Librarian expresses interest in Asa Wood

The Asa Wood property may have found an interested tenant if County Librarian Rick Ball has his way.

Ball has an idea that Lincoln County could take over the property on Idaho and Highway 2, potentially turning it into a multi-use complex for the community. 

“There’s lots of space, it’s centrally located and there is room for expansion,” Ball said. “The current library building is old and small.”

The property, which closed after the school year ended in the spring of 2011, has soccer fields, a gym, a walking track, a music room and many classrooms.

Ball said he’d like to see those used and allow the Lincoln County Libraries to have more room to expand and a place to show movies, citing Libby’s lack of an open movie theater. 

Ball mentioned the possibility of a café and coffee shop as a welcome addition to the property as well. 

“It’s just an idea,” Ball said. “We are just in planning stages. It’s probably two years minimum from happening.”

School board officials said they had discussed the idea, but no movement had been made toward making it a reality. 

“There has been nothing official,” Board member Les Nelson said. “I know the librarian would like to see that happen. Nothing has been voted on. If this were to happen, the county would need more involvement.”

Libby Schools Superintendent K.W. Maki said he was very pleased with the prospect of the libraries taking up space in Asa Wood.

“It could be a real hub of community right in the heart of town,” Maki said. “This could be beneficial for everybody, but good things don’t come easy.”

Libby School District once operated three district elementary schools, but declining enrollment and tighter budgets have forced the district into a two-campus center.