Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Summer Reading And Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Duchesne board hears record summer-reading numbers, gets remodel update and $32,000 digital-equity grant proposal
Summary
Board members reviewed summer-reading results (about 811 sign-ups, ~14,000 hours read), received a progress report on the Duchesne branch remodel, and discussed a pending $32,000 Utah Education Network digital-equity grant to replace patron computers and add servers for self-checkout and printing.
At the Sept. 17 meeting the Duchesne County Library Board reviewed summer-reading statistics, received an update on the Duchesne branch remodel and discussed a pending digital-equity grant that would refresh patron technology.
Staff reported system-wide summer-reading participation of 811 sign-ups and roughly 14,000 hours read — the highest total since 2019. Daniel Mauchley said Duchesne branch had a record year with roughly an 8% increase and about 360 sign-ups at one branch, while Roosevelt’s completion rate fell even as total reading hours rose. "That's the highest post pandemic, since 2019," he said.
The board discussed program design: Roosevelt used milestone prizes to spread participation and a ReaderZone-driven program structure that reduced completion percentages but increased total reading time. Members debated whether offering paper sign-ups alongside ReaderZone would raise participation but recognized the tracking burden paper creates for staff.
On facilities, staff described substantial progress at the Duchesne branch remodel: sidewalks and ramps completed, roof repairs and sprinkler installation underway, drywall mostly in and painting started, and a previously hollow floor filled in. Contractors expect to clear the site earlier but the contract completion date for BHI is pushed to Jan. 5; staff expressed hope of vacating the existing space by Thanksgiving. Cabinets designs remain pending.
On technology, staff said 15 laptops are now available for patron checkout and that the library is preparing a Roosevelt technology course. Mauchley detailed a pending Utah Education Network digital-equity grant application that, if funded, would provide about $32,000 to replace patron computers, add servers at both Duchesne and Roosevelt to support self-checkout and newly launched wireless printing, and refresh peripherals. He said current patron computers are about five to six years old.
Staff also reported a recent power outage in which the generator did not immediately engage and battery backup sustained about two hours; the generator behavior will be inspected. Self-checkout metrics had briefly been misattributed to the Duchesne branch due to a server configuration issue, and staff discovered that patrons with overdues could check out at self-checkout because a block was not enforced; technicians are investigating.
The board took no new formal action on remodel contracts or the grant at this meeting but will tour the Duchesne branch remodel after the next meeting in October.
