Every once in a while when children are invited to check out books during a field trip to the library,
there’s one kid who’s not able to take any home.
Maybe his parents did not want to be held responsible for the books being checked out, or perhaps she
forgot to take the permission slip home.
The embarrassment is being eliminated by the Wood County District Public Library Board of Trustees, which
wants to make the library accessible to everyone – even if the materials never make it back.
At the May 20 meeting, the board approved establishing a child card and teen card for the library.
Children ages 12 and under will be able to check out up to three print books from the children
collection. With a teen card, those ages 13-17 will be able to check out three print books from either
the children’s or teen collections.
The cards are expected to be ready sometime in June, said library director Michael Penrod.
"This is another expansion of service," he said.
Penrod said this "starter card" will allow checkouts that are of minimal value, in case they’re
not returned.
"They won’t be able to place holds from other libraries or check out videos," he said.
If the books are never returned to the library, the card will be discontinued.
"We don’t send children to collection agencies," Penrod said.
In other circulation business, he said the library is changing the blocked amount on accounts from a $1
fine to $5. He said a 25-cent fine, for example, can quickly accumulate and block a patron’s account in
a couple days if the minimum is $1. The new policy will allow use of the library catalog until the
patron can pay the fine, as long as it stays below $5.
Also at the meeting, the board:
• Voted to spend not more than $1,645 on a tobacco cessation program for the seven out of 40 employees
who smoke. Penrod said this program could help save health insurance costs in the future. The program,
though Wood County Hospital’s Wellness Services, includes three hours of consultations and 50 percent of
the cost of pharmacotherapy. "It’s one more way we can help care for employees and watch the
library’s bottom line," Penrod said. The library’s policy committee is also considering
recommending that the entire property be smoke-free.
• Saw adult services director Michele Raine give a presentation on Hoopla, which allows patrons to use
their WCDPL card to access movies, television shows, music and audio books, with no fees and no waiting.
"You don’t have to worry about it being late or falling into a ditch," she said. "It’s
Netflix for libraries."
• Heard the adult summer reading program will run June 2 through July 21. Entry tickets are at the
checkout desk.
• Heard tickets are on sale now for the sixth-annual library fundraiser at Schedel Arboretum and Gardens
in Elmore on July 17.
• Heard $1,900 was raised at the recent Friends of the Library book sale.