Starting July 1, residents of American Fork, Eagle Mountain, Lehi and Pleasant Grove will be able to use more than their own city's library.

The new program, called the North Utah County Library Cooperative, will allow patrons with current library cards in good standing to borrow materials from any of the four participating libraries. Materials will not be mailed between libraries. It will be up to the patrons to go to the library where the book or other materials are located and check them out. Returns also must be made to the library where the items were checked out.

Staff and administration at each of the four libraries have been training for the new program, including learning new software and reviewing policies. Bookmarks and fliers have been prepared to help advertise the changes.

Sheena Parker of the American Fork Library said about the July 1 kick off, "It will be exciting. It will be a learning curve for everybody, for librarians and patrons."

Program creators are hoping that patrons will find that they have more access to information and materials.

"Hopefully, if they can't find what they want at our library, they will be able to find it at another library," said Kristi Seely of the Lehi City Library.

Each library has unique items and special collections that will be available to more residents because of the new system.

Michele Graves, director of the Eagle Mountain City Library, said she hopes residents will be excited about the new opportunities.

"We just really want to get people coming in and using the library," she said.

All of the participating libraries will continue to function as they currently do in terms of policies, budget, administration, non-resident card fees and so forth. It is up to individuals to become familiar with the different policies at each library.

Some advice from the area librarians include making sure you are in good standing with your "home" library, supporting your local library by searching the availability of materials there and enjoying the greater range of materials that is now available to all north Utah County residents.

"Be patient, this is a work in progress," said April Harrison, director of the Pleasant Grove Library.

Graves said, "Come in. Use your card. If you are going to participate in the program, make sure you are prompt in returning the items and make sure to follow the rules. We are trying to make it as easy as possible for patrons."

Participation in the program is automatic with a card from Lehi, American Fork and Pleasant Grove libraries. Because the Eagle Mountain City Library has a smaller collection of materials, a fee is required for Eagle Mountain residents who want to participate in the program.

Residents of Eagle Mountain who are already patrons of the local city library will be required to get a printout of their account from the Eagle Mountain City Library and then take that document and the $40 fee to the Lehi City Library at 120 N. Center St., starting July 1. Non-resident cardholders at all libraries will have access to the program with no additional fees.

Harrison, who has 20 years of experience with the Pleasant Grove Library, said she feels this is an exciting new program.

"I am very excited. I have always felt that information is our most valuable tool in our society. The more informed we are and the more access everyone has to information, the greater the citizenship," Harrison said.