representing Jensen-Haslam architects; Frank Nelson, a representative of the State Library; Karen                                                                                                          Kunz, president of the Friends of the Library; Titensor, and David Sant.  Elizabeth Schumann, a board member, conducted the meeting.  Music was provided by students from Preston High School, who presented a rendition of the Star spangled Banner, and West Side High School’s jazz choir which sang “Blue Skies.”  In addition, Melissa Bowles sang “Read Me a Memory.”  Titensor recalled how the Friends, organized in 1994, were innovative in their fundraising efforts, from selling ice cream to accepting any donation amount, from $2 to many thousands of dollars.  “This building represents lighting the fire within the community,” he said, referring to the Salt Lake Olympic’s theme 100 miles to the south.
     Schumann said the library’s completion was “a tribute to fellow board members, who between them represent 130 years of service,” while Mayor Heusser said, “words can’t express the impact on the community of the Sant’s donation, also thanking all of the volunteers,” including the many school children.  Kunz said she looks forward to the Friends now “being able to assume more traditional roles, of helping promote the library in ways other than fundraising, although she emphasized contributions will still be accepted.  “We’ve held book sales, catered, accepted donations in memory of loved ones, held food sales, basketball and baseball tournaments,” she said.  “By 2000, we had $350,000.  That was an enormous amount of money, but far from our goal.  The million-dollar library was getting smaller and smaller as prices went up,” she recalled.  “That year, the new library district was formed, but when Mr. Sant made the call to our treasurer, Carolyn rounds, that was how our dream became a reality.”

In fact, it was explained that the Sant donation came about because Mr. Sant drove by the Carnegie Library and saw the long-time thermometer, stuck at $350,000.
     Others’ generosity will also be remembered such as the Rex and Jane Pitcher meeting room, in honor of their generous donation; the Woodward Family Children’s Library, the Zelma Woodward Children’s Garden in memory of her long service (25 years) to the library; and the Sid and Paula Titensor Reading Area, accented by the fireplace.
     “That a rural farming community could raise $350,000 for the library is really remarkable.  You had the foresight to really go after this,” Sant said in his remarks.  “I know it has been a struggle.”  He spoke of visiting the old library and seeing ceiling tiles falling off.  He spoke of a dank basement showing signs of termite infestation.  “It’s really time for a new library to come online,” he emphasized.  “We see a sense of community in Franklin County that you wouldn’t see in California,” where the Sants live.  “Family values are still important here”, he said.
     Library board members  were  thanked for their efforts.  They include:  Zelma Woodward, Elizabeth Schumann, Sharon Nelson, Cecelie Costley, Carol Mumford, Sid Titensor, Phyllis Acock, Kristen Beckstead, Myrna Fuller and J. Walter Ross.  Appreciation was also expressed for the library staff:  Cloteele Dahle, library director; Bonnie Nielson, Connie Moser, Dorothy Rich, Laura Wheatley, Peggy Owens, and Phyllis Vaterlaus.

LIONS CLUB DONATES MAGNIFIER TO LIBRARY
The Preston Citizen, February 13, 2002, p. 2
By Necia Seamons
     A gift from the Preston Lion’s Club opened the doors of the new library to a group of people who would otherwise have difficulty

enjoying it:  people of low vision abilities.  Their gift, a video magnifier, will allow persons who struggle to see small details to enjoy

not only the books the library contains, but also color pictures as well. 
     “Sixty percent of people over the age of 65 have some level of vision loss,” said Carl Smith, an access technology consultant for

CSA Adaptive Products and Services of Taylorsville, Utah. Himself completely blind, Smith helped assemble the device, which

resembles a microfilm reader with a television screen, then demonstrated it to members of the Lion’s Club as they presented it to

the library last Saturday.
     Simple to use, the device can magnify regular newsprint to a height of six inches.  Users simply place the text or picture they

want to view on a sliding table below the screen and read the enlarged version on the screen.  “Books, papers, letters, magazines

and pictures can all be viewed on the magnifier,” said Smith.  It can also be used to aid in writing letters.
     “The library is a nice addition to our community, and the Lion’s Club is happy to contribute.  We hope it will help people who

can’t see well to enjoy the library,” said Kelly Ransom, president of the Preston Lion’s Club.  
     Members of the club are Ransom, Bob Acock, Mike Andrus, Phil Cromwell, Ashby Nelson, Roger and Louise Woolley, Lynn

Fackrell, Kimber Christensen, Lance Hemsley, Dax Keller, Randy Moser, Nick Wamsley, Kent Kindred, Paul Coburn, Larry Stokes

and Orson Bowler.​

Governor gets his passport stamped at Preston's Library, The Preston Citizen, August 2, 2000. By Debbie Lamb

​While he was in Preston for the city's 100th birthday celebration, Governor Dirk Kempthorne took a moment to visit the Preston Carnegie Library to get his official Idaho Corps of Discovery Passport stamped with the Franklin County stamp.​ " We are blessed to live in this majestic state," said Kempthorne.  "A Land of unparalleled beauty, forests rich with wildlife, spectacular moutain vistas, wild and scenic rivers and over 2000 pristine lakes, it states in the passport.  The purpose of the passport is to visit each of the 44 counties and have the  passport stamped at a designated location in each county designated in the back of the pamphlet.  "This is an opportunity to encourage Idahoans to go see their beautiful state.  It is one of the beautiful states in the world, "said Kempthorne.  The passport can be stamped until December 31, 2002.  After visiting all 44 counties and receiving a stamp the passport can be mailed to  Idaho Passport, Governor's Office, State Capitol, Boise, Idaho, for a certificate of completion.  In conjunction with the celebration of Louis and Clark's exploration of Idaho.  Governor Kempthorne envisioned a program encouraging Idahoans to visit every county of their own state.  His goal is to encourage understanding of each other and Idaho.  "In 2003 the people of the world are going to want to come to Idaho to see the state.  Idahoans are going to want to see the state before the rest of the world.  Passport and stamps can be obtained in Franklin  County at the Preston Carnegie Library and also at Deer Cliff Inn.

     Griffeth took around 20 hours to completely finish reading the book.  “I took breaks to get fresh air, food and watch a friend’s baseball game,” he said.  The reason Griffeth’s accomplishment is unique, is that it came from a boy who usually reads 20 pages a day.
     The Harry Potter books have begun a trend among persons of all ages.  Since the selling date, The Preston Citizen has sold 23 copies and continues receiving calls daily on the availability of the book.  The books are flying off store shelves.
     “We only ordered 65 copies of the book,” Sylvia Daniels said, a Wal-Mart sales associate.  “They were gone within the first two or three hours.”
     There have been a very few books that attract such a large span of age groups and large number of people at once.  “I think this has really helped promote interest in reading,” said Cloteele Dahle, head librarian at Preston Carnegie Library.  “They really love the book.  If you can get a young person to sit and read a book, it improves their reading skills.”
     The library has six copies of the new book and four or five copies each of the other two books.  “They go out as fast as they come in,” Dahle said.
     Griffeth is not the only person who has read a lot in a short period lately.  Recently, two Franklin County High School (FCHS) students, have excelled in their reading skills.  Jeff Joseph, son of Roxanne Joseph, and Ryan Aston, son of Rodger and Nancy Aston, read a combination of 2,753 pages in 14 days.

Donning wizard hats, area boys packed into the Franklin County Library to participate in last Saturday’s annual boys’ activity sponsored by the Friends of the Library.  The Harry Potter theme attracted over 80 boys for an afternoon of fun and games.

Preston Citizen, August 22, 2001 – (From left to right) Karen Kunz, of Friends of the Library and Zelma Woodward, Chairman of the Library Board, receive a $600 donation from the class of 1946.  Class representatives are Eldon Bennett, Karol Lou Anderson, Elsa Crookston and Adelia Cole.  The group challenges other classes to do the same.

Trish Garner hands out flags to Preston citizens who lined up in their cars to carry books from the Carnegie Library to their new home in the Larsen-Sant community library on Saturday morning.

Sean Griffeth reads “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”

‘Bee’ A Reader.  Mervin Sharp tells bee raising stories to youth who attended the Preston Carnegie Library’s summer reading program in Benson Park.  Today Animal Tales will be told by guest speaker Tom Lucia, 3 p.m., Preston Carnegie Library.

Students at the downstairs door of the old library get ready to pass books across Benson Park to their new destination.

One of two large clearstory windows which fill the library with natural light.

GRAND OPENING PROGRAM

The library rubble was taken to the old landfill and dumped for fill.For almost a century, residents used the old building for reading and research.  The bricks, concrete and other debris were loaded and hauled away.

​

Several hundred boxes packed and moved into their new home at the Larsen-Sant Library.

$5,000 Donation.  Dan Keller of U.S. Bank presents Preston Carnegie Library librarian, Cloteele Dahle, a check for $5,000 towards the construction of a new library.  This brings U.S. Bank’s contribution to the library to $10,000, said Keller.  “U.S. Bank wants to continue to be a supporter of the community,” said Keller.  The donation brings the amount gathered by the Friends of the Library for a new library to over $350,000, said Dahle.

King’s manager Cal Hugie presents Carolyn Rounds, treasurer of the Friends of the Library a $1,000 check towards the Friend’s latest fundraiser.  The organization sent out flyers to homes and businesses last week, soliciting donations for a new library to be built where the Jefferson School once stood at the corner of 100 East and 100 South, Preston.  The donation brings the amount raised by the Friends of the Library to almost $200,000 since they began a drive a few years ago to replace the community’s Canegie Library with a larger facility.  About $28,000 has been spent to demolish the Jefferson in order that the new building could be constructed at that site.  The site was donated to the Friends of the Library by the Preston School District.  Citizen photo by Necia P. Seamons.  Preston Citizen, September 30, 1998, p. 14.

By Friday, one wall of the Jefferson school remained standing after several days of demolition by an operator in a track hoe.  Steel beams that supported the building became visible as work progressed. 

The library, which must have taken months to build, was leveled and hauled away in about 90 minutes.    Photos and story by Robert Merrill.

Solutia raises library’s barometer.  Helen Smith, an employee of Solutia of Soda Springs, Id., stands in front of the barometer measuring the fund-raising progress for a new county library.  Solutia donated $2,000 toward the new library.  Private, corporate and group donations have now netted $350,000.  The Preston Citizen, January 19, 2000.

Marshall Tomlanson of Technical Furniture, Everett, Wash., assembles shelves to hold books at the Larsen-Sant Library.  Photos by Rodney D. Boam

Students line up and hand books to each other on the corner of First East and Second South.  Photos by Wes Hanna 

READING REWARDS – Several teens took “TIME” to read this summer.  In August, the Preston Carnegie Library sponsored a contest for youth ages 12 to 16 in Franklin County.  The youth had their name entered into a drawing for every three books they read.  Craig Haslam, of Preston Drug, donated three sports watches which were awarded on Aug. 25.  The watches were awarded to Miranda Kofoed, Leslie Gregory and Nanette Nielson (not pictured.)

Lions Club members assemble a magnifier they donated to the Larsen-Sant Library.  The magnifier will assist patrons who can’t see very well read books.  Photo by Necia Seamons.

Library History Continued 

Chairman of the library board Zelma Woodward gets books for Peggy Owens to put on the lower shelves.  Photo by Rodney D. Boam

Zelda Larsen and Deene G. Sant.  Citizen photo by Necia P. Seamons.

Sam Seamons opens a children’s book he found in the new Larsen-Sant Library.

Kevin Long, Everett, Wash., checks the plans to see where to install book racks.

The library rubble was taken to the old landfill and dumped for fill.

Brian Davis moves books closer to where they will be shelved.

The library, which must have taken months to build, was leveled and hauled away in about 90 minutes.    Photos and story by Robert Merrill.

Local Public Affairs Directors for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Sharon Keller, (left) and Tina Stewart (right) present materials donated by the Church to the Preston Carnegie Library.  Librarian, Clotelle Dahle, accepted the materials which are available to the public.  Citizen photo by Necia P. Seamons.

Library worker Bonnie Nielson checks books along a shelf in the background while the empty boxes pile up for disposal. 

Photo by Rodney D. Boam

Nearly 8,000 books passed to the new library.

The 84-year old Jefferson School will be demolished this week by Read and Associates to make way for a proposed library which will serve Preston and Franklin County.  A garage sale was held last Saturday in which items such as the building’s door, heaters and curtains were sold.  Several people showed up for the sale.  Some reminisced and expressed their disappointment that the building is to be destroyed.  Photo by Necia Seamons.

Friends of the Library and library board members stand for a picture while inspecting the library with Monsanto representatives.

Emily Nash, Linrose, and Heather Knotts, Clifton, look overt he books available at the Friends of the Library book display at Adventure Video.  The display is a fund-raiser for the library.  Books at the display were donated by people to the library and can be picked up for a donation.  “Just walk in, choose books you would enjoy and leave a donation in the box, said Judy Krantz of the friends of the Library.  “Deep appreciation goes to Eric and LuJean Scott, owners of Adventure video, for the use of their building,” she said.

Elementary school-aged boys crowded into the Franklin County Library to celebrate the Harry Potter book series last Saturday.  The activity began at the library at 3 p.m. and went on until about 4:30 p.m.
     “This year the Friends of the Library decided to go with a Harry Potter theme for their annual boys’ activity,” said Rebekah Hunt, who helped with the activity.  Hunt, a member of the Friends of the Library, roped her friend Julie Stuart in to spearheading the project.  Along with their husbands, Roger Stuart and Kirk Hunt, they put  together the activity.  It was supposed to be held outside, but was moved into the library because of the cold and wind.”
     Boys from 5 to 11 years of age were divided into four “houses,” as they entered the library by placing a replica of the famous Hogwarts Sorting Hat, which sorts Hogwarts students into different fraternities or houses on their head.  Kristi Nelson put name tags on the boys and helped them go to the correct house.  The houses, known to those who read the books, are Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff.  The boys made wizard hats to represent the houses they were to be in.  A contest testing the participants’ knowledge of the book series was held and prizes donated by area businesses were awarded.  McDonald’s donated punch and prizes, Pepperidge Farm donated cookies and crackers, and Photo Villa donated paper punches for the hats.  Subway also donated prizes.  

​Margetti the Magnificent, played by Bert Margetts of Farmington, Utah, performed magic tricks and taught some magic to the crowd.  The boys lined up at the door before 3 p.m. on Saturday to get into the library to participate in the event.  Although more signed up for the activity, 80 attended and when parents were added to supervise, it was pretty crowded.  “They were packed in like sardines.  That’s why we need a new library,” Hunt said.

Activity packages are one feature available at the Preston Carnegie Library.  They offer games, books and pictures centered around a theme.

The Jefferson slowly she falls.  The Jefferson continues to fall to the jaws of the bucket on this backhoe.  The demolition of the building is going slow because the company wants to salvage what they can from it.  Citizen photos by Necia P. Seamons

Margetti the Magnificent, alias Bert Margetts, keeps the attention of the boys doing magic tricks.  Margetts also taught some of his magic tricks to the throng of onlookers.

Lucas wins Library Quilt.  Jann Lucas is presented the quilt raffled off by Friends of the Library for their building fund.  The quilt was made and donated by Jeanette Johnson.  The winning raffle ticket was drawn during the annual Friends of the Library basketball tournament.  The Preston Citizen, January 19, 2000.