Lost Rivers District Library — Howe Branch
🏢 Lost Rivers Community Library District · Arco, Idaho
Lost Rivers District Library — Howe Branch
A quiet anchor in the Little Lost River Valley, the Howe Branch brings books and digital resources to one of the most remote communities in Butte County — open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons to serve the ranching families and residents of the valley.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 1:30 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 1:30 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | 1:30 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays.
📍 Location & Contact
Address: 3512 Little Lost River Hwy, ARCO, ID 83244
Phone: 2087673018
Website: lili.org
📖 About Lost Rivers District Library — Howe Branch
<p>The Howe Branch is an outpost of the Lost Rivers Community Library District, serving the tiny agricultural settlement of Howe along the Little Lost River Highway in Butte County, Idaho. Howe sits roughly 24 miles northeast of the district's main Arco location, tucked into the Little Lost River Valley — a landscape of sagebrush flats, irrigated farm fields, and the volcanic terrain of the Snake River Plain. The branch is housed at the Howe Community Center and is staffed by local volunteers who keep it open three afternoons a week, ensuring that residents far from Arco have access to print collections, public computers, and the statewide digital resources available through LiLI and the Idaho Digital eBook Alliance.</p>
⭐ What makes this branch special
- Open Monday, Wednesday & Friday afternoons — a vital touchpoint for valley residents between Arco and Mackay
- Participates in the Idaho Digital E-Book Alliance (IDEA), giving cardholders free access to eBooks and digital magazines
- Free access to LiLI — Libraries Linking Idaho, statewide databases covering research, health, and more
- Part of the Lost Rivers Community Library District, which serves all of Butte County from two locations
📱 Free Digital Resources
Available free to all Lost Rivers Community Library District cardholders
📍 More Lost Rivers Community Library District branches
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Howe Branch have the same library card as the main Arco location?
Yes. A Lost Rivers Community Library District card issued at either the Arco headquarters or the Howe Branch is valid at both locations, and it also grants access to the Idaho Digital eBook Alliance and LiLI statewide databases.
Why is the Howe Branch only open three days a week?
The Howe Branch is a small rural outpost serving a community of a few dozen residents in the Little Lost River Valley. It operates Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:30 to 6:00 PM — staffed by local volunteers — making efficient use of available resources while keeping library services accessible to the valley's ranching families.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.