How Do I Get My Hands on That New Book?

Pipestone County Star  - 04-25-13

Recently, a few people have expressed a little sadness that we no longer have an extensive browsing collection of new books.  What I mean by that is there aren’t a lot of our brand new books on the shelves at any given time.  They get checked out very quickly and if we don’t know any of our patrons are waiting for them, chances are they may even have left to go to a different library in Plum Creek.    We get anywhere from 20-25 new releases, both fiction and non-fiction.  We also get six new large print every month: two westerns, two Christian fiction, and two popular fiction.  I try and order 4 or 5 new release DVDs each month and one or two popular music CDs as well.

Because we are a regional system, we share our books with patrons from 22 other libraries, which means that sometimes the holds lists for new books can get very long.  We try to make things easier by making a list of all the books (and movies and CDs) we’re ordering every month and have that list available at the desk, so all Pipestone patrons can see what’s coming over the next few weeks.  Typically, we place our orders at the end of each month and the list goes out right after the order has been placed.  Once you take a look at that list, if there’s a book you KNOW you’ll want to read, let us know so we can make sure your name gets on the holds list as quickly as possible.  Sometimes names can be placed on holds lists before the book is even at the library. 

There are some great books coming out this spring and summer from some favorite authors, including John Sandford, James Patterson, Stephen King, Wanda Brunstetter, Iris Johansen, and Tami Hoag.  And that’s just a few of them!  If you have a sneaking suspicion that one of your favorite authors is coming out with a new book (Amazon.com is a great place to check upcoming releases), give us a call!  Chances are, we’re ordering it, and we’d be more than happy to put you on the list for the book as soon as we enter it into the catalogue.  If you’re the first person that lets us know you’re waiting for a book, you’ll be the first person to read it and there’s NOTHING like a brand new book!

We also take suggestions for new books – you can either give us a call, stop by, or send us an email at meinders.library@pas.k12.mn.us.  The same goes for movies – if there’s a new release you think the library should have, give us a call or email us!

We want to make sure our patrons get first crack at our items, but we don’t know you’re waiting if you don’t tell us.  So let us know!  Let us make sure that you get the book you’ve been dying to read, or the movie you’re dying to see, as quickly as possible.

Your Library Account: If you have an email, register it with your library card by calling the library at 507-825-6714 or by logging in to your account online and requesting a change!  By putting an email on your card, you will automatically get reminders when your books are overdue and you will also get an email the moment a book on hold is checked in for you at the desk!  We do not use your emails for any other purpose and our system is private.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Thursday, May 16^th we are having another technology night at the library!  Bring any device you need help with and we’ll see what we can do.  6:30 is our start time and we’ll go as long as we need to help everyone!  Call to reserve a spot as space is limited and if there are no reservations, the teacher isn’t going to be available.

PAFL Update:  Pipestone Area Friends of the Library is looking for members – anyone who is a friend to Meinders Library is welcome to join!  The Friends group works hard to promote the library, raise money for projects, and organize their yearly book sale, in addition to the HUGE amount of support they provide throughout the year.  Give us a call to find out the date of the next meeting!

Book Club Reminder: The book club meets the last Thursday of the month.  Their next meeting will be April 25th at 7:00 in the Meinders Library conference room.  The book is Calico Joe by John Grisham.  Please don’t hesitate to call the library for a copy of the next book.

If you have questions or have a book you’d like to reserve or renew, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (507) 825-6714.  The hours for Meinders Library are Monday through Thursday from 10 AM – 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 10 AM – 5 PM.  Meinders Community Library is located at 1401 7^th Street SW, on the south side of the high school.