• For weather emergencies, the libraries follow the Upper Darby School District.  The snow emergency number is 452.
• If the schools open two hours late, the libraries will open at 11:00 a.m.
• The voicemail at the Sellers Main Branch will be updated by 8:00 a.m. on days that the libraries close.  Call 610-789-4440 for information.
• Sorry – none of the libraries have outside book drops.
• If your books are due on a day the library is closed, try renewing them online.  Have your library card barcode on hand.
• You will never be charged an overdue fine for a day we are closed.  The library assistant who checks in your items will deduct fees for any days we close, open late, or close early.
• You can still use all the electronic resources provided by the Delaware County Library System – Our Virtual Branch.
• And the next time the weatherman calls for a blizzard, even just an inch or two, come see us ahead of time and take out enough books, movies, and music to get you through!

Here’s how it works:

 -Log into your library account through the catalog using your barcode.

 -Enter your email address and click on the small circle for email.

 -Click save and your all done!

What do you get in return?

 -An email notice when the book reserved is in and ready for you to pick up.

 -An email notice – called a courtesy notice – THREE days before your book is overdue.

 -An email notice if your book is overdue, and none of those pesky $.50 notice charges.

Log in now and start helping us save!

The new POWER Library databases have finally been announced and are becoming available little by little.  The EBSCOHost databases of magazines, journals and a wide range of periodicals have been dropped.  In its place will be a competing resource called WilsonWeb.  Right now it’s a little hard to get to (click here and then select OmninFile Mega) but as the technical problems are worked out, access will once again be just a barcode and a few clicks away.

The list of databases, once complete, will be shorter than what we have enjoyed before the state cuts.    But we hope that the range will still be broad enough to meet the needs of our patrons.  If you really miss something that we used to offer, let us know.  We can pass it along, combine it with commments from other patrons and libraries across the state, and hope that our voices will make a difference next year!

First, the good news.  There are no plans to cut the hours that any of the Upper Darby Libraries are open.  As long as financially feasible to do so, we will continue to be open for over 70 hours a week at the Sellers/Main Branch, and an average of 60 hours weekly at the Municipal and Primos branches.   More good news – the popular tutor.dom Live Homework Help service and the Reference USA business directory, separately funded by the Delaware County Council, will also be continued.  Live Homework Help has even found a way to expand their services and hours.   More good news? – The Delaware County Library System will continue its support of the InterLibrary Loan system, allowing patrons to borrow from libraries across the state and the country.

How did we do this?  With lots of help.  As mentioned above, the Delaware County Library System and County Council have decided to support three important and expensive services that are offered to patrons through their local library – in this case, the Upper Darby Libraries.  These are services that we could not offer without this financial support.  But the most important source of help has been you – through the township of Upper Darby.

The 2010 township budget provides continued support for the libraries.  While it did not make up for the almost $100,000 lost in state aid (and no one expected it to do so!), the township funding will be enough to let us stay open and available.

So where will the difference be made up?  In three main areas – staffing, materials, property maintenance.  Staff salaries will remain static, and only vacant positions will be filled – no increases in staffing.  The number of new books, movies, cd’s and so forth will be reduced.  We’ll still get as many of  those new titles you want as we can - but probably only one or two copies.  This will mean longer waits for the good stuff.  Property maintenance  – we’ll be looking to the Friends of the Library, grants, and other alternate funding sources for anything bigger than basic maintenance.  The same will be true for new and old programming alike.

So what’s left to figure out?  Still up in the air are the state-funded databases, known as the POWER Library.  The latest word from the State is that these subscriptions are being re-bid and downsized.  When we know what that means, we’ll pass it along to you.

Wed. 12/23/09 – Regular hours at all branches.

Thurs. 12/24/09 – Christmas Eve – ALL BRANCHES CLOSED

Fri. 12/25/09 – Christmas Day – ALL BRANCHES CLOSED

Sat. and Sun. 12/26 and 12/27/09 – Regular schedule at all branches

Mon.-Wed. 12/28 through 12/30/09 – Regular schedule at all branches

Thurs. 12/31 – All branches close at 5:00 PM

Friday 1/1/10 – New Year’s Day – ALL BRANCHES CLOSED.

Saturday January 2, 2010  – Normal hours resume at all branches.

The staff of the Upper Darby Libraries wish everyone a

Merry Christmas

and

Safe and Happy New Year!

For the 2010 calendar, click here.

Stay safe and warm!

Going Rogue by Sarah Palin.  She’s been everywhere the last couple of weeks, and while she isn’t here, her book is.  There’s a waiting list, but it’s moving fast.  Get your name on the list now.

You are Here: Why we can find our way to the moon but get lost in the mall by Colin Ellard.  The title says it all.  For the person who gets back to Upper Darby from Ocean City by way of Atlantic City.

Gone for good by Harlan Coben.  Just read this last week – couldn’t put it down.  Will’s older brother Ken is believed dead after killing their friend Julie.  But when their mother, on her death bed, tells Will that Ken is still alive, Will’s whole world is turned upside down.  And the whirlwind is just beginning.  UD doesn’t own this book, but we’ll get it for you from another DCLS library that does.

We get new books every week.  If you heard an author on the radio, or saw one on TV, or want to see what your favorite has written recently, check our catalog.  If we don’t have, we’ll see if we can get it for you.

In simplest terms, Access PA is a program that allows someone who has a library card in one PA library to use nearly all PA libraries without additional fees or restrictions.  It does this by reimbursing members libraries for the services provided to people who live outside their area.  It means that you can take your DCLS card (Delaware County Library System) to Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Lower Merion, Chester County, Berks County or nearly any PA library and use it without paying any additional fees for the privilege.

Now, if you live and work two blocks from your home library, you may never use this privilege.  But many, many library users work in a different area than where they live.   Even if you live really near your library, AccessPA may be benifitting you.  In recent years, the program has also funded a state-wide catalog of books.  This makes it MUCH easier to find that unusual or rarely needed book.  And even if you haven’t requested that book, the savings from finding it for anyone generally rolls over to buy that extra copy of the best seller or another picture book  for the kids.

This is what is at risk as the State Library makes the hard decisions forced by the 2009-2010 budget.  Will the reimbursements for this service continue and, if so, at what level?  Will the state wide catalog be maintained, or will it be allowed to become out of date?  Will there be new fees now for services you previously enjoyed for free?

We’ll try to keep you up-to-date.

10:00 AM – Book Sale by the Friends till 3:00 PM
                Bake Sale  by TAB (Teen Advisory Board) till 4:00 PM
                Flu Shots in the Adult Library till 1:00 PM
1:00 PM – Pumpkin Day,  rain or shine, till 3:00 PM

Really now, there’s something for everybody!

Check every day for what’s going on at the library!