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Finding suitable meeting and event venues is a challenge for local nonprofits.

When the Sandpoint branch library closed the community meeting rooms due to construction, it displaced numerous organizations who have met at the library for years at no cost. The library also had to find alternate venues for the majority of our programs since we occupied the meeting rooms 50 percent of the time with our own classes, workshops, and events.

A library staff member researched and compiled a list of locally available venues to provide to organizations inquiring about our meeting rooms. Many charge a fee, some do not offer nonprofit discounts. Many restaurants and coffee shops graciously offer space, simply requesting that food and beverage be purchased on site. Whether a local business or a national corporation, businesses exist to make profits and contribute to the economic vitality of a community. I commend businesses who provide resources for nonprofit organizations while acknowledging that they, too have a bottom line.

When Your Library Transformation is complete in the spring 2018, the library will again offer space to nonprofits for meetings and events that are free and open to the public. The new meeting room venue will hold triple the capacity of the previous community room space with presentation technology and other amenities. Organizations can expect more availability than in the past since the majority of library programs will be held in the expanded children’s area, teen lounge, multipurpose area, or technology center. Many organizations in the Hope and Clark Fork area may not be aware that the Clark Fork branch also has a community meeting room available at no cost. Our community supports a large number of cause-driven organizations that need places for its members to meet. We are happy to share our list of available spaces with anyone who requests it.

MARCY TIMBLIN

East Bonner County Library District

Sandpoint