LIBRARY- a-Go-Go PROGRAM FIRST IN THE NATION OFFERING BOOK LENDING MACHINES

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY— The list of conveniences for those who live life on the go is about to grow. The Contra Costa County Library is expanding services and improving accessibility by making its popular collection available to people at Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations and local shopping centers.

It is also a reflection of The Contra Costa County Library is proud to be the first in the nation to offer the public book lending machines under a new program called Library-a-Go-Go. “We are so thrilled to be the first to offer reading materials in an ATM style lending machine,” said County Librarian Anne Cain. “We’re very fortunate to have BART helping us launch this endeavor. They’re the perfect partner.”

"BART has a history of being at the technological forefront. Being the first in the nation to install the book lending machines continues this tradition," said BART Board President Gail Murray. “This project falls right in line with BART's overall goals to help protect the environment, enhance accessibility and improve service to our customers." Murray added. The first Library-a-Go-Go machine is scheduled for service at the Pittsburg/Bay Point Bart station in May. “This is a fantastic idea,” said Chair and District V Supervisor Federal D. Glover. “It just makes so much sense to bring books right to the people, especially in the Bay Area where we average the second longest commute in the country.”

Anyone with a Contra Costa County Library card will be able to check out and return books. “Pittsburg/Bay Point riders won't have to use their cars to make the extra trip to pick up a good book to read on BART,” said BART District 2 Director Joel Keller. “Library-a-Go-Go offers passengers a library experience that is fast, available at convenient hours, easy to use and customer focused.”

Phase One plans call for three other locations, including the transit village at the BART station in Pleasant Hill, a site in Byron/Discovery Bay and a fourth location as yet to be decided. This innovative technology will deliver services where currently none exist in the far East County communities of Discovery Bay, Byron, Knightsen and Bethel Island, without the expense of a new library building. District III Supervisor Mary N. Piepho remarked, “Reading is so important for building strong societies.

Through these machines we’ll make it easy to borrow books whether you are a business commuter on BART, or a parent checking out children’s books at a machine in a local shopping center “.