Idaho Commission for Libraries
🏢 Idaho State Library Agency · Boise, Idaho
Idaho Commission for Libraries
The Idaho Commission for Libraries is the state library agency housed in Idaho's executive branch, located at 325 West State Street in downtown Boise. It does not operate a public lending library — instead it strengthens every Idaho library by administering grants, delivering statewide digital resources like LiLI and IDEA, running the Talking Book Service for Idahoans with print disabilities, and providing training and consulting to library staff across the state.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 8am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 8am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 8am–5pm |
| Thursday | 8am–5pm |
| Friday | 8am–5pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 325 West State Street, Boise, ID 83702
Phone: (208) 334-2150
Website: libraries.idaho.gov
Plus Code: 85M5JR83+5R (Boise, ID)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Idaho Commission for Libraries
The Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) was established as Idaho's state library agency and is governed by the Board of Library Commissioners. Its core mission is to assist libraries — public, academic, school, and special — to build the capacity to best serve their communities. From its Boise office the Commission manages several programs that benefit every resident of Idaho: LiLI (Libraries Linking Idaho), a statewide portal giving all Idahoans free access to databases, periodicals, and research tools; IDEA (Idaho Digital E-Book Alliance), a statewide eBook and eAudiobook collection focused on children and teens; the Idaho Talking Book Service, which mails free audiobook cartridges and offers digital downloads to any Idahoan who cannot read standard print due to blindness, low vision, or a physical disability; eBranch, a web-platform service for small libraries; STACKS, a digital repository; and a robust program of grants, continuing education, and consulting. ICfL also operates the Idaho Digital Skills initiative and supports bicultural and multilingual library services. It is not a public lending library and does not circulate materials directly to the public.
⭐ What makes this library special
- State library agency of Idaho, part of the executive branch — supports all public, academic, school and special libraries across the state
- Administers LiLI (Libraries Linking Idaho), giving every Idahoan free access to databases, periodicals and reference resources at lili.org
- Manages IDEA (Idaho Digital E-Book Alliance), a statewide eBook & eAudiobook collection for children and teens via OverDrive/Libby
- Runs the Idaho Talking Book Service — free downloadable and cartridge-based audiobooks for residents with visual, physical or reading disabilities
- Provides grants, continuing education, consulting and digital skills training to strengthen libraries in all 44 Idaho counties
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Through ICfL's statewide programs, every Idaho library cardholder can access free digital resources:
📚 Services
- Statewide library grants and funding administration
- LiLI — Libraries Linking Idaho statewide database portal
- IDEA Idaho Digital E-Book Alliance (OverDrive/Libby)
- Idaho Talking Book Service for residents with print disabilities
- eBranch website solutions for Idaho libraries
- STACKS digital repository for Idaho library collections
- Continuing education and consulting for Idaho library staff
- Idaho Digital Skills training program
- Bicultural and multilingual library services support
- State library locator and library development assistance
🎸 Programs
- Summer reading and youth programming support statewide
- Telehealth in libraries initiative
- Digital equity and skills training programs
- Continuing education workshops for library professionals
- Multicultural and bicultural library outreach programs
📍 Nearby Libraries in Boise & the Treasure Valley
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Idaho Commission for Libraries a public lending library I can visit?
No. The Idaho Commission for Libraries is Idaho's state library agency — a government office, not a circulating library. It does not hold a public book collection or issue library cards. If you want to borrow books, use your nearest public library; to find one, visit libraries.idaho.gov.
What is LiLI and who can use it?
LiLI (Libraries Linking Idaho) is a free statewide portal at lili.org giving all Idaho residents access to databases, magazine and newspaper articles, professional journals, auto-repair guides, and more — no library card required. It is funded and administered by the Idaho Commission for Libraries.
How do I get free audiobooks through the Idaho Talking Book Service?
The Idaho Talking Book Service provides free audiobooks on digital cartridge or download to any Idahoan who cannot read standard print due to blindness, low vision, or a physical or reading disability. Apply at idahotalkingbooks.org or call (800) 458-3271 (toll-free). Cartridges are mailed to your home at no cost.
What is IDEA and how does it differ from my local library's ebook collection?
IDEA (Idaho Digital E-Book Alliance) is a statewide collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks — more than 90% aimed at children and teens — available through any participating Idaho public or school library via OverDrive and the Libby app. It supplements, rather than replaces, your local library's own digital collection. Access it at idea.overdrive.com or through your library's Libby account.
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