 The Thomas Branigan Memorial Library is making it easier for the community to read by offering Books by Mail, a program that puts books in the hands of readers despite high gas prices and busy schedules.
Much like the ever-growing mail-order DVD trend, Netflix, the Books by Mail program allows anyone living in Doña Ana County with a valid library card to order books by phone or internet free of charge and simply wait until the items show up in their mailbox.
“This program ensures we are able to get a library item into the hands of our customers,” said Lynette Schurdevin, library administrator. “We try to overcome obstacles of distance and transportation to achieve this goal.”
Currently Thomas Branigan Memorial Library is the largest library in the county and the only public library in Las Cruces. The Books by Mail program, started in 2007, allows users to check out anything that is available through the library, including books, audio books, music CDs and DVDs. DVDs and CDs are due back within a week and books are due within 21 days. Items can be renewed once by calling the Books by Mail department or going online, but if the items are not renewed following a three-day grace period after the due date, late fees will be charged.
The Books by Mail program is not the first step taken by the library to provide easier access to library materials – it has offered similar services through the Homebound program. The Homebound program provides books on tape or CD, movies on VHS and DVD and books (in large print and regular print) to those who are unable to come to the library. Volunteers select items, check them out and deliver them twice a month.
Opened for the first time in November of 1935, the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library has always focused on the needs of the people it serves, evolving programs and media with the changing times so the presence of books still remains strong.
To order Books by Mail Call the Books by Mail Department at 575.528.4029 and request titles or visit the online library catalog at http://chile.las-cruces.org and put holds on the titles you want. When you are asked where you want to pick the books up, choose the ‘Books by Mail’ option.
|
