Library staff warn TLC and Libby growth has strained capacity; council considers staffing and transport fixes

Library staff described operational pressures tied to the TLC interlibrary consortium and Libby digital circulation that have materially increased workload. Karen (library representative) said TLC expanded the library catalog from roughly 43,000 to more than 200,000 items and created about 40 additional staff-hours per week for transfers and routing; the library now averages more than 2,000 transfers per month.

Karen said Libby checkouts rose from 98,000 to 111,000 in the last year and the library’s Libby expenses jumped from roughly $1,800 annually to nearly $11,000; staff told council they budgeted a $10,000 baseline for Libby in the proposed books-and-materials line item. To manage operational demand, staff proposed transitioning the collections-development manager to full time and adding a library assistant (or two part-time employees), plus two seasonal/intern roles (a digitization/scanner intern and a management intern).

Council members asked practical questions about delivery logistics, liability for staff using personal vehicles, and whether partner cities’ vehicles sometimes make local runs. Karen said American Fork’s vehicle does serve routes on occasion (Tuesdays & Thursdays) but Highland staff have frequently used personal vehicles and mileage reimbursement; staff proposed using a community works truck with an enclosed shell for deliveries.

Councilors pressed for correct line-item math and sustainable staffing options. Staff agreed to verify salary and benefit numbers, review part-time vs. full-time tradeoffs, and provide a clearer set of choices tied to funding scenarios (use library payback, property-tax increase, or ongoing general-fund support).