| 10/14/1904 |
The Coeur d'Alene Women's Club was established with Mrs.
James Spalding as it's first president. The clubs purpose was to sponsor a
Public Library for the City of Coeur d'Alene. Membership of 48 ladies
started the ball rolling. Cd'A Press 5/27/1905 |
| 02/08/1905 |
A reception was given by the Women's Club at Blackwell Park
Pavilion for the purpose of securing books as a nucleus for a public
library. The event garnered 235 books, 5 magazine subscriptions and many
back issues. All who attended agreed that it was ''one of the most sociable
and pleasant gatherings" of the winter. Cd'A Press 2/11/1905 |
| 04/10/1905 |
The public library opened in the store of E.B. Keller and
Co. located two doors east of the intersection of 4th and Sherman Ave. Three
shelves were donated by the owners E.B. Keller and Charles Dittmore. Miss
Anna Elderkin was in charge of the library which had open hours from 2:00 -
4:00pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Cd'A Press
4/15/1905 |
| 11/18/1905 |
The Ladies in the Women's Club began collecting ''A Mile of
Pennies'' for a fund to establish a reading room and library. Donations by
the measurement called for: 1 foot = .16, 1 yard = .48, 1 rod = $2.64 and 1
mile = 884.40. Cd’A Press 11/18/1905 |
| 12/02/1905 |
The ''library'' prepared to move into three rooms the
Exchange National Bank Building on the southwest corner of 4th and Sherman
Ave. At this point the volume of books rose to 500 and new books were
continually being added. The additional space now allowed for both a library
and reading room. Cd'A Press 12/2/1905 |
| 12/03/1907 |
As the library continued to grow, so did the statistics. For
the month of November, circulation was at 1548, 17 new books were added and
60 new patrons were registered. Cd'A Press 12/3/1907 |
| 12/12/1907 |
A special meeting of the Women's Club was held to discuss
some issues (one being the management of the library) that had the members
divided. Mrs. John Kennedy, President and Mrs. O.E. Barr, Board Member
resigned, and they discussed the idea of disbanding the organization. The
issues were tabled until the next regular meeting. Cd'A
Press 12/13/1907 |
| 01/03/1908 |
At their regular meeting, Mrs. Spalding resigned as the head
of the library. Mrs. J.M. Elder took over her position as well as that of
temporary president of the women's Club. She spoke to the remaining ladies
and urged them to continue with the club and the library. After her moving
speech the ladies agreed to support the library and were unanimously opposed
to disbanding the Club. Cd'A Press 01/4/1908 |
| 01/06/1908 |
The Ladies of the Club began to ask the public for their
support and asked that the City of Coeur d'Alene take the library under
their wings. C'dA Press 01/7/1908 |
| 09/10/1908 |
The library quit lending books and asked that all patrons
return their materials by September 20th. A lack of funding from the City
forced the ladies to closing the library by September 15th.
Cd'A Press 09/9/1908 |
| 09/16/1908 |
The ladies of the Women's Club decided to try and keep the
library open during the evening hours. Cd'A Press 09/17/1908 |
| 11/28/1908 |
The Women of the Club began fundraising to equip and furnish
the new library once it moved into its new location in the new City Hall
building at the SW corner of 5th and Sherman Ave. Cd'A Press
11/28/1908 |
| Feb 1909 |
The library was moved into its new facility where the room,
lights and furnishings were provided by the City. Cd'A Press 02/24/09 |
| 05/11/1909 |
The City of Coeur d'Alene accepts the responsibility of
maintaining the library from the Coeur d'Alene Women's Club.
Cd'A Press 05/11/1909 |
| 10/27/1927 |
The library statistics grew to: 15,550 patrons, 50,000
circulation, and approximately 20,000 users of the reading room.
Cd'A Press 10/24/1927 |
| 04/16/1945 |
The City of Coeur d'Alene formally accepted a deed to three
lots and a large brick building at 703 Lakeside Ave. for the library.
Cd'A Press 04/17/1945 |
| 10/06/1945 |
An informal open house was given for the local residents to
view their new library. The opening date was scheduled for the following
Monday, October 8th. Cd'A Press 10/6/1945 |
| 10/27/1945 |
The first children's story hour was given from 1:00 to 2:00
in the afternoon. Mrs. Elmer Sellers, Children's Librarian, did the honors
reading and telling stories to the youngsters. Cd'A Press
10/26/1945 |
| 03/14/1983 |
The Coeur d'Alene Public Library faced some hard financial
years and the possibility of closing the library for a few months was
heavily considered. Cd'A Press 03/14/1983 |
| 08/16/1983 |
After months of struggling, the library remained open and
with the help of the Mayor and City Council, the library began another new
year. Cd'A Press 08/16/1983 |
| 01/02/1986 |
Dedication Ceremonies were held for the new library at 201
E. Harrison Ave. (formally the Louisiana Pacific building).
Cd'A Press 01/02/1986 |
| 09/26/1994 – 10/02/1994 |
The Coeur d'Alene Public Library celebrated its 90th
Birthday with activities planned for the entire week. Events included a
''live birthday cake", writing workshops, craft workshops, area library
tours, a book signing and a vintage fashion show/picnic in the park.
Cd'A Press 09/26/1994 |