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A School Librarian Is Using Drones To Deliver Books To Kids All Summer

June 18, 2020

A middle-school librarian in Virginia has found a way to ensure kids can still rent books during a time when libraries are closed to the public.

She's delivering them by drone.

Kelly Passek / Credit: Wing

Kelly Passek was one of the first customers of a drone delivery service launched in Christiansburg, Va., last year by Wing. After seeing how quickly her household items were delivered, she petitioned the company to take on library books, too.

She asked the school's superintendent, Mark Miear, who was "immediately on board."

"Montgomery County Public Schools will be the first public school system in the world to use Wing to deliver library books to our students," Passek said. "We are thrilled for this opportunity to have a really unique way to deliver resources to our students and do it practically on demand."

Passek coordinates the delivery process with Wing. Students can request to take out library books using an online form. Passek then packs the books up in special delivery boxes, then drops them off at Wing, which handles the deliveries.

"Our libraries are essential and unique parts of our community and it is extremely important for our students to continue to have access to the resources that are here in our libraries in order to guarantee their success," Passek said.

Now, students in Montgomery County can choose from the library's more than 150,000 titles, and have their books delivered right to their front yard.