Social Library, Volume 98

Jennifer Peterson /

Image courtesy MONDO LUCHA! on Facebook

This fresh edition of our Social Library series is guaranteed to bring a few surprises! These libraries are adding everything from lucha libre to the DMV to their offerings, and one is presenting a unique opportunity for patrons to "read away" their fines. We've been collecting innovative ideas from libraries on Facebook for nearly three years now, and you're still surprising us with unique and inspiring approaches to library programs and services. If you'd like to see your library featured in a Social Library edition, please let us know via [email protected] or find us on Facebook.

  • Milwaukee Public Library in Wisconsin was all over the news with the latest event in their Library Loud Days series "which offers free, fun and LOUD events to showcase the library as so much more than a place to check out books, but a place to converse, connect, explore and learn." Over 300 people came to the Mitchell Street Branch Library for a free wrestling event with "Mondo Lucha – Milwaukee’s very own show-stopping Mexican-style professional wrestling show." The library livestreamed the sold-out event, the local news team was there, and UPROXX covered the excitement too.
  • We learned from a post by the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia that DMV services are now available at branches of Prince William Public Libraries, as part of the DMV Connects program. "A trip to the DMV made convenient! Visit DMV Connects at a library branch to obtain an identification card, drivers’ license, veterans’ ID card, vehicle titles and registrations, and more."
  • Image courtesy Oakland City-Columbia Township Public Library on Facebook
  • Oakland City-Columbia Township Public Library in Indiana is inviting patrons to Read Away Your Fines. "Do you have any late fines? Need to return a book, but can't afford to pay the late fee on it? THIS is for you! All this month you can read away your fines. We want everyone to start off the year with a clean card." For every 15 minutes read, the library will wave $1 worth of late fees. We've noticed other library discussions about approaches to fines, including this recent Quartz article about the New York Public Library, and a Library Journal article summarizing research they conducted earlier this year.