AT YOUR SERVICE
Director says community at heart of the library

Kevin McCugh, left, prepares to install a new sign as part of his Eagle Scout project benefiting Bullard Community Library.

`We love what you are doing for children and the community. We're thankful for the past history and future history our library represents.'

So stated a letter received this week from an official of the local school district, along with an annual contribution to the Friends of the Library.

The name `Community' in the library's name is, said director Debbie Brown, quite inclusive.

`If you live within driving distance - that covers the whole country, doesn't it - she said, `you are invited to be a patron.

`For a $2 annual membership, you get a wealth of services. '

Books are first, according to Brown.

The library presently holds about 18,000 books of all types - fiction, non-fiction, large print, and audio (on both cassette and CD's).

"We have new books coming in every week, including some of the latest best sellers," she said. "Suggest a book, and if it's suitable for our collection, we'll try to acquire it. We welcome readers of all ages and a good number of non-readers."

Large print books are popular with many library users.

Brown said one family wrote, "… so appreciative that your library was helpful in providing … mother with the large selection of large print books for her enjoyment. Hopefully there are other seniors that have had as much fulfillment through the library's books and staff..."

"If we don't have the particular book you're looking for, we can get it for you," she said. "Our Interlibrary loan service puts the country's libraries at your fingertips."

This service can be accessed at the library or on-line from our website. In addition to books, the library has seven public access computers for Internet searching.

At www.bullardlibrary.org patrons can check the library catalog for titles and reserve items as desired.

The home page also gives information about the Friends of the Library, history of the library, and links to information about search engines, kids' links, local sites, G.E.D, and the TexShare Databases.

The TexShare Databases provide a widely varied and in-depth collection of reliable information - articles, books and scholarly journals.

The Texas State Library and Bullard Community Library make this tool available to patrons at the library or on their home computers.

"We pay a nominal sum to offer this service, but we are told that the value, subscribed to separately, is as much as $53,730," Brown said.

She said recently a patron wanted information on Benzene in soft drinks. TexShare listed several full-text articles with citations, which the library was able to print and present to the patron.

The databases cover topics of interest on business, health, literature, current events, history, electronic books, professional and scientific journals, homework help, and more.

"We are one of the almost 700 academic and public libraries in Texas that offers this potent electronic material," Brown said. "If you want to use the TexShare from home, you need to check at the library for access codes.

Many patrons come in daily to do their shopping on-line, pay bills, access public agencies, pick up e-mail, or play games, according to Brown.

"Teens are big users of our computers," she said.

For researchers interested in local history or genealogy, the library's Paul Wilson Genealogy collection offers unique resources.

It contains over 700 books and publications.

Cora Tomlin, library volunteer, oversees the genealogy collection.

"One gentleman in Tulsa, Okla., regularly recommends our genealogy department to his contacts," Tomlin said. "We have people who come from out of state and tell us that they have found material in our collection that they haven't found anywhere else."

Tomlin said Heritage Quest Online is another useful resource for those seeking their family roots, available through a link on TexShare.

"Now, through our electronic card catalog, a patron anywhere can find out what books and publications we hold. Of course, there's no substitute for coming to the library and browsing," she said. "You may find something you didn't dream existed."

In addition to books, used books in the Friends bookstore in the back of the library are for sale.

"Sale of these recycled books helps us with operating expenses," Brown said. "And the low prices allow our patrons to own gently used books they might not be able to afford otherwise."

The library also offers copying and faxing for a small fee. It also boasts a good collection of videos and some DVD's.

"Our weekly story hour on Thursday morning is very popular with the read-aloud crowd and our summer reading program is enjoyed by all ages of children," Brown said. "This next summer we hope to initiate a bookmobile service to outlying areas where children and adults without transportation to the library can have access to books from our collection.

"We are here to serve you and always welcome suggestions about how we can help you."

But, Brown said, the library needs help, too.

"In return, there are ways you can help us," she said. "We are grateful for all of you who leave your aluminum cans in the bin on the west side of the library. Keep up the good work."

She also asks the community to bring in used cell phones, printer cartridges, and books for recycling also.

"Our recycling programs bring in a little income and provide a convenient service to the community," she said.