Members of the Wayne Library Authority Board offered their thanks to the Wayne County Commissioners for a grant which helped the Authority qualify for a Gates Foundation grant to purchase more computers.

The Wayne Library Authority is made up of seven public libraries in Wayne County. The Commissioners gave the Authority a grant for $7,800 to help the Authority meet its two for one match for the Gates grants. The Authority will be able to buy nine computers and software for the libraries in the system. The libraries include Hawley Public Library, Community Library of Lake and Salem Townships, Newfoundland Area, Bethany, Pleasant Mount, Northern Wayne and the Wayne County Public Library in Honesdale.

The Gates grant is part of a two year cycle which will include a one for one match next year for $9,100. The Authority expects to buy seven more computers next years.

The Gates Foundation grant is designed to help libraries stay abreast of the changing technology and increase services to their users. This is especially important in rural areas where funding sources are fewer and the need for computers may be greater.

Cindy Smith, president of the Authority, explained that library usage continues to increase in Wayne County. She added a survey recently completed with the help of another grant showed library users ranked computer access as very important.

In fact, use of electronic services in the Library system increased in 2007 to 34,818 sessions up 45 percent over the previous year. Authority Vice President Genevieve Reese, who is also a member of the Newfoundland Area Library board, said the statistics don’t tell the whole story. She explained there many stories of how people in the county use the library computers.

She noted some people use the computers to communicate with families and pointed out some parts of the county such as Northern Wayne have limited internet access with only one provider.

Maura Rottmund, director of the Hawley Library, pointed out a woman was sitting on the steps outside using the libraries wireless access to conduct business that very moment. She added some people look for jobs and others search for things to do in the area as they visit the region.

“You should see the people that come through (the library),” she said. They include tourist, children of all ages and even a group of boys who enjoy using the library computers to play games. She said one person in Hawley runs and eBay business from the library computer and another in Pleasant Mount who sells race horses.

The library computers also allow taxpayers to get forms for the IRS. Rottmund said the library was very busy evenings before April 15 as filers came in to use the computers to get the forms found on the IRS website.

People also read newspapers and, of course, taking out books as well.

Some people use the computers when they are traveling to check their e-mails and keep in touch with family while their away.

For others, like Angel Villalba, the library is not only a place to find books and use computers, but also to meet people. Villalba, a regular at the Hawley Library, says he has met many new friends at the library since moving here two years ago.

Lynn Gavula, Lakeville, began using the library as weekend homeowner, and since she and her husband moved her from the Camden, NJ, area has become active working with the Hawley Library. She pointed out she feels she gets better service from the Libraries in Wayne County then from the larger system in Camden, NJ. She explained if the Hawley Library did not have a book on its selves, she could get it very quickly through the interlibrary loan program — faster then through the Camden system.

Others pointed out the staff and volunteers not only tell  customers where to look for something, but often help them find what they are looking for.

The libraries also have after school and summer programs for children, computer classes for all ages and is adding services like test proctoring, allowing residents to take college tests over the internet at the library.

Commissioner Chairman Brian Smith said the support for the Library system grew from the old board and continued in this board. “We realize you have a problem,” he said, adding the Commissioners knew the libraries were working address it.

“It’s admirable, not only the service you offer but also  the environment you offer (children). It’s safe,” he said.

Commissioner Anthony Herzog congratulated the Authority on how far they’ve come over the last decade to increase funding and improve library services throughout the County. He added, “We can see the results getting better day by day.”

Commissioner Wendell Kay said he grew up as a library kid. He explained that he lived in Hawley for a year, before the library was opened, but spent much of his time in the Wayne County Library when his family moved there. He added, “We’re so used to the service from the volunteers and staff, we take it for granted.”

This is the second round of grants received from the Gates Foundation. The first as in 2002 and the Library system received 17 computers.

It’s not the only grant the Library Authority is using. The Authority is also using the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) to improve its services, according Molly Rodgers, library system administrator. Rodgers said LSTA funds paid for the assessment of the library system last year which is helping the system guide its plans for improvements. LSTA money will also help make all the libraries “hot spots” and update the computer system to allow for the gateways required by Federal laws to protect children from pornography.

Currently, only three of the library have wireless access, which allows library customers to use their own laptop computer at or near the library. The system allows users to access the internet at libraries even when they are closed if you are within range.

Grants also purchased the computers the staff uses to track the system’s catalog which gives library patrons access to all the books at any of the Libraries in Wayne County as well as in the Pennsylvania library system. Patrons can also access the catalog from their homes and reserve books for pick up at their local library through the internet.

The Gates Foundation grant also included an education requirement, where staff and board members learned about ways to improve services, and increase usage of the library.

For more information on any of the Wayne County Libraries stop in at one of the seven branches or go to www.waynelibraries.org.