Boundary County Free Library
🏢 Boundary County Free Library · Bonners Ferry, Idaho
Boundary County Free Library
Nestled at the northern tip of Idaho's panhandle near the Canadian border, the Boundary County Free Library combines a full-service public library with a hands-on Fab Lab — offering 3D printing, laser engraving, and vinyl cutting to residents of one of Idaho's most rural and scenic counties.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–5pm |
| Thursday | 9am–5pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 6370 KOOTENAI ST, BONNERS FERRY, ID 83805
Phone: +1208-267-3750
Website: boundarycountylibrary.com
Plus Code: 85W5MMWQ+GP (BONNERS FERRY, 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 Boundary County Free Library
The Boundary County Free Library serves the Bonners Ferry community from its home at 6370 Kootenai Street, just south of downtown. As the primary public library for Boundary County — Idaho's northernmost county, bordering both Canada and Montana — the library provides a wide range of services designed to connect an isolated rural population with information, technology, and community programs. The library's Fab Lab, established in 2016, houses industrial-grade fabrication equipment including 3D printers, a laser engraver, a vinyl cutter, and a CNC milling machine, all available free to card-holding patrons after certification. The library also operates a Seed Library, lending vegetable and flower seeds each spring, and partners with United Way of North Idaho to fund youth reading programs. A dedicated upstairs collection for adults 18 and over supplements the main stacks.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Fab Lab (est. 2016) with 3D printers (BambuLab X1C + Ultimaker), Epilog laser engraver, Roland vinyl cutter, and CNC mill — free after one-hour certification class
- Seed Library: borrow vegetable and flower seeds each spring, return seeds at season's end
- Dolly Parton Imagination Library program sends free books monthly to children under age 5 in Boundary County
- Annual reading challenges including the Book Nerd Challenge (10-of-12 categories) and Book Dragon Challenge (50+ books) with merchandise prizes
- Full statewide LiLI database access — research tools, academic journals, and genealogy resources for all Idaho cardholders
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Boundary County Free Library cardholders can access digital books, databases and streaming free through Idaho's statewide programs:
📚 Services
- Fab Lab: 3D printers, laser engraver, vinyl cutter, CNC mill (free after certification)
- Seed Library: free seed lending each spring
- Imagination Library: free monthly books for children under 5
- Public computers and free Wi-Fi
- Print, copy, and scan services
- Meeting room available for community use
- Interlibrary loan through Idaho library network
- Teen reading challenges with prizes
- Adult 18+ upstairs collection
🎸 Programs
- Book Nerd Challenge: read 10 of 12 categories for merchandise prizes
- Book Dragon Challenge: read 50+ books for prizes and gift card entry
- Teen Read Challenge (ages 13–19): 8 books across 10 categories
- Fab Lab certification classes (1-hour appointment, all ages welcome)
- Seed Library distribution (spring season)
📍 Nearby Libraries in North Idaho
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in BONNERS FERRY · Browse all Idaho libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get certified to use the Fab Lab equipment?
Start by calling the library at (208) 267-3750 or stopping by to schedule a 1-hour appointment. You'll sign a patron agreement form, watch tutorial videos for the specific machine you want to use, and then attend a hands-on class. Once certified, you can book independent use time for the 3D printers, laser engraver, vinyl cutter, or CNC mill. Long hair must be tied back, closed-toe shoes are required, and no food or drink is permitted in the Lab.
What is the Seed Library and how does it work?
The Seed Library allows Boundary County Free Library cardholders to borrow packets of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds at the start of the growing season at no cost. At the end of the season, borrowers are encouraged — but not required — to save seeds from their harvest and return them to replenish the collection for future gardeners. It is one of the library's most popular community programs.
Does the library serve children who live far from Bonners Ferry?
Yes. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library program mails one free age-appropriate book per month directly to children's homes from birth until they reach age 5 — regardless of where in Boundary County they live. Families can enroll at the library. The library also offers the Teen Read Challenge for ages 13–19 with rewards for completing reading goals.
Can I access LiLI databases from home, or do I need to visit the library?
LiLI (Libraries Linking Idaho) databases are available remotely with a valid Boundary County Free Library card. Visit lili.org, select your library, and log in with your card number and PIN to access research databases, academic journals, newspaper archives, and more from any internet-connected device.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
🌱 This library has a seed library. See how library seed libraries work — borrow free seeds, grow them, and save some to return — and find other libraries with a seed library seed libraries by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.