GCL Outreach Coordinator James Nowlin pets four-legged patron Annie –on the Bookmobile at a recent outing.
By Erin Baber
The Garland County Library provides free library services to over 100,000 people in Hot Springs and the surrounding Garland County areas all from a single facility at 1427 Malvern Avenue.
In recent years, GCL began adding Remote Services to help make the library more accessible to patrons in the far reaches of the county. These services include a Books-By-Mail program for homebound patrons, free delivery to most of the county, four convenient Remote Book Lockers around the county, and a new mobile branch – the Bookmobile.
Books-By-Mail for homebound patrons:
- Books-By-Mail (BBM) is designed for patrons who are homebound & unable to use traditional library services
- Items are mailed to & from the library via the USPS service
- BBM patrons are paired with a live staff member who personally curates the selection
Remote Book Lockers:
- Free delivery for patrons who live within the service area
- Email outreach@gclibrary.com to find out if your address is eligible
- Deliveries of available holds are made weekly on a set route
- Returns can only be taken when other items are delivered
- Deliveries made by an actual person, rain or shine!
Remote Book Lockers:
- Pick up holds at your convenience
- Drop off returns
- Select which locker to use
- Holds are available for 7 days from availability notification
- These machines don’t talk – no human interaction is required
Bookmobile:
- Browse & borrow from the mobile collection
- Pick up available holds
- Drop off returns
- Use 5G wifi
- Items placed on hold for the bookmobile will remain there for 7 days from notification
- Find the bookmobile route at gclibrary.com/bookmobile
- The bookmobile is equipped with a wheelchair-accessible lift
- Staffed by a friendly, warm-blooded human
For more information about the library, visit www.gclibrary.com, call 501-623-4161, or visit in person at 1427 Malvern Avenue in Hot Springs.
