Scenic Regional Library is adding staff to select branches, including Wright City.Over the last five months, the library reports it has seen a 31 percent increase in checkouts across the nine-branch system, along with a 38 percent visitor increase and a double-digit surge in computer usage.Because of the increase, eight new part-time positions were added at the St. Clair, Wright City, Sullivan, New Haven, Pacific and Owensville branches. Positions started being added in March. All the positions will be filled in time for the system’s Summer Reading program in July.“We’ve already done interviews. We have one person lined up to work part-time. She has previous library experience,” said Renny McBride, Wright City branch manager.The Wright City branch, 60 Wildcat Drive, is coming up on its first anniversary. McBride said May 21 last year was the library’s soft opening.“It’s hard to believe its been a year. It just flew by,” McBride said, adding that it opened with two full-time and three part-time staff members.With the newest position filled there will be seven total staff members.“We’re just really excited the community is so supportive. We’re still getting new patrons every day,” she said.She said the added person will help with day-to-day activities and be an asset to customer service.“With that one person, we can provide a little more one-on-one service,” she said.The majority of the library’s business is in the afternoons, and often at the computers. McBride said having an extra person will help assist people, who don’t have computers at home, to use them.“Our computers are definitely popular with all ages,” she said.Added staffing also will help cover co-workers during vacations and sick days,All the libraries in the system offer self checkout. The library received a grant from the Missouri State Library last year for self-check systems at most of the new branches. About 20 percent of the library’s checkouts happen at the self-check kiosks.“We have a lot of regular users. They like to come up to the desk and talk with people. Most like to have that one-on one service,” McBride said.Self-check users, which accounts for about 20 percent of library customers, prefer the speed and convenience.The Wright City branch is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. It is closed Sundays.

Wright City Scenic Regional Library

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