Grattan Township is benefiting from the “Express Library” service offered by Kent District Library.
“[The] KDL doesn’t have a building between Lowell and Spencer Township, and from the eastern county border to Rockford,” notes Sandra Graham, Regional Manager I for Alto and Lowell (Englehardt) Branches in an interview with Lowell’s First Look. Due to this, it has been rather difficult for KDL to reach the citizens of Grattan Township.
Graham adds, “Grattan’s early idea was to buy the former school across from the Township Hall and renovate it for Township uses, including a library branch.” However, inspections revealed that the renovation would cost more than a new building. “Going with the automated library cabinet was something KDL could immediately offer, while brick and mortar plans became something for the future,” according to Graham.
As Regional Manager 1 for Englehardt, Graham has been assigned to work with Grattan Township to bring the KDL experience to them. The Express Library is a step in that direction and has been made possible with the help of Grattan Township Clerk Michelle Alberts. “Her enthusiasm for improved library service in Grattan has carried all of us along,” Graham says.
So KDL, partnering with Grattan Township, has installed the “Express Library.” This machine is currently located in the lobby of the Grattan Township Office.
“The Express Library is a LibCabinet made by Lyngsoe Systems,” Graham explains. On the front of the cabinet is a place to scan your library card or a touch screen pad where you can type in your card number. Once it has been accurately typed in, the door will open and you may browse the books available and borrow a book or return one.
“When the door is closed, an inventory is run using the RFID tags in the books,” Graham says. “What is no longer in the cabinet is checked out to you. You can choose a printed receipt, email, or no receipt, similar to the self-checkout machines in our branches.”
The Express Library has had some slow, but steady usage. “There hasn’t been much publicity on it yet, as we wanted to make sure it works as it should,” according to Graham.
Rather than wait until a building can be purchased and renovated, the Express is a faster way to bring library services to residents of Grattan Township. “Going with the automated library cabinet was something KDL could immediately offer while brick and mortar plans became something for the future,” Graham says.
So far, the machine is working quite well. There are plans to include a “robot” to give the Express Library a more interactive feel. “This would give the patron a video and voice link to someone who could answer any of their questions, along with other library and Township aids,” Graham explains.
Also, there are plans to add a wall wrap to brand the Express Library. There is a desire to have a grand opening of the feature around late August/early September. The next stage is to offer summer programming in the Township Hall. This will allow the Express Library to complement the other 20 branches of the KDL.
“We are also hoping to add weekly storytimes as well,” Graham adds. “While this…doesn’t have everything our branches do, we want to offer as much of the library experience as possible.”
The Express Library can be visited in the Grattan Township hall during normal business hours on Mondays through Thursdays from 9am – 4pm.
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