Electronic Book Borrowing in Library's Future

NEW SERVICE TO START THIS FALL                                                   

According to library director Tamara Dean, if all goes as planned e-books will become available for borrowing from the public library this Fall  -- through a service called overdrive.com.

Dean said patrons are demanding the e-books -- which can be borrowed (checked out) for 2 weeks (free of charge) just like their old-fashioned paper counterparts -- for their new reading devices, such as kindles and nooks.

LIBRARIES MUST COMPETE

Dean called it a challenge these days for libraries to compete with commercial internet-based services like goolge, amazon, etc;  but noted in contrast that the library offers these services free of charge

In the bad economy, library use has increased dramatically she said, particularly for computer access, educational, and business-related purposes. She said the library's study rooms are usually booked, for instance.

(Dean said she did not foresee a time when traditional bound paper books would not be available there as well)

UPSTAIRS BECOMES AVAILABLE NEXT YEAR

Dean said the second floor space now being rented by Faulkner State College's nursing program should open up next year (when Faulkner's lease-option expires); and she hoped to move the sometimes-noisy teen section upstairs -- along with special collections, more computers and study rooms (if a funding source can be found).

LIBRARY BECOMING "CITY'S FLAGSHIP"

Council President Mixon said the library had already become an important component of the downtown  (city's "flagship") "just like the flowers;" and Dean observed its become popular for those thinking of re-locating here to check out their facility first.

A 12% budget increase for the library has been proposed for next year, largely to replace aging furniture/equipment  ($693,390). The library also receives funding from private sources (contributions, grants, used book sales, etc).  See Friends of the Library website.