West Boise needs its own library branch. Stop ignoring us | Opinion

My mother taught me that “actions speak louder than words.” In the coming weeks, Boise will show whether its rallying cry, “a city for everyone,” is more than a slogan.

My name is Mark Salisbury. My wife and I live in West Boise with our five children. I never planned to lead a campaign for a new library, but our family and many neighbors are passionate library users. I was surprised to learn that while most Boise residents live within two miles of a library, our nearest branch — Cole and Ustick — is five miles away.

West Boise, west of Maple Grove, is a library desert. I thought we could change this. As an engineer, community activism is new to me. I stepped out of my comfort zone and founded Citizens for a Library in West Boise. We’ve spent countless hours researching, attending budget meetings and library focus groups, canvassing door-to-door and talking with residents at community events.

Our group has played by the city’s rules. At the July 2023 budget hearing, we presented a petition with 835 signatures to the City Council and library leadership. We were encouraged to be patient and stay engaged — so we did.

We’ve attended budget hearings in 2023, 2024 and 2025. When the city asked for public input regarding libraries, West Boise residents showed up.

Yet when the city released the results of its $300,000 contractor-led facilities analysis this August, there was no plan for West Boise. City officials admitted the study never included evaluating new locations. Hundreds of thousands in taxpayer dollars were spent, but the study didn’t even address what the public was asking for.

The proposed plan, which will guide Boise libraries for the next 20 years, calls for expanding the Collister and Hillcrest branches and continuing upgrades to the downtown library. Recently, millions have been spent retrofitting the downtown facility, replacing plumbing, electrical systems, the roof and now renovating the main floor. These improvements, while necessary, cost more than building the Bown Crossing Library.

West Boiseans have been helping fund the city’s library system for years. With a clear gap in coverage, the city now has an opportunity to demonstrate that it listens to its residents by including a West Boise branch in the facilities plan. The City Council and the mayor’s appointed Library Board of Trustees can make that decision during their Oct. 14 meeting.

One of the main concerns raised at the September library trustees meeting was cost. Construction costs have increased in recent years, but there are ways to be smart about spending. Instead of building 30,000 square-foot libraries, why not match the size of our existing Cole and Ustick, and Bown Crossing branches — 16,000 square feet — with flexible designs that allow future expansion?

Rather than paying for custom architectural designs each time, we could use a standard plan for multiple sites. And to reduce costs further, a single contractor could bid to build all three facilities — simultaneously or sequentially — whichever proves most economical.

To remain patient, Boiseans need trust. If West Boise is left out of this long-term plan, it could be another 30 years before our residents enjoy the same access to library services as the rest of the city.

If you live in Boise, please contact your City Council representative and urge them to approve a library facilities plan that truly reflects our values — one that includes West Boise.

When you fly into Boise, a giant sign and a photo of the mayor greet you with that promise: “A city for everyone.”

This is city hall’s chance to prove it. Like Mom taught: “actions speak louder than words.”

Mark Salisbury is a West Boise resident and the founder of Citizens for a Library in West Boise.

This story was originally published October 8, 2025 at 4:00 AM.