Pulaski County Public Library Medaryville Branch to close
- Details
- Published: Tuesday, 03 November 2015 14:34
From Pulaski County Public Library Board of Trustees
MEDARYVILLE - The Medaryville Branch of the Pulaski County Public Library will end its chapter as a traditional library location of the Pulaski County Public Library on Dec. 31.
For the last several decades, the location has experienced a rollercoaster of usage, with closures being slated in 1986 and 2001, before later being overturned.
As patron usage at that location continued to experience a considerable decline, a community focus group was held at the library in 2012. As a result of the focus group, several new ideas for the branch were implemented, along with an expenditure cap per checkout. The usage statistics and expenditures were reviewed by the library trustees semi-annually, and circulation statistics were available for patrons to monitor each month in the branch.
In April 2015, the cost per checkout exceeded the limit set by the Trustees in 2012. As a result of exceeding the expenditure cap, and continued low patron usage, the trustees have decided to end traditional library services at the branch. This includes the day-to-day operation and circulation of physical materials, such as books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, and audiobooks.
Beginning Jan. 1, the building will be closed to the public.
The trustees recognize the important role of technology in the community and will continue to utilize the facility as a wireless Internet hub, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From outside the building, patrons will have access to research databases, downloadable ebooks, audiobooks, music, magazines, and streaming video from the library website. The trustees are looking for another community organization to partner with to utilize the building for a repurposed use.
Support of early literacy materials will continue through a new partnership with West Central Schools’ bookmobile. Medaryville Branch patrons wishing to utilize traditional library services may continue to do so at the main library in Winamac, as well as the Francesville Library, San Pierre Library, or any other library that participates in reciprocal borrowing with the Pulaski County Public Library.
The Pulaski County Public Library Board of Trustees meets at the Winamac Library, 121 S. Riverside Dr. in Winamac at 4:15 p.m., on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
