County library system aims for 'popularity'

With 17 branch libraries in operation and another on the way in Herriman next month, Salt Lake County is striving to be a "popular" type of library system — not your research or special-collections variety.

"We have limited shelf space," said Jim Cooper, Salt Lake County Library director. "We're not a warehouse. We have what the customers want."

Materials must earn their shelf space, he said. That means county libraries often limit the number of classic books they carry — books that may be checked out only a few times a year. That creates more room for titles like "Harry Potter" and other popular books of which many copies are needed.

Despite this direction, Cooper said his libraries are affiliated with an inter-library loan system.

"We can have access to any material in the world," he said.

A requested book can be found from just about anywhere, sent here and given to a customer for checkout, usually in one to two weeks.

Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman recently told the county library board she is satisfied with how the library system is operating.

"I love the way this library is set up," she said. "You're just doing a great job."

Workman said SB87, passed recently by the Utah Legislature, won't affect the Salt Lake County Library System. The bill directs the library board to make library rules in a manner consistent with county ordinances and policies.

"It's not going to change the way I or the council reacts with you," Workman told the library board.

Her only concern with the libraries is the rapid growth in the south end of the county.

Cooper said the proposed Draper Library is on track and down to the last few issues before plans are finalized and dirt is turned. The new library would be an 18,000- to 19,000-square-foot facility located near 1100 East and Pioneer Road (12400 South).

Issues left to be resolved with the city of Draper include improved access into the library site and improved visibility from Pioneer Road.

"They're making progress on it," Cooper said.

The Herriman grand opening will take place during National Library Week on April 7, 2:30 p.m., at 13011 S. Pioneer Street (6000 West) in the basement of Herriman City Hall. As the library has 2,500 square feet and an occupancy maximum of 40 people, a large public attendance for the grand opening is not sought.

Hours for the new library are being finalized. Cooper said the city building closes at 5 p.m., but it's hoped the library can remain open until at least 6 p.m. The new library will focus mostly on a children's collection, but any books from other libraries can be requested there.

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com