A new library in West Arvada is the first of its kind in the U.S., as Jefferson County Public Library’s latest addition – the Express Library West Arvada – will allow visitors to control everything from entry to checkout with their library card. The library is located at the shopping center at 64th Avenue and Indiana Street and opened on April 11.
The library offers book checkout, access to collections and use of computers and printers – all of which can be done with just a library card. This is the first time that self-service technology has been used to this extent at a standalone library, according to a press release from JCPL.
Members can gain entry into the library by canning the barcode of their library card on an entry panel to the right of the front door, or by entering their library card number using a keypad. Visitors will need to also enter their four-digit PIN, the same PIN members use to log in to their JCPL online account.
JCPL Executive Director Donna Walker said the Express Library is the latest in a line of technological innovations organization is working on.
“JCPL continues to evolve to meet the needs of the community through high-tech offerings,” Walker said. “The Express Library is the latest in a long string of technology and innovation strides. Our libraries offer digital collections, a digital media studio for podcasting and a laptop lending program for jobseekers.”
Walker added that JCPL is working on other innovations to help ease digital access.
“Just last month, we launched the new MyJCPL app to make it easier to interact with the digital collection and place holds on physical items,” Walker said.
Kim Johnson, JCPL’s Board President, said that the organization undertook a research and planning process to ensure that the Express Library West Arvada meets the community’s needs.
“That robust and careful process can be time consuming, so concepts like the Express Library allow us to serve the community quickly and inexpensively while we uncover the community’s needs,” Johnson said.
The Express Library West Arvada also offers free WIFI, a holds bin and a returns bin. JCPL’s press release stated that the location would eventually offer programming.