Nearly one-third of Americans age 14 or older - roughly 77 million people - used a public library computer or wireless network to access the Internet in the past year,  according to a national report released today. In 2009, as the nation struggled through a recession, people relied on library technology to find work, apply for college, secure government benefits, learn about critical medical treatments, and connect with their communities.

The use of library technology had significant impact in four critical areas: employment, education, health, and making community connections. In the last 12 months:

40 percent of library computer users (an estimated 30 million people) received help with career needs. Among these users, 75 percent reported they searched for a job online. Half of these users filled out an online application or submitted a resume.

37 percent focused on health issues. The vast majority of these users (82 percent) logged on to learn about a disease, illness, or medical condition. One-third of these users sought out doctors or health care providers. Of these, about half followed up by making appointments for care.

42 percent received help with educational needs. Among these users, 37 percent (an estimated 12 million students) used their local library computer to do homework for a class.
Library computers linked patrons to their government, communities, and civic organizations. Sixty-percent of users - 43.3 million people - used a library’s computer resources to connect with others.
“There is no ambiguity in these numbers. Millions of people see libraries as an essential tool to connect them to information, knowledge, and opportunities,” said Marsha Semmel, acting director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. “Policy makers must fully recognize and support the role libraries are playing in workforce development, education, health and wellness, and the delivery of government services.”

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OverDrive has expanded on-the-go access for library patrons with the beta release of an audiobook app (mobile version of OverDrive Media Console) for BlackBerry. Popular devices like the BlackBerry Storm and BlackBerry Curve can now be used to download MP3 audiobooks from your library’s digital collection anytime, anywhere.

The audiobook app for BlackBerry joins the mobile suite of apps that are already available for Windows Mobile and Android™ devices. To download an audiobook app, users can visit http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc

For those of you who participated in the Trivia Contest during the 2010 Adult Reading Program, here are the answers:

For how many weeks can I check most books?
*2 weeks*

What is another word for the section that has true and realistic books?
*Nonfiction*

What does ILL stand for?
*Inter Library Loan*

What Dewey Decimal Number has Sports Books?
*700s*

If a call number says C PB, what does that mean?
*Classic Paperback*
If I needed to locate something on a map, I would use
*Atlas*

True or False: An Encyclopedia is written by one person
*False*

Who wrote the Cat in the Hat?
*Dr. Seuss*

Where can I find comic books in the library?
*Graphic novel section*

If I can’t find a book, what do I do?
*Ask the librarian*

Where can I find old (before Dec 2008) Manchester Times articles?
*On microfiche in genealogy*

What is one thing I CANNOT check out of my library
*Power Tools*

How many DVD’s can I check out?
*4*

Approximately how many books does your library have?
*70,000*

True or False: Your library is on FaceBook.
*True*

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to the sponsors of this year’s 2010 Adult Reading Program. Without their generosity we could never hope to provide this service to the citizens of Coffee County. 

Two hundred eighty adults participated in this year’s program, reading 1500 books.  Because of our wonderful sponsors, the library was able to provide the participants 85 prizes.

The following local businesses made donations of merchandise, gift certificates, or services:
  AutoZone
  Baker Brothers
  Coffee Café
  Cracker Barrel
  Eaton’s Home Center
  El Manantial Taqueria and Restaurant
  Expressway Lube
  Gateway Tire & Service Center
  Great Clips
  Home Depot
  Jiffy Burger
  Manchester Coffee County Conference Center
  Patch Manor
  Shoneys
  Susan Myers’ Fun Co2
  Walgreens

Without Starbucks, the Coffee County Senior Citizens, Donut Palace and Jiffy Burger we could not have provided the snacks for our kickoff program, the Third Annual Author Signing held January 16, 2009.  Over 350 people came to the library that day to meet the twenty-one authors present.

On behalf of the library staff and the program participants, I thank you. 

Virginia Diehl