Construction Update: Phase One of Construction is nearly complete! Painting and flooring is now done, with just finishing touches remaining. Tech consultants from South Central Kansas Library System (SCKLS) were onsite two days last week for data punch downs, preparing the network for expanded use in both staff spaces and expanded public wifi service.

Librarians have been given the all clear to begin moving into the areas that are complete, so staff spaces are beginning to be set up and used. At this point, we are waiting on delivery of the circulation desk and break room cabinetry, which are scheduled to arrive this week.

With only the finishing touches left to be completed, we are now planning the move from the Library’s current reduced layout into our updated, expanded layout. This move is tentatively planned for July 17-22 and will require the Library to be temporarily closed. We will do our best to be completed as quickly as possible to reduce the number of days the Library is closed; however, we also will be balancing that with making sure we take sufficient time to reset the Library building for expanded service. Volunteer opportunities will be announced within the next week as plans are confirmed.

E-Library Changes: In October 2012, our Library joined the Sunflower e-Library Consortium to provide an e-Library option for our patrons; in June 2021, this expanded to Hoopla services. After discussion at the May and June meetings, the Library Board decided to discontinue Hoopla services due to unsustainable funding concerns. For reference, Hoopla expenses for the past 4 years are greater than the expenses incurred for 13 years of participation in the Sunflower e-Library. For January – June 2025, twice as many patrons used the Sunflower e-Library as those who used Hoopla and the physical library collections still have the strongest circulation statistics by far, in both number of items used and number of patrons served.

Even when statistics clearly support the Board decision to end Hoopla services, we realize that this comes as a disappointment to our patrons who have used the Hoopla e-Library service. With that in mind, we want to assure patrons that the Library Board is committed to continuing e-Library services through participation in the Sunflower e-Library Consortium, most commonly accessed via the Libby app. Librarians are planning tech talks to help guide patrons in using Libby as an alternate. Watch for details to come!

Staff Changes: We want to officially welcome Seth Garretson & Ryan Holt to our Library staff team! With this expansion of our staff team to go along with expanding our library facility, we are excited for how we will be better able to serve our community!

Seth returns to the library clerk position after about a year working on other projects. With the building project in process, he has already mentioned looking forward to building more bookcases: Seth first helped assemble new bookcases as a volunteer in 2017, then took the lead with the mobile cases purchased in 2023. Next project will be the new bookcases ordered to expand the Heritage Room collections!

Ryan joins as a new library clerk, though with previous work experience researching non-traditional library services implemented in other communities. Ryan is an avid reader with the Library’s Libby app, so if you have questions on that library service, she is an especially good librarian to ask!

Stay Tuned: Although firm dates are not yet set, we look forward to celebrating the completion of Phase 1 Construction, our annual (though delayed) week-long book sale, and the end of Summer Library Program! All of these are anticipated to take place at the end of July or early August — be sure to watch for updates with details posted here, at the Library, and on our Facebook page!