By all accounts, the new passport acceptance agency at the Blackshear Place Library branch in South Hall County is a success - even though it's only been in operation a little more than a month.
Board members for the Hall County Library System (HCLS) got a look at the numbers at a meeting Tuesday night. Library Director Lisa MacKinney said the staff at the new agency processed 170 passport applications between January 4 and January 31. She told board members business is picking up every day.
"Our average in January, which was our very first month - and I think a lot of people didn't realize we were open yet, was eight to nine per day," MacKinney said. "That said, on Saturday - last Saturday - we did 25."
She said that meant two staff members working with passport applications throughout the day.
HCLS got permission last fall to open the passport agency in South Hall after the passport office closed at the Hall County Clerk of Court's office.
MacKinney showed board members the dollar figures, and in the first month of operation, the profit was just over $2,300. MacKinney said based on that figure, they're hoping to clear $28,100 annually.
"We're just trying to be creative and think of other ways other than just keeping our hand out for tax money to make the services that we provide more widely available - more hours, more books, more opportunities for people to enjoy our services," said MacKinney.
MacKinney said passport applications are processed during regular operating hours - Monday & Thursday, 12p.m. - 8 p.m.; Tuesday & Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Blackshear Place branch is located at 2927 Atlanta Highway.
