« Mayor starts library inquiry | Main | Paterson library's doors to the world in place »
March 19, 2008
Libraries working on book-in-the-mail plan
Gloucester County Times
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
By Pete McCarthy
pmccarthy@sjnewsco.com
Those who use Gloucester County's libraries could soon get their books and other materials in the mail.
They could even return them the same way, but would have to pay for postage.
Officials are working out a system that would make it possible to take items placed on hold either in-person or through the Internet and have them shipped through the mail.
It should be available starting in June.
"People are just so busy today with so many activities, we want to save their time," said Bob Wetherall, director of the Gloucester County Library System.
Other items, including DVDs, CDs and books on tape would also be available from the library.
The program has been funded by a $50,000 grant, which will cover initial costs, but users will have to pay return postage. Wetherall said he predicts it would cost about $2.40 to mail back an average-sized hardcover book.
Materials can also be returned to any library in the county.
This new plan is also beneficial to those who do not have transportation, Wetherall said.
To place a hold on a book or other item, residents can go to www.gcls.org and click on "library catalog." Some new releases may not be available through the mail.
Posted by tumulty at March 19, 2008 3:19 PM
Comments
Post a comment
Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)