To donate to the Donnelly Public Library Building Fund please email [email protected]
Checks can be mailed to:
Donnelly Public Library
P.O. Box 403
Donnelly, ID 83615
The Donnelly Library is in dire need of more (and better) space. With only 1024 square feet and an occupancy limit of 16, it is impossible to meet the community’s needs In 2021, out of 105 libraries in Idaho, the Donnelly Library was the 98th library by size, but the 25th library by program attendance, the 59th library by annual visitors, and 62nd by circulation (see https://libraries.idaho.gov/idaho-library-statistics/). As a way to look at how overused our space is, we calculated some of the major categories from the ICfL 2021 statistics by square footage and then we compared some of the other small and local libraries.
| Library | Square footage | Total Visits (DI*)
per square foot |
Total Circulation (EI*) per square foot | Total Synchronous Programs (GE*) per square foot |
| State Average | 10552 | 3.4 | 12.8 | .43 |
| Donnelly | 1024 | 7.7 | 12.5 | 5.5 |
| McCall | 4880 | 4.7 | 13.0 | .6 |
| Cascade | 3450 | .6 | 1.5 | .004 |
| Horseshoe Bend | 2160 | 3.0 | 3.7 | .1 |
| Garden Valley | 6998 | 1.9 | 2.8 | .09 |
| Meadows Valley | 3000 | 2.1 | 2.5 | .6 |
*These statistics were derived from cell numbers indicated from the 2021 ICfL Statistics FY21 Compiled Statistical Report available at https://libraries.idaho.gov/idaho-library-statistics/.
This really shows that we are providing resources way beyond our physical capacity. Our numbers will still be high after the expansion because we are operating so far beyond our expected physical capacity. We are trying our best, but the current space constraints mean that the Library is not the “welcoming, enriching” environment it is our mission to provide.
Pony Up! The Friends of The Donnelly Library have launched a campaign to begin collecting funds for the Library. #PonyUpForTheLibrary
Consider giving BIG to help with our building campaign.
Below are some important Blog Posts regarding expansion and hopefully some that can answer some questions.
Here is a featured article from Boise Dev: Donnelly Library Expansion