Library Express: Novel—And Nearby
Impact On Centerville Project Schedules Yet Unknown
HUGO - It’s the next best thing to having a library in downtown Hugo.
Washington County Library system users are already weighing in on Library Express, a new system for ordering, picking up and returning library materials more conveniently—right at Hugo City Hall, located at 14669 Fitzgerald Ave. N. in Hugo.
The system went online on Friday, July 9 and began generating feedback immediately.
“We have already received an e-mail from a satisfied customer who used the system,” Library Director Pat Conley told Hugo City Clerk Michele Lindau the Monday after the system went live. Lindau facilitated the project for the city.
For those library patrons who are familiar with ordering library books online, Library Express is one more way to save time and gasoline.
“Hugo is a community which is seeing substantial growth. We want to make sure access to library services is a cost-effective benefit which can contribute to that growth,” Conley said.
Books may be ordered inside the lobby of City Hall during regular business hours at a new library computer kiosk, or via the internet on a personal computer. Users may now select “Library Express (Hugo City Hall)” instead of “Hardwood Creek Branch” from the pickup location drop-down menu.
Numbered lockers are located under cover outside the entrance to City Hall; patrons can pick up materials by entering the last four digits of their library card number on a keypad to retrieve their books.
A book return is also available to return library materials at any time during the day or night.
Although it may take several days for the books to arrive in Hugo, for many readers, that’s fast enough. Even before Library Express was available, it could take a few days for a book to arrive on the hold shelf in country libraries, and likely a few more before patrons could find the time to swing by the library—during library hours—to pick up the book.
Now, those books will be hand-delivered to within a few miles of residents’ homes, with the added benefit of accessibility 24/7.
To request books, customers use their library card number and must have an e-mail address on file with Washington County Library.
Library cards are available online or through any Washington County library. Patrons will be informed via e-mail when their materials are available. The items will be available for 48 hours from the time of delivery to the library.
“We will be filling the lockers on Tuesdays and Fridays, at least for now,” Washington County Library Administrative Supervisor Angela Smith told The Citizen. “This may change in the coming weeks or months as we get a handle on how much usage the lockers will get.”
The Library Express kiosk system was supplied by LEID Products, a manufacturer of electronic locker and cabinet storage units based in Auburn Hills, Mich. The equipment cost $44,000, plus installation costs, and was funded by a federal grant.
A ribbon cutting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, July 29, at Hugo City Hall.