Press Release from Community Library Network
On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the Cooperative Information Network (CIN) members voted to dissolve the consortium, with an effective date of September 30, 2025. Although the library consortium provided a beneficial service to the region for the past 40 years, it was recently discovered that it had been operating without proper legal status, having been originally formed in a manner that did not comply with Idaho Statutes. This issue came to light when CIN initiated the process of establishing a new joint powers agreement under a new name, prompting all members to recognize and address the oversight.
There have been many accusations lodged against the Community Library Network (CLN) in regard to the dissolution of the CIN. The news media repeatedly accuse the CLN of engaging in censorship and book banning and using the Children’s School and Library Protection Act to deny parental rights. The news media are now using these fabrications to blame the CLN for the dissolution of the CIN. Furthermore, the news media allege that the CLN considered legal action against the CIN and purport that other CIN members were at risk if the CLN were to be sued.
The truth is that the dissolution of the CIN was a necessity—acknowledged by all members—because of the illegal status of the interstate joint powers agreement. The truth is that the CLN never discussed legal action against the CIN. The truth is that there was never any threat of legal harm for any member of the CIN due to the actions of another member. The truth is that CLN policies follow professional library practices, uphold Idaho laws, and guarantee parental rights. The truth is that the CLN was committed to the legitimization of a regional consortium that honored the autonomy of its members and respected the taxpayer; unfortunately, attempts to legitimize the consortium were ended by the dissolution.
To the taxpayers of the Community Library Network, we assure you that the CLN will effectively redirect all the funding formerly provided to the CIN to make your libraries the best they have ever been. The CLN will offer a quality electronic resource collection available for all ages, a larger and stronger physical material collection—including titles previously accessed through CIN partner libraries—and a more reliable, and efficient inter-branch delivery service.
We have established a page on our website to provide updates on the exciting future of the CLN. Please visit us at: https://communitylibrary.net/cln-bright-future/
