The Kootenai County Library District board of trustees voted Thursday to place a $12.8 million bond measure on the May 2026 ballot that would fund construction of a new 18,000-square-foot library branch in Hayden and significant renovations to the aging main library in downtown Coeur d’Alene. The measure requires a simple majority to pass and would add approximately $18 per year in property taxes for a homeowner with a property assessed at $400,000.
Library Director Amy Rodda said the bond addresses two critical needs: the lack of a dedicated library facility in Hayden, the county’s fastest-growing community, and the deteriorating condition of the 45-year-old Coeur d’Alene library building, which has persistent HVAC, roofing, and ADA accessibility issues that patching and maintenance can no longer adequately address.
The Case for a Hayden Library
Hayden’s population has grown from approximately 14,000 to over 19,000 in the past eight years, yet the city has no library facility. Hayden residents must travel to either the Coeur d’Alene library or the Post Falls library for in-person library services — a 15-25 minute round trip that limits access for families without reliable transportation, seniors who don’t drive, and children who can’t travel independently.
The proposed Hayden branch would be built on a two-acre site the library district purchased on Government Way near the Hayden city center. The 18,000-square-foot facility would include a children’s reading room, teen study space, adult computing area, community meeting room, and a maker space with 3D printers and other creative technology.
“A library is more than books — it’s a community hub,” Rodda said. “It’s where kids discover a love of reading, where seniors access technology, where job seekers find resources, and where neighbors gather. Hayden deserves that.”
Coeur d’Alene Library Renovations
The bond would also fund $4.2 million in renovations to the downtown Coeur d’Alene library at 702 E. Front Avenue. The scope includes a complete HVAC replacement, new roofing, ADA accessibility improvements including an elevator, updated electrical and data infrastructure, and interior reconfiguration to create more flexible programming space. The building’s foundation and structure are sound, but its mechanical systems are original to the 1981 construction and have reached the end of their useful life.
Opposition and Property Tax Concerns
Not all Kootenai County residents support the bond. The Kootenai County Taxpayers Association has urged a no vote, arguing that property tax increases should be avoided at a time when homeowners are already dealing with rising assessments and inflation. The group has suggested the library district explore partnerships with the city of Hayden or private donors as alternatives to taxpayer-funded construction.
What Comes Next
The bond measure will appear on the May 19, 2026 primary election ballot. The library district will host community information sessions in April at the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, and Rathdrum library locations. Voters can learn more about the proposal at kcld.org/bond2026. Voter registration deadlines and polling locations are available at idahovotes.gov.