In the stacks: Getting outside the library

Putnam County is a big place. 482 square miles. Upwards of 36,000 people. It feels small, but the drive from Cloverdale to Russellville takes nearly three quarters of an hour.

It is a large distance from one place to another, and therefore it is a large distance from the library to you.

At the library, we aim to connect. We connect people with books, of course, but we also connect people with technology, movies and games, and with experiences through our many programs presented by the library and our partners.

We connect information with those who need it most. We connect people with their past through our local history department. Connectedness is a central aim of the library, yet we are very disconnected from those in our own service area by distance.

To alleviate this sense of disconnectedness, the library offers services such as our outreach van, where our outreach coordinator delivers materials to over a dozen locations in the county. Services paid by the library, like Overdrive and Tumblebooks, bring the library to your phone, tablet or laptop by allowing you to check out e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines and talking picture books online. Livestreaming on social media has also allowed us to share our programming for those who are unable to attend these events at the library.

Though we are disconnected by distance, we can still stay connected as a community.

Community events are an integral way that we connect with one another, and are an opportunity to connect with the greater world. We at the library intend to participate more fully in ensuring those opportunities at the library for the whole county by attending and offering services at these events.

You may have seen us this summer at the Cloverdale or Greencastle farmers markets. We will also be attending the upcoming Putnam County Fair. More events are being planned in various locations throughout the county so that we can bring the library to you.

You can sign up for a library card, show us your card for a chance to win a prize through our prize raffle or maybe even pick up a free book. We can show you how to access our digital resources, tell you about upcoming programs and take suggestions on future library programs, services and events. We can do all of this at our booth.

You can feel connected to the library again. This county is a big place, but our commitment to connecting Putnam County residents to the information, materials and services they need is bigger. We are your library, and we are willing to travel the distance to bring our services to you. Come out and see us soon.