Patrons express interest in books-by-mail program
Posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2007
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/52183/
Library patrons indicated they would like the Fayetteville Public Library to provide a Netflix-type service that would deliver books to their mailboxes.
A group of University of Arkansas students presented to the Library Board on Monday a feasibility study of a books-by-mail program. Patrons could order books online, by phone or in person and have them mailed to their homes.
The students, as part of a project for an industrial engineering design class, first gauged public interest in a books-by-mail program by distributing surveys in the library, the Northwest Arkansas Mall, the Bell Engineering Center on the UA campus and the Fayetteville Boys and Girls Club.
Out of 1, 080 surveys, 55 percent of participants said they would be interested in the program. The most common payment choice for the program was a fee per book, and most people said they would be willing to wait four days for materials to arrive after placing an order.
After looking at other successful programs, the group said the most efficient way to get books to patrons would be to use zippered mailing bags and send books via the U. S. Postal Service. Returns would be permitted via the postal service or drop boxes.
The total annual cost of the program would be $ 36, 187, with a monthly cost of $ 16. 13 to the customer, based on 187 customers ordering three times per month with three items per order.
In other business, the board received a preview of the library’s summer reading program.
Lolly Greenwood, manager of youth services at the library, performed a skit featuring Sherlock Holmes, which the staff will take to the elementary schools to develop interest in the program, “ Get a Clue. ”
Greenwood said she is excited about the program and expects to break last year’s attendance records. More than 11, 000 children attended programs last summer.
The teen program has grown as well, she said. This year, teen programing will be divided into two groups, sixth- through ninth-graders and 10 th- through 12 thgraders.