Facilities & Capital Improvements
This page is the ICfL’s hub for resources related to library facilities and capital improvement projects. Whether you’re creating a building maintenance schedule, thinking of remodeling your children’s programming area, or building a whole new library, this is a good place to start.
Please check back regularly, as we are still growing and expanding these resources! If you have any questions or needs that aren’t addressed here, please reach out to us so we can connect you with the resources and support you need.
Resources
This section is still in development. Please check back as we continue to add resources. If you have a specific question about your facility or a capital improvement project, feel free to reach out to us directly.
Facilities Webinar Series
Is your library considering a remodel, expansion, or new building? Whether you are just beginning your journey and need to know where to start, or you are currently living in a construction zone and wondering how offer services, we’ve got a webinar for you.
The ICfL is excited to be working in partnership with Library Strategies to offer a series of eight webinars covering various aspects of facilities and capital improvement projects, from needs assessment to construction to grand (re)opening and everything in between. Although special focus will be made on small and rural public libraries, all libraries are welcome to attend. These webinars are free of charge and open to the entire Idaho library community. However, registration is required. If you can’t make a webinar that interests you, don’t worry! They will all be recorded, and the recording, slides, and resources will be posted after each webinar.
Each webinar will take place at 10am MT/ 9am PT. Please visit the event listing for each individual webinar for details and registration:
Manuals & Guidelines
The following manuals and guidelines provide helpful information and guidance for libraries who are considering or undertaking a major facility project (remodel, expansion, new building, etc).These documents have been vetted by the ICfL and are being made freely available to Public Libraries (city and district) in Idaho.
Free Resources
Resources for Idaho Libraries
The ICfL is providing access to these documents through paid, limited-usage agreements with the authors. Libraries who wish to obtain copies of either or both of these documents may do so by submitting a request to the ICfL using the form linked below (the same form can be used for either document).
Facilities Improvement Grants
The ICfL will award $3.35 million in grant funds to public libraries for the purpose of improving and/or expanding library facilities. Below are the grant basics. Please see the expandable sections for more specific information (click on the + sign to expand or collapse each section). These funds have been made available through the US Treasury Department’s Capital Projects Funds (CDFA # 21.029 CPF)
- What: This competitive grant will fund facilities improvements and capital projects that expand or enhance a library’s facilities and ability to serve their community. This includes construction costs. Projects must jointly enable work, education, and health monitoring.
- Who: This grant is open to tax-funded public libraries in Idaho, as defined in Idaho Code Title 33 Chapters 26 (city libraries) and Chapter 27 (district libraries). Libraries must be open to and serve the general public. Applicants must also have a current valid UEI Number. For more information on UEI Numbers, please see the FAQ section below.
- Award Amounts: Grant awards will range from $5,000 to $500,000. To ensure that small, medium, and large projects are given fair consideration, grants will be reviewed and awarded in three tiers, based on the size of the amount requested.
- Application Process: Applicants must complete a two-part application process, submitting a letter of intent (open January 20 – February 27, 2023), followed by a full application (open April 24 – June 12, 2023). Applicants must submit a letter of intent in order to receive an invitation to apply and access to the full application.
- General Timeline: The grant application process will run from January through June 2023. The ICfL will notify grant recipients in July 2023 and begin disbursing funds in August 2023. The grant performance period (when projects are carried out) will run for three years, from August 2023 to August 2026. All projects must be substantially complete by August 2026.