The Hershey Public Library is pleased to announce the introduction of its new "Pen Loaner Program." Under the auspices of this program, library patrons will be able to borrow pens for use in the library. These ballpoint pens were designed by an anonymous, but very famous, architect to mirror the library's interior and well-known open spaced floor plan.
Central to the program is the Automated Pen Retrieval / Implement Loan Full Office Only Loan Service device. This machine resembles a cross between a soda machine and a pay phone. After patrons swipe their card in the reader on the front of the machine, a staff member verifies the validity of the library card, then inserts a special pen into the rear of the device. The device then dispenses the pen to the patron for an in-house loan of 10 minutes to 2 hours, depending on their patron rank (as determined by a JD Power survey).
Library Director Barbara Ellis says: ""This is a new era for library services. As far as we know, we are the first and only library in the country to provide pens for checkout. This is truly a new era for library services. We're already past Library 2.0 and are well on the way to Library 3.0, or at least 2.7."
"We feel this is a big step forward," said Melissa Bittinger, Adult Programs Coordinator. "Not only can patrons write down call numbers, but program attendees will be able to write notes to each other, carve their initials into tables and write their phone numbers on the bathroom walls."
Although only pens are currently available, future plans include making pencils, erasers and typewriters available for checkout.
