Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — City leaders are considering a proposal to keep the Salt Lake City Main Library open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
John Spears, the library's executive director, met with members of the Salt Lake City Council Tuesday to discuss a pilot program that would extend the library's hours for two years and determine whether the policy would be viable permanently.
The pilot program is expected to cost about $300,000 each year, which will be covered mostly by donations.
Some raised security concerns with having the library open continuously, but Spears sees the proposal as an opportunity to provide educational opportunities to an untapped audience.
"Very often people look at problems with a project that could develop," Spears said. "Taking a longer-term view of this, some of the problems that we face in Salt Lake City and society in general are a lack of education, a lack of continued development. And that's what a library is for. … I see this as improving security in Salt Lake City."
#poll
Councilwoman Lisa Adams expressed mixed feelings about the proposal, citing concerns with drug dealing and homeless traffic.
"This seems like a really great idea," Adams said. "On the other hand, I'm concerned that we may turn the library into some place that people don't want to come to for its intended purposes."
But Spears said the building, which opens six floors during the day, would keep only two floors open during the night with the same number of security personnel. Access would be restricted to one entrance, and library staff are trained to uphold current policies that prohibit sleeping in the building, he said.
Other council members questioned the need to run the pilot program for a full two years. Spears said the full two years are needed to get an accurate picture of success based on outcome rather than output.
"It's like forming a new branch. It doesn't take on its identity in one year. It can take a while for people to embrace and feel comfortable with it," he said. "This is in effect another branch. It's not a branch based on location. It's a branch based on time."
Councilwoman Erin Mendenhall agreed with the need for a longer program.
"I think something as pioneering and innovative as this proposal needs that much string to see how high it can fly," Mendenhall said. "If we shorten this, it shortens our ability to really involve partners and institutions in our city."
Library executives are currently preparing a needs assessment of the program, which the City Council is expected to vote on by Dec. 22.
