Usually, people wait until the New Year to unveil their fresh new looks and announce exciting changes. Well, we decided not to wait until January to share our makeover news.
By December 2, two of our branches will have undergone a refresh – the Southwest and South Trail branches have both received new carpeting, paint and shelving that gives those spaces a more inviting, clean and modern look. Our Southeast Branch is currently closed while we put the finishing touches on a refresh there; the branch reopens on January 7 with a new look. Stop by and let us know what you think!
While we were refreshing our branches, our checkout process got a refresh, too. If you’ve visited our locations recently, you may have have noticed our new Fast Lane checkout machines. These new checkout systems give our customers access to a product called the cloudLibrary, which allows you to download an app to your smartphone that you can use to scan and store your library card, then scan titles in our stacks and electronically check them out without staff assistance. Scan your books with your phone, then take them to the Fast Lane checkout stations at the front of each location. Place your selections on the pad, and the security features will be deactivated, making checkouts faster and simpler than ever.
CloudLibrary also comes with an Express Collection, which offers you access to a variety of newer releases that can be read or listened to on your smartphone. Titles in the Express Collection can’t be checked out for more than seven days, and cannot be placed on hold, making it easier for more people to have access to popular ebooks and audiobooks that check out frequently. There’s no waiting for titles in the Express Collection – if the title is listed, it’s available.
The Express Collection won’t replace our other ebook providers – it will operate alongside existing ebook services, like OverDrive, which will continue to give customers longer checkout periods and the opportunity to place holds on items they want.
I can’t think of a better way to ring out the old and ring in the new!
