Library does books and so much more. I’m sure that for many more years, the library will house a physical collection of books. We have books for people at every stage of development and every reading level as well as many, many different topics both fiction and non-fiction and I don’t see that changing any time soon. But we have also branched out and are branching out into other ways to access information and reading materials. If you haven’t visited recently, we’d love to have you come and check us out!
The library carries books, again both fiction and non-fiction on audio cassette (although they are dwindling and not being replaced), compact discs and now downloadable audiobooks and e-books. If you have a computer and a library card in good standing you can borrow books without ever leaving your house by visiting http://arrowhead.lib.overdrive.com. Instructions for downloading the software needed to read and listen to the books is available on the site as well as email support if you have questions or problems. The collection of downloadable items is growing monthly and yet you will often have to request items to borrow them. We can only loan out as many copies of an item at a time as we own. So if we have two copies of a downloadable book, two people can read the book at a time.
The library has a fairly large movie collection. Movies are available in VHS form (no new titles are being added anymore), and Digital Video Discs. We have movies for children, feature films and a rather extensive documentary collection. These movies are generally available to borrow for one week at a time. We also have a rotating collection of movies that we get for six weeks before we send it on to the next library and get a new batch. These movies can only be borrowed for two days at a time so that more members of the community can borrow them.
The library also has magazines, over 75 titles in fact. The current issue needs to be read in the library but back issues are available to borrow for a week. We also carry seven different newspapers that can be read in the library. Other services include a copy machine, computers with Internet, word processing and spreadsheet programs, a public meeting room and lots of variety in programs.
Library hours are Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday noon to 8, Thursday and Friday 10 to 6 and Saturday 10 to 3. The junior room is open Monday, Thursday and Friday 10 to 6, Tuesday 10 to 8, Wednesday noon to 6 and Saturday 10 to 3. Don’t forget that the library website http://internationalfallslibrary.us is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and includes many links to quality resources available to community members at no additional charge. Most of the resources require either your library card number or the standard International Falls Library user identification and password. Please call or drop by the library to receive those codes.
