Fueled by social media and old-fashioned word of mouth, word about the availability of a new passport service offered at the Arbutus Library is spreading.
Since the service began in early January, the library has processed 108 applications for new passports and taken 47 passport photos, said Erin Oh, assistant manager at the library, in an email on Jan. 31.
Sally Bishop and Carl Birkmeyer of the library's Media Support Services Department shot a video now appearing on YouTube on the passport application service now available at the library at 855 Sulphur Spring Road.
Social media, such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, is helping spread the word about the service, Oh said.
Saturdays have been the busiest day at the library for the service thus far, she said, with the 18 applications taken on Saturday, Jan. 31, the highest one-day total at the branch.
However, the library processed 12 applications on Wednesday, Jan. 28, according to Oh.
"Interest is definitely rising as more people are coming in here, then spreading the word," she said.
The Arbutus Library is the first in Baltimore County to offer the service. It is modeled after the service offered at the East Columbia branch of the Howard County Public Library, according to Arbutus Library manager Bob Maranto.
East Columbia Library manager Suki Lee said her branch has been offering the service for five years and was the first in the state to do so.
It usually processes between 40 and 60 applications during a weekday evening and is "edging up to 100 applications" on Saturdays, she said.
"I love doing it," she said. "You meet so many people. It's a great thing."
The Arbutus Library is taking applications for new passports only, no renewals, 3-7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
For information, go to www.bcpl.info/services-policies/library-services#passports
This story has been updated.