When we first encountered the enchanting forests and hills of this region of Idaho on a road trip more than 20 years ago we were reminded of our native New England and hoped to be back soon.
But time has a way of vanishing, so when we were on a western road trip this summer I knew we had to go back, and fortuitously it would move me one step closer to visiting at least one public library in every state (ID is my 49th).
McCall Public Library (MPL) serves 3500 or so year round residents and innumerable tourists in this bustling burg on sparkling Payette Lake. It seems to have exploded since I was last here and vacationers have scads of great restaurants, a boat filled harbor and almost every type of all season recreation at their disposal.
The charming, but tiny, 4200 square foot building shares a patch of grass, picnic tables and a veggie patch in a raised container with city government. It’s downtown by the transit center and the water and peaks beyond are visible from the smooth brick walkway. After hours checkout and parking are out back and a wooden owl stands sentry by the returns slot and a shaded knotty pine bench.
Heidi Strohmeyer (right) and Kristin Kindall were very friendly and helpful. Since I haven’t been to any libraries (other than my local, Columbine of course) since Tahiti nearly three years ago, I was curious how they’d coped during the heights of the pandemic. Heidi mentioned in more dangerous times al fresco programs at the firepit were very well attended and they often still do book talks there.
The plexiglass at the main desk is for COVID, as is a hand sanitizer and tissue station. Glancing back at calendars and media, it was touching to see how another institution immediately responded to customers’ needs. Though ordered to close in March, they linked to medical information and data, virtual field trips and tours and people could still get new cards in less than a day by phone to use the e resources. In May 2020, the image of the bronze dancing children out front, masked, and joined by similarly attired flesh and blood kids, bravely announced a “soft” reopening. Users could Zoom on the MPL account before getting their own and this February when short staffed due to Omicron for a bit they provided curbside service and answer questions through the door and wifi was available in the parking lot or on a computer in the foyer.
Like all intuitive libraries, MPL loans some interesting things – bikes and helmets and repair kits, plus home canning supplies, sewing and karaoke machines, radon and soil tests, a wifi hotspot, a conferencing video camera and wildflower knowledge starter packs. Children get Book Bundles on subjects as varied as Trucks & Diggers, Life Around the World, llamas, bears, dogs, sharks, princesses and Spanish/English bags too. For early learning and fun and games selections there’s Batman Cave, a pedometer, a ukulele, Dash Robot, a microscope, and birding binoculars and field guides. Makey-Makey explores electricity or you can play lawn checkers or croquet.
MPL is open Monday to Saturday, doesn’t charge fines and has holds self pickup. E-books, magazines and audiobooks are downloaded via the ID Digital Consortium’s Libby and Overdrive accounts.
The Friends of the Library (FOL) operate an offsite booksale in an historic log cabin and helped donate the mural of fairy tale characters on the left below.
For the SRP, jellyfish mobiles dangle from above and a translucent teal canopy of sharks, rays and sea turtles is like looking up at an aquarium. Heidi said the cool letters spelling out LIBRARY on the side of the building were done by high school artists who each painted a board and along with third graders did the marine life drawings just below the Children’s ceiling and elsewhere.
This cleverly named Spoke & Word bike cart was a Girl Scout project and they take it around to town happenings.
Youth has comfortable seats for parents and cushions for storytimes or older knees. Tokens retrieve SRP presents from a bubblegum dispenser. Wedged in a corner between shelves pillows create a tot’s hidden spot.
Bins holding blocks, railroads and figurines and puppets on pegs encourage youngsters’ imaginations as they tend zoos, fight battles and rescue princes, queens and the world from dragons. Toddlers learn about our 50 United States and their claims to fame while crawling on the rug chasing the right oversized jigsaw piece. Paper and crayons on the tiny furniture lets them color while resting for a minute.
Adolescents have lots of offerings to choose from. Apart from the many storytimes, they go to movies, Dungeons and Dragons, arts and crafts, coding, Legos, and all day “staycations” full of games and puzzles and tournaments over school breaks. The Facebook page sports pictures of SRP winners and kids rocking out at a concert, making slime mustaches and on the waves for Boat Day.
Conveniently close to Kid’s, this conference room serves double duty for storage and events. Though obviously bursting at the seams, they still somehow keep it pleasant and tidy.
Prior to arriving I’d contacted Meg Lojak, the director, who told me “We are a tiny but mighty library.” but that they would soon be able to suit the requirements of the population for the next fifty years. Though sadly I came on her day off so couldn’t meet her, she gave me a lot of information on the enlargement project, and when I mentioned working for Douglas County Libraries, said that coincidentally, the architect is Dennis Humphries of Ratio. His firm under a previous incarnation did the amazing 2003 redesign of a Safeway grocery at my former POW, Philip S. Miller Library in Castle Rock, CO, then the headquarters for the system.
The expansion will attach a stunning, airy 12,000 square foot two story facility to the 50 year old structure. Highlights are the balcony, study rooms, gallery, Citizen’s Hall and enchanting nooks and hearthside seating. The plan is to remain open during construction of the addition, then move into it and renovate the old library, which will mostly be used by townsfolk and for programs.
Perhaps in keeping with the outdoor lifestyle common here, you’ll enter Base Camp for coffee and chats and the FOL and recreation department. Completely ADA accessible it’s got a hand’s on learning enclosure, dedicated tween zone, and a Children’s Discovery Garden just outside their section. The twenty year 4.2 million dollar bond paying for it was approved by voters in 2021 and donors are helping on the costs of the new Idaho Room and fireplace. Taking just 18 months they hope to finish in August 2024.
COVID has influenced the design, and moveable partitions can make bigger areas when necessary. The best HVAC and windows that open will improve air quality while the extra footage (including the new outdoor components) and emphasis on decentralized computing and stronger wifi will let people really spread out and socially distance. A flat roof may seem odd for a snowy realm but this style is much stronger now and the insulation from eco friendly snow will cut winter heating bills and patrons won’t need to dodge falling icicles. The problem of too tall stacks will be alleviated since 25% more space for materials means everything will be in reach. Seems they’ve thought of everything!
The current Teen Corner has high bar style tables and chairs and a display of board games, hot YA titles and flyers for activities geared to them.
On the monthly calendar, I saw the ground breaking celebration on August 17 when demolition of the old fire house next door that allows for the expansion began. A food truck, live music, popcorn, bubbles and free books made it quite the party. Also listed were book group, a forum on dementia, and a weekly ESL class. Things ramp up in September with ID author CMarie Fuhrman available for questions and conversations at weekly Write Here sessions, Tech Tuesdays and a sewing class.
A peek back shows lectures, poetry readings, math workshops, seed swaps with horticultural experts and author visits. MPL participates in the winter carnival and since McCall’s a frozen paradise they had lots of pandemic friendly outdoor entertainment last winter like firepit discussions, a snowman building contest and an appearance by the winning musher of the 100 Mile Idaho Sled Dog Challenge and her canine companions.
In Adults, sun from high windows streams in for Christmas cactus, plants and readers in upholstered chairs on castors. A turnstile carries new novels and by the DVDs patrons fill out cards recommending favorites.
The laptop kiosk and wireless printing is perfect for pandemic spacing as people can borrow one of five and work well away from others.
I asked Heidi about the fairy lights wrapped around the overhead beams. Mainly used for nighttime presentations (perhaps the only illumination for the popular travelogues – how romantic), in winter they’ll turn them on as a pick me up. It may be dark and cold then, as witnessed by the bright light therapy lamp to checkout for Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Heidi also works in special collections so made sure I didn’t miss her favorite, the lovely Idaho Room. Stuffed leather armchairs, oak trim and a high ledge supporting framed sepia photographs complement the cabinets of antique newspapers and irreplaceable tomes.
The website has their searchable digitized local history and genealogical data and links to Libraries Linking Idaho Databases which accesses Scout TV shows on the state and online research videos for ID students and teachers plus full text academic and general databases. Learning Express gives tutoring and job resources.
Mini employee bios and information on FOL, the Board of Trustees and its Expansion Committee members and strategic plan can be found online as well as curated film lists. The newsletter reminds people to register to vote, of the two Spanish speaking employees (including Meg), and to take ID’s annual needs assessment survey. There are patron quotes, job postings, interviews and Library Snapshot featuring memorable users, volunteers and donors.
They have a 3D printer and Makerspace instruction. This enticing piece with a heart for McCall’s place in the state changes hues – a great ad for learning to operate fascinating equipment.
McCall Public Library does a wonderful job catering to its clientele, but oh, how fabulous it will be when they move to their new home in 2024 and can truly maximize resources and accommodate the needs of the community!
The Librarian is IN 
It is heartening to see how libraries have adjusted to changes, such as the internet. They offer so much for the community, that it is good to see the public’s’ appreciation by voting yes on projects to develop their library.
Sent from my iPad
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