Deary Community Library

🏢 Latah County Library District · Deary, Idaho

Deary Community Library

The Deary Community Library at 304 2nd Avenue is a true community-built institution: when the original 1981 library's building was needed for other uses, residents of this small Palouse foothills town volunteered their time and skills to construct the current building on donated land, opening their new home in 1988. It is a branch of the Latah County Library District, bringing shared catalog access, LiLI databases, and IDEA eBooks to Deary's 500-plus residents.

📞 (208) 877-1664🌐 latahlibrary.org🧭 Get directions
🕑 Hours & visit📖 About⭐ Highlights📚 Services📍 Nearby❓ FAQ

🕑 Library Hours

Monday 3pm–6pm
Tuesday 10am–4pm
Wednesday 3pm–6pm
Thursday 10am–4pm
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.

📍 Location, Contact & Directions

Address: 304 2nd Avenue, Deary, ID 83823

Phone: (208) 877-1664

Website: latahlibrary.org

Plus Code: 85R5QCXQ+MC (Deary, ID)

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👋 Use the Library Online

&🔍Search the Latah County catalog →&🌐Deary Branch page →&📚LiLI — free Idaho databases →

📖 About Deary Community Library

The Deary Public Library opened in 1981 in a small building on the east side of Deary, a farming and timber community in the rolling Palouse foothills of Latah County. When that building was needed for other purposes, the collection moved to a temporary location while community volunteers donated their labor and skills to construct the current dedicated library building on a parcel of land given for that purpose. The Deary library has occupied its community-built home since 1988. Today it operates as a branch of the Latah County Library District, sharing a VALNet catalog with the main Moscow branch and sister locations in Bovill, Troy, Potlatch, and Genesee. Deary is a small city of around 500 people set in the Palouse, a landscape of deep loess hills that defines the Idaho-Washington border region and is renowned for its wheat and lentil farming. The branch offers Tech Help sessions, seasonal storytimes, and a summer reading program, and connects patrons to the district's digital collections and statewide LiLI and IDEA resources.

⭐ What makes this library special

  • Community-built library — Deary residents volunteered labor and a landowner donated the lot to construct the current building, which has served the town since 1988
  • Library first opened in 1981; moved to its current home after the original building was repurposed
  • Branch of the Latah County Library District, sharing a VALNet catalog with Moscow, Bovill, Troy, Potlatch and Genesee
  • Located in the Palouse foothills of Latah County, one of Idaho's premier wheat and lentil farming regions
  • Tech Help sessions help community members with computers, internet access and digital services

📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card

Deary cardholders share the Latah County Library District's digital collections and Idaho's statewide resources:

&📚 Libby / OverDrive (Latah County Library District)eBooks & eAudiobooks via the Latah County Library District shared collection — borrow with your library card.
&📱 IDEA eBooks (Idaho statewide)Statewide eBook & eAudiobook collection for children and teens via OverDrive, funded by the Idaho Commission for Libraries.
&💻 LiLI DatabasesFree magazine, newspaper and reference databases for all Idahoans at lili.org — no library card required.
&🎓 VALNet Shared CatalogSearch the Latah County Library District catalog at catalog.valnet.bywatersolutions.com and request titles from any branch.

📚 Services

  • Book and media lending through the Latah County Library District VALNet shared catalog
  • Interlibrary loan through the district
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Tech Help sessions for computer and internet assistance
  • Children's storytime programming (seasonal)
  • Community resource information
  • Friends of the Deary Library fundraising and volunteer support

🎸 Programs

  • Deary Storytimes (seasonal — check latahlibrary.org for schedule)
  • Tech Help Deary sessions (monthly)
  • Summer reading program
  • Community events with Friends of the Library

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How did the Deary Community Library get its current building?

When the library's original 1981 home was needed for other uses, the Deary community rallied: a local landowner donated the lot, and residents volunteered their time and construction skills to build the new library themselves. It opened in its current community-built home in 1988 — a genuine self-help success story.

What are the Deary Community Library's hours?

The library is open Monday and Wednesday 3–6 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. It is closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Can I request books from the Moscow or other Latah County branches?

Yes. Deary is part of the Latah County Library District and shares the VALNet catalog with Moscow, Bovill, Troy, Potlatch, Genesee, and other branches. Place a hold through the online catalog and pick it up at Deary on your next visit.

Does Deary Community Library offer Tech Help sessions?

Yes. The library hosts regular Tech Help Deary sessions where staff help patrons with computers, internet, smartphones, and online services. Check the Latah County Library District events calendar at latahlibrary.org for upcoming dates.

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