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A teenager walks in after school and settles into a corner with a graphic novel. A mom checks out twenty picture books while her preschooler examines the sensory wall. Nearby, a student streams an online tutoring session at a computer station. Outside, a delivery van pulls away with books headed to the doorstep of a homebound senior.

This isn't the future — it's a Tuesday afternoon at a local Idaho library.

Evolving to Serve Local Needs

"It really isn't your grandma's library anymore," says Eryn Turner, Executive Director of the Meridian Library Foundation. Modern libraries offer 3D printers and VR headsets alongside traditional collections, but the most significant evolution is how technology and outreach are being used to meet diverse community needs.

Meridian's home delivery service, created during COVID-19, proved so popular the foundation funded a second vehicle. The First Books program sends librarians into twelve lower-income schools every month to help children build home libraries. "Every kid gets to have nine books by the end of the school year," Turner explains.

The Twin Falls Library foundation's support for summer reading also enables children to build personal libraries, creating direct literacy impact. "When those children are able to take a hard copy of a book home, they're able to start to build their own personal library," notes Matt Nelson, member of the Twin Falls Library Foundation board.

At the Kimberly Public Library, Youth Services Librarian Lauren Peters has watched story time grow from seven kids weekly to more than forty across two sessions.

In Burley, Director Tayce Robinson describes the transformation as moving "from a heavy book-centric library to more of a literacy-based community center." Programs like Ready for Kindergarten provide parents with fifteen kits as their children grow from birth to age five, while mobile hotspots enable homework access for families without home internet.

Digital resources have become major drivers of library card registration, including apps for eBooks and audiobooks. "People are coming in to get library cards so that they can use the Libby app," Peters notes.

How Foundations Support Vital Programs

Library foundations help remove funding gaps that tax-supported budgets can't cover. In fast-growing Meridian, revenue caps don't match population growth. "That's why the Foundation was created in 2019," Turner explains, "to bridge that gap."

First Fed has been instrumental to all four organizations. In Meridian, the bank served as title sponsor for several events to highlight the Orchard Park branch, which features Idaho's first publicly accessible sensory room.

In Kimberly, a First Fed grant purchased new children's books, while the library’s foundation covers all programming. In Burley, First Fed support transformed the teen space with adaptable furniture. "Without First Fed's support, this wouldn't have happened," Robinson says.

First Fed is also the presenting sponsor for the Twin Falls Public Library Foundation’s Scramble for Books golf tournament, "one of our primary fundraising opportunities," says Nelson. The library foundation also funds online tutoring programs, providing support for students ranging from kindergarten through college, and partners with local organizations on initiatives like cookbooks for children through Chobani's Everybody Eats program.

Impact Beyond Statistics

At Kimberly, students come in after school to wait for rides from loved ones — sometimes for ten minutes, sometimes until five o'clock — reading, doing puzzles, playing games or using the computer. "It's just a place that they can come and be," Peters says.

The Burley Library serves more than 5,000 visitors monthly, but its impact also shows up in other ways. Through programs like Idaho Battle of the Books and the library's annual Mini Con comic convention, students find connection while building skills. "It's been a great experience to have those kids work with our team here and see that they have that support in the community," Robinson says.

Your Local Resource

For families who haven't visited recently, library leaders emphasize these spaces belong to everyone. Resources include books and ebooks, technology and mobile hotspots, story times and tutoring programs. Interlibrary loans allow individuals to retrieve materials statewide, from other libraries, at no cost.

Libraries and their foundations welcome volunteers, event participants, and donors. Contact your local library to learn how you can support their initiatives and help continue their important community role.

"This is your space," Robinson emphasizes. "We are here to serve and grow our community." "We're serving our community one page at a time."