CdA Public Library Foundation

Our History

The Coeur d’Alene Public Library Foundation was founded in 1995 by the Library Trustees to be the private fund-raising arm of the Library.  It soon became clear that the biggest need was to build a NEW library that would serve the community’s growing population.  Never before had the city built a library that was designed specifically for that purpose.  Fund raising began and the Board hired DeBartolo and Associates (national library consultants) to determine the type and size of the building needed based on a study of the community.  Architects West was selected as the architectural design firm.   In 2003, the CdAPLF hired Ruth Pratt as Executive Director and formed a capital campaign committee, with Louise Shadduck serving as honorary campaign chair, and Sandy Patano and Denny Davis as campaign co-chairs. 

In 2005, the Library Foundation convinced the City Council to put a $3 million dollar bond on the ballot to gain public funding to match the $3 million in private funding that the Foundation had raised.  With the passage of this bond and further support from the Lake City Development Council  (urban renewal), ground was broken for the new library at the previously acquired site at the top of McEuen Park next to City Hall.   

Our beautiful, new, 38,500 square foot library opened in September, 2007!