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