Niles library offers ‘book a librarian’ service
Published 9:34 am Wednesday, August 31, 2016
- Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT Crystal Gleason is one of many staff members at the Niles District Library that can help patrons through the library’s Book a Librarian service. Patrons can use the free service to get advice on things like how to download an e-book and how to do genealogy research.
The Niles District Library is much more than a collection of books.
Its staff is versed in a wide range of knowledge from how to perform genealogy research to how to access government services.
In an effort to share that wisdom, the Niles District Library is offering residents the ability to book a one-on-one session with a member of the library’s staff.
Through the free service, which is called “Book a Librarian,” residents can reserve up to one hour with a staff member who will help them with things like downloading a book to an e-reader to figuring out how to use the library’s databases.
Crystal Gleason, the library’s information and readers services manager, said the program is one more way the library is giving back to the community.
“We have a lot of knowledgeable staff and great resources — there are so many things we can help people with,” she said. “One of our goals is providing access to information and access to resources that the public needs. By doing that we are keeping ourselves relevant to the community and making this a place where they want to come and learn.”
Those wanting to book a librarian can make an appointment by emailing reference@nileslibrary.net, calling (269) 684-4575 ext. 112 or visiting the information desk.
Appointments can be made between 10 a.m. and noon and between 2 and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Library users are allowed one session per week.
While librarians can help with a lot of things, Gleason said they cannot offer advice or provide data entry for medical, legal, financial, business or personal transactions. Librarians are also unable to set up or install software on personal devices.
“We can’t put information in for their Amazon account, but we are more than happy to show them how to use Amazon,” she said.
Gleason said the library has been offering the service for approximately one year, but not many people know about it.
“We’ve had three scheduled this month and I think we have another one scheduled for next week,” she said. “As more people hear about it I think it will be used more.”
For more information, visit the library online at nileslibrary.com. The library is located at 620 E. Main St., in Niles.
