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NEWPORT – After decades of collaboration, the Cooperative Information Network (CIN) will officially dissolve on Sept. 30. This decision comes after ongoing legal and operational challenges made it increasingly difficult for member libraries to work together under the existing framework.
At the heart of the issue was CIN’s Joint Powers Agreement — the legal structure that governed the consortium. Over time, disagreements over how the JPA should be updated or enforced have created tension and made collaboration increasingly difficult. In addition, recent policy changes by some libraries affected the ability of others to serve their patrons equitably, prompting a reevaluation of how best to move forward.
In response, a group of libraries has come together to form a new network: the InlandShare Library Group (ILG). This new consortium is built on shared values of access, collaboration, and community service. ILG includes: Coeur d’Alene Public Library Kellogg Public Library Liberty Lake Library Mullan Library Osburn Public Library Pend Oreille County Library District (Calispel Valley, Ione, Metalines, Newport) Plummer Public Library Priest Lake Public Library Silver Hills Library St. Maries Public Library
Wallace High School Wallace Public Library West Bonner Library District (Blanchard & Priest River) These libraries will continue to share print and digital resources among themselves, ensuring that patrons still benefit from a broad and diverse collection.
The Community Library Network (CLN) and the Benewah County Library Free District will now operate independently.
What this means for patrons: Beginning Aug.1, several changes will take effect: Holds between networks (ILG, CLN, and Benewah) will be turned off. Patrons will only be able to place holds and pick up items within their own network.
Items checked out from outside your network after Aug. 1 must be returned to the same library.
Between August and September, libraries will begin updating patron records to reflect their home tax district.
On October 1, all networks will transition to fully independent systems.
What About Digital Resources?
The future of CIN’s shared Libby/OverDrive catalog is still being determined. The collection will be divided among the new networks, and each group will decide how to manage its digital offerings. In the meantime, patrons can continue to access digital materials through the IDEA by the Idaho Commission for Libraries ICfL program, which includes access to libraries across the state such as Boise Public Library, Meridian Library District, and others. Find the full list today at libraries.idaho. gov/idea.
Hoopla access for Pend Oreille County patrons remains unaffected.
For questions, reach out to Library Director Mandy Walters at [email protected] or stop by your local branch to speak with a staff member.
