The long-awaited Holts Summit Public Library has announced its opening date, planning to begin operations 3-6 p.m. March 5 at its location in Summit Plaza.
The library, a branch of Daniel Boone Regional Library, will be open 20 hours a week, according to a DBRL news release. Offered at the location will be public computers, free Wi-Fi, educational programming, and a collection shared between all DBRL branches, including books, DVDs and CDs.
The library's hours will be 3-6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays; and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays.
The Library-To-Go lockers in Holts Summit will be moved from City Hall to the library before it's open, being available 24/7.
DBRL Director Margaret Conroy previously said the library's hours would focus on best serving children. DBRL's budget doesn't allow for as many hours as branches in Fulton or Ashland, she added, "so we want to make sure we're available for kids in the community after school."
DBRL plans to put a tax levy increase on the ballot in 2020 to continue supporting the Holts Summit Public Library financially, Conroy said previously.
Three library associates and a senior associate have been hired to work in Holts Summit, with staffing supplemented by librarians in the region, DBRL public relations manager Mitzi St. John said. Sara Henrey, supervisor of the Callaway County Public Library in Fulton, also will supervise the new library.
Several events are already planned at the library for spring, with a complete list of events available at dbrl.org. An open house is planned from 4-6 p.m. March 20.
The location for the library was renovated by the Holts Summit Community Empowerment Foundation in an effort to entice a library system to take over the location. HSCEF took on $325,000 to completely renovate the space in Summit Plaza.
The foundation will open a bookstore soon near the library's location to continue fundraising efforts to pay off the debt.