By Amy Gillentine

Need to pick up a hold before work, print a research assignment at 8 p.m. or want to browse the shelves on Sunday? Beginning Aug. 31, Palmer Lake Library will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day and you can do all those things and more.

Palmer Lake Library is the first location in Pikes Peak Library District history to allow patrons access to library resources without staff during some of its hours.

Palmer Lake Library is opening its doors a little wider for people in the northern El Paso County — a full-service library with hours designed to fit busy schedules. Students can work on papers or on computers; business leaders can stop by to make copies; families can arrive in pajamas for bedtime stories. The possibilities are endless.

Here are the steps to make that possible: take the necessary training program to use Palmer Lake Library outside of staffed hours, then fill out the application. Eligibility requirements, the training video and applications are at ppld.org/hybrid-access and patrons can apply now.

Applicants must be 18 years or older, have a local library card (known as the “400” series) for at least 90 days that is in good standing with the Library. Then they must take the training and apply for a hybrid-access badge. Once they receive a badge, they and their guests can enter the Library during unstaffed hours. The badge holder is responsible for the conduct and safety of all their guests.

In total, the Library will be accessible for 112 hours, with staff on site from 2 — 6 p.m. Monday – Wednesday and 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. on Thursday — Friday.

The model has proven to be successful at the Jefferson County Public Library, which operates a location that is completely unstaffed and open 365 days a year.

And while Palmer Lake Library is the first PPLD location to be accessible with extended hours, it’s not the last. Calhan Library will be available for 112 hours a week, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., in September. And Ute Pass Library will adopt hybrid access in December.

If the public embraces the hybrid-access concept, PPLD may consider making other locations available for extended periods of time without staffing.

Why hybrid-access libraries?

For years, patrons have asked that libraries stay open later or open on Sundays. Budget and staffing levels have made that difficult. Hybrid access allows people to use the library when staff members are not on site.

Security personnel will be available to answer questions after typical library hours. For questions during business hours, librarians will be available to help find materials and answer resource questions. PPLD’s security operations center will be able to help in an emergency, clear the building at 10 p.m., and send questions to the appropriate staff members as needed.

PPLD invites the public to try out hybrid locations as they become available. Take the training, complete the application and receive a badge that is the key to more access, more hours and more flexibility.

For more information and to apply, go to ppld.org/hybrid-access.