Summit County’s Library system has some good news for their patrons in the North Summit area.
A pilot program will allow citizens additional access to the Coalville Branch during off-hours.
Summit County Library Director Dan Compton told KPCW that he proposed the program since they’re short on staff at the northern branch, and they’re not able to hire more personnel at the moment.
He actually introduced the idea last year, but it was derailed by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Compton said that adults who register with the county can access the Coalville branch during the extra morning hours of 8 to 10 a.m. five days a week (Monday-Friday); at night from 6 to 8 p.m. four days a week (Monday-Thursday); and on Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m.
He said that patrons will be able to access the facility using their regular library card.
“We change their patron type so it will allow them to scan their card and enter their PIN number on a little key pad outside the library. And then it opens the door for them during those off hours.”
Compton said they want to provide further resources for North Summit residents. The program will provide an additional 22 hours of availability a week.
“This program’s really ground-breaking. It lets people come in and pick up their holds when it might be more convenient for them, use our computers, use the Wi-Fi, have a comfortable space if they need to study. Great for teachers too. We’re gonna be reaching out to the North Summit schools to say, hey, if you got a last-minute book that you need for your class tomorrow, and you need to get in and pick that up. You can come in if the library has already closed.”
Users will need to sign an agreement pledging to follow library policies. Security cameras will monitor the facility, and a speaker system notifies users when they need to leave.
Compton added that library staffers will be available at the Kimball Junction Branch to answer questions on the phone.
The program has financial support from a three-year government grant.
Compton said that so far 20 people have registered, and half have utilized the new service.
Meanwhile, the county library system re-opened, post-pandemic, in early May. Compton said the system is basically operating as it did before, although they are maintaining social distancing at their computer stations and activities such as Story Time for children are held outdoors.
Compton said their operations for the near future are a little “up in the air” as he put it, but they will follow the guidelines from state and local health authorities.
