One click closer: Le Mars Public Library brings books to your e-mail

Susanne Kroesche, director of Le Mars Public Library, demonstrates how to access http://www.lemars.lib.ia.us in order to explore the new online book club and library newsletter. These online options open the library up 24-7, rather than confining the library to the building. [Click to enlarge]

"I love computers and I love books. It can't get any better than the combination of the two," said Susanne Kroesche, Le Mars Public Library director.

This insight explains why the Le Mars Public Library now offers a link on its website to a free online book club and to the library newsletter.

To sign up for the book club, readers visit the library's website. From there they can follow the links to the book club, pick one or multiple genres that interest them, such as "mystery" or "romance," type in their e-mail address and click "join now."

Then, Monday through Friday, a five-minute portion of book is delivered to the subscriber's e-mail. At the end of Friday's read, subscribers who want to read further can turn to the library's website to reserve the book. Each Monday, the cycle begins again with a new book.

One problem with going online is that the program the library uses for the book club controls what books are read each week, and not all these books are in the Le Mars library. But even here Kroesche sees an advantage.

"We have been looking for ways to beef-up the different genre sections," said Kroesche about the library's book collection, "and by not having all the books available, it is our hope that readers will contact us to let us know which books they're interested in. This way the library can purchase books that reflect the community interests and, at the same time, increase the amount of books the library can offer to the public."

Another addition to the website is a new online monthly newsletter for readers who would like to keep up on what is new in the book world. Books in 22 genres are described in the newsletter.

While the costs remained the same for the library to switch from sending out quarterly paper newsletters to implementing an online book club and newsletter, Kroesche feels that going online has more advantages.

"Going online makes the library more personal to each reader's needs by providing more options, such a wider genre listing, audio books or video downloads," said Kroesche.

In looking at how to improve library service, "going online seemed the most practical idea," said Kroesche. "Implementing these online options also opens the library up 24-7, rather than confining the library to the building."

She added that the library can "go green" by not sending out the paper newsletter.

The library also hopes to interest a younger audience by going online. "Nowadays it seems as though the younger generations are always online for something and if we can put the library in their reach, we can expand the ability and use of the library," said Kroesche.

To sign up for the newsletter or join the new online book club, check out the Le Mars Public Library website at http://www.lemars.lib.ia.us or, for more information, contact the library at 712.546.5004.