The Casper Journal :: Casper's Community Newspaper

Reference librarian

You may have noticed some changes recently at the library -- books are newer and brighter, and there are more copies of your favorites.

CDs and DVDs are flying off the shelves. People are visiting us in droves, and many attend innovative and informative programs several days each week.

Staff members field challenging and important questions hourly. It’s a little noisier, but we’ve decided that it’s worth it to make our community happy.

We have been working hard to provide patrons with these updated and enjoyable books, magazines, DVDs and more, and thank our community for supplying us with One-Cent funds for the next four years to continue making this possible.

We continually accept suggestions for additions and appreciate comments from our visitors. We want everyone in the community to be able to share in this wealth of available materials.

In recent months, the library has been investigating ways to make sure we are reaching everyone who wishes to partake in the excitement.

Although our branch libraries in Mills and Edgerton and the Bookmobile do an outstanding job of stretching our reaches, there are still those who are unable to fully utilize our services.

Books By Mail, a new service offered by Natrona County Public Library, is tailor-made just for those individuals. Books By Mail delivers library materials to patrons and their caregivers who are unable to visit the library due to a temporary or long-term physical or medical disability.

By signing up for Books By Mail, patrons can receive all library materials, not just books, mailed to their home free of charge. The library pays the postage to send the items, as well as the return postage when they are due.

When finished reading, watching or listening to library materials, patrons simply attach the included postage sticker and address label, reseal and put out with the mail.

Books By Mail participants either can request individual items on an as-needed basis or can continually receive a fresh supply. If requested, library staff can assist in choosing items that match the interests of patrons.

Participants also are encouraged to place holds online for material they would like to receive via the mail.

Books By Mail is available year-round or on a temporary basis due to heath or weather matters.

It is important to the library staff that caregivers also are included in the eligibility for Books By Mail. Often, even healthy, mobile caregivers are unable to sneak away for the short time it takes to peruse the library for some much-needed entertainment or supportive research.

Books By Mail can assist those caregivers by providing an avenue of contact without diminishing their guardian roles.

If you would like to learn more about Books By Mail or to sign up for this service, contact Nicholle Gerharter by calling 577-READ (577-7323), ext. 2, or by sending an e-mail to ngerharter@will.state.wy.us.

I also can be reached by writing to Natrona County Public Library, 307 E. Second St., Casper 82601.

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