Libraries offer express collection
Local libraries offering Express Collections
What if you could pop into the library and find the best and latest titles ready to be borrowed that very day? What if you didn’t have to wait in line after 80 people to read the latest bestseller? What if you could drop by the library at the last minute on Friday afternoon and pick out a recent blockbuster movie for family pizza night?
What if you could pop into the library and find the best and latest titles ready to be borrowed that very day? What if you didn’t have to wait in line after 80 people to read the latest bestseller? What if you could drop by the library at the last minute on Friday afternoon and pick out a recent blockbuster movie for family pizza night?
We’ve heard from you, our community, that it’s frustrating to wait for the great new book you want to read right now; that sometimes you need a good movie to watch tonight. You’ve told us that sometimes you don’t want to plan months in advance.
That’s why we’re trying an experiment in the St. John’s area. It’s called the Express Collection, a special display of popular new books and DVDs that are available for immediate borrowing. You never know exactly which titles you’ll find on the shelf, but we can promise you something new and popular that you can take home today.
These titles will be available for a short loan — seven days for books, three days for DVDs — with no renewals. You’ll still be able to request specific titles and wait for them as you’ve always done, but these extra copies are only available by dropping in to your local library in person.
You can find Express Collection books and DVDs at libraries in St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Conception Bay South and Torbay. If the program is a hit, we hope to expand to larger libraries across the province.
What might you find in the collection on any given day? Here’s a sample of the books we’ve been ordering:
• “Go Set a Watchman” by Harper Lee
• “In the Unlikely Event” by Judy Blume
• “Memory Man” By David Baldacci
• “Finders Keepers” by Stephen King
• “The Nature of the Beast” by Louise Penny
• “The Heart Goes Last” by Margaret Atwood
• “His Whole Life” By Elizabeth Hay
• “A God in Ruins” by Kate Atkinson
• Plus the latest by James Patterson, Danielle Steel, Clive Cussler, David Baldacci, Harlan Coben, Lee Child, Debbie Macomber, Janet Evanovich, Lisa Scottoline, Amanda Quick and many more.
Remember video stores? Where you could browse the shelves and pick out a recent movie to watch? We know that’s something many people are missing. We’re hoping to make library shelves more like that — except free, of course. Drop by this fall for titles like “Insurgent,” “Cinderella,” “Home,” “Marvel’s Avengers,” “Mad Max” and “Mr. Turner.”
Bring back family movie night
It’s a great way to bond as a family, or unwind after a long week. In addition to the recent releases in our Express Collection, don’t forget that we’ve got thousands of classic movies available for borrowing any day.
For family movie night, here are a few staff favourites that are great for the whole family (suitable for the kids, but good fun for adults. too): “My Neighbour Totoro” “The Princess Bride” “Wallace and Gromit” “Ponyo” “Despicable Me” “Up” “ET” “Wall-E” “The Incredibles” “The Princess and the Frog” “Shrek” “Toy Story” “Babe” “Mary Poppins” “Star Wars” “The Lego Movie” “The Muppet Movie”
How can you help?
Spread the word! October is Canadian Library Month. Will you help us spread the word about libraries? Follow us on Twitter (@NLPubLibraries) and find your local library on Facebook. Or tell a friend about the great books and movies you just saw at the library.
Share the joy! If you’ve bought a recent bestseller and already finished reading it, consider donating it to the library while it’s still brand new and in demand. If we can accept the donation (it must have been released this year or last year, and be needed for the collection), we’ll give you a tax receipt for your items. It’s a great way to share with your community. If it gets added to the Express collection, your donation could be enjoyed by up to 26 borrowers in the next six months.