About Us
Library History
Our local library grew from an “Astronomy/Missing Civilizations Club,” formed in 1977. Efforts to find books and materials for club projects led to the official formation of the Stanley Community Volunteer Library on January 18, 1979. At that time, volunteers operated the library from the Mountain Village Lodge lobby, and later moved it across the street to the Stanley Steamer Building. From 1983 to November 1999, the library was in the Community Building on Highway 21. It then operated for almost 15 years from a small rented house located at 33 Ace of Diamonds Street.
For many years, the library thrived solely through volunteer efforts and assistance from the Idaho State Library (now the Idaho Commission for Libraries) and Eastern Idaho Regional Library (now the Library Consortium of Eastern Idaho). Funding came through donations and option-tax money from the City of Stanley.
In May of 1998, the community of Stanley voted to form a library taxing district, and the Stanley Community Public Library District was established.
In 2012, ground was broken to build a new, patron-owned, permanent home for the library as part of Stanley Town Square, which brought new commercial, retail, lodging, and housing space to downtown Stanley. This time lapse video (YouTube) depicts the building of the library on Niece Avenue.
The Stanley Community Library moved into its new home in 2013 with more space for users, better visibility and energy efficiency, and additional features such as a multipurpose room that meets many needs and is accessible after hours to community groups. The many friends and supporters who helped establish the library’s permanent home are greatly appreciated, and your patronage and continued support is highly valued.



Usage by the Community
Libraries across the state submit annual statistical reports to the Idaho Commission for Libraries. It’s a useful way to track how people are using our library over time. Recent years have averaged about:
- 500 registered users annually
- 5,600 visitors (not counting users who accessed WiFi outside the library)
- 90 programs for varied ages with over 1,100 attendees
- 5,000 items circulated
- 5,500 items held, including print materials, audio books, DVD movies, and Community Closet items, with access to 60,000 digital assets through the Idaho Digital Consortium (IDC) and E-Book Alliance (IDEA).

Library Services
The library is open to the public 36 to 40 hours per week and offers many services, including:
- Wireless Internet
- Print, copy, and fax services
- 4 public-access computers
- Research assistance
- Test proctoring
- Community Closet
- Puzzle Exchange
- Book discussions, lectures, and readings
- Monthly visits for Stanley students
- Read’N’Feed programs for kids and young adults
- Weekly Story Time and activities for children 5 years and under (during school year)
- Summer Reading and STEM programs
- Ongoing used book sales on the Community Center porch and at the Library
- Multipurpose Community Room
- Interlibrary Loan system
- Notary Service (limited hours)


Testimonials
Here’s what your friends and neighbors are saying about the library!