Public library systems in Idaho
The 103 profiled public library systems in Idaho served 1.8 million residents in FY 2024 and logged 3.41 visits and 6.72 physical checkouts per resident, which ranks 15th and 5th among the 50 states and DC. Operating spending came to $46.95 per resident (26th nationally). Local government supplied 87% of operating revenue, against 85% for all profiled systems nationwide, and the state government 4%.
The largest system is Boise Public Library, serving 243,657 residents; 4 systems serve 100,000 or more. At the end of the year, 59% of the state's profiled systems charged no overdue fines on print items. The most common legal form is the library district (55 systems).
Visits per resident, system by system
Each dot is one Idaho system, grouped by the size of the population it serves; darker dots have their own profile page. The gold tick marks the national median for that size class.
The 20 largest systems
| System | City | Residents | Visits per resident | Checkouts per resident | Spending per resident |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise Public Library | Boise | 243,657 | 2.92 | 6.79 | $73.62 |
| Meridian District | Meridian | 147,406 | 3.15 | 8.12 | $51.70 |
| Community Library Network | Post Falls | 136,100 | 2.69 | 7.71 | $43.30 |
| Nampa Public | Nampa | 115,008 | 2.19 | 6.56 | $24.07 |
| Caldwell Public | Caldwell | 70,901 | 2.30 | 1.33 | $25.69 |
| Idaho Falls Public | Idaho Falls | 70,700 | 3.97 | 12.00 | $43.70 |
| Ada County District | Boise | 67,089 | 4.80 | 9.31 | $67.54 |
| Bonneville County | Ammon | 63,634 | 1.46 | 3.91 | $20.47 |
| Coeur D`alene Public | Coeur D`alene | 59,988 | 4.02 | 6.42 | $34.34 |
| Marshall Public | Pocatello | 58,832 | 2.68 | 3.01 | $38.76 |
| Twin Falls Public | Twin Falls | 55,413 | 3.19 | 7.80 | $37.49 |
| Madison Library District | Rexburg | 50,793 | 2.82 | 6.88 | $34.78 |
| East Bonner County District | Sandpoint | 42,750 | 5.10 | 11.44 | $81.71 |
| Kuna District | Kuna | 42,421 | 1.90 | 4.22 | $29.85 |
| Latah County District | Moscow | 41,271 | 2.35 | 4.27 | $41.88 |
| Eagle Public | Eagle | 36,303 | 4.33 | 13.80 | $42.64 |
| Lewiston City Public | Lewiston | 35,143 | 2.23 | 3.17 | $43.56 |
| Portneuf District | Chubbuck | 24,524 | 3.93 | 6.24 | $35.61 |
| Prairie-River District | Lapwai | 17,842 | 3.38 | 3.26 | $42.51 |
| Mountain Home Public | Mountain Home | 16,694 | 5.61 | 3.49 | $40.96 |
Highest rates among systems serving 5,000 or more
Of the state's profiled systems, 49 serve at least 5,000 residents.
Visits per resident
- Sugar Salem School/Community · 15.39
- Snake River School/Community · 11.23
- Garden City Public · 10.68
- Hailey Public · 10.45
- Blackfoot Public · 8.61
Checkouts per resident
- Eagle Public · 13.80
- Garden City Public · 13.78
- Valley of the Tetons District · 12.56
- Emmett Public · 12.01
- Idaho Falls Public · 12.00
Spending per resident
- Hailey Public · $90.55
- Valley of the Tetons District · $87.28
- East Bonner County District · $81.71
- Garden City Public · $81.54
- Boise Public Library · $73.62
Revenue mix
Combined operating revenue of $87.4 million across the 103 systems that reported every revenue source.
- Local government
- State
- Federal
- Other