More than Books

From the newest books and DVDs to free Internet access and different streaming services, Frostburg Library has tons to offer. And if they don’t have it, they’ll try to get if for you.

“We can get anything they want from downstate through the inter-library loan,” Connie Wilson, the library’s service leader said. “We also get R-rated movies if they won an award.”

The library moved to its current location in 1998 after more than 30 years across the street at 90 E. Main Street. Thanks to an anonymous donor the library was able to move into their 10,400 square foot facility worth close to 2 million dollars.

Students attending Frostburg State University can use their student IDs to hook up to the library. Access to everything the library has to offer will be accessible through their student IDs, Wilson commented. To set up access, in-state students should bring their Maryland driver’s license and out-of-state students should bring a document with their local address on it along with their student IDs.

Individuals can check out up to 60 items at a time – 50 books and 10 DVDs. Books are lendable for 3 weeks, while DVDs are able to be borrowed for a week. Nearly everything is downloadable, Wilson mentioned.

Individuals also have access to meeting rooms, study rooms, and computers. In 2003, one meeting room transitioned into a state-of-the-art computer lab through a donation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The library offers free wifi, printing, photocopying, scanning, and faxing. Through a visitor’s pass, individuals can access the Internet and printers.

The library connected with Kanopy Streaming Service where individuals can watch movies, documentaries, foreign films, and more. To access, individuals should use their library card and visit https://alleganycounty.kanopy.com.

Students in Allegany County are able to have a STAR card which enables them to check out up to 3 books with no chance of fines. They are just asked to bring them back. Kids can also “read away their fines” up until their 18 years old.

The library participates in Storybook Holiday and Pirates Ahoy as well as Friends of the Library, a program that occurs in the spring and fall. There is a book group on the third Thursday of every month that meets to discuss new books.

Frostburg Library is located at 65 E. Main Street and is open on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. The library is closed on Sunday. For more information, visit https://www.alleganycountylibrary.info/frostburg-library/.

The Bottom Line would like to thank Frostburg Library for supporting student journalism and distributing the newspaper.