Library's Popular Passport Service Available at Library Station Starting June 8
June 4, 2015 —
Applying for a U.S. passport is about to get more convenient for busy people and families. Staff at the Library Station, 2535 N. Kansas Expressway, will begin accepting passport applications seven days a week beginning Monday, June 8.
The Library Station is the second Springfield-Greene County Library branch to become a Passport Acceptance Facility, following the Library Center’s successful launch of the service on June 9, 2014. Working individuals and students responded positively to the convenient day, weekend and evening hours, with no appointments required. Since last year, the Library Center has processed more than 2,945 passport applications and taken 1,965 passport photos.
Service hours will mirror the Library Center: 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 1-4 p.m. Sunday, with no appointments. Librarians are trained and certified to accept passport applications for individuals of all ages and take passport photos for a $10 fee.
Both libraries have application forms. But before coming, individuals first must consult the U.S. Department of State’s official page, www.travel.state.gov for precise details on what documents and fees are required when applying at the library. Only checks or money orders are accepted.
The libraries cannot renew existing passports; refer to the Department of State’s website for details.
“Our patrons have welcomed the service and made tremendous use of it,” said Library District Executive Director Regina Greer Cooper. “This was a pilot project for the library district, and our intention from the first was to expand the offerings to other locations if the project was successful. So offering the service at the Library Station was our next step, and we expect patrons will be excited about the added convenience of another location to accept passport applications."
The library district is already a reliable source of travel information, with an extensive travel collection and online language learning sites. Beginning June 8, the Library Station will also highlight its book and DVD travel collection in a browse-able format like your favorite book store.