ABOUT THE LIBRARY
New Library Services Benefit Preschoolers and Patrons of All Ages
November 10, 2006
Franklin Road Branch librarian Kathy VanWeelden scans a book using the branch's new self-check technology.
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library has unveiled a number of new services that make it easier for patrons of all ages to access information and conduct transactions at the library.
IMCPL's improved website allows patrons to more easily search the Library's catalog of over two million items and place holds on items within its vast collection of books, audiobooks, music CDs, DVDs and other formats. One of the new features found on the website's homepage, known as the "callout" section, highlights major library program or service promotions and gives visitors a chance to learn more about them.
Another new online offering is Ask-a-Librarian Express, a virtual reference service that allows patrons to chat with and ask questions of trained and experienced librarians who have worked in public, academic, government and corporate library settings. The librarians are able to answer questions immediately, as well as offer online searching advice, database help and general questions about IMCPL's services and policies. If a question can't be answered online, it will be referred to an IMCPL staff member who will research it and respond to the patron as quickly as possible.
Ask-a-Librarian Express is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is powered by tutor.com, the same service that provides Live Homework Help on the IMCPL website for students in grades 4 - 12.
Book lovers will enjoy the new "Book Letters" feature on the Library's website, which allows them to sign up to receive monthly e-mail recommendations of popular new releases in print and spoken word audio, as well as updates on books and authors in the news. Patrons simply can indicate which newsletters they wish to subscribe to and provide a valid e-mail address.
In addition to books in Spanish, Book Letters provides lists of books on business, today's lifestyles, history and current events, and science and nature.
New technology also is making it easier for patrons to check out materials on their own while freeing up library staff to help other patrons throughout the library. By the end of November, eight IMCPL locations will be full self-check facilities where patrons can use their library cards and scan materials they wish to check out. Three other library locations already have limited, stand-alone self-check capabilities. In all locations, branch staff are always available to assist patrons during the checkout process.
The latest branch to go "full self-check" was the Franklin Road Branch, 5550 S. Franklin Road, in late October. The Nora Branch, 8625 Guilford Avenue, became a full self-check facility in February 2006. The Pike Branch, 6525 Zionsville Road, will have self-check technology installed on November 28.
Other branches with full self-check capabilities are the Lawrence Branch, 7898 N. Hague Road; the Southport Branch, 2630 E. Stop 11 Road; the Wayne Branch, 198 S. Girls School Road; the Warren Branch, 9701 E. 21st Street; and the West Indianapolis Branch, 1216 S. Kappes Street. IMCPL locations with stand-alone units are the Decatur Branch, 5301 Kentucky Avenue; the Interim Central Library, 202 N. Alabama Street; and the Irvington Branch, 5625 E. Washington Street.
Seven more branch self-check installations are planned in 2007.
In continuing the Library's focus on early childhood literacy, preschoolers up to five years old can now receive their own fine-free library card, called My First Library Card. The card makes it easy for parents to check out age-appropriate materials to read to their children and help them develop a love for reading, all without the worry of overdue fines.
Parents are invited to register their children to receive the "My First Library Card" during read-aloud month at the Library. The "November Read Aloud Program" encourages families with babies, toddlers, preschoolers or kindergartners to spend at least 15 minutes reading aloud together, underscoring the fact that reading to young children is the best way to prepare them for academic learning.
Register by visiting any IMCPL branch, the Interim Central Library or bookmobile, or call 275-4099 for more information.
