The Board of Trustees for the Coeur d’Alene Public Library meets the fourth Wednesday of each month. Its voting members bring together a wide range of experience: education, the law, community activism, politics, etc.  But the perspective is that of adults.

But two other members – nonvoting though they are – provide a slightly different point of view. Emily Burnham and Kaye Thornbrugh are the Library Board’s youth members. Both began terms on the board in 2009 and both will be seniors at Coeur d’Alene High School this year.

They were recently asked to respond to a questionnaire and these are their responses.

Emily Burnham: The daughter of Joan Burham, Emily has also been involved in Girl Scouts for 12 years and has been a counselor at Girl Scout Camp. She is an aide for Artshop, a day camp for elementary and middle school participants.

What are your plans after high school?

After high school I plan to go to a four-year college. I am not sure what major I would like, but I have considered a wide range of professions, anything from a teacher to an interior design.

What do you enjoy reading?

I enjoy reading classic novels and plays. My favorite play is Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” My favorite novel is either “Wuthering Heights,” by Emily Bronte, or “Rebecca,” by Daphne du Maurier.

What do you like best about the Coeur d’Alene Public Library?

What I like best about the Coeur d’Alene library would have to be the large selection of books! I think it is really great to find a book I wasn’t looking for, pick it up and enjoy it.

What programs would you like to see for teens at the library?

I think a book club would be an awesome thing for teen at the library.

Why is it important for there to be youth members on the Library Board?

It is important for youth members to be on the Library Board because this way the youth members can tell their friends about upcoming events. Also, it teaches youth members how some decisions are made in board meetings.

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Kaye Thornbrugh: Kaye is the daughter of Catherine Thornbrugh. During her junior year she was editor-in-chief of the Coeur d’Alene High School’s award-winning and nationally recognized Viking Voice. She is also on the CHS Scholastics Team and involved with the CHS TeraViks robotics team. This spring she took first-place honors in the library’s Writers Competition in the 15-18-year-old fiction category. She is spending part of her time this summer as a volunteer shelver at the library.

What are your plans after high school?

I plan to pursue a career as a print journalist, preferably writing for newspapers, and as a novelist. If I could write novel as my sole source of income, believe me, I would.

What do you enjoy reading?

My favorite genre is urban fantasy, a fantasy subgenre that involves the supernatural in a modern urban setting. I enjoy most other genres from general Young Adult to mystery, to classic novels. I occasionally enjoy nonfiction and am quite a folklore and fairy tale addict.

What do you like best about the Coeur d’Alene Public Library?

I love the atmosphere. The library itself has such a wonderful calm, open feel. The library itself is lovely, of course, and has a great selection of books.

What programs would you like to see for teens at the library?

I would like to see book club-esque programs; it is often tricky work to find people with whom to discuss a good book, and such programs are certainly beneficial.

Why is it important for there to be youth members on the Library Board?

I think it is important for young people to know what is happening in their community, and the library is a vital part of any community. In addition it is important for young people to offer their points of view, which we sometimes have the opportunity to do during meetings, even if we can’t cast an official vote.

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Emily and Kaye serve on the board with members Katie Sayler, Ann Smart, Kathy Canfield-Davis, Steve McRea, and Faye Sweney. Deanna Goodlander is liaison to the board from the Coeur d’Alene City Council. The board exists as the governing body for the library under provisions in Idaho state law. Members, including youth representatives, are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Like the council, Library Board meetings are open to the public. Meetings are normally held in the Jameson Room at the library, 702 E. Front Ave.

Anyone who needs accommodation to participate in a library program is asked to contact the staff prior to the activity by calling 208/769-2315. News about the library and other city departments is also available on the City of Coeur d’Alene news blog: cdacity.blogspot.com/.