91´«Ã½

CHICAGO — The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District (Las Vegas, Nevada) has been selected to receive the 2022 91´«Ã½/Information Today, Inc. Library of the Future Award. The award, sponsored by the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) and Information Today Inc., annually recognizes innovative planning, application, or development of focused patron support relating to information technology in libraries and is given to an individual library or library consortium, group, or support organization.

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District (LVCCLD) was selected for its “Bringing the Library to Transit Riders” program, in partnership with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). The program enables transit riders to instantly sign up for access to LVCCLD materials online via the library’s Libby app, using the RTC’s free onboard WiFi on 400 city buses across the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Riders can immediately begin borrowing ebooks, eaudiobooks, magazines, and movies at no cost, on the bus, at home, or anywhere on the go.

Once the Libby app is downloaded using a QR code, featured in onboard posters, riders can sign up for library access by entering their mobile number. The library system instantly verifies the new account, allowing these new customers immediate access to ebooks, eaudiobooks, magazines and movies at no cost. The program also allows temporary library access to transit riders who are visitors to Las Vegas via a seven-day pass to the Libby app.

As a result of this initiative, the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District (LVCCLD) is reaching customers “where they are” by introducing library services and life-changing resources in new and unexpected places. The RTC’s fleet of 400 WiFi-enabled buses average 3 million passengers per month, making them the ideal partner for the LVCCLD to reach potential lower income customers who may have never had a previous library experience. This innovative program effectively uses technology to promote accessible library resources and engage with more of their community.

Information Today Inc., a publishing company, is a leader in providing libraries with resources to meet knowledge management needs.

The 2022 91´«Ã½/Information Today, Inc. Library of the Future Award jury members include: Laurel Bliss, Fine Arts Librarian, San Diego State University, chair; Jodie Gambill, LTDS Web Development Lead and Librarian for Digital Projects, Vanderbilt University; Jihye Lee, Electronic Resource Cataloging Librarian, Nova Southeastern University; Becky Ranallo, Literacy and Learning Director, Cuyahoga County Public Library; and Shali Zhang, Dean of Libraries, Auburn University.

The 91´«Ã½/Information Today, Inc. Library of the Future Award will be presented to the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District during the 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

More information on the 91´«Ã½/Information Today, Inc. Library of the Future Award and how to submit a is available on the 91´«Ã½ website ().