If this city of 5,500 gets its own library, the Internet could be an integral part.
That's what City Councilman Steve Smith is promoting as the newly named library board works to determine if residents really want their own library. The Internet offers vast sources of online information.The panel is formulating plans now to promote the city library concept and to educate residents about its benefits. The board consists of Smith, Mike Anderson, Teresa Griffin, Marilyn Simister and Colleen Worthington.
Lindon is sandwiched between Pleasant Grove, which has a small library, and Orem, which has a major one. Within minutes, Lindon residents can drive to either, where they must pay for a library card. City libraries are tax funded so they charge nonresidents for the privilege of checking out books and other materials. Lindon, in turn, refunds part of the cost.
Pleasant Grove library officials started charging for the cards last summer. Before then some 1,300 library cards were in circulation in Lindon, according to library director April Harmer.
"When we started charging in July, the number dropped to 164, with only one going per family in most cases," she said. "Patrons used to get a card for all their kids."
The library charges $15 for the year. Lindon returns $10 to the patron. The Orem Public Library charges $30 per year for a nonresident library card or $15 for six months, said librarian Corey Hill. More than 550 Lindon families have Orem library cards and are reimbursed $10 by Lindon for the annual cards or $5 for the semiannual cards.
"Lindonites are staunch supporters (of the Pleasant Grove library); those who come," Harmer said. But she doubts usage would drop if Lindon built its own library because of Pleasant Grove's growth. Of particular interest is the children's program. That's a popular program in Pleasant Grove and is expected to be important to the new Lindon library as well.
Up the road to the north, Lindon residents have another library available in American Fork. But library director Christie Reim-schussel said she doubts they use it. Perhaps one reason Lindon residents stay away is because an American Fork City Library card costs nonresidents $15 for three months or $56 for the year, and they get no reimbursement from Lindon.
"It's best that each city have its own library," Reimschussel said.
"The City Council is behind the library because they want people to be able to stay in town for services the city should render," said Lindon City Manager Ott Dam-er-on. One reason the council favors a city library is so children can walk or ride their bikes to the library, he said.
"No way could my kids get to the Orem or Pleasant Grove libraries without hitching a ride," said Smith.
A few months ago the council sent out a survey in utility bills asking residents for feedback on building a library and a new city center.
"The result was overwhelmingly positive, but probably weighted because people know the city needs a new city hall," said Dameron. "We don't really know how they feel just about a library."
Cost of a small-town library is between $50,000 and $60,000 a year, based on information the library board has gathered, Smith said.
"The board is to investigate further the options that we have as far as the role of the library and to get public input and support. It's mainly an education process," he said. But Smith has already decided the Internet will be a major part.