There is virtue in joining Friends of the Red Feather Lakes Library

Once again we’re touting the benefits (and virtues) of membership in Friends of the Red Feather Library. A minimum $10 annual dues support the group — in supporting us –- in the task of supporting and enhancing our community. Membership is fine. But, if you’d like to be associated with like-minded active individuals helping with the book sale, Wild West Relay or other programs contact us at 970-881-2664 or help@redfeatherlibrary.org and we’ll put you in touch with the right people.

By Creed Kidd,
Library Director

Newspapers. You’re probably aware that we carry the Fort Collins Coloradoan and the Denver Post — both dailies — but also available are free copies of the North Forty News, and the Sunday New York Times. Through a local donation you have print access to the Times’ National Edition with many Sunday-only features. Delivered, of course, Sunday.

We’re occasionally asked how long it takes to receive a book. Both the long and short answer are the same: it depends. With a few exceptions we order books weekly. Receipt time from both Oregon and Nashville is five days. Making them shelf-ready is a couple days more. Thus, about a week for a new book or audiobook.

For new in-stock DVDs, ordering to ready-to-pick-up takes four or five days. e-Books on our devices, 15 minutes. Interlibrary loans (items borrowed from sister libraries) – three weeks.

Of course, things happen. Occasionally we receive an item faster than expected, but not as often as we would like. Sometimes items are delayed: lost in the mail, late in transit, out-of-stock at the distributor. At other times borrowing items from other libraries doesn’t work: they don’t have a copy or are unable to lend what they do hold. We try to expedite every transaction; however, sometimes living in the mountains poses limitations.

A second question that we sometimes hear — by phone or e-mail — is, “Can I drop off my Red Feather Library-borrowed books at the Denver, Salina, Pueblo, Craig, Timbuktu library?”

Short of Timbuktu (see http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22704960 for a fascinating story), you should be able drop off your borrowed items at most Colorado public libraries for courier service back to us. Please let their staff know that your items need to be returned to us. Be prepared for what can be a lengthy transit time: usually two weeks, occasionally longer, as the title is ferried to Aurora for sorting and then once-a-week delivery to us, again, in the mountains. If the item is close to its due-date you could be seeing some automated messaging from us. That’s OK. However, for concerns, inquiries or reassurance that they’ve reached us (or on any other topic) contact us at 970-881-2664 or help@redfeatherlibrary.org

Our intent is making borrowing — and returning — items as easy as possible. Let us know when it isn’t.