The Blackfoot Public Library has been providing library service to the Blackfoot area since 1915.  Conveniently located in downtown Blackfoot on North Broadway next to the Post Office, the library is on the ground floor of the City Building.  In addition to the City of Blackfoot, our service area includes a library district that covers the Groveland, Rose, and Wapello areas. Residents of all these areas can obtain library cards free of charge.  We also have a reciprocal agreement with other libraries in Bingham County, which means that County residents can obtain a Blackfoot Public Library card once they have a card from their “home” library.

            Our collection includes over 50,000 exciting books. Those of  you who would rather listen than read have nearly 2000 books on tape and CD to choose from.  We also carry over 1700 videos and DVD’s that you can check out for your viewing pleasure. In our magazine room you will find more than 100 magazines.  We have local, state, and out of state newspapers, financial news, and news published in Spanish. We also carry the Morning News on Microfilm dating back to 1880.

Our computer room has 8 terminals with Internet access.  We also have 5 terminals with word processing, computer games and other programs.  You can check your email, surf the web, or type a letter.  Printing is available in both black and white, and color at a nominal charge.

            The library offers excellent programs for children.  Our Preschool Storytime is held on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM and always offers a great experience for young children.  Preparations are under way for our Summer Reading Program for school-age children.  The theme this year will be Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales.  The library provides tours for classes and groups. If you are interested, call in advance to set up a date and time.

            We are once again hosting the Let’s Talk About It book discussion series. This year the series theme is “Reading Lewis and Clark.”  The discussion group will meet 5 times during February and March and will feature 6 books. The State Library has lined up some excellent scholars and created a program that will be fun and interesting.  “Reading Lewis and Clark” is sponsored by the State Library, the Governor’s Lewis and Clark Trail Committee, and the Log Cabin Literacy Center in Boise.

            In the next few months we will be unveiling our Idaho Collection.  The collection will consist of books about Idaho and will also feature books by Idaho authors.  It will be placed in a special area that will be a great enhancement to the library.  We are excited for this project to be completed.

            An important asset to the library is our Friends of the Library group.  The Friends raise funds that help us with projects such as the Idaho Collection. They also provide service to the community.  If you are interested in joining the Friends you can pick up an application at the library, or give us a call at 785-8628.

            As you visit public libraries in this day and age you will find that the time of the shushing librarian is gone.  Libraries are vibrant, welcoming and dynamic entities that constantly evolve to meet the current and future needs of the public. We will always strive to do our best to meet those needs.   We welcome suggestions on how we can improve our service.  Our staff of 9 has over 105 years of experience working in libraries and is here to serve you.