Plan Ahead if You Need a Passport; Mobile Printing Now Available
People tell us they appreciate the convenience of being able to apply for their passports at the Library Center and Library Station. Here’s some passport news you should be aware of.
If you have a U.S. passport expiring in 2016, be sure to renew it well ahead of your planned travel dates. The State Department says it expects a mad rush for passport applications through 2018. Passport renewals are processed only by mail – not at the libraries – and only if you meet certain criteria outlined on travel.state.gov. So it’s even more important to plan ahead if this applies to you.
Why the rush? In 2007, the State Department says it issued an unprecedented number of over 18 million passports. Now those 10-year passports are beginning to expire, and officials are seeing a big demand for renewals. Visit travel.state.gov/applyearly to learn more.
Government officials explain that the 2007 surge in demand was the result of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which for the first time required passports for Americans returning by air from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda.
Are you a first-time passport applicant? The State Department website has a warning for you, as well: “We issued over 15.5 million passports in fiscal year 2015 and the increased demand is expected to continue through 2018.”
If you’re a first-time applicant, visit travel.state.gov before coming to the library for instructions on fees, method of payment, required documents and more. Passport applications are accepted from 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; and 1-4 p.m. Sunday.
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Patrons can now send documents from wherever they are to a printer at any library branch via email, or through a free mobile app called PrinterOn, or via the library’s website, thelibrary.org. See simple directions on how to do it by going to thelibrary.org/mobileprinting.
Documents are stored up to 72 hours at the library branch's print station until the patron previews, approves and pays for the print job. Black-and-white printouts are 10 cents; color printouts are 50 cents.
Find this article at http://thelibrary.org/blogs/article.cfm?aid=4369&lid=0