By JORDAN WALBURGER
Orem resident Dick Beeson, who served as director of the Orem City Library at the Orem City Library from 1975 to 1999, has seen many changes in the library during the last 29 years.
As technology changes and new books grow old, Beeson said he believes a lack of funds from the city is prohibiting the library from best serving its patrons.
'The building is not the library, the building is the container,' Beeson said. 'The collection is the library, and the library is shrinking.'
The Orem City Library has not received any increase from the City Council in their book budget since 1997. With just about 72 percent of the population being registered patrons at the library, members of the Library Advisory Commission feel they are overdue for an increase in funds.
The Orem Public Library has more than 260,000 books and non-print items. It is one of the busiest libraries in the State of Utah, according to its website.
Jim Jacobs, a professor of teacher education and the chairman of the Library Advisory Commission, said the library is struggling to maintain its vision.
'In a city with above-average education and family size and a moderate income level, the Orem Public Library is dedicated to providing an outstanding resource for the community,' he said.
More than 62,000 of Orem's 86,400 residents are registered cardholders at the Orem Public Library.
In 2003, more than a half a million borrowers passed through the doors of the Orem Public Library.
Hayley Smith, a senior from El Paso, Texas, studying English, said she goes to the Orem Public Library to rent movies from their large collection.
'They have a better selection than any other local video store,' Smith said. 'The Orem Library has an amazing selection of films. They have British titles and other foreign titles, which I am interested in as well.'
Dean Dickerson, the Orem library liaison from the City Council, said the commission's request for more funding was appropriate.
'I don't think Orem City could ever go wrong in giving funds to the library,' Dickerson said. 'In 1972, the City Council made a commitment to creating the finest library in Utah Valley and perhaps the state, and I believe we have done that.'
Dickerson said the quality of the library is a priority for the City Council.
'It will always serve Orem City well,' he said. 'It will serve not only Orem, but patrons from the valley whose cities don't have a library like ours.'
Beeson said the facilities are unable to keep up with that need, however. He said problems in the library include poor lighting and problems with heating, ventilation, air conditioning and energy.
'If you go to the adult fiction section on the main floor after the sun has set, you can barely read, it's so dim,' he said.
Dickerson said although the City Council sees the library as one of its priorities, he is not sure that the library will gain the extra funding it is seeking.
The current collection budget is $275,000, which is barely enough to cover the basic needs, Jacobs said. In 2003, it cost $312,000 to replace worn out items.
Orem City Councilwoman Karen McCandless said those wanting to help the Orem Public Library are encouraged to donate books to add to the collection.
The library is located at 58 N. State Street in Orem.