County Library System, Universities Team Up To Ease Checkout

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego County Library System officials announced Tuesday they are teaming up with four universities to make borrowing books and other library items as easy as clicking a mouse, while saving gas and reducing traffic.

County libraries, the University of California San Diego, San Diego State University, the University of San Diego and Cal State San Marcos have formed a partnership called San Diego Circuit, which was introduced Tuesday afternoon at a news conference at a University Heights coffee house.

The Circuit allows library users from participating libraries to quickly borrow books from other Circuit libraries if their library's copies are already checked out or the books are not owned by the users' library.

Borrowers can request books on their home computers or while using library catalogs at participating libraries, officials said.

Books and other library items will be delivered at the library of choice within 24 to 48 hours.

Once the Circuit program is fully implemented, more than 7.5 million library items will be available, officials said.

Officials said they hoped to add the San Diego city libraries to the Circuit in the future.

Earlier Tuesday, San Diego County Library Director Jose Aponte presented his vision of the libraries of the future to the Board of Supervisors.

County libraries are "alive and exciting places," full of programs for everyone from senior citizens to children, featuring book clubs, cultural events and even yoga for seniors, Aponte said.

County libraries are "fun, educational and inspiring," enhancing the quality of life for county residents, Aponte said.

Aponte also pointed out that unlike some city libraries, county libraries are not cutting back on hours or deferring maintenance.