Stories from the Stacks

The Monthly Liaison: January 2025

When I look up from my desk and peer over my computer screen and across stacks of books and a bowl half-full of chocolates, I look right into the faces of eighteen women. Four perch on the back of a tractor, their hands folded on their laps. One leans out of the tractor window. Thirteen stand tall in the foreground, and the one in the middle, Clara, holds a shovel. They are smiling broadly, straight into the camera. While the photo is black and white, I am sure the sun is shining brightly, and I imagine flowers blooming beyond the picture’s frame. The year is 1956, and they are about to break ground for The Community Library.

The year before that photo was taken, those women circled in a living room on a cold January day in 1955. The light then was probably dim; snow and ice framed the windows. Someone stoked a fire while someone else took notes, and their tea got cold while they debated and did calculations. They laughed and chatted and got down to business. They wrote a plan and signed their names on blue-lined paper. They were conjuring a vision of a library in this remote western town. While winter closed the world in tight around them, they imagined big horizons.

They wanted books. And a gathering place. For everyone. They envisioned a community of active, open minds.

Seventy years later, their imagination and their persistence hold true, just like their gazes in that photograph. We read here. We talk to each other. We look boldly into the future.

I stand up from my desk and look out the window at people arriving for an evening program as the sky darkens. I see people waving at each other and carrying stacks of books. Two friends link arms as they stroll up the sidewalk.

I look back at those women in the photograph and smile. If they could peer just beyond the frame of those seventy years, they would see what they had imagined. 

Jenny Emery Davidson, Ph.D.

Executive Director

Page-turning Ideas

By Pam Parker

Director of Library Operations

Just as your 2025 resolutions are beginning to sluff, you can add one more to your plate! The Year of the Snake begins on February 1, when China will ring in 4720. If I might offer a recommendation:

Add the resolve to read to your New Year's resolutions.

While it's not skinning up Baldy before sunrise or visiting the ice deserts of Antarctica, reading is a worthy goal judging by the many benefits. Improved mental fitness and longevity are linked to reading, according to trusted resources on the world wide web.

Plus it makes you more interesting. I talk to avid readers everyday and they are proof in the pudding of these impacts. I’m constantly amazed by how informed our patrons are. One of the daily pleasures of the job is hearing patrons tell us how great a recently read book was and why.

The truth is that you develop new perspectives by reading. And, these benefit your intellectual and emotional bandwidth.

We know the Library is an amazing place. Hardly a day passes that a visitor is not waxing about “this place of many things,” to quote our manifesto. But seeing readers searching the stacks offers a quieter compliment to us. This place “connects us to one another” through the shared experience of stories.

People often ask what we recommend. Mostly, I recommend titles that appeal to your tastes: the type of character you like, the pacing of the narrative, your preferred genre, settings in places you love, and even the timeliness of the subject to your life. These appeal factors matter more than something you've been told is a must read.

One frequent visitor to the Library loves Danielle Steele because each book has a moral to the story. She’s read every one! So look for those authors that inspire you to read all their books. 

If I may propose a toast: “To this year’s reads and the adventures and journeys they bring!”

You might find the following list of Suggested Readers' Resources useful for more page-turning ideas:

Check out our Top Ten Titles of 2024. We’ve also compiled a Best of 2024 list that includes award winners and highly reviewed titles.

Join a book club or literary discussion group—the Library has several options that are buzzing with conversations. The Community Library Book Club is growing fast and the Pop-in Poetry discussion group meets weekly.

Novel List Plus is super useful for curious readers. Our librarians will happily assist you in learning how to use this readers-advisory website.

Tertulia’s award winners list shows you the most coveted titles of 2024 in a one-stop shop.

GoodReads features reader-driven popularity ratings and reviews, plus allows you to curate your own choices like a “Want to Read” list.

NPR’s "Books We Love" filters to areas of inspiration like "For History Lovers.” This tool deserves a toast, it's that good!

I would be remiss to not mention podcasts for book lovers. Boise State University President Bob Kustra’s Reader’s Corner is one of my favorites.

Penguin Random House has a curated list of 39 reader podcasts. 

Authors are fast realizing the importance of appealing to readers directly. So follow your favorites on social media platform of choice. You might seek out alternative platforms–like Reddit, Medium or Discord–where there are thriving reader communities.

Our Library catalog is a nifty tool to find next reads and place holds 'on order' items. We also encourage you to Request an Item if you don't find it in our holdings.

Or, if you are like a growing number of readers, you might resolve to learn more about our Digital Collections.

If it all seems too bland, mix in some reads that "spark joy," to use a notorious declutter guru's approach.

Newly added in 2025 is an account feature called Loan History, which you need to ask us to enable. Your account will track the titles you’ve checked out going forward. (See section below.)

The libraries of the Wood River Valley and Stanley are about to kick off The Winter Read, Four Treasures of the Sky, which is available in eBook, eAudiobook, and Spanish in the free Libby app, as well as in print.

May this year’s reading be "a place where we connect, through stories and to one another," to quote The Community Library’s manifesto. Hopefully, I’ll see you in the stacks frequently in 2025. 

View/download the Best of 2024 list here.

Your Loan History



We are now offering patrons the choice to activate Loan History for their account, which will keep record of the items you have checked out from The Community Library.

We respect the privacy of all our patrons, so you must opt-in to this feature. To opt in, complete our Loan History Request form or contact the main desk at 208.726.3493, x107. 

View the titles in your account when you sign in with your library card number and PIN.

Opting into Loan History will enable you to view all the titles you've check out from the Library, starting at the point of activation forward.

~Greer Rising

Former border and non-proliferation expert for the federal government, “accidental” Hemingway scholar with his wife Eileen Martin, and photographer whose work can be seen here.

With January comes a celebration of the life and legacy of civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the vital, enduring message of freedom, equality, and peace that he and others were so passionate about. Our librarians have curated a special collection of titles, as we recognize equal rights for everyone ... in our nation and in the world.

Find these and more recommendations, across genres, here.

by Raymond Arsenault

MAIN Display

BIOGRAPHY 920 Lewis

by Sharon McMahon

New Books Nonfiction

920.02 MCM

by Imani Perry

New Books Nonfiction

305.896 PER

Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson

Streaming on Kanopy

by Drew Gilpin Faust

Coming to our digital collection soon!

by Jonathan Eig

Coming to our digital collection soon!

by Steve Sheinkin

Juvenile Non-Fiction

J 940.54 SHE

by Yohuru Williams

YA Non-Fiction

YA 303.48 WIL

by Barbara Diggs

YA Non-Fiction

YA 323.1 DIG

by Brad Meltzer

Juvenile Non-Fiction

J 920 KIN

by Dee Romito

Juvenile Non-Fiction

J 323 ROM

by Monica

Clark-Robinson

Picture Books

J EASY CLA

THANK YOU to Our December Donors

Inka and therapy dog Pansy "Paws to Read" together in the Children's Library. 

Donors

Anonymous (14 )

An Anonymous Family Foundation

Ann Adamson Leonardo

Laurie and Paul Ahern

Andrea and Todd Anderson

Lesley A. Andrus

Barbara and Chip Angle

Julia and George Argyros

Jan Aronson and Dominique Finas

Judy Bachman

Maureen and Donald Baker

Cynthia Dwyer and Craig Barry

Brian Barsotti

Virginia and Mark Baumgardner

Matthew Baxandall

Raymond Baxter

Royce Berg

Susan and Art Berry

Jennifer and Douglas P. Biederbeck

Jennifer and Bowen Blair

Blank Family Foundation

Errin Bliss

Karen Bliss

Kathleen and Hugh Blue

Judy and Etienne Blumberg

Kari Bohlke and Charles Dart

Debbe and Franklin Otis Booth, III

Anne and Gary Borman

Carol Boswell

Pamela and Nelson Bowers

Kris Bowman

Kristine Bretall

Mr. and Mrs. Edson L. Bridges III

Broschofsky Galleries

Morgan Buckert

Elizabeth and Jack Bunce

Carina-Anne and Dr. Anthony Buoncristiani

Michelle Buzzoni

Alice and John Calvert

Heidi Campbell and Eric Younger

Ragna Caron

Mrs. Danielle Carruth

Sue and Todd Carter

Claire B. Casey

Jeanne Cassell

Carolyn Chardack and Martin Nielsen

Carolyn and Charles Coiner

Tina Cole and Matthew Wells

Mary and Michael Colhoun

Brenda Cook

Diane K. and Geoffrey W. Cordes

Barbara and Charles Corwin

Kirsten K. Coughlin

Martha De La Torre

Jean and Pete De Luca

Margaret Dean

Sabrina and Mark DeBree

Michelle and Frank Dega

Donna Delahorne and Andrew Tian

Taryn and Bernhard Derke

Penny and Jim DeYoung

Carey and John Dondero

Casey Dove and Sam Christian

Debra Drake

Wendy Warren Drasdo and James Ernest Drasdo

Beth and Robert H. Dunn

Magaret Durnin

Darlene and Ted Dyer

E & H Humbly Bumbly Foundation

Robin and Sam East

Mr. and Mrs. Edsel Ford

Kathleen Edwards

Marsha and Oleg Elkhunovich

Ann Ellis

Naomi Ellison

Mary Emery

Alexandra K. and John A. Engs

Pam Ephgrave and Jack Mallek

Jill and Mark Eshman

Nancy and Charles Ferries

Donna M. Finegan

Daralene and John Finnell

Constance Finney-McGowan

Janet Nathanail and William Flanz

Jeanne P. Flowers

Pat Ford

Cynthia and Edsel Ford

Jeanne and Roger Foreman

Bunker and Larry Frank

Judith Freeman and Tony Hernandez

Charles French

Kathy and Richard Gariepy

Barbara and Michael Gettelman

Judith P. and Ernest J. Getto

Lesslie Giacobbi

Courtney Gilbert

Dehan Glanz

Margaret Goldberg

Deana and Morley Golden

Lee Gotshall-Maxon

Margaret and Roger Gould

Steve Gower

Laura Grabow

Jami and Mark Grassi

Fran and Jed Gray

Barbara and Tod Hamachek

Sibyl W. Hanson

Carolyn Harper

Ellen R. Harris

Margund and John Haskell

Linda and Ronald Hatzenbuehler

Jude Hawkes and Charlie Pomeroy

Hope Hayward and Walter Eisank

Irene and Michael Healy

Nina Jonas and Andreas Heaphy

Heinz Family Foundation

Kitty Hillman

Joanne and Terry Hogue

Jeri Howland and Gerald Edelbrock

Katherine and Thomas Huber

Carol and Bert Hughes

Dennis R. Humphries

Hollie Hunter and Stephen R. Gardner

Lucie and Mel Jackson

Ellen F. James

Pamela and Joel Jarolimek

Beverly and Donald Jefferson

Linda Jensen and Robert Nimmo

John and Pamela Beckert Family Foundation

Debbie and Jerry Johnson

Ruth Gaylord Jones

Leslie and Martin Kaplan

Diana Kapp and David Singer

Emily and Dr. Steven Karassik

David Karlsen

Kaye and Gerry Kearns

Martha and Carleton Keck

Janet and Bob Keegan

Marcia Kent

Vilma Keri and Edward E. Matthews

Gurumukh Khalsa and Jason McIlhaney

Wendy and David Kistler

Sandy and Tom Kling

Mark Klingerman

Lynn and William Kronberger

Marie and Jack Kueneman

Landwork Studio LLC

Jack Lane

Alice M. Lane

Bill Leavell

Nancy Lefler and Mickey White

Jane Letourneau and John Frey

Dora Levin

Jerome and Judith Weiss Levy Family Fund

Katherine Liddle

Andrea and Jamie Lieberman

Jeanne and Tom Liston

Marilyn K. Lockhart

Isabel Lui

Ann and Gregory Lyle

Leslie and Jon Maksik

Carol C. and Joseph V. Marini Jr.

Dorrie and David Marks

Stefanie and Jon Marvel

Flora Mason

Lisa and Bob Mayer

Claudia McCain

Elaine and David McCambridge

Willa and James McLaughlin

Sydney McNiff Johnson and Jay Johnson

Tom Mecredy

Jeanne Meyers

The Milias Foundation

Victoria and Ted Miller

Sylvia and Nicholas Miller

Deane and Leslie Minor

C. Joy and Thomas M. Mistele

Leslie Mitchell

Louisa Moats

Samuel A. Mollner

Jette Morache and Jeffrey Yeo

Carole Moran

Hetty Simon Morgan

Ann Morris

Susan Moscrip and David Hummon

P.K. Murphy

Carol and Dave

Karen Nelsen

Vanessa and Scott Neumann

Carmen and Edward Northen

Louise Wilson Noyes and Jay Noyes

Carol O'Loughlin

Sheron and Roger O'Connell

Polly and John O'Meara

Ann and Bob Osher

Mary Tess O'Sullivan and Jeremy Fryberger

Debbie Park and Jeff Williams

Albina and Jeffrey Parks

Joyce A. and Ernest E. Patricelli

Marcelle and Ridley Pearson

Kathy and John Percival

Enid Perl Rawlings and Greg Rawlings

Stephanie and John Perenchio

Susan and Reuben Perin

Katherine and Jake Peters

Sara and Ben Pettit

Jan C. Philipsborn and Mitchell L. Hollins

Andrea Pollock Wood and Robert Pollock

Kristin Poole

Julia and Charles Potter

Lynn and Paul Ramm

Ramsay Family

Rebecca and Mark Reitinger

Kathryn Keefer Reynolds

Rhea S. Schwartz and Paul Martin Wolff Foundation

Linda and Paul Ries

Beverley Robertson

Doris Roemer-Moress

Cheryl and Vern Rollin

Janet Ross-Heiner

Mike Roundy

Lauren M. Rowe and Lee D. Rowe

Thomas Rule

Rose M. Rumball-Petre and Ted E. Stout

Joanna and Jamie Sattler

Rhonda and Howard Schaff

Mary Schneider

Trudi Schneider

Heidi Schulman and Michael Kantor

Susan and John Scott

Debbie Scully and Arthur M. Scully

Ann and Irwin Sentilles

T. Scott Shea

Nancy and Dr. David Sheffner

Nancy J. and John R. Shepherd

Becky and Peter Smith

Sandra Smyth Hyde

Linda Southwick

Spur Community Foundation

Barbie and Jeff Steen

Sharon and Eugene W. Steiner

Lisa Stelck and Bill Boeger

Gayle and Alan Stevenson

Margaret Macdonald Stewart and Mark Stewart

Mary Kate and Rodney Strachan

Louise and Trent Stumph

Teri and Sandor Szombathy

Shirley and James Tallackson

Alexandra and Ron Taylor

The Albert Parvin Foundation

The Ambrose Monell Foundation

The Glen and Angela Charles Family Foundation

The Swig Foundation

Beverly Tiffany and Patric Hooper

Susan J. Tryon

Karan and Jeff Tucker

Nan Tynberg

Charlotte Unger

Karl Uri

TomVan Slyke

Annie and Bill Vanderbilt

Shelly and Mark Vegwert

Carol and Mike Wade

Diana and Mallory Walker

Sherry Warner - Steinberg and Jeffrey Steinberg

Karen and Lamar Waters

Sandra Webel

Jeanne and James Welch

Luree and Robert Welch

Sharon Wellsandt

Diana Whiting and Douglas Walton

Peggy Wiley and Wilson Quarre

Gina Verna Wolcott and John Wolcott

Rachel Wolfe and David Lloyd

Susan H. Wolford

Priscilla and Ward Woods

Sue Woodyard

Barbara and David Young

Barbara Young Schlosser

A gift in your will is a powerful way to help the causes you value most to thrive for generations to come. A new year offers the perfect opportunity to create or update your will to align with your priorities. By including The Community Library in your estate plans, you contribute to a vital institution that fosters literacy, lifelong learning, and a welcoming space for all. Your thoughtful planning can help secure the Library’s privately funded mission, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of the community well into the future. Director of Philanthropy, Carter Hedberg, is here to assist you. 

Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.