FARMINGTON -- The options are dwindling for advocates of an independent Kaysville library: The Davis County Commission Tuesday ap-proved merging Kaysville into the county's library system -- and immediately thereafter the county issued guest cards to welcome Kaysville residents into the fold. The free guest library cards are being issued to Kaysville residents wishing to patronize the Davis County Library System. The system introduced earlier this year was re-instated immediately following the County Commission's Tuesday vote.
As previously stated, the actual merger won't take effect until July 1, 2006.
The county commission action followed a three-two vote by the Kaysville City Council July 5, recommending the city fold its library into the county system.
Kaysville residents may sign up at any county branch for cards for all family members. Those already holding guest cards do not have to sign up again.
Cards will have a seven-item checkout limit for the next several months, but that will increase, county library officials indicate. Patrons must be at least 18 years old to register for a card, and show two forms of identification, one a photo ID, the other a proof of address. Adults may register for cards for all of their minor-aged children.
"This is an issue that has come up numerous times," said County Commission Chairman Carol Page, a Kaysville resident, in Tuesday's meeting.
Kaysville Mayor Brian Cook noted the issue of whether to join the county or not has been raised for decades.
"This has been agonizing. It was a split vote on the council. I know my council struggled with this, didn't take it lightly," Cook said.
"It's in the interest of providing the best library service for Kaysville. I look forward to it. But it's a lot more than just handing over some keys."
"It seems incumbent upon the county to keep up the momentum," Commissioner Dannie McConkie said. "All of the participants (in the issue) are not happy (with the result). This has been a good faith effort.
"It is a gargantuan assignment for the county, to provide excellent service in every way to (Kaysville) citizens," he said.
"It has been very difficult for the citizens of Kaysville," Davis County Library Director Pete Giacoma said. "The county and county library have been neutral on it, but now that the agreement is made, we will immediately publicize what advantages accrue to the citizens of Kaysville.
"We will send a welcome letter to the citizens, let them know the transition is under way to a county library. It does not happen this year (formal merger), is just cooperation," he said.
For example, the current Kaysville Library building will be leased from the city effective July 1, 2006, for a 10-year term.
"There is no promise of a new building (spelled out with the merger)," Giacoma said. However, he added that Kaysville building needs will be considered with overall system "capital project" needs when the county board meets in the next few months.
"I assure the citizens we will deliver the kind of library service they have come to expect," Giacoma added.
In the meantime, Kaysville Library Director Paul Stokes, who has held the position well under a year, met with county personnel officials after the announcement.
One point of concern for him and Kaysville library board members has been the fate of city library employees. County officials have emphasized they cannot automatically integrate those employees into the county's merit system. Giacoma has said training can be provided to maximize chances of them being hired, but they will have to apply for jobs. If hired, they could be placed anywhere in the library system.
Kaysville Board Chairman Bruce Allen, who strongly opposed the merger, with employee future a big part of his expressed concern, said, "We'll just have to do the best we can."
tbusselberg@davisclipper.com
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