An extensive upgrade of the Flathead County Library in Kalispell has been completed, and the public is invited to an open house today to see the results.

The open house is planned from 4 to 6 p.m. at the library, 247 First Ave. E.

One of the key improvements is a redesigned main floor that eliminated the large checkout desk and replaced it with self-check kiosks.

With library use up 56 percent in the past five years and no increase in staff, the Flathead County Library System has made an effort to improve efficiency in areas such as checkout and materials processing and allow staff more time for in-depth work with customers, library Director Kim Crowley said.

“The staff is spending much more time with customers,” Crowley said. “And customers love the self-checkout.”

Crowley said there were some library patrons who were resistant to the many changes, but most say they’re getting used to the improvements.

An interesting result from the self-check stations is that books on sensitive topics, such as sex-related issues, “are checking out like crazy,” Crowley said. “People now have a private place to check them out.”

This year, all staffers received additional training in helping customers by answering in-depth questions, recommending books and movies, and assisting with the latest technology such as downloading e-books, Crowley said.

Other library improvements were made in the children’s area, which got a coat of bright paint and new early-learning computers and “experience zones” to encourage early literacy. The interactive elements give parents a chance to interact with other parents, Crowley said.

Some of the upgrades aren’t visible to the public. New space was created in the library basement for the staff to process checked-in books and materials. Expansion of archival space at the county records building allowed the library to move materials out of the basement.

The remodeling project cost around $50,000, most of which came from Flathead County Library Foundation funding. Another group, Friends of the Flathead County Library, also assisted financially.