Marmot Library Network Outage
Monday, August 3 - Tuesday, August 4
The Marmot Library Network is upgrading its systems to improve reliability, security, and long-term performance. During this scheduled maintenance, library services that rely on the Marmot system will be temporarily unavailable.
What Will Be Affected?
During the scheduled Marmot Library Network outage, the following services will be unavailable or limited:
- The online library catalog will be unavailable.
- Library accounts cannot be accessed online.
- Placing, modifying, or canceling holds will not be available.
- Online renewals will not be available.
- Self-checkout stations may be unavailable.
- Interlibrary loan requests will be paused.
- New library card registrations may be delayed.
- Some digital resources (such as Libby) will be unavailable until the system is restored.
What Will Still Be Available?
- The Library building will remain open during regular hours.
- Patrons can browse the collection, use public computers (if available), study, attend programs, and receive assistance from staff.
- Staff will provide as many services as possible while the Marmot system is offline.
- Hoopla will remain available to access.
Library staff will be available to assist you. While some everyday library services will be temporarily impacted, our staff will continue to provide as much assistance as possible and remain committed to supporting our community throughout the outage.
How will the updates support the Library?
The Marmot Library Network upgrade will improve the technology that powers many of the Library's everyday services. Once the update is complete, patrons can expect a more reliable, secure, and efficient experience when using the online catalog, managing their library account, placing holds, renewing materials, and accessing digital resources.
These improvements will also help the Library better support future services, strengthen system security, and reduce the risk of service interruptions over time. While the outage may cause temporary inconvenience, the upgrades are an investment in a more dependable library experience for everyone.
Pitkin County Clean Heat Building Upgrade
What is the Clean Heat Building Upgrade Project?
Pitkin County is beginning important upgrades to the heating and cooling systems at the Pitkin County Library and Health & Human Services buildings. This project will install modern, energy-efficient electric heat pumps to improve building comfort and reduce carbon emissions from County facilities. The work supports Pitkin County’s climate action goals and long-term commitment to responsible stewardship of public buildings. This cleaner, more efficient heating and cooling system should make the building more comfortable over time.
There may be some temporary construction impacts, but the project supports long-term comfort, sustainability, and responsible care of public facilities.
Will Library Operations be Affected?
During the project, patrons may notice:
- Scaffolding, partitions, and temporary work areas
- Construction activity in or around the building
- Crews working in certain areas of the Library
- Temporary noise or minor disruptions
- Short-term service adjustments
- The Library may be cooler at times this spring, as we will temporarily disconnect from natural gas in mid-May.
The goal is to keep the Library open and operating as normally as possible. Crews will work after hours whenever possible, and any temporary closures or service changes will be communicated in advance.
Why This Project Matters
The new system is designed to make the building more comfortable, efficient, and environmentally responsible. Once complete, the upgraded system should provide:
- More consistent indoor temperatures
- More efficient heating and cooling
- Reduced reliance on gas heating
- Cleaner and safer operation without regular on-site combustion
The Library’s system will use a hybrid approach. Electric heat pumps will do most of the work throughout the year, while existing gas boilers will remain available as backup when temperatures are extremely cold.
What is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump works much like a two-way air conditioner. Instead of burning fuel to create heat, it uses electricity to move heat. This allows the system to provide both heating and cooling in an energy-efficient manner.
Environmental Benefits
Heat pumps are significantly more energy efficient than traditional gas boilers. This project will help reduce carbon emissions from County facilities, especially as the region’s electric grid increasingly relies on renewable energy.
The Library’s new system is expected to operate on electric heat more than 80% of the year, with gas boilers used only as backup during the coldest days.
Together, the Library and HHS projects are expected to avoid more than 9,000 metric tons of carbon emissions over 30 years, reducing emissions from the County building portfolio by over 30%.
Wednesday, August 12 - Mill Street Closure
Mill Street and the Pitkin County Library will be temporarily closed for public safety on Wednesday, August 12, while crews prepare for a crane lift. The Library will close at 12:00pm and remain closed for the remainder of the day. The crane lift is scheduled to begin after 12:00pm, and all staff and visitors have left the building.
Areas Affected
The closure will affect:
- The Pitkin County Library
- Mill Street near the Library
- The alley between the Library and the bank drive-thru
- Nearby pedestrian and vehicle access routes
Please review the closure map below before traveling through the area. The yellow, dotted lines with arrows are the recommended detour route for traffic. The orange section is the part of Mill Street that will close.
Traffic and Pedestrian Safety
Traffic control personnel will be on site throughout the closure. They will help direct pedestrians and vehicles on Mill Street and in both nearby alleys.
Drivers should expect delays and consider using an alternate route when possible. Pedestrians should follow all posted signs and instructions from traffic control staff.
Reopening
The Library will resume normal open hours on Thursday, August 13, at 9:00am. Staff hopes to remove the crane and reopen Mill Street before the afternoon rush hour. The exact reopening time will depend on the progress of the work and cannot be guaranteed.