Membership How to Become A Member Membership costs what you choose to donate, but a minimum of $5 per year, due in October at the annual meeting. To become a member at any other time of the year, you can request a membership form by writing to PO Box 468, Ester AK 99725. Or, simply send your memberhip fee and contact information to the same address. Checks should be made to the JTEL. Checking Out Library Items The John Trigg Ester Library is a do-it-yourself kind of library, safe for technophobes who yearn for the days of library cards. Guess what? We've got card pockets with good old-fashioned library cards in every book. No electricity or beeping gizmos required! To check out a book, take the library card out of the pocket of the book you want, write your name and the date on it, and put the card in the box for the purpose on the shelf by the door. The cards are arranged by last name of author (this makes it easier for you or the library volunteers to find when you bring the book back). Books and movies are also available for borrowing a the JTEL office, studio #8 at the Annex. To check out a video or a CD, the procedure is the same, except that the cards may be in a card catalog next to the return box (there being no inner cover on many videos). Check the inside of the DVD cover or, if the video has one, the oversized plastic library jacket. If there's no card pocket, then it's in the video card catalog.The cards go in the box by the door, too. The librarians will file them back in the video card catalog when you return the video. To check out an audiobook, proceed as with a regular book. The card pocket may be on the front cover, the back cover, or inside, depending on where there was space and where the description of the contents lies. To check out a jigsaw puzzle, proceed as with a book. The card pocket should be on the top of the puzzle box. Returning Items Return all items to the shelf next to the check-out box on the shelf by the door. Please don't check out items for longer than six months. If the dog ate the book, please replace it with one of equivalent interest or tastiness, in hardback, and--this is important--let the librarians know what happened. Preferably you'll be able to get the same title, but if not, we'll understand. Book Requests If you would like to have a particular title in the library, please let the librarians know (library [at] esterrepublic.com or 479-3368 or 479-2979). We may be able to get it for the library using the used book credit account at Gulliver's or, if we receive enough donations, from a new book fund. Responsibilities of Membership Aside from paying dues once a year and making sure you bring back the things you've checked out, participating in a membership library requires a bit more attention and involvement (but not much more) than a public library. Since the library belongs to the membership, it is up to the members to take care of their library. The librarians can always provide guidance on what needs to be done or how best to help out, but it's up to you to make sure that the library keeps going. If you'd like to have a certain book on the shelves, go ahead and buy a copy for the library! If the garbage is full, go ahead and take it to the dumpster. If the floor looks a bit dusty, go home and get your vacuum (you might be able to borrow Frank's, and there is a broom available). But most important, use the library. The easy chair is comfortable, and the books are there to be read. Volunteering This is your library; come help keep it tidy and organized. If you'd like to help out but aren't sure what to do, contact one of the librarians (we're in the phone book or the Local Et Cetera). We can meet with you and show you what needs to be done and how to do it. We can always use the help! Please contact us at info@esterlibrary.org, or write to P.O. Box 468, Ester AK 99725. | |||||
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