Launching Books: The New Library Service?

One branch library is testing a new "book launcher" to give patrons safe access to library materials.

Mounted on the roof of the Second Street branch, the LibroCannon 2400 can fire up to 20 hardback books and more than 50 paperbacks a minute. We talked to Brenda, the circulation librarian, who said, "We don't have to worry about six feet any more. We can get anyone from 100 feet on full auto, up to a quarter mile if you switch to single shot. Helps with home delivery. I call her Slappy."

The library director has been working on this acquisition since the pandemic began. The library has gone through many trial and error phases to get materials to patrons since closing down in March. 

"First we did curbside, with bags and appointments, but that got boring. Then we just threw the books at people. Anyone. People'd call and ask if we were here. We'd say, 'of course.' You should have seen the look on their faces when we'd give them a face full of Maeve Binchy. You can really make people dance winging DVDs at them. Still, that got old, too, and people stopped coming. Then LIC came along with Slappy. We just fell in love with the idea of pelting patrons with books and DVDs from the safety of the roof."

The LibroCannon was manufactured by the Librotronics Investment Corporation. Patrons may remember other library products such as the TRP Door that gave access to the library basement and the MyVCard, the doomed library Valentine's Day Book Match App.