I must admit, I have a special affinity for libraries. Ever since I learned how to read, I’ve been visiting them and even now as an adult, every time I walk into the library and come out with a handful of books it feels like Christmas. Suffice it to say, since I moved to Tahoe, I go to the Incline Village Library regularly. I go at least once a week to either pick up books I have on hold or cruise the aisles looking for DVDs, new releases and bestsellers in the Lucky Day selection.
When the library closed in March 2020 at the onset of the pandemic, it was difficult to not have access to books. And I’m not the only one. A lot of Washoe County residents young and old visit the library to use computers, sit in on story time or find their next favorite read. However, I’ve always been impressed at how the Washoe County Library System could adapt and in the months that followed, it quickly kept its patrons entertained and educated through its virtual events and the Libby App (with which library cardholders can access eBooks and audiobooks online). Eventually, the library reopened slowly with its grab-n-go pickup shelf before opening fully as county and state mandates allowed.
That’s why its new offering is so exciting. A book vending machine, filled with more than 200 materials of kids’ books, Lucky Day selections and bilingual selections, was installed. People now can get books 24/7 in the rain, snow or shine.
“We’re trying to provide better access to library materials in rural areas. Whenever you want a book, you can get it.”
–Jeff Scott
The idea came about when Washoe County Library System was working on its reopening plans. Library director Jeff Scott had conversations with the Washoe County commissioners in January 2021 about how to better use Incline Village Library. Most of the other libraries in Reno and Sparks are open seven days a week, but Incline Village Library is open five. Weekend hours were offered, but it was discovered that more people came in on the weekdays.
Scott remembered how successful the book machine had been when he worked at Tulare County Library in California a decade before he moved to Northern Nevada.
“In 2010 or so we put a machine near Cutler Elementary School in Tulare County. Hundreds of kids cleared out the 300-book machine in the first day,” Scott says. “We carried mostly children’s materials because adults are more picky. They want the bestsellers; whereas kids are more drawn to the cover of a book.”
Due to the success of the book machine, Tulare County Library ended up installing five machines: three near schools and two outside of its libraries. Scott believed that installing a book machine in Incline Village made sense and he could track visitor traffic and usage. Fortunately, Washoe library system had some money for it.
“We had some budget excess. In March 2020, we pulled back services; being closed we expected our budget could decrease the next year, so we were careful about expenditures. But then we received extra funding from the property tax increase and as home values went up, the county budget went up. And legislation provided additional support for counties to make them whole,” Scott says.
Washoe County Library System used the excess budget to buy a new commuter van for book deliveries, expanded its library service hours and spent $30,000 for the new book machine. The Incline Village Library received the machine in late November 2021; it became available for the public to use in mid-January.
The machine looks like a regular vending machine. It’s located in the small alcove outside of the front entrance to the library, to the right and under a permanent awning to protect it from the elements. Scott believes that the machine will appeal to residents, parents and visitors who have library cards with reciprocal borrowing agreements in place with the Washoe County Library System.
However, the library’s evolution doesn’t stop there. Plans are in the works to introduce a bookmobile this May, consisting of a four-person transit van converted with shelving that can be driven to events and homebound readers.
“We’re trying to provide better access to library materials in rural areas. Whenever you want a book, you can get it,” Scott says.
Incline Village Library is located at 845 Alder Ave. in Incline Village, Nev. | washoecountylibrary.us
