If monthly item circulation statistics are any indication, the Highland City Library is popular with residents.

In October 2008, the same month it was completed in Highland, the library had a monthly circulation of 1,287 items. Last month, 12,877 items circulated through the library. To celebrate the library's first anniversary, the library's board and staff are inviting residents of the city to join them at an anniversary celebration today at 10 a.m. at the library, 5400 W. Civic Center Drive, Suite 2.

The first library in Highland was located at Mountain Ridge Junior High School, providing library services to students as well as residents of Highland and Alpine. After a new city hall was built in 2008, a section of the building was reserved to set up a new city library.

The new library currently has 22,774 items available for the public's use, with an average daily circulation of 800 items.

Kent Slade the library's director, said the library now plans to become certified with the state's library. Once the library is certified, it will be eligible for state and federal grants.

The library also will be eligible to be a part of the North Utah County Libraries Cooperative, an agreement between the Lehi, American Fork, Eagle Mountain and Pleasant Grove libraries that permits card holders from any member library to check out materials from other cooperative libraries.

Slade explained why the library is an important resource for city residents.

"Reading skills are fundamental to success in life," he said.

He added there are books available at the library that will help residents improve their job skills and help them find information on subjects that interest them. Since some Highland residents are interested in retrofitting their homes for solar panels, Slade said that they could find information about solar panel energy generation technology through library books and magazines that have information about alternative energy technology.

During Saturday's celebration, the library staff will take time to recognize and thank the City Council, the library's board, city administration officials, and Lehi-based stained glass artist Tom Holdman. He donated the stained glass decorations above the windows on the library's northern wall. Refreshments will be served at the celebration.

Highland City Library at a glance

Date opened: October 25, 2008

Library Director: Kent Slade

Library location: 5400 West Civic Center Drive, Suite 2

Total Library Collection: 22,774 items

Average Daily Circulation: 800 items

Largest single day circulation: 896 items