FOLEY, Ala. — Foley residents now have a new way to stay connected to the Foley Public Library, thanks to its new mobile-device app.

According to Library Director Steve Horn, the new offering gives patrons enless possibilities.

“You can check the county catalog, place items on hold, check your account and renew books, scan ISBN’s in any bookstore and find our if the library has it BEFORE you buy it, text the library with your requests, check our calendar of events, find out if the meeting room is open for your event, contact our staff by phone with questions, download ebooks, audiobooks and children’s interactive books, read book reviews on new works each day and access the library through Facebook and Twitter,” he said via email.

For all of that, the app is free. All patrons have to do is vist the app store on their mobile devices and download it.

In addition, Horn said the app is available for Androids, iPhones and tablets — virtually any mobile device.

“Yes, all,” he said.

While some patrons may not be familiar with the idea of an app, Horn said this one has a variety of benefits.

“But my favorite is the fact that you can stand in a bookstore, scan the ISBN/ASIN barcode (on the back of every book, CD or DVD) and it will tell you if the county has the book (or item) and if it is on hold,” he said. “If we don't have it, you can text us right there and ask us to buy it for you and put it on hold for you when it comes in. We order almost daily, so the wait is usually less than a week. If we do have it, you can put it on hold for you right then. Also, I like the contact your librarian feature. We are available to you during open hours to answer questions, set Notary Public appointments and dozens of other things we do.”

Horn said that receiving these benefits with the app will not be difficult for patrons.

“It is intuitive and easy to use,” he said.

The first year of administering the app is funded by the Friends of the Foley Public Library.

According to Horn, the idea for the program was conceived with today’s economy and hectic pace in mind.

“We know people are busy and getting to the library is sometimes tough,” he said. “We also know times are hard and people need to save money. So, the app was a logical ideal.”

Horn hopes library patrons will take advantage of its latest technological addition.

“So many people don't know how much the library can do for them,” he saidd “If it is right there on your phone or tablet, you may be surprised.”