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

Timberland Regional Library (TRL) services are now available in Rochester, with the installation of a kiosk equipped with two computer stations. The kiosk, in operation at the Rochester Community Center (RCC) since late January, will be presented to the public in a grand opening celebration and demonstration on Thursday, February 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. The RCC is at 10140 Hwy 12 SW, Rochester.

This is a family-friendly event. TRL staff will present stories and show how to make balloon animals. Staff will also be on hand to sign up library cardholders. Adults who want to sign up for a library card will want to bring their identification.

4 p.m., Welcome and brief comments followed by ribbon cutting

Master of Ceremonies: Mike Wessells, TRL Manager of Library Services

Welcome and introductions: Jodi Reng, TRL Director
 

Comments:

Bob Macleod, Thurston County Commissioner

Jim Anderson, Superintendent of Schools, Rochester School District

Gene Weaver, TRL Board of Trustees member from Thurston County

Dick Nichols, TRL Board of Trustees member from Thurston County

4:30 p.m., Demonstration of Kiosk

4:30 to 6 p.m., Kid Stuff, Stories and Balloon Animals

2 to 7 p.m., TRL Card Sign-up

TRL card sign-up will continue on Friday, February 24 from 2 to 7 p.m. People can also apply for Timberland library cards any time during kiosk open hours.

"Our computer services team designed a beautiful kiosk and programmed it so that the volunteers who will be staffing it will be able to offer basic library services without a library building," said TRL Director, Jodi Reng. "This library-in-a-kiosk is the first stand-alone library services station to combine a library catalog and information computer with a self-checkout station. The in-house design is efficient and economical," said Reng. The cost for the two-station kiosk was a little under $5,000.

TRL cardholders can use the kiosk to:

Kiosk Open Hours: Monday through Friday, 3 to 7 p.m.

"This is a unique way to provide library services in smaller places. It’s an inclusive service, for the whole community," said Linda Clark, director of the Rochester Weed & Seed community program and RCC coordinator. The RCC plans on adding open hours for two Saturdays per month as soon as they have enough volunteers. People interested in volunteering can call Clark at 273-9175.

The library kiosk is a partnership of Timberland Regional Library, the Rochester Weed & Seed community program, and the Rochester School District. "This is a tremendous asset for Rochester," said Rochester Superintendent of Schools Jim Anderson. "One of the Rochester School Board’s dreams has been to make possible a library for the community. I predict usage will be tremendous. It’s convenient, service is consistent, people can count on it," said Anderson.

Timberland Regional Library and South Puget Sound Community College are planning another kiosk for the college’s Hawks Prairie campus.

Timberland Regional Library serves the information, reading and lifelong learning needs of the Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston county public at 27 community libraries and 6 cooperative library service locations. The library system is funded by local property taxes. For information on any subject, the Thurston County public can telephone Timberland’s Central Reference Service at 704-INFO (704-4636) or they can "Ask a Librarian" online at www.trlib.org. Anyone needing special accommodations to participate in a library’s program may contact the library a week in advance.