NEILLSVILLE LIBRARY CONTINUES TO EXPAND OFFERINGS
Thursday, July 14th, 2011 -- 1:27 PM
Libraries are still about books, but they?re about a lot more these days.They?re now about books on CD, community internet access and even electronic readers, says Neillsville Public Library Director Jo Ann Gustavson.
The Library recently purchased one Kindle and one Nook?two of the more popular brands of e-readers. They are 6-inch screens that allow users to download book files and read them anywhere.
"I put a lot of the classics on them, because anything that's out of copyright is free," Gustavson says. "Otherwise, they cost anywhere from $3 up to $15 or $18, depending on if it's a new release."
Patrons over 18 yrs. old are free to check out the devices for 14 days. Some people may want to use them if they?re going on a trip, or if they?re considering purchasing one.
The Neillsville Public Library is also preparing to implement VCAT this fall.
"VCAT is the shared, integrated library catalog that most of the libraries in the Wisconsin Valley Library Service (WVLS) are already on. We're joining that in October," she explains.
Currently, the library uses an inter-library loan program. If Neillsville doesn?t have an item, they request it from another library that does.
VCAT will integrate all the libraries' catalogs, which will streamline the process.
For instance, patrons can use their home computer to request a book or DVD from another library in the Wisconsin Valley Library Service (WVLS).
"You have to be a patron. All of our patrons will be able to check things out in any other library in Forest, Clark, Lincoln, Langlade, Marathon, Oneida and Taylor counties," she explains. "For instance, they can check something out in Rhinelander, if they're on vacation. If they didn't finish it on vacation, they can bring it back home, and when they're done, they can return it here," Gustavson explains.
Even with the changes, Gustavson says the Neillsville Public Library will remain a free library.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.