The Summit County Library Kimball Junction Branch is closed while the staff prepares its move to the PEAK Center, the former Skullcandy building, 6301 N. Landmark Drive, this month.
But that doesn’t mean programming has stopped, said Summit County Library Director Daniel Compton.
“The other branches in Coalville and Kamas Valley will still be open and continue to offer in-person stuff,” he said. “(And the Kimball Junction Branch) is always doing virtual programming.”
Virtual programming includes author events, according to Compton.
“Every month we offer at least three virtual author events, and those will continue while we close for the move,” he said.
The virtual author events started a few years back and have become Compton’s favorite programs.
“We’re part of a consortium of libraries across the country, and we’re allowed to provide access to these virtual book talks with pretty big-named authors who we couldn’t afford to get on our own,” he said. “We probably could maybe bring in one author per year, but with this program we can offer 36 talks per year that people can enjoy.”
The next virtual author event is scheduled for noon on Tuesday, Aug. 25, with award-winning biologist Beronda L. Montgomery, who wrote “When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy.”
The book explores how seven trees, including the pecan, sycamore and cotton shrub, are intertwined with Black history and culture.
Other virtual author events for August and September can be found at tinyurl.com/muz894ak.
In addition to the virtual author events, the library hosts a Sips n’ Stories Book Club that is always virtual and meets every first Thursday of the month.
The next meeting is at 6 p.m. on Sept. 3,and the club will cover “The Art Thief,” which was written by local author Michael Finkel, according to Compton.“That’s exciting,” he said. “There are rumors he might make an appearance in the Zoom. I’m not entirely sure, but if that happens, it’s pretty rare an author will join a book discussion.”
The Sips n’ Stories Book Club is fun because it features a themed cocktail.
“The drink is emailed to the club early so everyone can get the ingredients,” he said. “During the meeting, which is on Zoom and not at the library, because alcohol isn’t allowed in the building, they will make the drink in their own homes and then discuss the book.”
Another club, the Book to Film Club, will sometimes meet virtually if the library can’t get the license to screen certain films, Compton said.
“So, we will have people watch the film on their own and read the book,” he said. “Then we’ll get together on Zoom for a discussion.”
In September, the Book to Film Club will join forces with the library’s History Book Club, Compton said.
“We’ll all meet virtually on Sept. 22, whether or not the library will be open by then, and discuss ‘Destiny of the Republic’ by Candice Millard,” he said.
The book is based on the life of President James Garfield, who was assassinated in July 1881, and there is a miniseries based on the book that is currently streaming on Netflix called ‘Death by Lightning.” The series stars Michael Shannon as United States President James A. Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as his assassin, Charles J. Guiteau.
“If you read the book, and/or watched the miniseries, you can join the discussion and hear what we have to say,” Compton said. “I read the book years back, and it read like a thriller. I really didn’t feel like I was reading nonfiction, so I’m really excited to watch the miniseries as well.”
The library also hosts Spanish language virtual drivers license preparation classes, Compton said.
“We partnered with Park City Police on them, and anyone can join at any time,” he said. “They are held weekly, and all you have to do is go to our website and sign up and hop on. There’s an instructor that teaches in Spanish, and people can prepare to take the drivers license test.”
Although the Kimball Junction Branch is closing for the move, library patrons will still be able to pick up books from their holds, according to Compton.
“We’ll have the Bookmobile parked outside on select days,” he said. “So people can come and browse some of the collection or pick up books they put on hold.”
Bookmobile will open from 8 a.m. to noon from Aug. 24-27, Aug. 31-Sept. 3 and Sept. 8-10 at the 1885 W. Ute Blvd. location.
“We are trying hard to give people access and have a good experience even though we’re going to be closed,” Compton said.
For other information about the Kimball Junction Branch move and programming, visit tinyurl.com/bdz94wbu.
“We are grateful to everybody for being understanding, because this move is not an easy task,” Compton said. “It’s been cool to see an outpouring of support for their community library. It’s definitely an exciting time for the library, and we cannot wait to show them the new space.”
Compton said he is shooting to open the new Kimball Junction Branch on Monday, Sept. 14.
“We’re going to need to be flexible just in case something in the new building isn’t ready,” he said. “If we don’t open on Sept. 14, we’ll delay a little longer. The big grand-opening event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3. So. we definitely better be open by then.”
For information about Summit County Library programming, visit thesummitcountylibrary.org.