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Elkhart | 1710 Leer Drive, Suite A 574-327-2357 serenityhme.com
NOW IN GRANGER! 14500 SR 23, Suite 6 | 574-327-2357
15,000 Circulation
Vol. 35, No. 12
February uary 2023
Elko Edition Reachi Reaching ing Elkhart, Kosciusko, Noble And LaGrange Counties
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%\ .(,7+ .1(33 (GLWRU If you haven’t been to the Warsaw Community Public Library in a while, you’re missing out. This isn’t your parents’ library, or even yours from your youth. Gone are the stodgy days of a “shushing” librarian looking at you over the top of her eyeglasses secured to her neck by a silver chain while dressed in a drab gray skirt and black cardigan. Instead, you’re more likely to encounter a bright-eyed employee wearing comfortable, brightlycolored clothes who is eager to help you discover what the library has to offer in 2023. While you’ll still be able to find and check out a wide
selection of books, magazines, movies, music and other traditional library materials, did you know you also can borrow a Wi-Fi hotspot, air fryer, bubble machine, button maker, metal detector and even a GoPro action camera? These, and dozens of other non-traditional library items, are all part of WCPL’s “Library of Things” collection, also known as “LoTs.” They are available for lending to any Warsaw library cardholders in good standing. The best part? You can borrow them free for seven days, with one additional renewal if no one else has requested them, all as part of your library privileges. “It allows people to try out different things without having to buy them,” said Sarah Neel,
who works as a reference assistant at the library. “We have a food dehydrator, a canner, things you need just a couple of times a year. Plus, some of the games we have cost $60, so you can try it out to see if you like it before you buy it.” The LoTs program is a growing trend among cutting edge libraries across the country that are seeking ways to increase their patronage and circulation numbers, which are important as they compete for grants and state funding. At least one other area library, Nappanee Public Library in Elkhart County, has a similar program that has been met with outstanding reviews and support from that community. Warsaw’s LoTs program began in late 2017, according
to Reference Librarian Dana Owen. The collection began with specialty cake pans and evolved further with games and puzzles. Owen said she has expanded the collection gradually during the last five years, adding things such as kitchen appliances, party equipment and outdoor tools. Owen said the items in the collection are things patrons might not want to purchase for themselves, whether because of perceived usage, space or cost. In some instances, people borrow an item to try it out and see if it’s something they like or might want to purchase. “A lot of times people will request something,” said Owen. “I will also go out and look at other libraries’ websites to see what they have added to theirs
and see if it’s something we’d like to try as well.” Items can be placed on hold via the library’s website or by stopping by the reference desk and letting them know what you’d like to borrow. Patrons are limited to two checked-out items from the LoTs at any given time. Items must be returned clean to not be assessed an extra fee. For a list of items WCPL has in its LoTs collection, visit warsawlibrary.org/explore/libraryof-things-(lots) or stop by and see the collection for yourself. The library is located at 310 E. Main St., Warsaw. You can also call (574) 2676011 or email info@warsawlibrary.org with questions about the LoTs collection or anything else going on at the library.
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