Town gets library access

Princeton Public Library patrons will soon be able to visit Firestone and other University libraries once a month. Announced on Monday, the Firestone Library Cards program will let Princeton Public Library members reserve passes for Firestone and other University libraries every month. The passes last for a 24-hour period, and up to four will be available on any given day.

The proposal was discussed by community library heads at a quarterly meeting and grew into a six-month project. The final touches to the program were added last week, Karin Trainer, the University librarian, explained in an e-mail.

“We have been working on the details for several months, in and among other things claiming our attention, such as the flood down in Fine Hall and the many weather emergencies,” she noted.

Though PPL members will not be able to check out books or use other services such as Borrow Direct, they will be able to study in library spaces, use licensed electronic resources and copy, scan and print library materials.

According to Leslie Burger, director of the PPL’s Administrative Services, many years ago residents of Princeton Township used the University library system, but a later decision by the University revoked this privilege. Burger went on to explain that because “there are many people who still live here who remember [those] days,” there has been “pent-up demand” for such a system for a while.

“Librarians believe that everyone in a community, both town and gown, benefits from the availability of strong library resources,” Trainer explained.

Lily Zou, a new resident of Princeton who visits the public library with her children, expressed excitement about the program. “I’m sure Princeton has a very impressive collection,” she said, noting that both her husband and her children would find the resources interesting.

“I suspect it will appeal to people who may be doing specialized research, [as well as] to people who have never been there and want to see one of the most amazing libraries in the world,” Burger said, adding that local high school students might find the academic resources and study space of the University helpful.

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Though community members have welcomed the program, it has received mixed reactions from University students.

“I think it’s really cool,” Marjorie Crowell ’12 said, noting that at the very least the partnership could improve University relations with the community.

Esteban Plaza-Jennings ’11 expressed a different view of the program.

“It could be troubling during exam periods when the library is crowded,” he said, explaining that midterms, reading periods and finals raise general stress and draw many students to the same study spaces.

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“It’s also annoying to go looking for a book and find out that someone else is reading it,” he added. If community access was restricted during these times, he explained, the program would be well received by students.

Trainer, however, dispelled concern that the program might interfere with students’ abilities to use University facilities.

“Even if all four people choose to use Firestone on a given day, there is no need to worry about overcrowding,” she explained, adding that “about 500,000 people a year come and go from Firestone now, so I’m sure we can absorb a few more without a problem.”

The program will be part of the reciprocal relationship that exists between the University and PPL, Trainer said, noting the public library’s provision of DVDs and popular reading to University students. The public library offers free cards to University students, faculty and staff.

The University’s extensive holdings will help PPL fill in the gaps in its collections, “just as the Public Library fills in some of the gaps for our users,” Trainer explained.

Jingjie Liu ’14 echoed this sentiment. “I come [to PPL] to study or borrow books like novels or stuff that you wouldn’t find in Firestone. I think it has a wider selection of everyday things,” she said.