North Utah County Library Cooperative Begins

Residents Allowed to Borrow Materials at Participating Libraries

Eagle Mountain, UT, June 27 – The city libraries of Eagle Mountain, Lehi, American Fork, and Pleasant Grove will begin using a reciprocal borrowing system on July 1. This system will allow those who hold library cards at any of the participating libraries to check out materials from all four libraries.

With the absence of a Utah County library system, librarians Michele Graves (Eagle Mountain), April Harrison (Pleasant Grove), Sheena Parker (American Fork), and Kristi Seely (Lehi), saw a need for North Utah County residents to have access to more materials. They worked together to develop the cooperative agreement, which is the first of its kind in the state. The agreement was approved by the four respective city councils in January.

“It is my hope that this “pilot” program of NUCLC is successful and that the county is watching,” Graves said. “I would love to see this spread throughout Utah County into a county wide system that ALL residents can participate in regardless of where they live in the area.”

Those who hold library cards from the American Fork, Lehi, and Pleasant Grove libraries may participate in the reciprocal borrowing program free of charge.

Eagle Mountain library patrons who want to participate in the program will need to pay $40 to the Lehi library and submit a printout from the Eagle Mountain library that shows their account is in good standing. This fee is being assessed to equalize the disparity in collection size.

Each individual library will still operate as it does currently with respect to policies, budget, administration, and non-resident card fees.

According to their address, North Utah County residents who do not live in any of the participating cities will be assigned a “home” library where they may follow current procedures for purchasing a non-resident card. This card will enable them to borrow materials at any of the participating libraries.

“Eagle Mountain city is glad to be participating in this program,” Mayor Heather Jackson said. “We appreciate our librarian Michele Graves for her foresight in getting us involved in the program and are grateful for the cooperation of the other cities. We believe this program will be beneficial to all of those involved.”
Click here for the Policies & Procedures that have been established for the library cooperative.

Contact: Linda Peterson
Community Relations Coordinator
Tel: 801-358-1175
Email: lpeterson@emcity.org

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