By Cathy Higgins
BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Today’s society has become technology-driven, and Bay Minette Public Library is having no trouble keeping up.
According to librarian Victoria Barnett, the North Baldwin County facility is now drawing a number of patrons seeking free Internet use.
In a presentation at last week’s Bay Minette City Council meeting, she explained that library staff have kept track of how often the 10 public computers are used.
“We tracked 5,358 sessions in the last four months,” Barnett said. “They’re (the computers) always pretty full.”
Most of those sessions are for a single purpose.
“The vast majority are applying for jobs,” Barnett said.
With that, the role of the librarians has adapted to meet the needs of computer users.
“We help them fill out their online job applications,” Barnnett said. “We also help them get email addresses.”
But that’s not the only access to the Internet the library provides.
“We’re a hot spot for Wifi,” Barnett said, explaining that patrons can bring their lap-top computers to the facility for access the Internet at no cost.
The librarian said she expects more patrons will use this feature now that a number of students are getting laptop computers through school
She also said the way some patrons check out books will change next month.
“Starting in September, we’ll go on a Chameleon system,” Barnett said, explaining that the system will allow patrons to check out e-books. “They’ll download the books, and they (books) check themselves back in after two weeks.”
