Saratoga Springs may get library

Saratoga Springs may get library
Lance Madigan - Daily Herald
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Saratoga Springs has taken advantage of the Utah County Bookmobile for about two years now, and according to city officials, the service is heavily utilized.

The heavy usage has given the mayor an idea of how to make a full-fledged library happen in the city.
The Saratoga Springs Police Department is planning to move in the next few months, as soon as Alpine Pediatrics vacates the first floor of the Saratoga Springs City Offices and proper renovations can be made. Mayor Tim Parker has proposed that the trailer now being used by the police department could be converted to a beginning library.

"Right now, we have a small window [with the Bookmobile] of two hours every two weeks," he said, adding that while many people just come out and look at what is on the Bookmobile, the other option is to go online and request the book you want. The problem is, patrons must meet the Bookmobile during the prescribed two-hour block to pick up and drop off their materials.

A library facility would work to expand that window.

"The idea is, the Bookmobile can deliver and pick up books at a central access," Parker said. "Then six days a week, a person could pick up or drop off for the Bookmobile, rather than just the tiny two-hour window."

Parker said additional benefits would be that the library trailer could be a place to start a collection for the city.

"We have to discuss it with them," he said. "But it could possibly be a place for the Bookmobile to house part of their collection."

The mayor also proposed that it could be a reading room for individuals, as well as a place to set up a small Internet lab and as a way for Saratoga to strengthen its position to join the North County Library Cooperative between Lehi, American Fork, Pleasant Grove and Eagle Mountain.

Ken Leetham, Saratoga Springs city manager, said that if it were organized and manned by volunteers, there would be very little cost for the city.

City Councilwoman Denise Kelly said it could be an opportunity for Eagle Scout projects.

"It is the beginning of going toward the real thing," Parker said. "We might have to hang a sign on the outside of the trailer, 'Don't laugh, it's paid for,' but it is a way to get the snowball going."

All the city council members present were very supportive of the idea.

Now, city officials just need to decide if they want to remodel the trailer when the police department leaves, or work with the rooms as they currently exist. Parker said he could see using some of the city staff working on the police department renovation at the main city offices to concurrently make renovations very cheaply.

With the projection of the police department moving in June, he said they could hope to have something in place this summer.

Residents interested in helping organize the effort through a citizen library committee or providing volunteer hours or donations are encouraged to e-mail the mayor at mayortimparker@yahoo.com.