The Liminal Librarian

When I travel, even if it’s back home to visit family, I like to check out different libraries. Yesterday, I visited the Post Falls, ID library for the first time — and what a nifty little library it is. They have their used book sale set up in a separate room as a permanent store, and I bet they sell a lot more that way due to the openness and nice arrangement.

What I liked even more, though, was the way they fit local and Native design into the building.

This greets you in the lobby, and looks into the children’s department. When you walk into the Post Falls Library, you know you’re not in just Any Old Library, Any State.

They’ve also nicely blended in technology here and in a separate computer lab, preserving the open feel of the building while incorporating the new.

I’d love to have study groups or small meetings in this little conference room off the lobby! I’d also really like to sit here and read during the winter.

We complain about what libraries do wrong a lot, so I also like to comment on what they do right. At least on the surface of things, this library seems to do a lot of things right — I felt welcomed as soon as I walked in, and the design and architecture were intriguing without being intrusive. If you’re ever out this way, pop by!