FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 18, 2024

Athol and Post Falls Closure

Community Library Network’s Post Falls and Athol Library locations both experienced weather-related damage on Sunday and Tuesday of this week respectively and are currently closed for water mitigation. The Athol Library experienced a broken water pipe in an exterior wall and the Post Falls Library experienced catastrophic failure of the fire suppression system.

“The full extent and inventory of damage for both libraries is unknown currently, but it is significant and a closure spanning multiple months is anticipated”, states Community Library Network’s Library Director Alexa Eccles.

“On first inspection, it appears damage to the Athol Library’s book collection is minimal with water mostly impacting the carpet, drywall, and furnishings. The Post Falls Library damage is widespread and includes some computers, equipment, tables, furnishings, and books as well as building items like drywall, ceilings, lighting, electrical and flooring. Post Falls Library flooring is being dried and attempts to clean the dirt and soil will be tried but I think it is likely the 20-year-old carpet will need to be completely replaced,” states Eccles.

Library staff have filed a claim with the library’s insurance provider, ICRMP, for both incidents. Next steps will be to begin the work of documenting the extent of the damage, estimates and then repairs. This week, staff from Post Falls and Athol were temporarily reassigned to other library locations. “We do not have enough information right now to make an informed decision on what next steps will be for staff. I do not want to speculate and unnecessarily concern staff who work at these locations. If at all possible, we will try to keep and pay our staff. Library administration is researching all available options,” states Director Eccles.

Patrons that use the Post Falls Library may have holds transferred to another nearby library, such as the Hayden Library. Athol Library users may also be interested in services offered at the Rathdrum, Spirit Lake, and Hayden Libraries. If you have any questions, please contact the Hayden Library at (208) 772-5612. For the most up to date information about library closures and service locations, please visit the library’s website at CommunityLibrary.Net.

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Cassie Robertson
Communications Coordinator
Community Library Network
cassier@communitylibrary.net
208.773.1506 ext. 323