It's nice to know that some things in life are still free. One free pleasure I have been enjoying the past couple of years is the Rohnert Park-Cotati Library in Rohnert Park CA. I paid a visit to the library yesterday to ask permission to snap a few photos for my blog. I had no idea I would have the personal pleasure of sitting down and talking with Nancy Kleban, the Branch Manager.
The Rohnert Park-Cotati Library is just 7 years new with over 90,000 books, DVD's, CD's, magazines and newspapers! There are over 20 computers for those who need free access to the internet. And in February 2009, the Rohnert Park-Cotati branch of the Sonoma County Library system was the first to install a Radio Frequency ID system for self-checkout.
The RFID system allows a person to scan the barcode on their FREE library card, and will then ask for a 4 digit PIN. Once the system has identified you, you will be prompted to place your items on what looks like a rubber mat in front of the screen. The system's antenna will read the ID tags on your goodies and will display an itemized list. You then get to select whether you would like a printed receipt, an e-mailed receipt or both.
Worried about past due fees? As long as you have internet access, you will never have to worry about returning anything late. You will receive a friendly e-mail reminding you that your items are due back soon. I use my printed receipt as a book marker so I can always check the receipt to see when a book I am reading needs to be returned.
Another great feature of the Rohnert Park-Cotati Library is their book store where you can BUY books for dirt cheap. The book store is run by the Friends of the Library, a group of dedicated volunteers who work very hard to organize the incoming donations, run the book store, and put on twice-a-year book sales (there's one coming up on October 1-2, 2010).
The Rohnert Park-Cotati Library is a FREE community resource, you really should check it out. If you haven't been to a library in decades (like me), about the only thing that is still true is that you need to keep your voice down. Other than that, you will find yourself walking into a whole new world. Come on in and apply for your FREE library card today!
Rohnert Park- Cotati Library
6250 Lynne Conde Way
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
(707) 584-9121
* Photos courtesy of Nancy Lynn Kleban, Branch Manager, Rohnert Park-Cotati Library
* Library card image courtesy of me (minus a few numbers) ... sorry, but you'll have to get your own :)
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