September is Library Card Sign-up Month. What better way to show what the Romeo District Library (RDL) has been doing than to see a photo of it in action!
The October 19, 1977 issue of The Romeo Observer had a huge article about the library. Written by Joan Bleich, the story lists the history; including whether or not RDL is the oldest library in Macomb County; the items it holds like books and magazines; and services it offers.
One of the services that RDL had was the daily delivery service. This is how Bleich describes it: "If you can't find the book you're looking for at the Romeo District Library, ask for it. With their round-robin system, it may be located and loaned to you from another county library or by the state library."
Each library in the Library Network of Macomb (now the Suburban Library Cooperative) is given a list of books that people want. If the title is availabe, a patron can get the 24-hour service. In other words, people can get the books that they request from other libraries in one day.
The picture seen above displays just that. Taken by Karen Hamilton, it shows Joe Myers - the guy who made the daily delivery between Mount Clemens and every branch in the aforementioned library network - going over the list while librarian Julie Dodge looks on. So, if people wanted to get a book from another library within 24 hours, Joe is the one who would bring it to them.
For those who are wondering where in the now Kezar Branch was that photo taken, it was most likely at the front desk. The delivery people that come by now would often drop off and pickup bins of books by that area. In addition, the desk seen in the picture is the same one that resides in the Romeo Community Archives basement.
The delivery service still exists among libraries in the Suburban Library Cooperative (including RDL) even though it's takes a little longer for patrons to get the titles they want. Regardless, it's still good to know that RDL has been doing this kind of thing for patrons for over 45 years.
Sign up for a library card this month to take advantage of this service and others at RDL.
To learn more about the history of the Romeo District Library, you can contact the Romeo Community Archives at rca@romemodistrictlibrary.org or call (586) 690-4890.
Source: The Romeo Observer, October 19, 1977, p.1-B