Wheaton library seeks book donations to cut long waits

More than 100 people are on a waiting list this week, hoping to get their hands on one of Wheaton Public Library's dozen or so hard copies of the popular novel “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr.

In many ways, that's a very good thing.

“People still like to read books, they like to read the latest best-sellers,” says the library's head of reference, Nancy Castellanos.

One thing patrons don't like, however, is waiting for those books to become available.

To deal with the demand for popular items, Castellanos helped create a “wish list” program that publicizes in-demand books so residents who want to help can buy a copy on their own and donate it to the library.

The list is available at several places, including Prairie Path Books in the Toms-Price store at 303 E. Front St. in Wheaton.

“If somebody wants to buy a book directly from them (to donate to the library) they will just walk it over and deliver it to us,” Castellanos said.

Potential donors also can view the books by visiting Amazon.com and clicking on the “wish list” icon in the top right corner. A search for “Wheaton Public Library” will pull up the list and any purchases made through the website will be shipped directly to the library.

In addition to purchasing new books, residents who already own gently used copies of any of the books on the wish list are encouraged to consider donating them to the library.

Castellanos said she sees many used best-sellers brought in during the library's annual book sale, but says it would be helpful if residents didn't wait to make their donation.

The wish list has been updated about four times since it was launched this fall, but so far only about 15 books have been donated.

“There's just no way for us to keep up with the number of holds and also offer our patrons a variety of works,” Castellanos said.

Residents, she said, are “always asking us for ways they can help,” and this is a great way to do so.

To combat long waits for popular materials, the library also has made some changes in loan lengths and fines.

Loans on new books are still limited to two weeks, but loans on old books have been lowered from four to three weeks.

The length of new release DVD loans also has been decreased, from seven days to three. Book fines, on the other hand, have been increased, from 20 cents to 25 cents per day.

While the new rules help, Castellanos said she encourages residents to take a look at the wish list and consider donating a book simply because it's “helping out your community.”

“I think it's just very rewarding to spread the act of reading,” she said.

In demand

Here's a look at the most in-demand books at the Wheaton Public Library as of Jan. 12:

• “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr (115 holds)

• “Gray Mountain” by John Grisham (88 holds)

• “The Escape” by David Baldacci (63 holds)

• “The Burning Room” by Michael Connelly (55 holds)

• “Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty (49 holds)

• “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins (47 holds)

• “Leaving Time” by Jodi Picoult (36 holds)

• “Hope to Die” by James Patterson (34 holds)

• “Yes Please” by Amy Poehler (27 holds)

• “The Boston Girl” by Anita Diamant (25 holds)