INFORMATION RELEASE

Media Contact: Heather O'Connell
(239) 461-2924 or hoconnell@leegov.com

Additional Computers Being Installed Today and Thursday at Bonita Springs Public Library

FORT MYERS, Fla., March 8, 2006 – Workers will begin installing a dozen additional computers at Bonita Springs Public Library today, and will finish installing them on Thursday, March 9.

”Furniture to house the new computers arrives today, and then, the electrical work will begin. By Thursday, all the new computers will be installed.” said Community Relations Coordinator Heather O’Connell.

“In looking at the overall library service in Bonita Springs, we recognized adding more computers as one step that we could take immediately. We’ll continue to look for more comprehensive options, but we didn’t want library users to have to wait for an improvement that we could make now.” said Assistant County Manager Pete Winton.

The additional computers will bring the computer to patron ration to 1 computer for every 594 patrons.  As a comparison, Cape Coral Library has one computer for every 563 patrons, and Fort Myers has one for every 598 patrons.

Eight of the new computers will be housed across from the existing computer bank in the Adult section of the library said Maureen Pollock, Manager of the Bonita Springs Public Library.

“We’re very excited about it because it will help reduce wait times for patrons.” Pollock said, adding that she is already preparing staff to provide additional support for making reservations and using the computers.

”We currently have 18 computers and they’re busy all the time, so we’re sure the new computers will get plenty of use. It’s part of the growth and change that libraries are experiencing, now that so many resources are available online.” Pollock said.

The other four new computers will be installed in the Children’s section, doubling the number of computers in that area of the library.

                                                                   ###