About the Library
Overview:
The Mountain Home Public Library is located in the City of Mountain Home, Idaho, a rural community with a population of approximately 16,000. Mountain Home residents pride themselves in the city’s small town, friendly atmosphere. Mountain Home Air Force Base is located ten miles outside of the city and adds to the diversity of the local population. As a department of the City of Mountain Home, MHPL’s service area lies within the incorporated city limits and funding is derived from that portion of the tax base.
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Mountain Home Public Library is to cultivate a dynamic learning hub that empowers individuals through lifelong intellectual growth, personal enrichment, and community engagement, fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration.
Values:
- Provide easy access to all library resources.
- Make resources visible to all library patrons.
- Provide an inviting and comfortable space.
- Employ a professional and customer-oriented staff.
- Protect the privacy of everyone who uses the library.
Vision:
It is the vision of the Mountain Home Public Library to:
- Inspire curiosity, creative potential and enhanced knowledge to all patrons
- Cultivate connections with patrons, local government & community partnerships
- Support innovative tools and skills & contribute to local development
- Provide access to vital resources and enriching services
History:
In 1903, Village Trustees appointed the first Board of Directors and a public reading room was created in Mountain Home. In 1907, the small collection was such a success the Library Board approached city fathers to obtain a commitment to an ongoing levy. Following approval, the Andrew Carnegie Foundation provided funds to build a permanent facility, and on November 19, 1908, the Mountain Home Carnegie Library, equipped only with a furnace and a few books, was dedicated. The Library was on the move and things only got better from then on.
In 1973, librarians left the Carnegie building to move into a newly constructed library building. (The Carnegie Library became the home of the City’s historical museum). Over the next thirty year period, space again became a premium and voters went to the polls for another time. Mountain Home residents passed a second bond initiative which doubled the size of the existing building and the Library reopened on March 17, 2006.
Mountain Home Public Library continues to expand its collection of general interest items; digital and electronic resources; public use computers and Wi-Fi access; a public conference room; and a common area with a coffee shop and outdoor patio seating.
This library is a member of the Lynx Library Consortium. The consortium is a partnership between eleven city and district libraries in southern Idaho to share an online catalog, services, and variety of materials members may borrow, reducing costs and barriers to access for all. These libraries include:
