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Reference & Information line: 704-INFO (360-704-4636) in Olympia area or toll-free 1-800-562-6022.
TRL Web site: http://www.trlib.org

Media Contact: Leanne Ingle, Communications Specialist, 360-704-4508, or outside Olympia calling area: (877) 284-6237, ext. 2508; e-mail: lingle@trlib.org.

While you & Timberland libraries await the latest Harry Potter…

The release of a new Harry Potter book always stirs up a buzz of anticipation throughout the land and the library is no exception. On July 15, Timberland Regional Library staff at the library system’s headquarters in Tumwater will be listening for the sound of a parcel delivery truck carrying Timberland’s order of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: 120 copies of the book, 16 sets of the audiocassette edition and 18 sets of the CD version.

July 16 is the official release date of the sixth volume of J.K. Rowling’s phenomenally popular series about three friends and a fantastic assortment of characters and creatures associated with the magical school of Hogwarts. So library staff will be poised to check in, label, and cover all the copies and to place them in the loading area of Timberland’s branch delivery vans. The 27 Timberland libraries throughout Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties will receive the books within the following few days for the first 120 people who have placed holds on them. Audiocassette and CD editions have to be repackaged in containers durable enough for many reuses and will go out a few days later.

In 2003, the library ordered 120 copies of book five, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Over 1200 people placed holds on them. For those who want to do the arithmetic, library books and most other library materials have a three-week checkout period. They can’t be renewed as long as there are unfilled holds. One library employee, number 1,230 on the holds list in 2003, recalls that it took about nine months for his copy to arrive at his library. “Not bad!” he said. But then, he’s a grownup—kids find it harder to wait. At 870 pages, “Phoenix” was 200 pages longer than the coming volume (672 pages). Maybe the new title will move along the waiting lists more quickly.

Only 20 people have holds on book five now. There are plenty of copies in the system, including about 40 that were donated to the library by readers who’d bought their own copies, so borrowers won’t have to wait long to get their hands on one.

Library youth services staff have created two booklists of Harry Potter “read-alikes,” books that have similar story elements, tone, and/or theme. They’ll be a big help to those who are waiting for the new book as well as those who finish it and want more. The lists are entitled “If you Liked Harry Potter” and “If you Liked Harry Potter …You’ll Like These Too!” Each includes a short summary, suggested grade level and the titles of sequels, if any. The lists are available at all Timberland libraries and online at www.trlib.org. Click on “Summer Reading for Kids,” then “Books to Read.” Scroll down the alphabetical booklists—there are 30 in all on various topics.

Revised 06/30/05