For county’s libraries, convenience is key
By Kim Thai
The Facts
Published May 14, 2007
Since the Brazoria County Library System started offering keytag library cards, fewer cards have been lost and patrons are checking out more with a smile.
The library system still offers the traditional cards, but the new keytags help answer a call for convenience, said Larry White, assistant director for the Brazoria County Library System.
“We tend to follow what people want,” White said. “We followed commercial practice on this. We get a lot of demand for it.”
When signing up for a new library card, a patron now is given both a regular library card and a keychain card.
Clute Library Branch Manager Carolyn Weatherly said the administration has been paying attention to business trends, and this decision satisfied patrons. The convenience of having the tag with your keys is ideal because patrons always will have it with them, Weatherly said.
“The patrons are happy,” Weatherly said. “And we like our patrons happy.”
The keychain card also has helped patrons who access the library because their barcode is always with them, Weatherly said.
Since the option of the keychain card has been available in November, the loss of cards has decreased, Weatherly said.
“It is a time-consuming process when you have to get someone a new card,” she said.
“And now people are losing their cards less.”
Bonita Trammel, a volunteer at Angleton Library, agrees an alternative purpose of the keychain card is loss prevention.
“If I lose it, then I’ll have to lose my keys,” Trammel said. “You always have it with you. I love it. It’s the best thing the library system has done in a while.”
Lake Jackson resident Bob Patton said he isn’t going to replace his wallet-sized card with the keychain version.
“My keys tear up my pockets, so adding to it wouldn’t help,” he said.
Trammel, who also is a former Angleton librarian, said the checkout process is much quicker now and the keychain card has probably helped both the patron and the librarian.
Patrons with a library card who wish replace it with a keychain card should go to their local library. Replacement for cards is $1 unless the current card was issued more than three years ago.
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LIBRARY CARDS
How to get a library card for the Brazoria County Library System
Who can apply:
• Anyone who lives, works or owns property in Brazoria County or within the city limits of Alvin or Pearland; proof required.
• Children 17 and younger must have a parent’s signature.
Where to apply: Any branch location
Cost: Free
For information: Visit bcls.lib.tx.us/ or call your local library
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COUNTY LIBRARIES
ANGLETON — 401 E. Cedar, (979) 864-1519
ALVIN — 105 S. Gordon, (281) 388-4300
BRAZORIA — 620 S. Brooks, (979) 798-2372
CLUTE — 215 N. Shanks, (979) 265-4582
DANBURY — 1720 N. Main, (979) 922-1905
FREEPORT — 410 Brazosport Blvd., (979) 233-3622
LAKE JACKSON — 250 Circle Way, (979) 415-2590
MANVEL — 7104 Masters Road, (281) 489-7596
PEARLAND — 3522 Liberty Drive, (281) 485-4876
SWEENY — 205 W. Ashley Wilson, (979) 548-2567
W. COLUMBIA — 518 E. Brazos, (979) 345-3394
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