BAPL EZ Lend- A First for PA
It looks like a regular vending machine, the kind you insert coins in exchange for a chocolate bar or bag of chips. But if you are looking for a quick junk-food fix from this vending machine, you’d be surprised. The Library recently installed the BAPL EZ Lend in the Hanover Township Community Center, 3660 Jacksonville Road, to allow patrons a remote location to borrow materials instead of the Library or the bookmobile. Only a handful of libraries offer this service in the country. BAPL is the first to offer this service in Pennsylvania.
EZ Lend will be fully operational on Tuesday, May 22 and a celebration is planned for 10 a.m. You bring your card and we will bring the cake!
It works just like a regular vending machine, except that you swipe your BAPL card instead of inserting coins into the machine. And instead of buying a pack of gum, you borrow a blockbuster or a best seller. The printed receipt tells you when the item is due back. The borrowing times are the same as at the Library. Books may be borrowed for 21 days and movies are due in 7 days.
Library staff members keep the machine stocked with a revolving collection of new-release DVDs and books, nearly 200 items, both for adults and children. Books are hardcover and paperback. The selections are chosen by library staff from the most popular, in-demand titles. Next to the EZ Lend is a return bin, where patrons can bring back the items that they borrowed from the machine. All other materials must be returned to the Main Library, the South Side Branch or the bookmobile to avoid fines.
if you would like more information about this innovation or the ribbon cutting event, contact Janet Fricker at 610 867-3761 x215 or jfricker@bapl.org or Liza Holzinger at 610 867-3761 x259 or eholzinger@bapl.org.
