Libraries partner with FWP to provide life jackets to patrons
<p>Owen McElwee</p>
POLSON — Sure, you can check out books, movies and music from your local Montana library, but now there’s something new that’s available to North Lake County Public Library patrons: life jackets.
“We’re excited to be able to offer life jackets to our patrons for checkout,” said Polson’s North Lake County Public Library Director Marilyn Trosper. “Our goal is to provide the materials our patrons want and need. If you’re going out on the water, you must have a life jacket. Being able to provide this resource for our library patrons for free will hopefully keep people safer this summer.”
POLSON — Sure, you can check out books, movies and music from your local Montana library, but now there’s something new that’s available to North Lake County Public Library patrons: life jackets.
“We’re excited to be able to offer life jackets to our patrons for checkout,” said Polson’s North Lake County Public Library Director Marilyn Trosper. “Our goal is to provide the materials our patrons want and need. If you’re going out on the water, you must have a life jacket. Being able to provide this resource for our library patrons for free will hopefully keep people safer this summer.”
All you need to borrow a life jacket is your library card and the commitment to return the life jacket to the library.
“Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wants to make sure that people are being safe when they’re out enjoying our state’s water resources,” said Liz Lodman, coordinator of FWP’s boat and water safety program. “By partnering with libraries, we are able to provide free access to life jackets in communities across Montana. It means that every child can be protected when they are on or near the water.”
Montana law requires children under 12 to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. All boats must have a life jacket available for each person on board.
The North Lake County Public Library presently has 9 life jackets available for patron check-out. They are available in three sizes to fit infants under 30 pounds, children 30-50 pounds, and youngsters 50-90 pounds.
“If you own a boat, you should have a proper-fitting life jacket for each member of your family,” said Lodman. “But if you have young friends or grandchildren visiting and you want to take them boating, you can borrow a life jacket from the library.”