Public Libraries have an extended historical past of serving communities in distinctive methods. From the Melancholy period emerged a mission that recruited pack-horse librarians to succeed in the underserved within the distant, hilly areas of Appalachia. Within the Forties, bookmobiles grew to become their replacements, and librarians rode by means of Kentucky again roads to serve rural and distant populations.
Warren County Public Library’s bookmobile service has put quite a lot of autos on the street over time, culminating in measurement with a 40-foot BlueBird bus dubbed the “Cell Department,” a 1999 reward from the county authorities. After nearly a decade and a half handed, downsizing to a smaller, extra energy-efficient automobile made sensible sense as expansions had been made and use elevated on the Predominant Library and Bob Kirby Department.
When COVID hit, the challenges of the pandemic pressured us to rethink supply strategies. Know-how allowed us to serve these with Web entry, and book circulation went by means of the roof. Internet hosting video occasions on social media redefined conventional library programming and helped us join with off-site customers. However hurdles nonetheless existed, as a big inhabitants section was unable to afford the luxurious of digital entry. From that difficult time arose our door-to-door supply service, neighborhood programming and extra outreach autos with a smaller footprint.
Up to now few years, the library has additionally teamed up with plenty of neighborhood companions, with the decided focus of reaching as many as we are able to in underserved areas, with the mantra, “Can’t get to us? We’ll come to you!” Due largely to these partnerships, the library now has in place plenty of “satellite tv for pc” places, serving to to enhance entry and handle the socio-economic realities and transportation challenges confronted by many. Here’s a little bit of details about our two latest websites:
Buchanon Park
This satellite tv for pc department, which opened this summer time, is situated close to Chaney’s Dairy Barn on the Michael O. Buchanon Park, contained in the Warren County Parks & Recreation Tennis Facility. So long as the tennis facility is open, library assets can be accessible to the general public. Hours of operation are as follows:
● Monday: 10am-6pm
● Tuesday: 10am-6pm
● Wednesday: 10am-6pm
● Thursday: 10am-6pm
● Friday: 10am-6pm
● Saturday: 10am-2pm
HOTEL INC
Situated at 1005 Boatlanding Street, the most recent satellite tv for pc opened in December within the newly renovated campus of HOTEL INC. Open to the general public and accessible on the Pearl Road aspect, its hours are as follows:
● Tuesday: 9am-4pm (closed 12:30-1:30)
● Wednesday: 9am-4pm (closed 12:30-1:30)
● Thursday: 10am-6pm (closed 12:30-1:30)
● Friday: 9am-12:30pm
Whereas there, library customers can even store on the Delafield Co-op Market, situated in the identical constructing. Extra data on it may be discovered at https://hotelincbg.com/delafield-co-op-market/.
Capitol Assortment, Occasion Rental
Talking of distinctive places, when the library began leasing the Capitol in 2021, we thought it might make sense to additionally use a portion of the venue to succeed in library patrons who work and store downtown. Since then, a small assortment has been curated, together with books and flicks for adults and youngsters, most of that are associated to theater or associated arts. Downtown retailers and buyers who place holds on gadgets even have the choice of choosing the Capitol as a pickup location. Guide lovers can store on the Capitol Bookstore, run by the Pals of the Library.
And if the Capitol Theater is a spot you’d wish to think about using for a household, buddy or enterprise occasion, that’s doable, too! When not booked for performances, the ability may be rented out for events and different social occasions (even romantic proposals!). The fundamental price for theater rental is $90 per hour for most people or $60 per hour for non-profit teams with a 501(c)(3) standing. Motion pictures may be proven for $90 per hour, so long as they’re ones lined by the library’s public efficiency license (see www.movlic.com/ for itemizing). Faculties can ebook area journeys for $200-$250, and the pre-purchase of concessions may be organized. A sound engineer or lighting specialist may be organized for $50 per hour per technician. Particular gear requests could also be organized upfront for a further charge.
In the event you’ve not visited the library earlier than or want to discover certainly one of our satellites, drop by and we’ll be able to reply any query you might need. Or give us a name at 270-781-4882 to hook up with any location or workplace extension (by way of an important NEW cellphone system we simply switched to). Simply bear in mind, an image ID is all it takes to get a free library card, and there are perks galore! Peruse our web site at www.warrenpl.org, and provides us a comply with on social media. It’s possible you’ll be stunned at what you discover!
-by Ashley Fowlkes, Department Supervisor, Bob Kirby Department, Warren County Public Library
