Year in and year out, the Salt Lake County Library System ranks in the top 15 – among some 9,000 systems across all of North America – in the number of items its patrons borrow. With 18 branches countywide – along with a “tiny reading room,” up in Alta – the local library system annually loans out about 13 million items.

And, after a half-year hiatus, the Taylorsville branch (4870 S. 2700 West) is back in the game – with a dazzling new entryway, along with a few inside improvements designed to make the visitor experience more pleasant and safe.

County Library System Senior Marketing & Development Manager Sara Neal reports, our Taylorsville branch first opened in 1991. Never before has it been closed this long for renovations. The 12,500-square foot library closed on Jan. 3, and just reopened June 1.

“We’ve known for quite awhile the Taylorsville library entryway needed an upgrade,” Neal said. “The wooden lattice structure overhead was beginning to rot. The skylight also started leaking, letting rain run through. And the manual doors we had forced people to pull them open, even with an armload of books. It was time – and the remodel went well.”

Neal reports the entire makeover cost about $400,000, which not only included the enlarged entry area, but also new ceiling panels and signage to make the entire library much brighter. Visitors will also now enjoy hands-free, sliding doors as they enter and exit.

The upgrade is so vivid, it can easily be seen by drivers passing on 2700 West. Huge glass panels in the new entry soar nearly 20 feet high.

Taylorsville Library Manager Christina Walsh and her 16 other branch employees are thrilled to be back in their own digs.

“None of my Taylorsville staff was laid off during the remodel; we all did fill-in work at other branches until the reopening,” Walsh said. “I had one person take a different job during the 5-month closure; but everyone else is coming back. The new entry is so much brighter, more welcoming, more accessible. I know our patrons will love it.”

The Taylorsville Library has reopened just in time for Walsh and her staff to host their “Summer Reading Kick-off Party.”

“On Tuesday, June 10, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. we will host games and craft projects for the kids as they sign up for our summer reading challenge,” she said. “We’ll hold the party outside if weather cooperates. It will be a great time for parents and kids to see their brighter, more inviting library. We’ve been gone a long time and are excited to see as many people as possible.”

Taylorsville Mayor Kristie Overson is among those anxious to visit the new-look site.

“I know one of the County’s big goals was to enlarge the entryway so people can get in and out more easily,” the mayor said. “Our Taylorsville branch is so well-used and loved by our residents. I’m excited to see what all they have done.”

By the way, those 13 million items loaned out through the Salt Lake County Library System each year are not all books. You likely already know compact discs, DVDs and audio books are also on their menu. But were you aware you can also check out things like cameras, pasta makers, telescopes and all kinds of medical care equipment?

“We’re very proud to be one of the leading library lenders throughout North America – and proud of the wide variety of things we make available through the Salt Lake County Library System,” Neal concluded. “Before people go out and buy or rent something they don’t expect to use very often, we invite them to visit our website to see if we have it.”

You probably aren’t going to see a telescope or pasta maker sitting out on a shelf at the Taylorsville Library. But you can find the system’s entire inventory at slcolibrary.org. When you reserve an item, the library system will make it available for you to pick up at the Taylorsville branch.

You’ll walk through a bright, windowed entry to get in and out – and can keep both hands on the pasta maker, as the door opens in front of you.