#16 The high Tech library

Sorry I'm late today, but a busy morning pushed the blog out a bit.

I'm at my favorite library (CP JONES in Covington) and I am thinking about the changes in technology that have impacted library operations. Things like no more card catalogs. Being able to look up a book on the Internet and put a hold on it. Moving from books to audio books, to VCRs to DVDs. The look and feel of today's library is much different then your Dad's library (or even mine as a child).

Library's now have many customers that don't even read books. They come in to use the public PCs, rent a DVD or read a magazine. The staffs at library's have had to change with the times. Scanning books in, pulling up late book reports, resetting PCs, helping customers log on to PCs and set up email accounts. The list is almost endless. The mission of providing information to the public hasn't changed. Thank goodness our legislative bodies still see the value in public library's and what they do.

If you think everyone has a PC, just visit your local library some evening. You'll be amazed at the number of people using the public PCs. Our library even has free wireless Internet so that travelers can just sit down and catch up on their email and news. Its a never ending task to keep up with technology with limited funds. Fortunately in our area we have a Foundation that is concerned with public access and is committed to keeping Covington at least on pace with the modern world.

So go hug your library today!