Pinedale Library to offer on-site services at senior citizens’ centers

PINEDALE – The Sublette County Library
in Pinedale is starting a new program in
January to bring library materials and services
to Aspen Grove Apartments, the Sublette Center
and Rendezvous Pointe Senior Center. The
purpose of the program is to provide on-site
access to library services for senior citizens
who may not be able to visit the library in
person, said Judi Boyce, adult programming
coordinator at the Pinedale Library.
Boyce came up with the idea for on-site services
earlier this fall. Several patrons visited
the library with concerns that relatives living
at the Sublette Center or Aspen Grove did not
have the mobility or a computer and email to
access programs and materials at the library.
The Pinedale Library already offers the delivery
of library materials to individual homebound
people. But Boyce wanted to expand
these services to basically bring the whole library
out to the community.
“We have a need among some of our older
patrons during the winter months,” Boyce
said. “Winter is hard here. It’s difficult to get
out, the roads are slick, it’s cold and not everyone
has transport. A library is supposed to be
free and available to everyone, so if you can’t
get to the library, maybe we can bring the library
to you. Our materials and programs are
a good way to break up the winter monotony.”
Technology allows the library to be more
mobile, Boyce said. In the past, libraries carted
around materials in bulky bookmobiles. But
now many services, from creating library
cards to processing interlibrary loans, can be
done with a computer. The Pinedale Library
also has access to e-books and digital research
databanks online.
The constant updates and changes to technology
can be “daunting” for patrons of any
age, Boyce said. She encourages patrons to
bring their electronic devices to on-site visits
to get assistance on downloading electronic
resources from the visiting librarians.
Boyce and other librarians will also bring
non-electronic, more traditional materials that
are requested by patrons to the sites they visit.
These materials include books, magazines,
CDs and even DVDs.
“We have over 6,000 DVD titles at the
library,” Boyce said. “We’re a better option
then Redbox since you can keep our DVDs
for a week at no charge. We have everything
from ‘Game of Thrones’ to classic movies and
Hallmark Channel programs.”
Basically any services offered at the regular
library, from applying for a library card to requesting
materials and checking them out, will
be offered at the on-site locations.
Boyce also plans to use the on-site services
as an informational clearinghouse about all
the diverse programs going on at the library.
Visiting librarians will bring along posters and
flyers about upcoming events to the on-site locations.
“This is a way for people without access to
technology to find out about library events,”
Boyce said. “We’re hoping to reach people
who may not know what we have going on
and get them into the library.”
Boyce will pilot the on-site program during
the winter months. But she said she is open
to expanding the program all year if there is
enough community interest and people continue
to use the services.
The on-site services will be offered at three
different locations in Pinedale on alternating
days of the week starting in January. Librarians
will visit Aspen Grove Apartments right
inside the main entrance near the fireplace on
Tuesdays, Jan. 8, and Jan. 22, from 10:30 a.m.
to noon. The on-site library at the Sublette
Center will be right outside the dining room
on Wednesday, Jan. 16, from 11 a.m. to 12:30
p.m. Librarians will plan the on-site library at
Rendezvous Pointe Thursdays, Jan. 3, and 17
,from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Anyone with questions or with requests for
items can contact Boyce at the Pinedale Library,
307-367-4114. n