Borrowing from LINKin Partner Libraries

Sometimes you search our online catalog and discover that Cook Memorial's copies of an item you want to borrow are checked out. Or, maybe we don't own the item. In either case, you can click the   button on the right side of the screen to check whether the item is available from one of our LINKin partner libraries. If it is, you can request it online. Read more about LINKin borrowing. See a demonstration.

Automated Sorter at Aspen Drive

A new and advanced Automated Material Handling System, simply referred to as a Sorter, is being installed at our Aspen Drive Library this week. This system immediately checks in items returned by patrons and sorts them into different bins depending on format. What impact will this technology have on you? In addition to freeing up staff so that they can provide the best service possible, the Sorter provides increased overall efficiency:

• Accuracy of check in – The sorter is 100 percent accurate. When an item is returned through the Sorter’s slot, the item is automatically checked in, so there is no chance that an item you have returned will still show up as “checked out” in your account.
• Option of printing a receipt – For those patrons who have trouble keeping track of the items they return, or have had the experience of an item remaining on their account when they have returned it, this option offers great peace of mind.
• Patrons can immediately check out items with limits -- Many patrons simply want to return their DVDs or Hot Picks, quickly select other DVDs or Hot Picks, use our self check out, and go. Since items are immediately checked in upon return, checking new materials out right away will no longer be a problem.
• Efficiency of items returned to the shelves – Sorting materials into bins will increase the speed of returning items to the shelves.

Visit the Aspen Drive Library after the end of next week to see the Sorter in operation.

Scanner

A patron wants to know, Is there a scanner available for public use at the library?

Yes! There is a touch screen scanner located at the beginning of the second row of adult computers at our Cook Park Library. There is also one located in the computer lab at our Aspen Drive Library. You can use the scanners to convert documents and photos into PDF, Word or JPEG files, which you can scan to a USB drive, email, Google Docs, or printer. There is no charge for scanning. If you scan to the printer, the usual fee of $.10 per page for black and white and $.25 per page for color applies.

Parking Lot Improvements

The Brainerd Avenue entrance at the Cook Park Library will be closed for a week beginning Thursday, April 12 for parking lot modifications.

• Please use the Church Street entrance to enter and exit the parking lot.
• Please use caution when driving through the lot and follow the directional signs.
• We are planning for the drop boxes and drive-up window to be open during this time.
• In the event of rain, this project may be postponed.

Also, just in time for spring, the Aspen Drive Library parking lot was restriped last week with a fresh coat of paint for crosswalks and parking spaces. This photo shows new stop signs the contractor installed in front of the building entrance. The stop signs should result in a safer environment for pedestrians entering the crosswalk, especially for our young visitors who are often obscured by cars idling in front of the building. Please note there is a stop sign to the south and north of the crosswalk.