HUNTSVILLE, ON- Users of the Huntsville library can access inter-library loans again.
According to an announcement from the library, the service was restored as of July 2nd. Anyone wishing to request an inter-library item can now do so at the library, though there is a limit of five items per person, per month.
Deborah Duce, the chief executive officer of the library, told the MyMuskokaNow.com newsroom that all six district libraries in Muskoka have had the service restored, though they all have different ways of putting it back in action depending on their budgets and level of demand for inter-library items.
In Huntsville, Duce indicated that librarians will be keeping a close eye on the restored service demands. Items that can be ordered through it include fiction and non-fiction books, DVDs, and audiobooks, though CDs have been left out because they wouldn’t be cost-effective to ship.
“One of the things we’ve learned is that a lot of our residents, they might have internet access, but it’s very spotty, and there are lots of people that don’t have it,” said Duce.
“To provide them with DVD’s so they can be entertained for a couple of hours, that’s actually really important, and it’s also a great research tool.”
Items that are less than a year old or are in great demand are also not accessible to the inter-library system. As for cost, the library will be assuming the cost of operating the service, though there will be a 30 per cent rebate on shipping costs from the Southern Ontario Library Service.
Duce indicated that they’re aiming to not spend more than $2000 on shipping costs. That cost will also be paid from community donations.
Duce was hopeful that the next provincial budget will see more funding for inter-library loan services brought forward, and indicated that the restored service will be running for at least a year as is.
She encouraged residents to come in and talk to library staff about the inter-library loans. According to her, items will be loaned, nine times out of ten.