Legal Research

Milwaukee Public Library Considers Express Libraries for Supermarkets, Airport, Etc.

According to JS Online, Milwaukee Public Library is investigating the idea of creating three express libraries where patrons could access library materials and services at convenient places, such as supermarkets, coffee shops, or the airport.

At each express library, patrons could check out or return books or other items they had ordered over the Internet; use computers to order additional items; or pick up a telephone hotline direct to the Central Library's reference desk, [Library Director Paula] Kiely said.

Library officials haven't decided whether the express libraries would be stocked with their own collections of books, CDs and DVDs for checkout, Kiely said. But materials would be delivered from the Central Library and neighborhood libraries and held for patrons who had ordered them, she said.

The library is also investigating technology to let library patrons check out their own books and other materials. "That would free library staffers for other tasks, or allow for staff cuts" according to Keily.

Full post as published by WisBlawg - From the UW Law Library on May 27, 2008 (boomark / email).