Idaho: Library automation and connectivity

The development of cooperative library automation and connectivity in Idaho has been influenced by its geographical size, demographics, and technological development. Idaho has some 83,557 square miles with a population of about 1.2 million. The distances between population centers have been a detrimental factor to the development of automated library cooperation within the library community. A final demographic consideration is that from a commerce standpoint there are three Idahos. Northern Idaho looks toward Spokane, Washington, as the center of its service area. Eastern Idaho's trade center is Salt Lake City, Utah. Mountains and deserts divide these areas from the third major trade area, southwestern Idaho, which is centered in Boise.