Lawrence Memorial District Library staff member Haley Rice is pictured at one of the new computer terminals at the local library.
(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)
By Bruce Rolfe
Patrons and staff at the Lawrence Memorial District Library are embracing one new addition and will soon have the opportunity to enjoy another enhancement at the beginning of the year.
The Library Board recently authorized the Library to purchase five new computer terminals. The computer terminals, which were installed approximately one month ago, were purchased for $7,205. The installation cost was $300.
The older computers were over eight years old.
Lawrence Memorial District Library Director Bill Lewis said the new touch screen computers are twice as fast as the older computers and are expandable, offering the library the opportunity to expand Random Access Memory (RAM).
He adds more ports on the back of the computers will provide more options for patrons.
Lewis said another benefit is the all in one terminals have built in cameras for patrons to use while taking an online seminar or class.
“We can do a lot of things we couldn’t do in the past. We have a lot more flexibility,” said Lewis.
Library staff member Haley Rice said feed back on the new computer terminals has been very positive. Patrons especially like the speed.
“Everything is way more crisp. It’s a lot faster. There’s way more to play with technology wise. I think in the long run it will be very beneficial because not everybody has all the time in the world to wait,” said Rice.
The library staff member adds some popular software programs available now for patrons are up to date on the new computers.
“They’ve really liked them. The biggest thing thus far is how fast they are,” said Rice.
Another new service that will be available to patrons at the local library and expected to launch in January is access to the Michigan eLibrary (MEL).
MEL is a statewide online library and interlibrary loan service for residents of Michigan. By joining MEL, the Lawrence Memorial District Library will be included in the database. Lewis said this will allow patrons to borrow books from other libraries in Michigan.
The Library Director said MEL paperwork was submitted September 16.
Lewis and Rice are currently taking MEL classes for training and preparation and will be MEL administrators at the local library.
Lewis adds there will be another email address at the library for MEL services patrons will be able to utilize.
He said because the library is already a member of RIDES, MEL delivery service to and from the local library will be provided at no cost to the patron. RIDES is a regional courier service for Michigan libraries, facilitating the delivery of library materials to libraries.
“It (MEL) makes it unique because we can gain access to every library in the State of Michigan that has MEL access and it will show you what materials are available,” points out Lewis, who said there are some guidelines.
When a patron requests an item from another library, the item gets sent to Lawrence Memorial District Library. When the patron is finished, the item gets shipped back to the library it was sent from.
There are more online opportunities patrons can also enjoy at the local library. Opportunities are located on the library’s website at www.lawrencememorialdistrictlibrary.org/contact-us, the library’s online data base at www.lawrence.biblionix.com, and the library’s Facebook page. The Facebook page link is visible on the library’s website.
The Library Board is also planning on making improvements in the Children’s room with new carpeting and shelving in the near future.
Patrons and staff at the Lawrence Memorial District Library are embracing one new addition and will soon have the opportunity to enjoy another enhancement at the beginning of the year.
The Library Board recently authorized the Library to purchase five new computer terminals. The computer terminals, which were installed approximately one month ago, were purchased for $7,205. The installation cost was $300.
The older computers were over eight years old.
Lawrence Memorial District Library Director Bill Lewis said the new touch screen computers are twice as fast as the older computers and are expandable, offering the library the opportunity to expand Random Access Memory (RAM).
He adds more ports on the back of the computers will provide more options for patrons.
Lewis said another benefit is the all in one terminals have built in cameras for patrons to use while taking an online seminar or class.
“We can do a lot of things we couldn’t do in the past. We have a lot more flexibility,” said Lewis.
Library staff member Haley Rice said feed back on the new computer terminals has been very positive. Patrons especially like the speed.
“Everything is way more crisp. It’s a lot faster. There’s way more to play with technology wise. I think in the long run it will be very beneficial because not everybody has all the time in the world to wait,” said Rice.
The library staff member adds some popular software programs available now for patrons are up to date on the new computers.
“They’ve really liked them. The biggest thing thus far is how fast they are,” said Rice.
Another new service that will be available to patrons at the local library and expected to launch in January is access to the Michigan eLibrary (MEL).
MEL is a statewide online library and interlibrary loan service for residents of Michigan. By joining MEL, the Lawrence Memorial District Library will be included in the database. Lewis said this will allow patrons to borrow books from other libraries in Michigan.
The Library Director said MEL paperwork was submitted September 16.
Lewis and Rice are currently taking MEL classes for training and preparation and will be MEL administrators at the local library.
Lewis adds there will be another email address at the library for MEL services patrons will be able to utilize.
He said because the library is already a member of RIDES, MEL delivery service to and from the local library will be provided at no cost to the patron. RIDES is a regional courier service for Michigan libraries, facilitating the delivery of library materials to libraries.
“It (MEL) makes it unique because we can gain access to every library in the State of Michigan that has MEL access and it will show you what materials are available,” points out Lewis, who said there are some guidelines.
When a patron requests an item from another library, the item gets sent to Lawrence Memorial District Library. When the patron is finished, the item gets shipped back to the library it was sent from.
There are more online opportunities patrons can also enjoy at the local library. Opportunities are located on the library’s website at www.lawrencememorialdistrictlibrary.org/contact-us, the library’s online data base at www.lawrence.biblionix.com, and the library’s Facebook page. The Facebook page link is visible on the library’s website.
The Library Board is also planning on making improvements in the Children’s room with new carpeting and shelving in the near future.
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