Libraries Focus on Convenience

Published July 6, 2010 at 9:48 a.m.

DALLAS (AP) With offerings like cafes, downloadable books and even mall locations, public libraries are putting a focus on convenience.

In Dallas, a children's library at an upscale Dallas mall has proved to be wildly successful in offering unconventional access to families who might not make a trip to a traditional public library branch. It's also one of a growing number of strategies being used by librarians across the country.

Meanwhile, traditional branches also are trying to become more convenient.

Leslie Burger, executive director of New Jersey's Princeton Public Library, says her library in downtown Princeton has a cafe, a bookstore selling donated books, return boxes around town and will mail books to borrowers. This summer, it even started hosting a farmer's market.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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