After a month of renovation, the main Menlo Park public library will be back in business on Tuesday, June 19, according to staff. The branch at 800 Alma St. will reopen at noon.

The library closed in May for an overhaul of the circulation area, installation of new carpeting, and inventory. The four new checkout stations use radio frequency identification tags (RFID) to let patrons check out more than one item at a time, and hopefully with less hassle than the old system, staff said.

Funding for the upgrades came from three sources: $175,000 from the general fund capital improvement budget for carpet replacement; $90,000 from a library bond fund for the circulation area; and $147,000 from the public library fund and general fund for the RFID conversion.

Library staff will help users navigate the new self-checkout system. In a press release, library director Susan Holmer said the library circulates 750,000 items each year. "Automating routine transactions will mean more staff time is available for other kinds of more personal assistance, and will enable us to handle an increasing number of transactions. We hope everyone will drop by to see the new look for the library and check out the self checkout system."

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