Just drop in! New library book drops a win-win for both library and patrons
By Denice Rovira Hazlett
March 11, 2013
443
Its late Saturday afternoon and theres something nagging at you. There was that thing you were supposed to do, but what was it? And then, just before 5 oclock, you remember. That massive stack of library books! Theyre due today, and theres no chance youll get to the Central Library in Millersburg on time, since its on the other side of the county and the library closes in just minutes. If there were just some way you could return your stuff and avoid paying an overdue fine for those 25 books and the handful of DVDs and CDs sitting on your shelf .
Well, now there is. Thanks to five new book drops strategically placed throughout Holmes County, patrons can easily and conveniently return materials, including books, CDs, DVDS and more, at a location closer to them than either of the two branches. Its just another way the Holmes County District Public Library (HCDPL) is working to meet the communitys knowledge, entertainment and literary needs.
The book drops, located at Mt. Hope School, Winesburg Elementary, the Holmes County Training Center, Charm Elementary and Natures Food Market in Berlin, as well as a dedicated cargo van to retrieve the materials, were purchased thanks to a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The goal, says Bill Martino, director of the HCDPL and writer of the grant, was to reach out to areas where patrons, particularly the Amish, might have a difficult time traveling to the Central or Walnut Creek branches to return materials on time.
The idea is to increase library visibility around the county and provide little regional hubs, says Martino.
Each weekday, the cargo van travels to the book drops to gather the materials, usually before noon. Back at the Central Library, the materials are checked in on the previous business day. So materials retrieved from the box on Monday morning will be checked in on Fridays date. For patrons who check out piles of books or families with several cardholders, that could mean a significant savings, including an unnecessary trip to Millersburg.
The shiny, new book drops bearing the librarys logo have been in place for about six weeks and, so far, Martino says, the response has been very positive. The drops are steadily receiving more materials and patrons are very happy to not accrue fines.
It all works out great for the library, too. Materials are back into circulation more quickly, for one thing. And, as an added bonus, the addition of the cargo van will eliminate the need for paying an outside cargo service to shuttle materials between branches, beginning in July when the current contract runs out. Thats a savings of more than $5,000 per year and an added in-house job position.
Its a win-win situation, Martino says. Since a library card is free, and materials are, too, having the ability to return them on time and conveniently means free knowledge and entertainment for all Holmes County residents. And if the book drop program continues to be successful, more drops could be added to other locations. Along with a thriving bookmobile service that travels to rural schools and communities, nursing homes, the county home and areas without branches to bring a variety of materials, item holds, computer and printing access and more, the library can effectively provide materials and services to patrons who would otherwise have difficulty accessing them.
Were very thankful for the community partnerships that make these bookmobile stops and book drops possible, Martino says. Were getting a lot of compliments and were glad to be of service.
For more information on these or any library services, contact the HCDPL at 330-674-5972.
