Best-Seller Rental Program Started at Branch Libraries

High demand and long waiting lists for best-sellers have prompted the city’s branch libraries to begin a book-rental program.

With a $1,000 contribution from Friends of the Library, branch libraries have doubled or tripled the number of best-sellers available for rent, said Marianne MacKenzie, library assistant at the Main Street branch.

The cost to rent a book is $1 a week for the first week and 25 cents per day after that. Library Services Manager Jan Halvorsen said the idea behind the program is that if patrons pay, they will read the books faster and return them sooner.

Proceeds from book rentals will be used to buy new best-sellers, MacKenzie said.

The branches are at 525 Main St, 9281 Banning Ave. and 15882 Graham St. At Central Library, book rentals have been available for many years through the Friends’ gift store.