By Judy Halone-The Courier-Herald
Mountain View Middle School student Nollan Craig may not be old enough to drive, but that doesn't stop him from setting out on the highway - or at least, the information highway.
Craig, an eighth-grader, picked up his own Pierce County Library System card after his family moved to the area four months ago.
“He's a big reader,” his mother, Jennifer Craig said. “He's had a library card since he was 6 years old.”
Craig is just one of 9,897 residents who hold a library card with the Bonney Lake branch. That number has increased by about 50 since PCL initiated a card campaign to raise awareness of the resources available to its users. Cards may be used at any PCLS branch.
“The library is urging people to get the card,” PCLS Communications Director Mary Getchell said. “In the six days the campaign ran, we saw an increase of 850 additional users.” Locally, the Bonney Lake branch's patrons increased by nearly 50 new users.
Library cards are free and enable patrons to check out or download books and movies, use the Internet for free at all of its branches, and log on to the systems' new Live Homework Help tutorial service on its web site.
The card campaign runs through Oct. 12. Patrons may apply for a card in person at any PCLS branch, the bookmobile or at South Hill Mall, or by visiting its Web site at www.piercecountylibrary .org/ services/ library-card. Free mouse pads will be given away to the first 5,000 applicants.
