The Potlatch Library began in 1908 as a public reading room in the basement of the Union Church, primarily serving as a place where the company town’s many bachelors could spend their leisure time. In 1914, it became the Potlatch Free Public Library. Championed by local townswomen and Potlatch Company director Frederic S. Bell, the library thrived with monthly stipends contributed by Potlatch Company officials. In 1930 the company also provided a building, and the library moved into the frame structure that had served as the community’s first hospital.

With the exception of a few difficult years during the Depression, the Potlatch Lumber Company gave a monthly donation, allowed rent-free use of the building, and paid the librarian’s salary. It donated the building to the community when it sold the town in the 1950s.

In 1971, a new building was constructed at 635 Pine Street with donations by local patrons and businesses. By 1993, the small community library was feeling the effects of its high circulation volume. The Friends of the Potlatch Library turned to the Scenic Six Community Development Council for support in raising funds for a new building.

By August of 1998, enough funds had been secured to win a matching federal grant and construction of a new facility was completed in January 2000.
(Early history excerpts from “Company Town” by Keith C. Petersen)

Sunday Closed
Monday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Wednesday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Thursday 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday Closed
Mailing Address:
PO Box 335 
Potlatch, ID 83855 

1010 Onaway Rd.
Potlatch, ID 83855

208-875-1036

potlatch@latahlibrary.org

Meeting Room Reservation

The Potlatch meeting room is available for reservation and public use. Please read the library policy on Public Use of Library Space before submitting a reservation request. Drop-in use is also allowed on a limited basis.

To request a room reservation, complete and sign the room reservation formYour reservation is not confirmed until you have received a confirmation email (or phone call if no email address is provided). You must come to the library during business hours to check out the key.

To see current reservations view the meeting room calendar  (please be aware that other pending reservation requests may not display on the calendar yet).

Questions? Contact potlatch@latahlibrary.org

Friends of the Potlatch Library

The Friends of the Potlatch Library provide support through fundraising and volunteer efforts. Click here to read our brochure or contact the Potlatch Branch Manager.

Potlatch Community Resources

Discover the people and organizations working to keep your local community a great place to live.

Potlatch Storytimes

Storytime with caregiver present begins at 10:15 am on Fridays (October through April).

New on the Shelves in Potlatch

New Adult Books

New Youth Books

Upcoming Events in Potlatch

March 2024

SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
25
26
27
28
29
1

Potlatch – Storytime

2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Potlatch – Storytime

9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Potlatch – Storytime

16
17
18
19
20
21
22

Potlatch – Storytime

23
24
25
26
27
28
29

Potlatch – Storytime

30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6