Somerset County Library users can access services even when building is closed

Judy D.J. Ellich, The Daily American
·3 min read

Somerset County Library combined several grants for the more than $73,000 needed to reconfigure its lobby area where free public use Wi-Fi, laptops, portable power and library holds pickup services are offered beyond the library’s regular business hours.

“People always could access our online resources 24/7. Now they will also be able to use a library laptop or charger and pick-up books during extended lobby hours,” said Assistant Director Beth Hornig.

Heather Webster, of Somerset, and her son, Aaron Webster, 8, were accessing a library locker in the lobby this week.

The new service is good for the community, she said.

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"When the library is closed, you can find your own time to get want you want," she said.

Mom and son stood before the lockers and scanned their library card, put in their pin and when the green light came on the red locker door swung open revealing a stack of books inside that has already been checked out.

Aaron's response to the library's new addition: "It's cool."

Lobby hours will start at 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days per week April through October and on weekdays November through March. A free Somerset County Library card and PIN are required to borrow Chromebooks or portable power chargers for four hours at a time. A library card is also required in order to place materials on hold and retrieve them from the HoldIT library lockers.

“We are so pleased to be able to offer these new and improved services to our community and so thankful for the grant-makers and donors who made this possible,” said Library Director Cheryl Morgan. “The new book and media drops and lobby services address several challenges that arose during the pandemic, better protect our investment in library materials, and will allow us to offer more inclusive, equitable and timely access to library collections, programming and services for all community members--including those who cannot always come to the library during open hours.”

More:Here's what's new at Somerset's renovated Mary S. Biesecker Public Library

Funding for the ongoing project came from multiple funding sources, mostly grants and donations.

  • The HoldIT library hold pickup lockers and the work to adjust the lobby security and related systems to allow for the lobby to remain open while the building itself is closed were made possible by a Regional Community College Grant issued to Somerset County by the state Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary & Higher Education for the purpose of making improvements to the Somerset County Education Center Campus where the library is located.

  • The “Tech Anytime” laptop and portable power lending kiosk was funded by the Libraries Connect Communities and Broadband Resources Grant program, which is jointly managed by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries and the Keystone Initiative for Network Based Education and Research and is funded, in part, by the Governors Emergency Educational Relief funds.

  • The library’s materials return drop was also replaced with two separate return drops; one for books and another for media. And the former single materials drop was moved to replace a rusting one at the Conemaugh Township Library. The book and media return drops were made possible through the Fund for the Future, Earl and Jeanne Berkey Fund, and Alan L. and Lana J. Miller Family Fund of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies in combination with funding from the Friends of Somerset County Library, $585 each from the Somerset County Library’s and Somerset County Federated Library System’s operating budgets and donations from the public, Morgan said.

More:Somerset County Library and Bookmobile prepare to support Internet connectivity needs

It is not done, however. The next step is getting laptop stands to place in the lobby area.

Then, obtaining funding for comfy furniture in the library lobby for patrons. Morgan plans for that to become available within six months. Meanwhile wicker outdoor furniture in that area is in use.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset County Library users can do their thing after hours, see how