Gunter will be missed at the EBCL District

The East Bonner County Library District provides our community with the best library service of most any community of our size in the country. The main reason for this is Wayne Gunter, who has just retired. Mr. Gunter has been responsible for the budget of the library district since long before he became director.

Since the 1970s, other libraries in the U.S. have suffered repeated budget cuts resulting in reduced hours, reduced staff and reduced services, while our library has continued to grow and improve. No employee of the EBCL has ever been laid off because of the economy. Mr. Gunter’s budgeting skills and ability to plan for the future have enabled us to have two libraries and a bookmobile for less money than most communities spend on a single building.

In 2005, Mr. Gunter received national recognition when the New York Times selected him to receive their “Librarian of the Year” award. The East Bonner County Library District is the only public library in Idaho that has a lifelong learning program with paid staff. For these reasons and more, we will miss him. He will be a hard act to follow. Wayne, we wish you a very happy retirement.

VELTA ASHBROOK and

DIANE NEWCOMER

Sandpoint