Patrons of Rogers State University’s Stratton Taylor Library and the Will Rogers Public Library in Claremore will be able to easily check out materials from each library starting Jan. 2, 2007.
The two libraries are piloting a resource sharing program to better serve their users, said Alan Lawless, director of the RSU Stratton Taylor Library.
“We are working together to do something for the good of all of Claremore,” Lawless said. “This new cooperative program will make the learning resources of both libraries more accessible to the public.”
The Stratton Taylor Library opened on the Claremore campus in 2004 and has more than 70,000 books, 6,000 audio/visual materials and more than 400 periodical subscriptions.
Although the two libraries are both part of a state-wide interlibrary loan program, sometimes it takes weeks to receive material through the loan program, Lawless said. The resource sharing agreement will often allow library patrons to pick up materials within 24 to 48 hours, he added.
Patrons can go to their primary library, request materials and then go to the lending library to pick up the materials. Each customer can check out two books and one audio/visual item at a time through the resource sharing agreement.
“I feel like we are doubling our resources,” said Fernando Este, director of the Will Rogers Public Library. “The libraries collections complement each other well.”
The Will Rogers Library located at 1515 N. Florence Ave. in Claremore has more than 60,000 books and 100 periodical subscriptions.
In addition to sharing resources, the Stratton Taylor Library recently accepted a donation of more than 80 items from the Will Rogers Library which will be added to RSU’s collection.
More information about the resource sharing program is available by calling Janice Ferris, public services librarian for RSU, at 343-7720, or Mary Taber, interlibrary loan coordinator for the Will Rogers Public Library, at 341-1564.