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The East Central Regional Library system is creating an extended access program at the Wyoming Giese Memorial Library to offer use of that branch until 10 p.m. and over morning hours starting at 6 a.m. when the building is not staffed.  The Wyoming Library pilot is the first in greater Minnesota, although metro libraries in Dakota, Scott and Washington counties have offered the extended hours for years. 

ECRL Executive Director Carla Lydon brought news of the work being done at the library and told the Chisago County Board project cost estimates to fit the building with access (key card) equipment, enhanced security and other accessories will “push $70,000.”  The Chisago County commissioners supported extended access in their unanimous vote several months ago and also expressed shared hopes to eventually see extended hours at county branches in North Branch, Rush City and Chisago Lakes.

The Commissioners were given information that the 2026 state aid for the ECRL system has been certified and Chisago County can expect $465,245.  Chisago County’s share of the $4,168,554 million multi-county library system is approximately $778,000,  or $13 per capita.  Comparisons to library systems in Anoka County are $28 per person and $34 per person in Washington County.  

County Commissioner Marlys Dunne remarked this low end per capita calculation “speaks to the efficiencies” in being a regional library member.  Personnel, customer services, transportation, I.T. expertise and more are shared among the six east central counties.

Continuing on the pilot project for Wyoming— Lydon said one hurdle in developing the new extended hours system in Wyoming had to be overcome with the withdrawal of an electronics vendor, when it was calculated how tariff expenses will  hit their company’s bottom line.  A substitute vendor has been located. Access controls for Wyoming are slated to be installed sometime this week. Library officials are recruiting about 50 patrons to test the system in a soft opening soon, most likely by September.  

Director Lydon added that the ECRL Board will review utilization and logistics of the extended access and the goal is to have Wyoming ready for a hard opening early 2026.  The 14 or so other metro-suburban library locations that offer extra hour access report it is “well received” according to Lydon.

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