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The Administrative Offices are conveniently located at 8385 North Government Way, Hayden.

Our History

The Hayden-Dalton Area Free Library District was formed by a citizen vote in spring 1976. The first library was in a storefront in Hayden. The "new" library building (on the present site) was built in 1978.

The Kootenai County Free Library District (KCFLD) was formed by citizen vote in the summer of 1976. At that time, there were the two districts and six city libraries in Kootenai County: Athol, Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Harrison, Post Falls, Rathdrum and Spirit Lake (although the City of Spirit Lake never really supported the library and it was technically a volunteer effort). For the first couple of years, (1977, 78), KCFLD and the Coeur d'Alene Library worked together through a joint services contract. That was unilaterally broken by Coeur d'Alene in 1979, and KCFLD emerged independent on 1 July 1979, with an office space at Regional in Dalton Gardens.

In 1982, the Rathdrum City Library and KCFLD consolidated the first everonsolidation in the state between a city and district library.

In 1985, the Hayden Dalton FLD and KCFLD consolidated, which may have been the first ever district/district consolidation in Idaho. Athol actually had voted in 1984 to join KCFLD with the sure knowledge that the Hayden-KCFLD consolidation was going to happen. Spirit Lake petitioned to join the consolidation in the summer of 1985. All these consolidations had an effective date of 1 October 1985 (start of FY1986) which is the date we use to "officially" date the beginning of the present Consolidated Free Library District (still our legal name). We enacted a d.b.a. of Kootenai County Libraries in 1986. Harrison was added in 1994-5 through a citizen voted consolidation, (effective 1 October 1995). The d.b.a. was changed to KSAL in 1996 to reflect the addition of the Pinehurst-Kingston District through consolidation in that year. Pinehurst-Kingston officially became a branch on 1 October 1996 (FY97).

The library system holds over 165,000 materials - books, DVDs, compact discs, magazines, audio books and more.

In total, over 550,000 items were checked out of the system during fiscal year 2009! In addition to these items, nearly 283,000 people entered the library to utilize print and electronic reference resources, access the Internet through the Library’s fiber-optic connection, enjoy state-of-the-art Wi-fi service, participate in computer and Internet training, view a Library exhibit, or attend one of the Library’s many events.

Our friendly and professional staff is eager to serve you.
Welcome to your Kootenai Shoshone Area Library!

Mission Statement

Kootenai-Shoshone Area Libraries provides access to information, materials and library services to as many library cardholders as possible in a dynamic library environment. The library branches supply materials and technological access for persons of all ages for reading, viewing and listening. The Branches serve as independent learning centers to help with the informational needs, enlightenment and enjoyment of the diverse communities within the District.

Kootenai Shoshone Area Library Values

* Excellence in customer service
* Providing, supporting, and advocating access for all
* Acting with initiative, creativity, and flexibility
* Working together, with enthusiasm and optimism, to reach goals
* Responsible stewardship of resources

To reach Library Director John Hartung in the office of Administration please call: (208) 772-5612, ext 116